By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Each time Ludlow’s football team scored a touchdown during its Homecoming game against Brossart on Friday, the public address announcer told the crowd that Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home would donate $50 to the school system’s education fund.
Ludlow senior quarterback Justin Blackburn and the offensive line played so well that Mr. Jones will be writing a very big check when he returns to his office on Monday.
Blackburn scored seven rushing touchdowns and threw a TD pass during a 54-27 victory that extended Ludlow’s perfect record to 6-0.
The Panthers finished with a net total of 579 offensive yards and Blackburn accounted for most of it. He rushed for 320 yards on 21 carries and completed 6 of 12 passes for 93 yards.
The senior quarterback said the Ludlow offensive line was the reason for his success in Friday’s game, just like it has been the entire season.
“They always give 110 percent every play whether it’s run or pass blocking,” Blackburn said. “It’s definitely their work ethic. To be able to push the ball down the field every play, they have to give it their all.”
Ludlow head coach Greg Taphouse agreed with Blackburn’s comment about the offensive line’s importance. The unit includes center Cody Brownfield, guards Josh Deller and Tom Alexander and tackles Jacob Bridges and Joshue Doll.
“That’s been the key for our offense this year,” Taphouse said. “It’s the biggest line we’ve had in a while and the biggest numbers we’ve had on the line in a while, and they’ve been great. They’ve kind of sparked everything.”
In the second quarter of Friday’s game, Blackburn zipped through a hole created by the offensive line and then broke several tackles as he weaved his way to the end zone on a 69-yard run. That gave Ludlow a 21-7 lead with 1:43 remaining in the second quarter, but three more touchdowns were scored before the half ended.
On the next play from scrimmage, Brossart quarterback Tyler MacDonald threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Donnelly with 1:28 left in the half. The Mustangs got the ball back a few seconds later on a pass interception and they scored once again on a 24-yard pass from MacDonald to Donnelly to tie the score.
But Ludlow regained the lead on a 59-yard pass from Blackburn to sophomore Ian Vallandingham just 23 seconds before the Homecoming candidates started lining up for halftime festivities.
Taphouse said he was a little upset that his team’s lead slipped away late in the second half. During the halftime break, his staff made some defensive adjustments and they challenged the Ludlow players.
“I said, ‘Let’s finish this,’” Taphouse said. “‘We’ve got them down, now let’s keep them down. We’ve made the right adjustments and it’s time to hammer it down.’ And that’s exactly what they did.”
Ludlow ran off 19 unanswered points in the third quarter to open up a 47-21 lead. Blackburn capped the first touchdown drive with a 1-yard run and then scored on breakaways of 59 and 45 yards.
Brossart scored on the final play of the third quarter, but the Mustangs didn’t get much done on their other offensive possessions during the second half. They finished with 330 yards of offense after getting more than 200 in the first half.
Blackburn got his seventh rushing touchdown with 6:31 left in the fourth quarter and then watched the rest of the game from the sideline. He now has 1,343 rushing yards and 720 passing yards this season for a net total of 2,063. He’s averaging 343.8 yards per game, which is higher than some teams in the state.
“It’s been tremendous,” Blackburn said of his senior season. “As long as we’re winning, I’m having fun. It doesn’t matter to me what statistics I’m putting up. I’m just glad we’re winning.”
BROSSART 7 14 0 6 — 27
LUDLOW 6 22 19 7 — 54
L – Blackburn 2 run (kick failed)
B – Donnelly 65 pass from MacDonald (Duffy kick)
L – Blackburn 12 run (Kramer pass from Blackburn)
L – Blackburn 69 run (Underwood kick)
B – Donnelly 61 pass from MacDonald (Duffy kick)
B – Donnelly 24 pass from MacDonald (Duffy kick)
L – Vallandingham 59 pass from Blackburn (Underwood kick)
L – Blackburn 1 run (Underwood kick)
L – Blackburn 59 run (kick blocked)
L – Blackburn 45 run (kick failed)
B – MacDonald 1 run (kick failed)
L – Blackburn 32 run (Underwood kick)
RECORDS: Ludlow 6-0, Brossart 4-2.
Someone need to showcase this young man, Justin Blackburn. He may just play single A fortball but his talent, determination, and willingness to carry the whole town on his back is nothing but amazing at his age. His stats speak for them selve, but his attitude to his school mates, teammates, and the community is what is truly astonishing. I wish nothing but the best for this young man and if he keeps his foot on the gas nothing will stop him the rest of his life.