[Stardust]

It’s not often a quarterback blocks a punt – much less one that results in a touchdown-- but Scott County’s Ben Lawler did just that in the undefeated Cardinals’ 52-14 Class 6-A football playoff victory over Eastern Friday night in Middletown.

With the Cardinals already leading 7-0 early in the first quarter, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Lawler ran in from the left side of the defense and blocked a punt by Eastern’s Michael Bryar. Outside linebacker Tre Franklin picked up the ball and ran 15 yards into the end zone for a quick and shocking 14-0 margin.

Scott County (13-0 is one of only two teams undefeated teams in 6-A. Trinity, which beat St. Xavier 42-6 is the other. Scott County now advances to semifinal play next Friday in Georgetown where the Cardinals host Boone County, a 21-0 victor over Lafayette in its quarterfinal game.

Lawler scored twice on runs of two and one yard, but his blocked punt was a first for him.

“Coach (Jim McKee) put me on the punt rush team in practice this week,’’ Lawler said after Scott County ended Eastern’s six-game winning streak with its lopsided victory. “It was a great feeling (to block a punt). It was almost as good as running for a touchdown.’’

McKee, a former head coach at Oldham County, said there was a reason he put Lawler on the punt rush team for the first time.

“He’s really a good athlete,’’ McKee said. “We feel like when we don’t play a team on a regular basis we can go in and block a punt. It’s do or die this time of year. There was nothing to hold back and save.’’

For Eastern, the season ended with a 10-3 record.

“It’s never fun to lose your last game,’’ Eastern coach Ken Whalen said. “Only one team can celebrate at the end of the season. On Monday, our kids will realize how successful they were.’’

Whalen said the blocked punt came on “a missed assignment. We thought we were well prepared, but you can’t prepare for six turnovers. They were just gimmes. After that, we had to force some things and give them a short field.’’

Scott County, No. 7 statewide in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings, drove 56 yards in seven plays on its first possession, with Lawler scoring from two yards out with 9:00 left in the first quarter. On the third play of the drive Lawler rolled right, then cut to his left and ran 33 yards to the Eastern 17.