Staff report

LOG MOUNTAIN — The Bell County Bobcats kicked off what they hope is a run at a state title with a convincing 62-0 romp over Lawrence County Friday night.

Bell wasted little time in taking control of the game.

Adam Overbay returned the opening kickoff 43 yards and moments later Shawnta Zachery hooked up with Cody Davenport for a 23-yard TD pass. Monte Merrick’s extra point put the Bobcats up 7-0 less than one minute into the game and they never looked back.

A series of big plays and turnovers followed and Bell put up 35 first quarter points.

Matt Raines came up with an interception, Spencer Greer broke a 26-yard run and Justin Goodin and Matt Simpson ran for touchdowns of 7 and 6 yards.

Robbie Slusher and Keith Lowe would recover fumbles for the Bobcats and Zachery and Davenport would hook up again, this time for a 41-yard TD.

Merrick took over the state’s top spot in career extra points in the process, booting his 202nd after Zachery’s two-yard TD with 43 seconds to play in the quarter.

The Bobcats and Merrick weren’t finished. They added three more TDs in the second quarter as Merrick’s record now stands at 205.

Goodin ran one in from nine yards out and Zachery passed to Chase Ely for a 17-yard score.

Zachery put a finishing stamp on the first half as he put an end to the Bulldogs’ best drive of the game with an interception and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown.

Bell took a 56-0 lead into the half and played reserves exclusively in the second half as the clock ran continuously.

Zachery completed 5-of-7 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his score on the interception and the rushing TD.

Overbay would add a 65-yard touchdown catch on a pass from backup quarterback Ben Madon in the third quarter to complete the scoring.

Overbay led the Bobcats with 138 all purpose yards.

Nine different Bell players carried the ball as they combined for 150 yards on 21 carries.

Greer led the way with 58 yards on seven carries while Dominic Carton added 36 yards on four and added a 26-yard reception.

Bell held the Bulldogs to just 101 total yards and five first downs in the game

Lawrence County ends the season with an 0-11 record.

The Bobcats improve to 11-0 and will host familiar foe Rockcastle County next week in round two.

The Rockets won on the road at Greenup County Friday 34-14 Friday night.