Neighbors Bracken County and Mason County met on the Brooksville gridiron for the first time in school history.  It was the home-standing Polar Bears defeating their royal rivals of twice their enrollment, 35-21.

“The kids love it,” said Bracken County head coach Steven Tarter after the game.  “They were excited.  A lot of stuff going on and there’s a lot of heat between us, but the game’s over and we took the win.”

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First Quarter

The Polar Bears got off to a scorching hot start.  They won the toss and elected to defer.  Greg Benedict intercepted a pass from the Mason County quarterback, Camden Gregory, putting Bracken at midfield.

Daulton Tarter then rushed for a 45-yard touchdown, giving Bracken the 7-0 lead just two minutes and 30 seconds into the game. 

On the ensuing kickoff, Mason County muffed the return, resulting in the Polar Bears taking over in the Royals’ red zone.  

Daulton Tarter came into the game with 3,966 career rushing yards, just 52 yards behind Tad Fisher’s school record of 4,018.  At 7:11 in the 1st quarter, Tarter ran in another touchdown to help put the Polar Bears up 14-0, and make him the all-time leading rusher in Bracken County football history.

The Royals would punt the ball away on their next possession, but would intercept a pass from Bracken County quarterback Greg Benedict.  Benedict would make up for it on the next possession.  He would break through the Royals’ offensive line and stop them from converting on 4th and 1 from the Bracken 30-yard line.

Bracken County led 14-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. 

Second Quarter

With 8:09 left until the half, Greg Benedict would connect with Andrew Kirk for a 30-yard touchdown pass.  The Polar Bears were now up three scores, 21-0.

Coach Tarter said he knew his team would come out strong because of the energy they showed all week in practice.  However, the Polar Bears’ energy began to cool off. 

Mason County would finally get on the board with 2:13 left until halftime.  Quarterback Camden Gregory would score on a goal-line keeper.  The PAT was missed.

Bracken County would fumble the ball on their own 23.  The Bears’ defense turned the Royals over on downs on the 13-yard line with 31 seconds until halftime.  Polar Bears led 21-6 at the break.

Third Quarter

Royals running back Joey Staggs broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, making it Bracken County 21, Mason County 13.

Daulton Tarter responded and extended the Polar Bear lead to 28-13 with a 55-yard touchdown run with 3:21 in the 3rd quarter.  It was a much-needed score to stop Mason County’s momentum for now.

Fourth Quarter

Greg Benedict would get his second interception of the game, placing the Polar Bears at midfield with under eight minutes to play.  Bracken County would be stopped and attempt a 39-yard field goal, but the snap was botched.  Mason took over the Bracken 31-yard line with 4:46 left.

Camden Gregory then threw a 70+ yard touchdown pass to Micah Payne, and the Royals converted the 2 points, making it a 28-21 game with 4:59 left.  Mason County would fail to recover the following onside kick. 

Multiple Bracken County players, who were key on both sides of the ball, would begin to cramp. This stopped play several times as Daulton Tarter, Jackson Whitten, Andrew Kirk, Ryland Tucker, and other starters would have to come out.

Bracken County would have to punt it away, leaving Mason County on the 8-yard line down by 7 with four minutes left.

Mason County would have to go 92 yards to try and tie things up but they would be quickly stopped. With his third interception of the night, Greg Benedict would save the Polar Bears’ defense and give the Polar Bears the ball deep into Mason County territory with 1:37 left.  

“I was worried,” said Coach Tarter.  “A lot of our key players started cramping and I was kind of nervous.  That big interception just let me breathe a little bit towards the end and let us enjoy the win.”

Benedict’s goal-line touchdown would close the door on a Royals comeback.

“This game goes to him (Benedict),” Coach Tarter stated. “He had a heck of a game.  He had three interceptions, played good at quarterback, and ran the ball good.  This is just a special group of kids, and hopefully we keep winning.

Bracken County will head to Thomas More Stadium to face Covington Holy Cross next Friday.  Holy Cross is coming off a 47-0 win over St. Henry, spoiling the Crusaders’ program opener.

“We’re going to enjoy this time with the team and celebrate this win and get ready for the next one.”

Mason County will host Montgomery County who lost to Hazard in the Recreation Bowl 46-14. 

Box Score:

Unofficial stats courtesy of WFTM.

Scoring Plays
B – 1Q, 9:30: Daulton Tarter 45-yard run. PAT good. (7-0)
B – 1Q, 7:11: Daulton Tarter 5-yard run. PAT good. (14-0)
B – 2Q, 8:09: Greg Benedict 30-yard pass to Andrew Kirk. PAT good. (21-0)
M – 2Q, 2:13: Camden Gregory 6-yard run. PAT missed. (21-6)
M – 3Q, 5:37: Joey Staggs 74-yard run. PAT good. (21-13)
B – 3Q, 3:21: Daulton Tarter 55-yard run. PAT good. (28-13)
M – 4Q, 4:59: Camden Gregory 68-yard pass to Micah Payne. 2-point good. (28-21)
B – 4Q, 1:20: Greg Benedict 1-yard run. PAT good. (35-21)

Rushing (Attempts-Yards)
Bracken County: Daulton Tarter (22-148), Greg Benedict (11-31), Lucas McKinney (4-6), Jordan Bravard (1-[-8]). Mason County: Joey Staggs (7-103), Lennie Avery (7-23), Camden Gregory (10-8), Hayden Horn (3-[-2]).

Passing (Completions/Attempts-Yards)
Bracken County: Greg Benedict (11/16-139). Mason County: Camden Gregory (12/21-160).

Receiving (Catches-Yards)
Bracken County: Andrew Kirk (7-83), Daulton Tarter (3-43), Jordan Bravard (1-13). Mason County: Micah Payne (4-81), Carter Roark (4-23), Macen Grooms (1-26), Lennie Avery (1-11), Kavin Morton (1-11), Eldon Lamb (1-8).