Moments after capturing a crosstown rivalry win on the gridiron, seniors Ryan Myers and Tahj Manning admitted they’ll be celebrating Hopkinsville’s 21-12 victory over Christian County by playing the popular video game Call of Duty. On Senior Night at Stadium of Champions, the veteran duo more than answered the call, helping the Tiger football team stave off a gritty Colonels squad and giving Hoptown back-to-back wins over County for the first time since 2002.
CCHS still owns the all-time series lead over HHS by a count of 29-25, but the Cols’ fourth straight loss of 2020 helped the Tigers secure the Braggin’ Rights trophy. As they celebrated with said trophy, players and cheerleaders from Hopkinsville released balloons on the field, in memory of fallen teammate EJ Austin.
Neither team scored in the second half of a contest that appeared to be on the verge of a shootout, after the longtime rivals traded touchdowns – a minute apart – just five minutes into the tilt. After Christian County managed to recover its own kickoff to start the game, senior L’Ray Coleman capitalized with a four-yard touchdown run.
Sixty seconds later, however, on a playaction fake, junior Trey Jefferson hit senior Reece Jesse in stride for a 60-yard TD that led to 21 unanswered points by Hoptown. Jesse’s fifth touchdown catch of the season ended up being the game-winner, as the Colonels never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Manning was key to helping bottle up CCHS playmakers Coleman and fellow senior QB Donta Abren, who both struggled to find rhythm beyond the first half. After forcing a fumble of Jefferson in the final 15 seconds of the first half, Abren did make things interesting with a beauty of a 32-yard touchdown throw to JaSean Riley, cutting the Tigers’ halftime lead to 21-12.
But in the second half, Manning, Ventrall Baker and a lethal HHS defense took care of business to make the halftime score stand up. Emmanuel Cheatham appeared to return an interception 25 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter, but it was called back due to offsetting penalties.
Jefferson was involved with all three touchdowns; he also threw one to Jayden Dillard. Then, after a 12-yard gain by Myers on a direct snap, Jefferson reached across the goal line on the next play for a four-yard score, giving his team the 15-point cushion.
Dillard helped seal the deal in the fourth quarter with 40 yards worth of runs and a pair of key third-down conversions, keeping Christian County’s offense on the sideline for over seven minutes.
Hopkinsville head coach Craig Clayton called it an “ugly win” while talking to his team after the game. The Tigers lost a fumble, had three turnovers on downs and racked up 100 yards in penalties, but still managed to escape in the 54th all-time meeting between Hoptown and County.
The Colonels (1-4) are scheduled to play one more regular season game. They’ll try to end their four-game skid Nov. 6 in a home game with Caldwell County (3-3) at Stadium of Champions.
Hoptown doesn’t currently have a final regular season game on its calendar, but could potentially play at Hopkins County Central if Calloway County is unable to play due to its school district’s COVID-19 policy. Stay tuned to YourSportsEdge.com for updates regarding the Tigers’ next opponent.
SCORE BY QUARTER
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
CCHS (1-4) 6 6 0 0 — 12
HHS (4-2) 14 7 0 0 — 21
SCORING PLAYS
CCHS: 1Q (8:16), L’Ray Coleman 4-yard run (2-point conversion no good)
HHS: 1Q (7:13), Reece Jesse 60-yard catch from Trey Jefferson (Zach Moss kick)
HHS: 1Q (0:52), Jayden Dillard 4-yard catch from Jefferson (Moss kick)
HHS: 2Q (4:18), Jefferson 2-yard run (Moss kick)
CCHS: 2Q (0:00), JaSean Riley 32-yard from Donta Abren (2-point conversion no good)
