Hardin County at LCMS August 29, 2024

By Coach Damian Clayton

The LCMS Panthers hosted the Hardin County Tigers from Savannah for their first home game of the season. The game started with an onside kick by HCMS recovered by Knox Rainey. The offense started quickly with a 3rd down reception by Rainey from Clayton then Rainey scored on a 26-yard counter with 6:08 on the first quarter clock. The 2-point attempt by CJ Durham right up the gut was successful.

After the ensuing kickoff, Hardin County started grinding the clock with their unbalanced quarterback power runs. The drive culminated in the beginning of the 2nd Quarter with a 4-yard quarterback run, but the two-point attempt was good. LCMS 8 HCMS 8.

The second quarter saw the LCMS Offense struggle with dropped passes and a fumble. This opened the door for Hardin to take the lead as #10 for the visitors went around the left side of the defense on a reverse covering 22 yards with less than 30 seconds remaining in the 1st half. The 2-point attempt was no good. The ensuing onside kick off was recovered by Clayton. The offense went quickly from midfield to the redzone on a 19-yard reception by Remington Logue, but a pass over the middle intended for Dax James was intercepted by the Tigers. Halftime, HCMS 14 LCMS 8.

The Panthers had to kickoff to begin the 2nd half, but John Adams executed a perfect onside kick, stealing a possession. The extra possession would prove to be fruitless as a fourth down pass attempt was incomplete. Neither team scored in the 3rd quarter. The Panthers did have a goal line stand resulting in a fumble recovered by K. Rainey.

6:29 into the fourth the HCMS offense forced their way into the endzone from 9 yards out as the QB power play proved effective, but the 2 point was denied. As the fourth quarter waned down, the LCMS Offense rallied and put a drive together. Once in the redzone the Panthers had to deal with cramps and penalties, but on 4th and 22, Knox Rainey ran the jet sweep making one cut then zipped up the sideline with 2:28 remaining. Clayton converted the 2-point conversion on the QB wedge play. HCMS 20 LCMS 16.

Lewis County attempted another onside but after one returner missed the bounce the next one corralled it. This set up a run-the-clock out situation. After each snap the home team used all three timeouts. The game ended on a stripped ball fumble caused by John Adams, but the referees blew the play dead and cited forward progress had been stopped, awarding Hardin County with a first down, this proved to be the end of the contest. The Panthers showed a lot of effort and heart in the second half. Lewis County has 12 eighth graders where Hardin County rostered 26.

Statistical leaders for Lewis County: Knox Rainey 12 for 87 yards 4 receptions for 28 yards. Durham 2 rushes for 14 yards. Remington Logue 1 reception for 19 yards, Dax James 2 for 20. LC totals 38 plays for 163 yards: 96 rushing yards and 67 passing yards. Leading in Tackles: Rainey 7 and fumble recovery, Adams 6, Durham 6, Clayton 4, Sharp and Chapin 3

LCMS Panthers host Parsons Riverside September 5, 6:30 at A.B. Sisco Field. This will be the Homecoming Game.