HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Golden Eagles pound Black Bears to advance

Defending Class 4A state champion Johnson Central took control early on and beat Harlan County, 46-8, in the post-season opener played at Eagle Field on Friday night.

Quarterback Grant Rice passed for 213 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Eagles improved to 8-0 and won for the 23rd straight time.

Running back Dylan Preston ran for 75 yards and one score and hauled in a touchdown pass. He had two catches for 69 yards. Mason Lawson had 66 yards on the ground and one touchdown, and he had a 52-yard pass reception for another score.

Receiver Toby Spriggs added a 56-yard touchdown catch and running back Caiden Yates rushed for a score.

Owen Lemaster recovered a fumble and Chandler Spradlin picked off a pass.

Johnson Central will host Letcher Central (6-1) on Nov. 27.