No. 22 Hart County advances with 28-21 victory over Glasgow in Kroger KSR Game of the Week

The No. 22 Hart County Raiders edged out Glasgow 28-21 in a big week two playoff win on Friday night in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week. Hart County improved to 12-0 on the season and kept its win streak intact. Now, for the first time ever, the Raiders have made it to the Class 3A quarterfinals.

“53 years. 53 years and we’ve never been here,” head coach Chad Griffin said after the game. “… It means a lot. Because everybody keeps questioning, ‘Where’s Hart County at?’ Hey, we’re 12-0.”

Second Quarter Fireworks

The teams were very much feeling each other out in the first quarter. With high stakes and a packed stadium on both sides, they acclimated to each other’s style of play and ended the first quarter tied at 0.

One of the biggest reasons that allowed Hart County to come out on top was the length of their drives. Holding onto the ball, keeping their offense in motion, and fatiguing Glasgow’s defense was key for the Raiders.

They had a long drive to begin the second, where senior Joshua Dan Crump eventually ran it in from the one-yard line to put the Raiders up 6-0 with 4:46 left in the first half.

Glasgow wasted no time though. On the very next play, QB1 Easton Jessie connected with one of his receivers for a huge 51-yard touchdown reception. With the extra point good, the Scotties took the lead 7-6 with 4:16 left before the break.

Hart County regained possession and began their drive back up the field. Glasgow’s defense was solid, forcing the Raiders into a 4th and 9 predicament. But, Hart County went for it and converted a huge touchdown before the half. After securing the two-point conversion, the Raiders took the lead back at 14-7.

Glasgow took over possession and threw somewhat of a Hail Mary with two seconds left on the clock before the half. It ended up being intercepted and ran down the field by senior Clark Rexroat, where he was eventually stopped before the end zone, ending the half 14-7.

Hart County converts on 4th and 9!!!! A successful two-point conversion gives @HartCountyFball the lead 14-7 with 1:41 left before the break!! pic.twitter.com/Egvar0VelU

— Piper McCoun (@PiperMcCounKSR) November 11, 2023

Second Half

The Raiders carried their momentum back with them from the locker room. Those long possessions came in handy, and Hart County made their long drive upfield to put Joshua Dan Crump in scoring position again. The Raiders went up 21-7 with 6:09 left in the third.

Glasgow kept their composure, though, and went on a drive of their own. Using their talented quarterback and receivers, they tightened the score gap to 21-14 at the end of the third with a touchdown reception from Cameron Bulle.

The Raiders turned right back around and did what they did all night: go on long scoring drives. They eventually scored with a touchdown reception from senior Jaxon Shoulders to increase the gap to 28-14 with 6:42 left to play.

Jaxon Shoulders for the touchdown!! @HartCountyFball leads 28-14 with 6:42 left to play. pic.twitter.com/6Lth1c47PQ

— Piper McCoun (@PiperMcCounKSR) November 11, 2023

Glasgow came back to score from around the three-yard line with 3:53 left to play, making it a one-possession game at 28-21. After the teams traded possessions, the Raiders took victory formation with under one minute to play and closed it out on top 28-21.

“The only way we win, in general, how we win a district championship is our offense has to stay on the field because it makes our defense better…” Griffin said. “That’s what we talked about at halftime. We had to come out here and control the line of scrimmage.”

“They’ve bought in, and that’s all it comes down to,” Griffin added. “…They’re all drinking that Kool-Aid… And we’re not done. Union County has to come here, it’s revenge from last year, they knocked us out of playoffs. We’ll see what happens.”

Hart County will host Union County on Friday, Nov. 17 with the Class 3A semifinals on the line.