The Christian County Colonels used a stifling defensive effort and a turnover-free offensive performance to knock off Hopkinsville 16-7 at the Stadium of Champions on Friday night. The Colonels win their fourth-straight in the series and even their record this season at 2-2 with a bye week coming up. The Tigers slip to 1-3 with a trip to face Paducah Tilghman (3-1) on tap next Friday.
After trading punts to start the game, Hopkinsville quarterback Jay Bland found Ellis Dunn, a Colonel transfer, for a 33-yard gain down the sideline to the Colonel 9-yard line. Bland scampered 8 yards to the 1, before Jordan Hopson punched it in from there for a 7-0 Hoptown lead.
Early in the second quarter, Christian County took advantage of a fumbled snap on a punt by the Tigers to set up 1st and 10 on the Tiger 25. After two 1st down runs by JaDonavin McNeal, Colonel quarterback JLin Powell found the end zone on a keeper. However, Ben Settle’s extra-point attempt was wide and the Colonels trailed 7-6.
Bad snaps continued to plague the Tigers, with another leading to a sack and a 3rd and 20 from their own 18. After an incomplete pass, the Tigers lined up to punt, but the snap sailed over punter Mason Marschand’s head and into the end zone for a safety.
Up 8-7, the Colonels took possession at midfield with 4:00 left in the half and twice converted on 4th down to move to the Tigers’ 20. Powell ran for 16 yards to set up a 1st and goal from the 4 with :07 left, before having a pass broken up at the goal line. With :02 on the clock, the Colonels opted for a field goal attempt, but Dunn got in off the edge to block the attempt and keep the Tigers within a point.
With just under 9 minutes to go in the third quarter, Bland stayed down after a run. Dunn lined up at quarterback for the Tigers and was sacked on third down. Bland returned on 4th down and punted, but only hit a 9-yarder and the Colonels took over near midfield. On 3rd and 10, Powell found Tyler West for a 55-yard touchdown strike, and after a successful 2-point conversion the Colonels led 16-7.
On the Tigers’ next possession, Bland went down again and this time could not return. In his absence, Hoptown turned to a combination of Dunn, Hopson and JaTorion Dillard under center, but their attack was severely limited. Throughout the fourth quarter, the Tigers struggled to move the ball and the Colonels were happy to let the clock run. On their final possession of the game, Hoptown moved down the field to the Colonels’ 20 on the strength of three first-down runs by Dillard, but another bad snap ended the drive as time expired.
