By Dan Miller
NKyTribune sports reporter
They won’t finish the regular season with a perfect record like last year, but the Holy Cross Indians won all of their district games once again to establish themselves as a serious contender for the upcoming Class 1A playoffs.
“We want to go far,” coach Curt Spencer said. “We got a good team and we want redemption for last year’s second round upset.”
Holy Cross outscored Ludlow, 35-14, in their final district game Friday night at Thomas More University.
The Indians’ offense had another big night, rolling up 378 total yards (190 passing, 188 rushing). The defense scored on an 88-yard interception return by Xavier Thornberry.
“We gave up a couple of big plays (in he first half),” Spencer said. “We made some halftime adjustments and shut them down. This is a battle every year with them and it’s kind of like a rivalry.”
Holy Cross junior quarterback Brian Ferguson completed 8 of 9 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Thompson caught one of his passes and went 65 yards to the end zone.
The Indians took a 7-0 lead on their first possession. Ferguson connected with junior receiver Kamare McClendon for 43 yards, setting up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Dustin Wilson.
Ludlow tied the score with a big play of its own. On fourth down, junior quarterback Miller Reed and junior wide receiver Andre Englemon hooked up on a 45-yard scoring strike for the Panthers.
In the second quarter, Ferguson picked up 18 yards on a run and then hit senior tight end Max Hunt on a 6-yard receiving touchdown. On the Indians’ next possession, Thornberry scored on a 65-yard pass from Ferguson to open up a 21-7 lead with 5:43 left in the second quarter.
Ludlow responded with a touchdown of its own before halftime. This time, Reed connected with junior wide receiver Landen Yates on a 29-yard pass that made it 21-14, but the Panthers did not score in the second half.
After Thornberry’s pick-six in the third quarter, Ferguson threw a 37-yard pass to senior wide receiver Cahlil Johnson that set up a 1-yard TD run by Charles Oglesby in the fourth quarter to cap the victory and clinch the district title.
“It’s the second one in school history,” Spencer said. “It’s exciting, it’s the first thing we wanted was the district title … and we want to keep on going.”
Ludlow finished with 216 total yard (127 rushing, 89 passing). Reed rushed for 70 yards and completed 8 of 22 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
LUDLOW 7 7 0 0 — 14
HOLY CROSS 7 14 7 7 — 35
HC — Dustin Wilson 23 run (Gabe Romito kick)
LU — Andre Englemon 45 pass from Miller Reed (Finn McMillan kick)
HC — Max Hunt 6 pass from Brian Ferguson (Romito kick)
HC — Xavier Thornberry 65 pass from Ferguson (Romito kick)
LU — Jaylen Stone 29 pass from Reed (McMillan kick)
HC — Thornberry 88 interception return (Romito kick)
HC — Charles Oglesby 1 run (Romito kick)
RECORDS: Holy Cross 7-2, 3-0; Ludlow 5-4, 1-2.