Hazard Blows Out Montgomery County Despite Halftime Deficit

The Hazard Bulldogs (1-0) pulled off the rare blowout-despite-halftime-deficit feat to notch a 46-14 road win over the Montgomery County Indians (0-1) in the 78th annual Recreation Bowl. On a picture-perfect August Saturday night, Hazard showed why they are capable of a deep run in Class A with an explosive 33-0 second half.

“I really was pretty calm at halftime,” Hazard Coach Matthew Chandler said postgame when asked about halftime speeches and adjustments.

“No big adjustments. I told our kids to stay calm and keep playing. We shot ourself in the foot and we knew we would get it fixed. Super proud of our composure and grit.”

In a bowl with illustrious history including Paul Hornung, Sonny Collins, and Tim Couch, it was Hazard sophomore quarterback William Shoptaw who picked up Rec Bowl Player of the Game honors. The first-year starter finished 21-of-28 for 247 yards with three touchdowns and zero picks. Hazard’s stable of electric wide receivers helped out by turning several screens into big gains, with explosive receiver Gavin Johnson having a fantastic night despite facing multiple double teams.

William Shoptaw finished 21-for-28 for 247 yards for Hazard in the 46-13 Rec Bowl win over Montgomery County. Here’s a completion to Javion Fullwood.

Hazard trailed 14-13 at halftime, but outscored the Indians 33-0 in the 2nd half. pic.twitter.com/8Zur1OfSCo
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) August 24, 2025

Hazard trailed 14-13 at the break, but outscored the Indians 33-0 in the 2nd half.

They moved the ball well all night but found themselves in a 7-0 hole after a 92-yard scoop and score by Jaimen Caba.

Jaimen Caba with a 92-yard scoop and score to put Montgomery County up 7-0 on Hazard. 8:25 1Q
Wow! pic.twitter.com/B32GVLGzWx
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) August 23, 2025

The Bulldogs marched down the field again before stalling in the red zone and attempting a 28-yard field goal. Montgomery County blocked the attempt and Landen Wilson returned it into Bulldog territory.

Hazard turned the tables when Connor Holbrook picked off a pass near the goal line and ripped off a long return.

Connor Holbrook with the pick at the goal line for Hazard.

They trail Montgomery County 7-0 1Q. pic.twitter.com/83lpjWdgd7
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) August 23, 2025

They cashed in a few plays later when Shoptaw found Korbin Fletcher in the right flat and Fletcher raced passed defenders for a 26-yard touchdown to even the score at seven.

The Bulldog defense forced another Indian turnover, with Rayce Lindon recovering a fumble near midfield. Hazard produced points again when Cody Hill rumbled two yards into the end zone. The extra point was blocked.

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Cody Hill puts Hazard up 13-7 on Montgomery County. PAT was blocked 2Q. pic.twitter.com/RdhWvTtdEZ
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) August 24, 2025

Caba electrified the crowd with a long kickoff return to the Hazard 36-yard line. Jacob Gumm found Connor Craig in the back of the end zone from nine yards out to give the Indians a 14-13 lead. Craig took a big hit but held on.

Jacob Gumm to Connor Craig makes it 14-13 Montgomery County over Hazard. 2Q.

MoCo center Jacob “Scooby” Sutton (66) has multiple power 5 offers, including Tennessee. He’s a force. pic.twitter.com/UVCJuRENf8
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) August 24, 2025

Hazard countered with a long kickoff return inside the red zone, but came up empty on a dropped pass in the end zone on 4th-and-12.

After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt to open the second half, the Bulldogs forced a four-and-out. They put together another long touchdown drive, this time capped off by a Lindon one-yard scoring run. The two-point attempt was thwarted by a dropped pass in the end zone.

In a key turning point, Hazard took over on the Montgomery County 11-yard line after a botched snap by the backup (the starting long snapper was injured) on an Indian punt attempt. Preston Hall’s touchdown run extended the Bulldog lead to 26-14 just one play later.

Hazard added another Hall touchdown on the ensuing drive and the route was on, with Shoptaw tossing touchdown passes on the next two Hazard possessions.

Montgomery County, coming off their first district championship in 26 years, played well in the first half and will look to build off that and try and take advantage of a manageable 5A district that lacks a powerhouse team. Senior center Jacob “Scooby” Sutton, who holds offers from Tennessee and other Power 4 schools, is poised for a big season along with Caba and several other veterans.

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