The Owensboro Catholic football team was a bit slow out of the gate Friday, but they eventually rallied and pulled away for a 48-24 district victory on the road over previously undefeated Todd County Central.
The Rebels (4-1, 0-1 Class 2A District 2) were first on the board with a quarterback sneak from one yard out, and the 2-point conversion gave them an 8-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Aces (5-1, 1-0) responded quickly, as Drew Hartz connected with Hagan Edge for a 50-yard touchdown strike. Dre Thruston ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the game. Catholic’s first lead came about a minute later when Hartz hit Jackson Staples for a 47-yard score, but the extra point was blocked.
Todd County Central’s last touchdown of the half came a minute later with a 70-yard passing score, and another conversion gave them a 16-14 lead with 2:16 to play in the first quarter.
Catholic went in front for good on another Hartz-to-Staples connection — this one a 3-yard toss — midway through the second. In the final 1:26 of the half, the Aces scored 14 more points.
After Chris Boarman recorded a safety, Edge added a pair of touchdowns. He scored on a 47-yard run with 58 seconds on the clock, then caught a 25-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left.
“Todd County is a solid football team,” said Catholic head coach Jason Morris. “I thought our kids did a great job weathering the early storm and withstood the early momentum that Todd County had at home.”
Catholic added to their lead late in the third quarter on an 80-yard strike, when Hartz completed a pass to Braden Mundy, who lateraled to Edge for another score.
Hartz carried in the final touchdown himself on a 4-yard scamper, and the Rebels added one more of their own in the final minute.
“We dropped too many balls, at least 10 or more,” Morris said. “We left too many points out on the field, but in the end we will never be upset with a tough road victory.”
Edge was the leading receiver with five catches for 158 yards, adding 48 yards on the ground. Thruston had eight carries for 84 yards to lead the rushing attack. Hartz finished 14-for-26 with 352 yards.
The Aces are on the road again next week when they take on McLean County.
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