Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The score showed one thing but Melvin Cunningham saw another.

The Fairland Dragons’ first-year head coach saw his young team lose 41-6 to Kentucky Class 4-A power Johnson Central in their season opener on Friday, but Cunningham saw something he liked despite the loss.

“We grew up tonight. The score was not indicative of how we played,” said Cunningham. “They had to earn their victory. My little quarterback grew up tonight.”

Freshman quarterback Joel Lambiotte was 14-of-22 for 126 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once.

Ty Staten had seven catches for 56 yards and the score. Keebo Cunningham — son of the head coach — had the one reception for 70 yards.

The Eagles took a 13-0 first quarter lead on a 7-yard run by Conner Ratliff and a 1-yard run by Gunner Slone.

Bryce Workman threw a 39-yard scoring pass to Geordan Blanton with 4:49 left in the half to make it 20-0.

An interception led to a 45-yard scoring run by Workman as the Eagles went up 27-0 in the third quarter.

Backup Joe Jackson ran 19 yards for a score and it was 34-0.

Keebo Cunningham’s 70-yard reception and a roughing the passer penalty set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Lambiotte to Staten and Fairland was down 34-6.

Jackson added a 36-yard run to cap the scoring.

Johnson Central 13 7 14 7 = 41

Fairland 0 0 0 6 = 6

First Quarter

JC — Conner Ratliff 7 run (kick failed) 9:34

JC — Gunner Slone 1 run (Tyler Pack kick) 3:19

Second Quarter

JC — Geordan Blanton 39 pass from Bryce Workman (Tyler Pack kick) 4:49

Third Quarter

JC — Bryce Workman 45 run (Tyler Pack kick) 8:41

JC — Joe Jackson 19 run (Tyler Pack kick) 5:11

Fourth Quarter

Fa — Tyler Staten 11 pass from Joel Lambiotte (pass failed) 4:48

JC — Joe Jackson 36 run (Tyler Pack kick)