Football Season Ends in Second Round of Playoffs

By Don Meador,
Sports Writer

The Bardstown Tigers knocked the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots from the Class 4A playoffs last Friday in the second round of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association playoffs. The homesteading Tigers downed AC-S 42-7–the second consecutive year that the Patriots’ season has ended on the turf at Bardstown.

Based on RPI, the Patriots were the favorites entering Friday’s road game. In addition, given the fact that Bardstown struggled in their opening round against Logan County, AC-S fans liked their chances to obtain the win and move forward. However, the Tigers had other plans.

AC-S won the toss but deferred possession to the second half. Bardstown quickly took advantage of receiving the opening kickoff and following with a long return, the Tigers needed three plays to score. The PAT gave Bardstown a 7-0 lead less than 30 seconds into the contest.

AC-S was unable to move the ball on their first series, forced to punt the ball away. Bardstown wasted little time in taking their second possession 60 yards. With 6:22 left in the first half, the Tigers led 14-0.

The first quarter would see two more Tiger touchdowns. After an AC-S fumble near their own 20-yard line, Bardstown recovered. Soon, the Tigers scored again to take a 21-0 lead by the 4:59 point of the first period. AC-S answered with three incomplete passes. Bardstown fielded a second AC-S punt and followed with a fourth score in the first eight minutes. With 2:28 left on the clock, Bardstown owned a 28-0 lead.

This time, the Patriots quickly countered. De’Ante Grainger took the following kickoff near his own 14-yard line. Like he has done on returns on multiple occasions in 2024, Grainger sliced and diced his way free and down the field. The speedster outran the Tigers’ coverage for the score. The PAT brought AC-S to within three TDs near the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter would be the deciding point in the game. AC-S refused to fold and had two chances to cut into the Tigers lead. First, AC-S stopped the Tigers at their 18-yard line–thus preventing another score early in the send. The Patriots followed with a determined march toward the Tigers end zone. However, the drive stalled at the 7:11 mark of the second when the Patriots were unable to convert on a fourth down at the Tigers’ five-yard line.

The back-breaker for AC-S came on the next series. A Tiger fumble was pounced on by the Patriots at the Tigers’ 31-yard line. Once again, AC-S could not pick up a first down, giving the ball back to the hosts on downs again at the 3:53 point on the second. AC-S trailed 28-7 at halftime.

Bardstown held the Patriots on the first series of the second half. On their opening possession, the Tigers scored on a 45-yard run at the 7:15 mark to open a 35-7 lead. With 3:51 left in the third, the Tigers added another seven. The Tigers’ score extended their lead to 35 points and started the running clock for the rest of the game.

AC-S stats for the game were not posted as of deadline on Monday. Additional details will be forthcoming in a wrap up article on the season in the weeks to come.

AC-S closes the 56th year of Patriot football with a 9-3 record. The nine wins was the team’s most victories since the 2010 season. Coach Brad Hood completes his 19th season with a career record of 114-104. Overall, Patriot football is 292-315 since its inception in 1969.