In an instant, Campbell County’s football game against Scott on Friday became totally meaningless.
For the record, the Camels mercy-ruled the Eagles, 56-6, in the inaugural Battle of the Bridge rivalry contest. Campbell County senior quarterback Nate Smith ran for 105 yards and four touchdowns and threw for another 150 and another score.
All of which was overshadowed by what turned out to be the game’s final play.
With 11:19 to go, Campbell County’s Jaiden Combs returned a kick 90 yards and the touchdown; seconds after Scott’s Jordan Hardy caught the ensuing kickoff, then a tackle left him motionless. Paramedics removed his helmet’s face mask, put him in a neck brace and backboard and took him to a local hospital.
Officials called the game with 11:00 left.
UPDATE: Per Scott AD Casey Fisk, Jordan Hardy, who was injured in Friday night’s game at Campbell County, was released from the hospital Saturday morning.
Scott coach Steve Hensley barely contained his tears as his voice cracked; he praised players and coaches coming together with hugs and prayers.
“You saw two teams come together,” Hensley said. “There’s more important things than football, and you saw these kids come together and display that amongst teams. We’ll pray for Jordan.”
Smith called it “a terrible situation.”
“We’re really praying for him and his family, and I hope he turns out all right,” Smith said. “He’s gonna be back better than ever.”
Campbell County coach Brian Weinrich said every player on both teams “is one of your guys.”
“Every coach feels that way,” Weinrich said.
The Camels amassed 327 total yards. Campbell County’s defense was as stingy as the offense was prolific – the Camels forced three turnovers and held Scott to 133 total yards.
It didn’t take the Camels long to open the scoring; Smith went around left for a 29-yard score to complete the 76-yard drive that included a 34-yard toss to Garyn Jackson.
Smith’s next score – a one-yard plunge with 6:21 to go in the first – featured his three carries for 40 yards and a 10-yard toss to Jackson. Smith and Jackson teamed up for seven-yard score 75 seconds into the second stanza.
Campbell County was just getting started. Smith scored from nine yards out and from three just before halftime.
Three plays after Mason Wiseman recovered one of Scott’s two fumbles, Carson Evers’ 3-yard touchdown sent the game to a running clock with 10:23 left in the third.
The Eagles avoided the shutout when Trey Cook found Dylan Giffen for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 11:47 left.
Smith and Giffen were named Players of the Game.
CAMELS 56, EAGLES 6
SCOTT — 0-0-0-6 — 6
CAMPBELL COUNTY — 14-21-14-7 — 56
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
(CC) Nate Smith 29 run (Kaden Rose kick), 10:14
(CC) Smith 1 run (Rose kick), 6:21
2nd Quarter
(CC) Garyn Jackson 7 pass from Smith (Rose kick), 10:45
(CC) Smith 9 run (Rose kick), 4:09
(CC) Smith 3 run (Rose kick), 0:25
3rd Quarter
(CC) Carson Evers 3 run (Rose kick), 10:23
(CC) Trevor Bertram 2 run (rose kick), 0:49
4th Quarter
(S) Dylan Giffen 70 pass from Trey Cook (kick failed), 11:47
CC-Jaiden Combs 90 kickoff return (Rose kick), 11:19
Game Stats
Passing Yards: Scott 30 (Cook 5-9-100-1 INT); Campbell Co. 161 (Smith 11-13-150-1 INT, Anthrop 1-2-11)
Rushing Yards: 33 (Johnson 3-24, Coleman 1-0, Bradley 11-14, Cook 3-(minus-5)); 176 (Bertram 6-43, Evers 3-27, Smith 10-105, Landon McNabb 6-20, Craddock 1-8)
Receiving: Scott 100 (Brooks 1-4, Giffen 2-79, Lowe 1-9, Vice 1-0, Coleman 1-8); Campbell Co. 161 (Jackson 5-73, Combs 1-5, Fancher 3-36, Craddock 1-16, Bertram 2-31)
Turnovers: Scott 3, Campbell Co. 1
Penalties: Scott 3-25, Campbell Co. 5-70.
Records: Scott 0-1, Campbell Co. 1-0.