If West Carter fans were worried about the state of the Comet football team due to the talent it lost to graduation over the last two years, Thursday nights Eastern Kentucky Conference Grid-o-rama scrimmage proved there is little need to be concerned. Coach Kevin Brown has a bevy of young talent which is capable and ready to step in and replace the graduates.

And that is exactly what the group did on in the teams 31-6 victory over host Lewis County on Thursday.

We had seven guys who had never started a game out there (as starters) on offense, Brown said. With Leetavious (Cline), we knew what we were getting. We have a young offensive line and if the Jordan twins (Ethan and Tristen) play hard, well be in good shape.

Yet, the team is more than just freshmen and sophomores. Brown still has his nephew, Peyton, among others, in the fold.

Peyton Brown ran for touchdowns of 61, 21 and 10 yards as part of the seniors five-carry 108-yard night.

Part of the credit for the the teams success running the ball goes to the offensive line, which is a very young group.

I was happy with how the line moved, coach Brown said. We are going to have to rely on speed and aggressiveness (to win games) and thats what we did.

Malic Cline opened the scoring when he picked off a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown at the 4:12 mark of the first quarter. Brown added the extra point, and after a Lion fumble, scored seven plays later on a 10yard run with 1:57 to play in the quarter.

The Comets extended their lead to 25-0 at halftime after Browns 64-yard and 21-yard touchdown runs, respectively, with 8:55 and 5:45 remaining in the half. However, both extra point attempts were unsuccessful.

West Carter had another long drive near the end of the half, but was stopped just short of the goal line on a Brayden Caudill interception.

Lewis County was the only team to score in the third period. The Lions primarily moved the ball downfield behind the running game of Justin Howard and the passing attack of Zach Lehn. On the hosts second drive of the quarter, Howard punched the ball over the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown with 2.5 seconds remaining.

West Carter continued to have success with its running game during the JV portion of the night. After stopping a Lewis County drive in four plays, the Comets needed just one down to get into the end zone. It came courtesy of freshman Brian Robinsons 33-yard touchdown run. However, the 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The Lions moved the ball effectively on their second drive of the quarter, but were stopped after freshman Orly Perry intercepted the ball on the games final play.

I was pleased with our hard work, coach Brown said. The boys played hard and were aggressive and that was the No. 1 thing I wanted to see. If we can do that (during the season), well be a good team.

The Comets finished the night with 257 yards of offense, including 207 on the ground. In addition to Peyton Browns rushing, Christian Rivers carried the ball eight times for 30 yards, Dustin Martin had three rushes for 32 yards and freshman Brian Robinson added one carry for 32 yards.

Rivers completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 50 yards, highlighted by Malic Clines 35-yard reception.

The Comets defense was also effective. Lewis Countys top gainer was Justin Howard, who ran the ball 14 times for 62 yards.

Defensively, I was happy to see us swarm to the football, coach Brown concluded.

West Carter has one more tuneup before it opens the regular season. Next Saturday the Comets will join Bath County, Boyd County, Fleming County and Rockcastle County for an evening scrimmage in Catlettsburg.

West Carter will host Powell County on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. to kick off the regular season.

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Eastern Kentucky Conference Grid-o-Rama: Youth help lead Comets against Lewis County - Journal-Times