Bears fall to Tigers in playoffs

Tue, 11/12/2013 - 2:20pm — Diane Dyer

A fourth quarter rally wasn't enough on Friday night as the Butler County High School Bears fell 38-12 to Murray High School in the first round of the KHSAA football playoffs. The loss brought to an end a successful 2013 season where the Bears finished 7-4 - its only losses to Murray, Owensboro Catholic, Russellville, and Union County - all top-tier programs.
A tough, physical game throughout, Butler County generated some offense on its first possession. Facing a third-and-four play, quarterback Bryce Shanklin connected with Jake Martin across the middle for a 34-yard pass play. But, the drive stalled and the Bears were forced to punt.

Murray fumbled on their next possession but the Bears went three-and-out.
A run-heavy team, Murray used its first pass attempt to reach the end zone. Facing a second-and twenty-three following a holding penalty, the Tigers split the middle of the field for an 86-yard pass completion touchdown. The extra-point kick was good to give Murray a 7-0 lead with 6:45 left in the first quarter.
Butler County roared back aggressively on their next possession. Shanklin returned the kick-off 28 yards and then hit Drake Embry for a 5-yard gain on first down. Cody White picked up six yards and a first down up the middle. On third-and-eleven, Shanklin found Woodcock on a quick slant for a 26-yard gain and advancement well into Tiger territory. However, as was the case for much of the night, the Bears' offense moved the ball and got close, only to be turned away short of the end zone. The first quarter ended with Murray driving but early in second the Bears made a strong defensive stand to turn back the Tigers.
New BC quarterback Jimmy Burns found Drake Embry on a pair of completions and White rambled for an 18-yard gain on a draw play. But, the Bears were forced to punt, as was Murray following three plays on their next possession.

Moving offensively again on their next possession, an errant Burns' pass was picked off by a Murray defender and returned for a 52-yard gain. Murray scored a few plays later to move ahead 14-0.
Following a Butler County fumble, the Tigers threatned again but another strong defensive stand stopped their drive.
Turnovers proved costly for Butler County. With time clicking away in the first half, Burns connected with Embry for three receptions, one with Kory Johnson, and a 27-yard pass completion to Jake Martin. Just as the Bears were marching toward the goal line, a Murray defender picked off a Burns pass to end the drive. The halftime score was 14-0.
Murray took the second half kick-off back for 30 yards but were stoppd on fourth down.
Like a broken record, the Bears' steadily moved the ball downfield, including a 44-yard completion from Burns to Shanklin under heavy coverage. Unfortuately, Burns' next pass tipped and was intercepted by Murray. Offensive guard Austin McKinney pursued the runner and saved the touchdown - at least for the moment. But, the Tigers scored the next play at 5:15 in the third to make the score 21-0. Murray added another touchdown in the third quarter - a 64-yard run at 1:30.
Butler County fumbled on a reverse attempt on the kickoff to give the Tigers great field position. A Zeke Woodcock interception in the end zone kept the Tigers from scoring again.
Although facing long odds and a significant deficit, the Bears dug in and battled the distance. A 15-yard completion from Shanklin to Woodcock, a keeper by Shanklin, a 12-yard completion to Johnson and a 22-yard gain by Martin propelled the Bears to the end zone. On first-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Shankin passed to White for the touchdown. The conversion failed.
Butler County quickly found the end zone again - this time on a 50-yard completion from Shanklin to Woodcock with 7:06 left in the game.

Trailing 28-12 but facing a dwindling clock, Murray was able to ice the game with a field goal at 1:56 and an interception/touchdown run at 1:11, making the final score 38-12.

Friday night's playoff loss meant the end to their high school career for 13 seniors. Earlier in the season, BCHS head coach Ryan Emmick commented on each senior and their importance to the football program.

"Austin McKinney has been a three-year starter for us on the offensive and defensive lines. Austin is a great kid to be around, he makes coaching football fun. Over the past four years he has developed into a leader both on and off of the football field."

