The Red Devils showed the ability to move the ball effectively both on the ground and through the air as they took the opening kickoff and drove from their own 45 to the Cougar 25. However, on first down there, the Cougar defense stepped up to put a halt to the drive. As the visitors put up a pass down near the goal line, defensive back Daniel Whobrey stepped in front to pick it off. Whobrey returned the ball to the Grayson County 31 and the Cougars took over for their first possession.
Matt Graham picked up eight yards on first down and that started the Cougars on their way to a long drive for the game's first score. As the first quarter ended, the Cougars still had the ball and had moved to the Red Devil five-yard line. Three plays later, just 59 seconds into the second period, the Cougars crossed the goal line as Graham carried in from a a yard out. The 17-play drive consumed 8:44 of the clock. A two-point conversion attempt came up just short and the Cougars held a 6-0 lead.
Owensboro began moving the ball again on its next possession, taking it from their own 32 down to the Cougar 30-yard line. However, a holding call on second down put them in a deep hole and on a fourth-and-five play, a bad snap caused them to turn the ball over on downs at the 36.
This time Grayson County was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt. Owensboro took over at their own 38 and it took them just two plays to tie the score. A sideline pass gained 33 yards, down to the Cougar 29. The Red Devils scored on the next play as the Cougars left the entire right side of the defense uncovered and allowed the running back to go in untouched. The two-point conversion try failed and the half ended tied at six apiece.
The Cougars had the ball to begin the second half and they began moving well once again. They took it from their own 22 into Red Devil territory. On first down at the Owensboro 40, though, the Cougars saw their drive end on a fumble. The Red Devils recovered at their own 47 and began a march that gave them the lead for good.
The visitors had gained a first down at the Cougar five-yard line, but fumbled on second down, recovering it at the 10. A pass moved the ball to the two and Owensboro called a timeout to discuss the upcoming fourth-down play. The Red Devil coaching staff came up with a misdirection play that fooled the Cougar defense and let the runner go in untouched. The two-point try failed and with 1:39 left in the third period, Owensboro led 12-6.
The Cougars went four-and-out on their next possession and the Red Devils threatened to score once more. With a first-and-10 at the Cougar 13, the Red Devils ran the ball inside the 10, but a solid hit on the tackle forced a fumble, which was recovered by Phillip Runsvold and the Cougars dodged a bullet.
It was just a temporary reprieve, though, as the Cougars were forced to punt once again and a short kick gave the Red Devils the ball at the Grayson County 24. A run on first down gained nine yards and Owensboro scored on the next play on a run from the 15. The Red Devils tried to kick the extra point, but when the snap was high, the kicker picked up the loose ball and ran into the end zone for two points. With 3:11 left to play, the Cougars trailed 20-6.
Grayson County was able to pick up a pair of first downs and had moved to the Owensboro 25, but time ran out on them.
The Cougar freshmen will be on the road next week as they travel to Brandenburg to take on the Meade County Green Wave. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
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