Sports Editor

The Middlesboro Yellow Jackets rolled up 408 rushing yards as they got past Clay County 41-32 Friday night in Manchester.

Senior running back Brennan Bowling led the Jackets with a season-high 255 rushing yards on 20 carries, including touchdowns of 51, 2, and 8 yards.

Hunter Adams hooked up with Matt Powers for touchdowns of 35 and 30 yards and Shawn Russell added an even 100 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown in the Middlesboro win.

The Jacket defense bent plenty and even broke a couple of times as Clay’s Zach Lewis passed for 450 yards and five touchdowns. But they made the stops when they needed them and held Lewis under 50 percent completions.

He was 24-of-49 passing and Adams came away with an interception in the first quarter that kept the Tigers from taking a two touchdown lead.

Powers’ second touchdown came in the closing minute of the first half and gave the Jackets a 22-19 lead.

A pass interference penalty against Middlesboro helped to set up a Clay touchdown in the third quarter as Lewis passed to Phillip Dunn for a 12-yard score. Lewis’ extra point gave Clay a 26-22 lead.

But Middlesboro scored on their next three possesions to take control of the game by midway through the fourth quarter.

Bowling broke loose for a 51 yards score to give the Jackets the lead for good, 28-26.

Middlesboro forced a turnover on downs to end the next Clay drive and the Jackets marched down the field.

Adams passed to Daniel Crawford for 15 yards on a 3rd & 13 play. On 2nd & 11 Bowling sprang free again for a 41 yard gain.

Three plays later Russell ran into the end zone from three yards out. Patrick Knuckles kick made it 35-26.

Lews passed to Dunn for 34 yards to start the next Tiger drive. But two incompletions and a Russell sack left them in 4th & long and they had to punt.

The Jackets went 63 yards on seven rushing plays and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Bowling ran in from eight yards out to make it 41-26.

Lewis added a late TD pass to Dunn to complete the scoring.

Middlesboro (4-1) is at Corbin next Friday in a game likely to determine the top seed for the district playoffs.