The Switzerland County Pacer varsity football team fell to Bracken County, Kentucky, in their season opener last Friday night, 12-0.
The Pacers defense was strong throughout the night, coming up with big stops and holding the Polar Bears to less than 150 yards of total offense.
On the other side of the ball, Coach Ryan Jesop said that the offense just could not muster enough momentum to put points on the board.
“Our defense takes great pride in their play and those same guys make up the majority of the offense,” Coach Jesop said. “However, if we don’t work to get better in practice offensively and limit mental mistakes on that side of the ball…well, it’s hard to win games if you don’t score any points.”
The first score of the game came when Bracken County intercepted a pass in the Pacers’ red zone and took it 8 yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, and the score remained 6-0 until late in the fourth quarter; when the home team put together a small drive to tack on another six points.
Coach Jesop highlighted big plays defensively by Logan Skaggs, who tied teammate Harrison Griffis in tackles with seven. Skaggs also recovered a fumble on the Bracken three-yard line to help stop another Polar Bear drive, but that proved to not be enough for Switzerland County.
On offense, quarterback Bryce Turner had 24 yards passing; and running back Tre Batchelor had 24 yards rushing on five carries. Hunter Records racked up 10 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Dezmond Lange had 2 1/2 tackles, including two tackles for a loss; while Griffis also had two tackles that resulted in losses. Linebacker Brenon Smith recorded a sack.
The Pacers will host Gallatin County in their home opener tomorrow (Friday) night at 7 p.m.