One week after a lackluster performance versus an outmanned Shelby County squad, the Oldham County Colonels needed a big win versus a big team. The "BIG" team that showed up for Homecoming 2000 was the Central Hardin Bruins, a team in desparate need of a District win.

Big may have been an understatement. With 95 players on their roster, the Bruins brought a lot of players to Buckner. And the size of the players themselves was impressive: The starting offensive linemen averaged 270 pounds, with two 300 pound tackles.

Oldham County coach Mike Jackson was concerned about the game…his team was having to deal with the distractions of Homecoming Week, star running back Ben Kittleson was out of the lineup again, this time with a knee sprain, and Central Hardin – a senior-dominated team that had been picked to finish fourth in the district in the pre-season – was in dire need of a district victory after losses to North Hardin and Meade County. A third district win would put Oldham in a good position to cement a playoff berth with a win over Bullitt Central next week. A third loss by Central Hardin, however, would almost knock them out of playoff contention, with a key matchup against Nelson County yet to come.

The game started ominously. After kicking off to Central Hardin to start the game, the Colonels watched as the Bruins ripped off two quick first downs – the first after halfback Kenny Perry ran for twenty yards on a third-and-18 play. But the Oldham defense – which had only allowed 7 points since Madison Central hung 20 points on the Colonels three weeks ago – stood tall and forced a punt. That’s when things got a little goofy.

After a couple of ineffective plays, the Colonels fumbled the ball to the Bruins on their own 17 yard line. The Colonel "D" held the Bruins to just nine yards, but Central Hardin capitalized with a 26 yard field goal by Sean Flynn with 4:21 to go in the quarter to take a 3-0 lead.

The two defenses then settled in for the remainder of the quarter, which ended with Oldham County having zero first downs and a total of minus-2 net yards on four offensive plays.

Central punted to end the first quarter, and the Oldham County offense came alive as the second frame began. Driving the length of the field, Oldham put it in the end zone when Clint Carnes – filling in for Kittleson – sprinted around the left end for 35 yards and a touchdown with 10:32 to go in the half. Chris Thompson’s extra point gave Oldham the lead for good at 7-3.

On Central Hardin’s next possession, they faced a third-and-1/2 situation, only to see Oldham County stop Shea Allen on the option on the next play for a seven yard loss. The ensuing punt was partially blocked, and Oldham County hit paydirt moments later, with 4:06 to go in the half, when Clint Carnes scored his second TD of the night on a 13 yard run. Thompson made it 14-3.

With 2:59 to go in the first half, Oldham got the ball back after a punt. But the Colonels suddenly became dysfunctional on offense, and when a pass bounced off Clint Carnes (helmet?) high into the air, Larry Williams picked the ball out of the air and dashed 50 yards for a touchdown. Sean Flynn’s kick made it 14-10 at the break.

The Colonels got the ball first to open the half, and they made the most of it. Matt McCarthy took the kickoff and returned it 36 yards to the Oldham County 47 yard line, giving Oldham great field position. Seven plays and 53 yards later, Miles Brewer took the ball into the end zone on a five yard sweep. Thompson then made it 21-10 with 8:50 to go in the quarter.

But on the Colonels’ next possession, things got a little crazy again, with Nathaniel Johnson’s punt being blocked. Central recovered at the OC 20, and on fourth and goal from the half-yard line, quarterback Marcus Barnes took it in on a keeper with just 1:02 to go in the third. Jason Mike ran in the two point conversion to pull Central to within a mere three points at 21-18.

Hardly a comfortable lead, but it turned out to be enough.

The Colonel defense continuously rose to the challenge, though, keeping the Bruins deep in their own end of the field. Midway through the fourth period, with the final outcome still in doubt, the Bruins punted from their own endzone and Oldham got the ball at the Central Hardin 38 yard line with 8 03 to go.

On the very first play from scrimmage, Johnson rolled left. Finding his receivers covered, he he tucked the ball under his arm and dashed 38 yards for the score. Thompson’s kick made it 28-18.

The Colonels put the game out of reach when Brandon Morton dashed sixteen yards to paydirt with 2:58 to go.

Again, the defense played superbly. After allowing less than ten points to Ballard, Eastern, Nelson County, and Shelby (They shut out Shelby, but the Rockets scored on a fumble recovery), the Colonels largely manhandled Central. The Bruins came into the contest averaging 190+ yards rushing per game; but Oldham limited them to just 86 yards on 40 carries. Although the Bruins did score 10 points against the defense, the field goal came against a backed-up defense after a fumble recovery on the Oldham 17. Seven points came on an interception return. And the last eight came after the Bruins blocked a Nathaniel Johonson punt.

UNOFFICIAL WYKY Stats:

Oldham County rushing –

Morton 3 carries – 50 yards 1 TD

Johnson 5-50 1 TD

Brewer 19- 48 1 TD

Carnes 5 – 29 2 TDs

Passing:

Johnson 4 completions – 8 attempts – 1 INT

Receiving:

Robinson 2 catches 13 yards

Brewer 1 – 22

Carnes 1 – (1)

OTHER REGION 2, DISTRICT 3 SCORES / STANDINGS:

Nelson County 21, Meade County 6

North Hardin 27, Bullitt Central 6

Shelby County 13, South Oldham 6

Oldham County 35, Central Hardin 18

Standings:

Overall Record District Record

Oldham County 5 wins 1 loss 3 wins 0 losses

North Hardin 5 – 1 3 – 0

Meade County 5 – 1 2 – 1

Nelson County 3 – 3 2 – 1

South Oldham 4 – 2 1 – 2

Shelby County 2 – 4 1 – 2

Central Hardin 2 – 4 0 – 3

Bulltitt Central 1 – 4 0 - 3

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