LOG MOUNTAIN — The Bell County Bobcats strung together one big running play after another Friday night as they cruised to a 41-14 win over Harlan County.

The Bobcats ran for 248 yards in the first half, including five plays of over 25 yards.

Sophomore running back Cory Davenport got Bell off to fast start. After a holding penalty pushed the Bobcats deep in their own territory, Davenport broke loose around the end for a 54-yard gain. One play later junior fullback John Dudley Hilton rumbled 26 yards to the end zone. Hilton added the extra point and Bell was up 7-0.

Harlan County’s opening drive ended with a fumble and three plays later Ben Madon hooked up with Cody Davenport on a 22-yard touchdown pass. Hilton picked up an errant snap on the extra point try and passed to Justin Patterson for the two-point conversion to make it 15-0.

The Black Bears went three and out Bell nearly did the same. But on fourth down Madon, who was in punt formation, saw an opening and scampered 40 yards for a first down.

The big play set up Cory Davenport's 6-yard TD run and the Bobcats led 22-0 after the first quarter.

Harlan got on the board after the teams exchanged possessions to start the second quarter.. Senior quarterback T.J. Green passed to Marcus McMillan for a 32-yard touchdown. Josh Jenkins kick made it 22-7, but it was all Bell after that.

Cory Davenport scored on a 54-yard run and Madon found a wide open Keith Lowe for an 11-yard touchdown pass as the Bobcats took a 35-7 lead into the half.

Davenport, who finished with 149 yards on 15 carried, capped his night with a 25-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to push Bell’s lead to 41-14.

Green added a two-yard touchdown run with 1:35 remaining in the game to set the final score at 41-14.

For the game Bell out-rushed Harlan County 367-159.

Both teams will be in action next week for the first round of the playoffs.

Due to tie-breakers the loss knocks Harlan County (7-3) from first place in their district to third and they’ll travel to Pulaski Southwestern (7-3) next week.

Southwestern beat the Bears 35-8 in the first game of the season.

Bell County (9-1) will start what they hope is a run to repeat state 4-A championship next week as the host Greenup County (3-7)