(PHOTO ALBUM) - Lincoln Edges Garrard 27-20 at Death Valley Bowl

In a thrilling matchup at the PBK Bank/WPBK-FM Death Valley Bowl, Lincoln County managed to edge out Garrard County, 27-20. The crowd witnessed an intense high school football game in an electric atmosphere.

Garrard County won the coin toss and elected to receive, swiftly scoring a touchdown in just six plays. Cam Peak rushed 32 yards to the end zone, with Zack Dailey converting the extra point.

Lincoln County struggled initially but rallied in the second quarter. Tucker Foster, Lincoln’s quarterback, scored a 4-yard run for the Patriots, although they missed the extra point. Garrard County responded with an 11-yard touchdown run by Jaghry Wood, but another missed kick left the score at 13-6.

Kash Smith responded immediately for Lincoln County, breaking free for a 57-yard touchdown run, with Colby Townes adding the extra point to level the score at 13-13. The defenses tightened up thereafter, with a controversial no-call on a possible pass interference marring the game.

In the third quarter, Malachi Simmons put Garrard County back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run, making it 20-13.

Lincoln County showed resilience in the final quarter. Tucker Foster scored a 1-yard run to tie the game at 20-20, then sealed the victory with an 8-yard touchdown run with less than a minute on the clock. Townes converted the extra point to make it 27-20.

Tucker Foster was named Lincoln County's MVP, while Malachi Simmons received the same honor for Garrard County. Matthew Sneed of Lincoln County and Kash Smith of Garrard County received additional accolades.

Garrard County will face Middlesboro on their home turf next Friday in the Garrard County Bowl. This thrilling contest will be the first played on Garrard’s new home field.