"Zeke Woodcock is a three-year starter that has strives to be the best player he can be. Zeke is a natural leader that is a great player both offensively and defensively. His character and determination will take him far in life."

"Micheal Cortez has started for two years, growing and developing for the past four years into the dominant lineman that he is. Micheal has the attitude that you want in offensive and defensive linemen, he tries to outwork the guy in front of him and beat him each and every play."

"Matt Moore is a three-year starter as well. He is one of the top receivers we have had here at BCHS and has for the past three years been a staple in our offense. We have asked him to do more defensively this year and he has stepped up to the challenge. He works continuously to get better and has made those around him better."
"Dakota Lawrence is a two-year starter for us at center. He has worked to develop himself physically and is one of those guys that you can count on to know his assignment each and every play. He is a hard worker in practice and that has carried over this year to his play on the field."
"Walker Weathers is a two-year starter at running back. Walker has provided us with a mix of both running ability and pass catching ability that has kept defenses on edge throughout the year. He has made several big plays for us over the past two years and his effort and enthusiasm have carried over to his teammates."
"Russell Woosley has really grown these past four years as a person and a player. Russell has developed the skills needed in his life to be a winner both on the field and off of the field. Russell has contributed more and more each and every week and we have been able to count on him to make plays when we need him to."
"Travis Brooks, a three-year starter, suffered an unfortunate collarbone break two weeks ago at Union County but is fighting to get back on the field. This is a testament to his love for the game, a love for the game that feeds his teammates. Travis puts everything he has into football and does what it takes to win games."

"Cody White is a two-year starter at fullback for us. He has stepped up in games when we have needed him the most. Cody is a hard-nosed runner that gets the tough yardage for us each and every week."
"Dakota Merrick is a two year-starter as well. Dakota has anchored our defensive line the past two seasons. He has become a dominant defensive lineman who controls the middle of the line allowing his teammates to run and make plays."
"Hayden Hampton is a first-year player who put the pads on for the first time this year. Hayden is the kind of kid you can count on each and every week to give everything he has and to do the right thing. Hayden has worked tirelessly to improve and is now a defensive starter."
"Jimmy Burns transferred here from Warren East. Jimmy has worked to learn the offense while integrating himself in with his teammates. Jimmy has stepped in at quarterback and performed well under pressure, creating big play after big play this season."
"Bryce Shanklin transferred from Todd County. Splitting time with Jimmy at quarterback, Bryce has brought an added dimension to our offense and defense with his athletic ability. He has fun while playing the game and gives everything he has on the field. Bryce is an explosive player that has brought many things to our football team."

Butler County 0 0 0 12 12
Murray High 7 7 14 10 38

Team Stats:

First downs: BC 22, MH 10
Rushing yards: BC 114, MH 225
Passing comp-att: BC 26/49, MH 2/5
Passing yards: BC 329, MH 116
Passing TD-INT: BC 2-4, MH 1-1
Punts-average: BC 2-33, MH 3-41
Fumbles-lost: BC 1-1, MH 2-1
Penalties-yards: BC 0-0, MH 5-45
Time of Possession: BC 22:09, MH 25:51

BC Passing:

Shanklin 20 for 39; 219 yards
Burns 6 for 10; 110 yards

BC Running:

Shanklin   9 attempts, 23 yards
Martin   8 attempts, 52 yards
White   10 attempts, 51 yards

BC Receiving:

Moore       5 receptions, 15 yards
Martin       2 receptions, 61 yards
Embry       9 receptions, 60 yards
Woodcock   5 receptions, 111 yards
Johnson       2 receptions, 18 yards
Shanklin       1 reception, 44 yards
White       2 receptions, 20 yards

BC Defensive (tackles):
Cox   3
Martin   5
Cortez    1.5
Bratcher    2.5
Peyton   1.5
Courtenay   5
Shanklin   .5
Reed   1
Deweese   1
Brooks   1
Merrick   1

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This sports coverage is brought to you by the sponsors of the 2013-14 BC Sports Package with WLBQ/BtN. We are grateful for their continued support of Butler County student-athletes.
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