Apollo outlasts resurgent Warren County in shootout

August 24, 2019 | 1:39 am

Updated August 24, 2019 | 4:24 am

Harold Hogg rushes for one of his four total touchdowns in Apollo's win over Warren Central on Friday. | Photo by Ryan Richardson

After going down by 14 with less than 11 minutes to play, Apollo found a way to win in an absolute offensive shootout Friday night. The Eagles stormed back with three touchdowns to claim a 66-56 home victory over Warren Central.

The Dragons (0-1), losers of 35 consecutive games dating back to 2015, held a 56-42 lead over the Eagles after quarterback DAndre Boyd recorded his eight total touchdown with 10:50 to play.

Apollo responded with three scoring drives, each capped with a 2-point conversion by running back Harold Hogg, a junior transfer from Owensboro Catholic.
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For a full photo gallery from the game, click here.
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Hogg led the way for the Eagles, scoring four rushing touchdowns and logging more than 200 yards. After Apollo took over on their own 40-yard line with 2:42 to play, Hogg helped secure the win with a 55-yard scamper followed by a 5-yard touchdown run plus the 2-point conversion.

“He is unbelievable,” said Apollo head coach Phillip Hawkins of his new star in the backfield. “He leads the charge for us, along with a capable offensive line and an incredible complementary running back in Geoffery Johnson. Those guys are absolutely huge for us.”

Matching Hogg’s four scores was Apollo junior quarterback Damian Lovinsky, who scampered in for two of his own while connecting with senior wideout Brandon Husk for a pair of passing touchdowns. Johnson chipped in with one of his own.

The Eagles went ahead 20-8 with scores by Hogg, Husk and Lovinsky, but the Dragons scored 20 unanswered points en route to a 28-20 halftime advantage.

Apollo briefly tied the game after a rushing touchdown each from Hogg and Lovinsky, but they found themselves trailing 42-34 with 2:34 to play in the third quarter.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Lovinsky connected with Husk for a 36-yard gain, followed a few plays later by a 2-yard Johnson touchdown run and Lovinsky conversion that helped Apollo pull level again.

Warren Central refused to roll over, though, and quickly tacked on two more scores to make for the 56-42 lead with 10:50 to play.

A Lovinsky-to-Husk connection trimmed the Apollo deficit to two, and the Eagles took the lead for good on a 47-yard scamper.

Hawkins was quick to mention the resurgence of a Warren Central program that displayed a matching look on offense all the night with weapons on all fronts.

“Hats off to Warren Central,” Hawkins said. “They are a heck of a lot better than what anyone could have expected. I knew it was going to be a battle, but those guys were unbelievable. That team is going to win some games this year.”

Apollo returns to action Aug. 30 as they travel to Caldwell County.

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2019 football coverage is presented in part by Drew Cunningham, agent at State Farm. 

August 24, 2019 | 1:39 am

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