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Wayne County ran 77 plays to Central’s 32, wearing down the Yellowjackets and scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter to overcome their hosts 17-7 Friday night. The Cardinals improved to 13-0 while Central’s season ended at 9-4.

“It was a great win,” said Wayne County head coach Shawn Thompson. “Our kids fought hard and we prepared hard all week. We came here believing we were going to win the game.”

The game certainly started that way for the Cardinals. On the second play from scrimmage Central’s Phillip Francis fumbled on his own 16-yard-line and Wayne County’s Jason Perkins recovered. Five plays later Wayne County cashed in with a 22-yard Junior Ruiz field goal for a quick 3-0 lead.

On the next Central offensive play, quarterback Myron Norfleet threw an interception on a deep throw, giving Wayne County possession at their own 24. But the Central defense stiffened, and the Yellowjackets benefitted from a 2-yard punt to take over at the Wayne County 23.

Darren Powell’s second consecutive 10-yard run was a touchdown for Central, giving them a 7-3 lead with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter.

The rest of the half was a defensive struggle for both teams, with Central not moving the ball at all and Wayne County not moving it enough to get into scoring position until Ruiz lined up for a second field goal attempt from 32 yards out with 30 seconds left in the half. His kick sailed wide left, but Norfleet was intercepted again on the next play, and Wayne County had one more chance at the end of the half. But again, Central stopped them in their tracks, and despite being outgained 138 yards to 15 in the first half, the Yellowjackets went to the locker room with a four-point lead.

“We were thanking our defense for playing them so tough,” said Thompson. “I knew our offense could eventually get going. Our kids stepped up and made some huge plays.”

It took a while, though. Central kept giving up first downs, but no points, and headed into the fourth quarter with that 7-3 lead intact.

But something had to give. And that something was the Central defense. Wayne County quarterback Tyler Guffie got it rolling with his arm and his legs, finally breaking through with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Alan Brown with 10:21 left in the game.

Central had no answer on their next possession, and Wayne County added an insurance touchdown with a one-yard touchdown run by Guffie for the final margin.

Central had been 30-1 in the playoffs since 2007, but they simply could not sustain any kind of offense whatsoever after their early touchdown.

As the Yellowjackets walked off their own field, the large contingent of fans from Wayne County celebrated a rare accomplishment. Was the long bus ride worth it?

“You can look around and see for yourself,” said Thompson. “This was a big win for our program and a big win for our community.”

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2...arter-17-7