HORSE CAVE, Ky. – The Adair County Indians rolled in their season-opener of the 2013 high school football season on Friday night, defeating host Caverna 51-6.
Playing on the road didn’t phase the Indians at all in the season-opener. Adair County, which had Week 0 as the open date on its 2013 schedule, pulled away from Caverna in each quarter.
With the win, Adair County opened the 2013 season 1-0. The Indians are set to face 10 straight regular-season opponents.
Following the loss, Caverna dropped to 1-1. Eminence defeated Caverna 56-20 in Week 0.
In the win over Caverna, Adair County thrived offensively, especially on the ground. Adair County rushed for 335 yards, averaging 10 yards per carry. Adair County picked up another 188 yards through the air.
A balanced rushing attack helped to push Adair County to the win. Senior running back Arron Bernard led Adair County on the ground, rushing for 96 of Adair County’s 335 yards. Junior Jason Miller rushed for 79 yards and senior quarterback Jake Hixson added 72 rushing yards for the Indians in their 2013 debut.
Sophomore Daquan Smith added 54 rushing yards for Adair County in the non-district victory.
Adair County scored both via the ground and through the air. The Indians also fared well when passing the football.
Hixson completed seven of 10 passes for 111 yards. Freshman Chance Melton, Adair County’s promising young backup quarterback, completed his only pass attempt for seven yards.
Austin Roy reeled in two receptions for 41 yards for the Indians. Drake Bishop followed, hauling in four catches for 37 yards.
Melton added 35 yards receiving on catch for the Indians.
Hixson led the Adair County offense, rushing for two touchdowns and passing for two other scores.
Bernard delivered two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing.
Miller rushed for two touchdowns.
Roy hauled in one touchdown reception for the Indians.
Defensively, Adair County dominated Caverna. The Adair County defense limited Caverna throughout the early-season contest.
Adair County’s defensive unit held Caverna to 26 yards. Caverna was limited to -77 rushing yards. Homestanding Caverna had 103 passing yards.
The Adair County defense finished with seven tackles, 13 tackles for losses, three turnovers and a defensive touchdown.
Dylan Conn was Adair County’s defensive player of the game, finishing with seven tackles, two tackles for losses, one sack and an interception, which he returned for an 81-yard touchdown.
Bishop and Dakota Price were other defensive leaders for the Indians.
Adair County, an experienced team under the direction of head coach Travis Gay, returned to practice on Monday. The Indians will face another non-district opponent later in the week.
Dylan Conn received United Citizens Bank Player of the Week with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, one interception which returned for a touchdown.
By Steve LeMaster
Sports Writer
