Pike County Central went on the road to Pendleton County with the team’s top rusher sidelined with an injury.
Quarterback Tayvian Boykins knew he had to pick up his game. The sophomore rushed 19 times for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Hawks knocked off the Wildcats, 20-8, in the season opener played on Saturday night.
It was the first win for newly hired head coach Ronn Varney, a former assistant coach under Eric Ratliff.
The Hawks controlled the football with its ground attack, rushing 49 times for 259 yards. Running back Eric Perez added a rushing touchdown. He finished with 91 yards on 21 attempts. Perez also recovered a fumble on defense.
Isaac Blankenship had seven tackles and Xavier Rogers added six as the Hawks held Pendleton County to just a single touchdown.
Pike Central will next face Shelby Valley (0-1) in the Pike County Bowl at Pikeville on Saturday night.