QB Jack James breaks state record as No. 3 Paducah Tilghman beats Allen County-Scottsville 42-16
Week six of high school football brought lots of great matchups… and lots of rain. Despite the dreary weather, No. 3 Paducah Tilghman brought the heat, defeating Allen County-Scottsville (ACS) 42-16 in the KSR Game of the Week behind a record-setting performance from the Blue Tornado quarterback.
Both teams entered the game undefeated at 5-0. This game was one of Tilghman’s biggest tests thus far, but just like the Blue Tornado’s previous games, they came out on top in a big way. Head coach Sean Thompson let the ball fly, betting on senior quarterback Jack James to get it done.
Tilghman’s offense was rolling on all fronts, but it was James — a Troy commit — who shined. He now holds the KHSAA all-time touchdown passing record with 147. Without a doubt, Paducah Tilghman proved why they’re a top-three team in the state.
“It’s about us, making sure that we can be what we are, and what we think we should be,” Coach Thompson said after the win. “We just want to continue to get better.”
Tilghman took their time adjusting to the rain but landed their first touchdown reception midway through the first quarter when James found freshman receiver Avery Thompson in the end zone to go up 7-0.
Four-star safety and Kentucky commit Martels Carter, who plays on both sides of the ball, ran 71 yards to the house on an interception late in the first. A flag on the play brought it back to Tilghman’s own 29 yard line, but Kentucky fans should get excited. Carter is an athlete, and will be a huge asset to the ‘Cats in 2025 and beyond.
The Patriots kept their wits about them, though, giving senior quarterback Braylon Adams room for a toss to Chase Ross, tying it up at 7-7 earlier in the second quarter.
Tilghman answered immediately with a slant to Carter for another six, giving the Blue Tornado another score to make it 14-7.
Tilghman’s defense was a major contributor to the win, forcing multiple third-and-long situations and capitalizing on turnovers. They scored another seven to make it 21-7 with under two minutes to play before hitting the locker rooms. But, the Patriots snuck in a field goal at the end of the second quarter to tighten the score gap, ending the first half at 21-10.
Tilghman received to start the third quarter and put together a long drive to the end zone, where James found Thompson again to go up 27-10.
ACS kept their foot on the gas, though. A massive 74-yard touchdown reception brought it back to a two-possession game, keeping Tilghman on their toes at 27-16.
That would be the last score of the night for the Patriots. Tilghman took control on both sides of the ball for the remainder of the game. They came back with an immediate rushing touchdown by Demarkus Wilson and two-point conversion reception by Jakevion Perry.
James would throw his final touchdown pass to Jermarion Purdiman late in the third quarter make Tilghman’s lead 42-16, the final score of the night.
“They really stepped up to the occasion…” Thompson said after the game. “We believe in our guys and what they do, and they work hard everyday, so when they got the moment to prove that they can do those things, they did.”
No. 3 Paducah Tilghman looks ahead to play Logan County next Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in Russellville.
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