PORTSMOUTH —
Greenup County senior halfback Corey Lyle had over 200 yards rushing before Saturday’s game at Notre Dame.
Lyle almost gained that in one game. He carried 22 times for 199 yards and two touchdowns in the Musketeers’ 28-7 win at Spartan Stadium.
Lyle’s yards were his highest total since he torched Lewis County for 236 two years ago. He knew who to credit.
“I have this big guy blocking for me,” Lyle said, pointing to senior tackle Brian Grayson.
Greenup County went into last night three offensive linemen short — senior Jon Harr (broken arm), junior Nick Tackett (sprained ankle and bruised ribs from a car accident) and junior Chris Nichols (hyper-extended knee) were out.
You wouldn’t have known it because their replacements, Grayson and senior Alex Poplin, helped the Musketeers gain 145 rushing yards in the first half and 273 for the night.
Thing was, Grayson figured he’d be sitting on the bench for most of the season.
“I just run whatever they call,” Grayson said.
The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Grayson wasn’t the only contributor. Senior guard Cole Potter (6-4, 285) and tight ends Andrew Gilliand (5-10, 190) and Michael Hampton (6-5, 285) were equal bricks in the wall.
The Musketeers’ most effective play was handing the ball to Lyle around right end. He scored from 35 yards out with 8:05 left in the first quarter, and he later ripped off a 54-yard chunk early in the second quarter after Rister faked into the line.
Greenup County (2-1) unveiled a new wrinkle on offense. Its normally wishbone-based offense scored twice out of the shotgun formation.
“We wanted to see if we could do a few things and be a little versatile,” Musketeers coach Mike Copley said.
Copley’s biggest concern, however, was ball security. He should be happy after last night — Greenup County surrendered five turnovers against Ashland, one against Russell and none to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s lone first half highlight was sacking Musketeer quarterback Mason Rister for 14 yards just before halftime. The Titans’ offense didn’t do a lot — just 18 yards in the first half and 136 for the game.
“At the end, we couldn’t outlast them,” Notre Dame coach Bob Ashley said.
Notre Dame (1-1) broke out its passing game to open the third quarter, and it worked. Quarterback Brock Hannah found Ryan Lewis twice for 53 yards, which set up Hannah’s six-yard score around right end.
Lyle dominated the statistics, but he wasn’t the only contributor. Rister’s 26-yard run set up Lyle’s 13-yard score with 4:29 left in the third.
Rister and Gilliand connected for a 66-yard TD pass a little more than two minutes into the second quarter. Lyle finished the scoring with a seven-yard run with 1:05 left in the game.
Greenup County hosts Raceland Friday.
After the game, Lyle and Grayson talked about dinner for the linemen — with Lyle paying. Lyle’s parents may want to watch their wallets.
“I think that’s going to happen,” Lyle said.
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