Kroger KSR Game of the Week: “I was built for this,” Stone, Central win 37-6

“When you look at the future, it’s really bright,” Central head coach Marvin Dantzler said.

Dantzler started six freshmen on offense for Friday night’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week led by Cortez Stone, who scored four of No. 19 Central’s five touchdowns — all of which came in the first half. “They’re not starting because we don’t have someone else,” Dantzler said. “They’re starting because they can play.”

First Quarter: Central 16, Belfry 0

After a beautiful tribute to former Central head coach Ty Scroggins prior to kickoff, the Yellowjackets went right to work. Central drove down the field on the first drive, featuring four different Yellowjackets in their rushing attack early.

Set up by Central’s quarterback Xavier Brown on 3rd & 16, freshman gadget player Cortez Stone found his way into the end zone from out of the backfield, striking first within the first six minutes.

TOUCHDOWN:

Central 8, Belfry 0

Freshman Cortez Stone strikes first from one yard out. 2-pt conversion by Stone good as well. pic.twitter.com/TNgv5TlQE1

— Barkley Truax (@BarkleyTruax) September 10, 2021

Belfry didn’t have the opportunity to answer on the ensuing drive, fumbling the snap on the first play, which was recovered by Central’s George Black. Three minutes later, Stone struck gold once again, this time from 11 yards out after breaking tackles on his way to the goal line. 

TOUCHDOWN:

Central 16, Belfry 0

Stone scrambled around for 11 and the score off the Pirate turnover. pic.twitter.com/zUHDYQLZe2

— Barkley Truax (@BarkleyTruax) September 10, 2021

Second Quarter: Central 30, Belfry 0

The Cortez Stone show kept rolling in the second with a 40-yard touchdown run after Central forced Belfry to punt. Another first-half turnover by the Pirates put Central in perfect position to score yet again with just over a minute left in the first half. 

Brown connected with a rare deep pass to Amontez Woolfolk for 27 yards. Stone rushed it to the seven-yard line directly after, but following the play, Belfry was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and the ball was placed on the 3.

Stone scored his fourth touchdown of the half two plays later, giving the Yellowjackets a 30-0 lead at halftime. 

TOUCHDOWN:

Central 30, Belfry 0

Cortez Stone rushes in for his fourth first half score pic.twitter.com/2ZhtIlBjvV

— Barkley Truax (@BarkleyTruax) September 11, 2021

Central had 220 total offensive yards through two quarters compared to Belfry’s 50. Stone had 88 yards on 12 rushes.

“My line was blocking great,” Stone said after the game. “They got the holes open, I hit the holes. I do me.”

Third Quarter: Central 30, Belfry 6

Belfry finally found their way to the scoreboard after a strong first drive that was capped off by a 49-yard Isaac Dixon rushing touchdown. The scoring play nearly matched Belfry’s entire first-half yardage total.

The Yellowjackets’ offense stalled in the third as Belfry found some momentum defensively as well, though Central still led by 24 going into the final quarter. 

Fourth Quarter:

It was quiet for both schools in the final quarter until Belfry coughed the ball up once again for their third fumble of the night, recovered by Central’s Kyrick Davis.

The fumble set up the Yellowjackets for their first and only non-Stone touchdown of the game on a two-yard rush by Justin Bush. Central elected to kick the PAT rather than go for two, the only time one was attempted by either squad Friday night.

Central finished the night with 259 total offensive yards on 45 plays — 186 of which were on the ground. The 73 passing yards are the most in a single game all season for the Yellowjackets in 2021.

Central is now back at .500 on the season (2-2) heading into their Week 5 matchup against Fern Creek at home. I

A Message from Kroger:

We’re excited to tell you about something new from our friends at Kroger. Did you know Kroger is America’s largest grocery chain that started over 135 years ago? They are doing something they’ve never done before: bringing fresh groceries right to you with a new service called Hometown Pickup. That’s right, for those of you in Cynthiana, Midway, Eminence, Bedford, McKee, Dry Ridge, Carlisle, Eubank, Georgetown, Mt. Vernon, Jackson, Frenchburg, Irvine, Mt. Olivet, and Paris, Kentucky you can now order all your groceries online and pick them up at a central location in your hometown. No more long drives into the city to get fresh food for you and your family. Now THAT is truly Fresh for Everyone. Thanks, Kroger. Learn more and place your first order at Kroger.com/hometown.