Holmes could not overcome its slow start to Class 4A, District 6 opponent, Rowan County, falling to the Vikings, 14-12, Friday evening at Tom Ellis Stadium in Covington.
Rowan took advantage of the absence of several Bulldogs’ starters in the first quarter, going 55 yards in just over two minutes, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown run by Louis Hayes, and an early 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs opening drive of the game began slowly with freshman quarterback Xarion Foster taking snaps.
But after a keeper for no gain and a false start penalty, Foster raced around the ride side and down the sideline until he was pushed out at the 44. However, the Bulldogs’ regressed from there, losing four yards on a bad snap, followed by another false start penalty, ultimately turning the ball over on downs back to the Vikings.
Rowan was unable to muster any momentum on its next possession but bounced back and only needed three plays. Pinned inside its own five-yard line after Holmes elected to punt despite its previous drive ending in Vikings territory, Zach Menard found Hayes open down the field and Hayes’ 94-yard catch-and-score made it a two-score margin for Rowan.
To begin the third, the Bulldogs started to look more like themselves. With good field position to begin their drive, Emauryon Arnold’s three carries picking up chunk yardage placed the Bulldogs within striking distance. One play later, Curtez Hill’s 18-yard run into the end zone got Holmes on the board, 14-6, after a failed two-point conversion.
The remainder of the quarter simulated a tug-of-war game with neither side gaining much ground. The backfield duo of Arnold and Hill kickstarted Holmes in the final quarter with Arnold’s 10-yard carry to begin the fourth, followed by Hill’s 47-yard gain inside the Vikings 30 put the Bulldogs in business. Then, it was Arnold’s turn to the seven-yard line.
But quarterback Miguel Garcia’s touchdown scramble was called back due to an illegal block, then he was sacked on the down replay back on the 30. Rowan was called for a facemask the ensuing play making up for lost yards, but Garcia’s fourth down scramble ended up with the senior being sacked at midfield after running backwards, zigzagging, and trying to avoid the rush. Adding insult to injury, he was also flagged for intentional grounding on the play.
Menard was intercepted on third down by Adam Boone and Holmes once again had life. But as Arnold made his way toward the end zone, dragging defenders with him to the one, he was stripped, and the Vikings recovered. They punted away to Holmes still inside their own 10, and the Bulldogs had one last chance with just over two minutes to play.
Hill’s punt return placed the Bulldogs inside the 15 after Rowan punted from out of their own end zone. Arnold’s touchdown pulled the Bulldogs to within two, but he was stuffed on the two-point conversion attempt and the Vikings held on.
Holmes (4-2 overall, 0-1 district) continues district play next Friday, traveling to Boyd County (4-3, 1-0). Game time is 7:30 p.m.