K’Hari Lane helps Macon County pull away from Veterans for a big non-region win
Macon County lost its head coach to another program last spring, big-time player and other future college players to graduation and then had a few others transfer out.
But there were no signs of rebuilding for the Bulldogs as they rolled past Veterans 52-30 on Friday night in a non-region game at Herb St. John Stadium in Perry.
“They got after us in the first half,” Macon County head coach Dexter Copeland said. “And we were fortunate enough to make some big plays and score some touchdowns early.”
Veterans (0-2) trailed 20-0 with more than eight minutes left in the second quarter.
The Warhawks battled back to within 20-7 and then 26-14 at the half.
But the Bulldogs, ranked fourth in GHSA Class AA, got an early third-quarter break that preceded them taking over.
Matthew Hearst picked off a Lane pass, but the Warhawks were flagged for roughing the passer.
“That was a big call,” Copeland said. “That right there was going to change the momentum. We were only up by two scores. That gave them new life.”
The Bulldogs scored five plays later. The Warhawks went deep in Macon County territory and fumbled.
A 93-yard scoring pass from Lane to Brown followed only a few plays after that.
Less than two minutes later, junior defensive back Curt McDonald took an interception back 55 yards for a touchdown for the Bulldogs’ third score in less than half of the third quarter.
By then, the lead was 38-14 with 7:17 left in the third.
“I think Veterans was trying to take away our vertical passing game,” Copeland said. “But K’Hari Lane made some outstanding throws. They’d blitz, and he stepped up in the pocket and made some outstanding throws on the run.
Lane, a junior was 11-of-18 for 326 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Trey Brown caught seven passes for 170 yards, with a 93-yard touchdown. Trey Mathis had two catches for 109 yards, touchdowns of 78 and 31.
Mathis caught seven passes for 170 yards, with touchdowns of 78 and 31 yards. Trey Brown had only two catches, but they went for scores of 31 and 93 yards.
Copeland wasn’t thrilled with the Bulldogs’ defense, which surrendered 214 rushing yards to Desjuan Harris and 102 to Logan Byrd. But Byrd struggled to a 2-of-15 night passing, for 24 yards and two touchdowns.
This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 11:35 PM with the headline "K’Hari Lane helps Macon County pull away from Veterans for a big non-region win ."