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DEBBIE CALDWELL/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County defensive lineman Chase Calton sacked Pulaski quarterback Aaron Smith during a 20-0 victory over the visiting Maroons in the opening round of the 5A playoffs on Friday. Calton had two sacks to lead the Bears’ defense in the shutout win.
It wasn’t their most inspired performance of the season, but the Harlan County Black Bears survived and advanced in the state 5A playoffs with a 20-0 victory over Pulaski County on Friday.

“We are thankful we pulled this one out. I don’t think we played with much inspiration,” said Harlan County coach Tom Larkey. “This has been a bad week of practice. It has been rough getting over things this week. But, we are over things now. We are going to move on an try to win round two next week.”

The Harlan County defense lived up to its “filthy animal” nickname holding Pulaski County’s explosive offense scoreless.

“They are a good defensive football team. They are a good football team all the way around,” said Pulaski County coach John Hines.

The defense recorded six sacks, including two each by Chase Calton and Carson Whitehead.

Offensively, the Bears piled up 405 yards rushing on 48 carries. Senior Marcus McMillian led the ground game with 223 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Junior Jake Middleton added 132 yards on 14 carries.

“I felt like when we didn’t score we should have scored,” Larkey said. “I didn’t really feel like our kids played as hard as they should have played. I don’t feel like we ran the ball as hard as we should have ran.”

Harlan County got off to a quick start as McMillian scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 65-yard drive on the Bears’ opening possession. Josh Jenkins added the extra point to make the score 7-0.

McMillian put the Bears up by two scores with a 36-yard scoring run with 5:20 left in the first half. Jenkins added the extra point to stretch the lead to 14-0.

The Bears controlled the ball and the clock for much of the night without needing to attempt a pass.

“For us to have a chance to win we had to force some punts and to turn the ball over. They were very efficient,” Hines said. “They played very well. Offensively, I thought their offensive line did a great job.”

After a defensive struggle for much of the second half, McMillian closed the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:28 left in the game.

Harlan County (10-1) will host Lincoln County in the second round of the 5A playoffs next week. The Patriots defeated Letcher Central 28-21 on Friday.

Pulaski ends the season at 3-8.

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Pulaski Co. 0 0 0 0 — 0

Harlan Co. 7 7 0 6 — 20

HC — McMillian 1 run (Jenkins kick)

HC — McMillian 36 run (Jenkins kick)

HC — McMillian 2 run (kick failed)

PCHS HCHS

First downs 9 14

Rushes-yards 29-142 48-405

Passing 58 0

Comp-Att-Int 6-12-1 0-0-0

Punts-Avg 5-38 1-30

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 8-56 8-65

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Pulaski County, Goins 17-130, Smith 10-11, Jackson 1-3, Haste 1-(-2). Harlan County, McMillian 22-223, Middleton 14-132, Brewer 9-30, Chitwood 2-15, Chorak 1-5.

PASSING—Pulaski County, Smith 6-12-1-58.

RECEIVING—Pulaski County, Goins 5-46, Hall 1-12.

Read more: The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Black Bears shut out Pulaski County