The Owensboro Catholic Aces entered Friday night’s game at Todd County Central averaging 46.6 points per game. The Aces finished right at their average against the Rebels, as they picked up a big district win 48-24 in front of a large crowd in Elkton.
The Rebels got off to a good start in the contest. Todd Central drove the ball down the field to the one yard line, where Bryce Nolan took it in from one yard out to put the Rebels up 8-0 with 6:07 to go in the first quarter.
It did not take long for the Aces to respond. Less than two minutes later, Drew Hartz connected on a long scoring pass to Hagan Edge to even thing up at 8-8. Moment later Hartz threw another touchdown pass to extend the Aces lead to 14-8 with 3:17 still to go in the opening quarter.
The first quarter offensive fireworks continued. This time it was the Rebels’ turn. Bryce Nolan hooked up with DJ Johnson, and with the two point conversion, Todd County Central went back in front 16-14 with 2:16 to go in the first quarter.
The game effectively slipped away from the Rebels in the final moments of the first half. Drew Hartz tossed his third touchdown of the opening half, this one to Jackson Staples, to put the Aces ahead 20-16 with 5:03 to go in the first half. The score stayed that way until the final 1:16 of the half, when things fell apart for Todd Central.
A bad snap on a punt attempt resulted in a safety, giving Catholic a 22-16 lead with 1:16 left in the half. After the ensuing free kick, Hagan Edge ripped off a 45 yard run to make it 28-16 with just under a minute to go in the half. The Aces got the ball back again, with Hartz and Edge connecting again in the final ten second of the half to blow the lead out to 34-16 headed into the locker room at the break.
A touchdown in the 3rd and another early in the fourth quarter extended the Aces lead to 48-16 with under nine minutes to go in the game.
Todd Central would add a late score when JaTwan Graham found the end zone from a yard out with just under a minute to go in the contest to cut the lead to 48-24.
The loss sends the Rebels to 5-1 on the season and 0-1 in district play. Owensboro Catholic improves to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the district.
Todd Central returns to action next Friday when they go on the road to Hancock County.