By: Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County TimesWest Carter had a strong showing in their first game of the playoffs against Prestonsburg, holding the Blackcats scoreless until the final period, and ending the game with a score of 36-7 last Friday.
West scored their first touchdown in the first quarter with eight minutes and 16 seconds on the clock on a 79 yard run from Leetavious Cline, who has had a tremendous season with the Comets. This was West’s first offensive play of the game after forcing a Prestonsburg punt on their opening drive. The kick from Garrett Wolfe was good, giving West a 7-0 lead following that first touchdown. It was Cline again, on a one yard advance, with just under a minute left in the quarter, and a two-point conversion from Blake McGlone taking the score to 15-0.
In the second quarter Gage Leadingham scored on a 29 yard pass from quarterback Orry Perry. Leadingham’s TD was followed by a Jackson Bond touchdown on a 54 yard pass from Perry. Kicks from Wolfe were good following both touchdowns, giving the Comets a 29 point lead going into the second half.
West would score one more time in the second half, on a 25 yard run from Cline and a kick from Wolfe, taking the score to 36-0 before the Blackcats found their game legs, but it was too little too late. The Comets defense would only give up one touchdown to Prestonsburg, in the fourth quarter, on a two yard run and a kick from Jackson Shannon, leaving the final score at 36-7, West Carter.
Cline had 15 carries, for 156 yards. His rushing yards on Friday gives Cline 1,559 yards on the season, breaking a previous record held by former player, coach, teacher, and athletic director Brian Brown since 1985. It also moved Cline into second place in career rushing yardage, with 3,430 career yards, behind the 3,750 yards of Eric Berry. Cline also had 49 rushing touchdowns in his career after the game.
Perry was 10 for 14, with 136 yards and two touchdown passes. He moved into second place in career passing yards and touchdowns on Friday, with 2,961 yards and 42 touchdowns. Braden Brown holds the current record with 3,156 yards and 44 TDs.
Bond had four catches and 83 yards.
Senior kicker Garrett Wolfe was also breaking records on Friday. Wolfe broke the single season PAT record. He has 30 on the year now, breaking the previous record of 26 set by Tristan Moseby in 2015.
Defensive and offensive lineman Gavin Gibson, who has set records with sacks, tackles, and tackles for loss, committed to Centre for their football program earlier in the week. Gavin has also performed well academically, scoring a 36 on his ACT.
West will face Shelby Valley at home, this Friday, at 7 p.m. for their second game of the playoffs.
On the other side of the county East Carter lost their playoff game against Russell, 28-47, eliminating them from the playoffs.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com