Southwestern def. Pulaski County 27-7 in Kroger KSR Game of the Week
No. 8 Southwestern (11-1) defeated cross-town rival Pulaski County (7-5) 28-7 in the second round of KHSAA’s 5A playoffs on Friday night, securing the 5A District 8 championship after a three-touchdown performance in the fourth quarter for the Warriors ended the season for the Maroons.
The Warriors scored 27 straight points on Pulaski County over the last three quarters. Connor Crisp scored two late rushing touchdowns while quarterback Collin Burton went 5-8 for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Southwestern committed no turnovers and outgained the Maroons 245 yards to 198 with 10 total first downs en route to victory.
First Quarter: Pulaski County 7, Southwestern 0
Pulaski County struck first. Maroons quarterback Drew Polston proved he’s not just a pocket passer—he can get out to the edge and hurt you with his feet as well.
After setting his team up with first and goal from inside the one-yard-line, Southwestern stood them up three-straight plays before Polston found Chandler Godby for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Warriors forced a turnover on downs just outside their own red zone on the ensuing Maroons possession. Southwestern would end the quarter facing third and seven.
Halftime: Southwestern 7, Pulaski County 7
That third down was converted and Southwestern marched themselves down the field. Facing a fourth and two from the Maroons’ 23-yard-line, both teams called back-to-back timeouts, trying to figure out their scheme.
Southwestern got the better of the possession as Warriors’ quarterback Burton found his tight end Brody Perkins on a cross route on the crucial fourth-down play to tie the game.
Both squads stalled for the remainder of the half. Pulaski County had a chance to head into the locker room with the lead thanks to the legs of the Polston, but he was sacked on fourth down in the red zone with less than a minute left in the quarter as both teams were knotted at seven heading into the second half.
Pulaski County went into the half out-gaining Southwestern 142-126. Polston was 10-11 with 71 yards and one touchdown while the team took 16 carries for 71 yards as well.
Third Quarter: Warriors 7, Maroons 7
Southwestern shifted momentum after forcing yet another Pulaski County turnover on downs out of halftime with a golden opportunity to start the quarter. The Warriors and Maroons went three-and-out over the next two possessions, though, which really summed up how this game has seemed to go to this point.
A shanked Maroons punt gave Southwestern great field position on Pulaski’s side of the field. A chunk rush from Burton and a fourth-down conversion from the Warrior offense set them up inside their own red zone before the quarter came to an end with little to show for it.
FINAL: Southwestern 27, Pulaski County 7
It took just four seconds for Southwestern to break the tie on the opening play of the final quarter. Running back Connor Crisp found the end zone from four yards out.
The Warriors forced another three-and-out, punting against tough wind made the ensuing punt go just 14 yards—Southwestern began their drive on Pulaski’s 41-yard-line with nine minutes remaining in regulation.
It looked as though Pulaski County’s defense would come up with the stop with Southwestern facing third and 11 from the 42-yard-line. The Maroons’ defensive back got beat and Burton found Collin Hibbard on a streak for the score.
Just like that, the Warriors were up two scores with only eight minutes left on the clock.
Southwestern’s defense came up with a huge stop and, with 6:29 remaining, the game was essentially over; all the Warriors had to do was hold onto the ball.
The Warriors felt like they needed one more score, however, as Crisp scored their third touchdown of the quarter with 90 seconds remaining in the game.
Southwestern head coach Jason Foley received a Gatorade bath before the final play of the game, signaling a Warrior 5A quarterfinal berth.
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