Opportunistic Royals stop Boyd County

October 1, 2005

The Boyd County Lions dominated the stat sheet; however, there were two areas in which Mason County came out on top. As it turned out, they were the most important.

Although the Royals were out gained in total yards 371 to 233, Mason County’s defense came up huge and forced six turnovers that led to the final stat, a 40-26 victory. Not only did the victory improve the Royals’ record to 5-1, but, most importantly, it put Mason County at 1-0 in the district with four games left.

“We needed everyone of those turnovers,” said Mason County head coach David Buchanan. “Normally, if you give up 400 yards of total offense, you don’t win. But, once again, our guys found a way to win. Tonight, it was with the turnovers. The guys stepped up and made play after play after play.”

One of the biggest of those plays came late in the third quarter with Boyd County driving the ball on offense and threatening to cut into the Royals’ 28-19. The Lions had the ball on Mason County’s 15-yard line and gave it to their best runner, Brennan Sargent. However, Sargent fumbled the ball after being hit hard and Chris Hull scooped it up on the 12-yard line and ran 88 yards the other way for a Royal touchdown. Not only did the play increase the lead to 34-19, but it did a lot to dampen the Lions’ spirits.

“I thought that was the play of the game,” Buchanan said. “It wasn’t just Chris, but the whole defense just played its hearts out and forced that fumble. Our guys were running to the ball and when you do that you have a chance at some turnovers.”

Hull’s fumble recovery was only one of four that the Lions committed in the second half that thwarted any hopes of Boyd County overcoming a 28-13 half-time deficit. Hull also had an interception in the game while Corey Jett and Ty Sargent had two interceptions each.

Although the Mason County defense came through in the clutch, it was the offense that set the pace in the first half by scoring four touchdowns.

The first one came on the game’s opening drive when Sargent connected with Darius Miller on a 20-yard scoring toss. Tony Browning’s PAT gave Mason County a 7-0 lead.

the Royals never relinquished.

After Boyd County’s Sargent scored on a 9-yard touchdown run on the ensuing possession, the Royals scored on an 11-yard pass from Sargent to Jett and a 21-yard run by Caleb Mullikin to take a 21-7 lead.

The Lions cut the lead to 21-13 on another short run by Brennan Sargent, only to see the Royals score again. This time, it was Korey Henry that did the honors with a 15-yard run that was set up by an outstanding kickoff return by Chase Crawford. Browning, again, added the extra point, putting Mason County up 28-13.

“Our kids executed great,” Buchanan added. “Outside of the first drive to start the second half, our execution was outstanding. When your guys execute, it makes it look like the coach has called a great play. But what it is is our guys just executed.”

Boyd County began the second half by putting together an 11-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a 20 -yard touchdown pass from Luke Moore to Austin Hunter. After the failed conversion attempt, the Lions trailed 28-19 and were threatening again before Hull’s heroics.

The Royals added a final score with 5:03 left in the game on a 22-yard run by Stephen Howell. That proved to be the icing on the cake, although, Boyd County added a late touchdown.

“You’d like to be able to relax more, but, once again, I’m pleased with our guys finding a way to win,” Buchanan said.

The loss was the third straight for the Lions after they began the season by winning their first four. They are now 0-2 in the district.

Mason County will now focus its attention on Ashland as the Royals will make the trip up the AA highway to face the Tomcats, next Friday.

Scores by quarters:

Boyd County 7 6 6 7 — 26

Mason County 7 21 6 6 — 40

Scoring

MC-Sargent 20 pass to Miller (Browning kick)

BC-Sargent 9 run (Gray kick)

MC-Sargent 12 pass to Jett (Browning kick)

MC-Mullikin 21 run (Browning kick)

BC-Sargent 4 run (run failed)