For the 2nd year in a row, the Caldwell County Tigers will host the LaRue County Hawks for a chance to play in the Class 3A Region 1 championship game. Last year, the Tigers won the matchup 40-27 to move on to their 3rd straight 3A regional final.
The game was one of big plays by both sides, on both sides of the ball. Caldwell County got on the board first when Jameer Riley ripped off a 30-yard touchdown run with 7:09 to go in the first quarter to put the Tigers in front 6-0.
LaRue County responded as Dane Milby threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Shane King with 5:35 to go in the opening quarter to put the Hawks ahead 7-6. After a short Caldwell County punt set LaRue County up near midfield, the Hawks struck again, this time when Milby kept it for a 42-yard score to extend the lead to 13-6 with 7:48 to go in the half.
The Tigers got their next big play seconds later, as Trel Riley returned the ensuing kickoff 75-yards to make it 13-12. Jameer Riley came up with an interception on LaRue County’s next possesion, setting the Tigers up at the Hawk’s 22. The Tigers found the end zone again, when Oliver Parker, off a handoff, found Travis Newsom with 5:37 to go in the half to put Caldwell County back in front 19-13.
Less than a minute later LaRue County took the lead back at 20-19 when Milby connected with Anthony Adkins on a long pass with 4:48 to go in the half.
In the final minute of the first half. Caldwell County blocked a LaRue County punt and recovered it at the Hawk’s 10 yard line with 34-seconds to go in the half. Jaggers then hit Trel Riley with a 6-yard touchdown pass with 13-seconds left in the half to put the Tigers back in front 26-20.
Caldwell County took the opening possession of the second half and drove it down the field, with Jameer Riley taking it the final two yards to extend the lead to 33-20. Late in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers struck again to put the game out of reach. On a 4th and long, Joby Jaggers found Gabe East for a 30-yard touchdown to extend the margin to 40-20.
The two teams square off again Friday night, with kickoff set for 7:00 at Tiger Stadium in Princeton.
