Bears open playoffs with win

LEXINGTON - There was no shortage of heroes for Lexington on Friday night as the Golden Bears opened the Class 2A playoffs with a 45-18 victory over Cleveland.

Senior quarterback Kenny Ratliff threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Tyler Duke ran for 154 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, Clint McCafferty led the defensive effort with three interceptions

The win moved Lexington (10-1) into the second round. The Golden Bears will

host Winston County next Friday.

"Our quarterback did a good job of taking what the defense gave us," Lexington coach Rickie Putman said. "We really ran the ball well tonight. Cleveland hurt us early defensively. Our coaches did a good job adjusting at halftime. McCafferty had an outstanding game with the three interceptions."

Lexington took the opening kickoff and drove 70 yards in six plays. Trent Beavers capped the drive with a 13-yard run off left end to put the Golden Bears on top 7-0.

Cleveland cut it to 7-6 on a 30-yard scoring pass from Dustin Cornelius to Chase Cornelius, but the Panthers missed the extra point.

A long Lexington drive ended with a 20-yard field goal by Hunter Davis and the Bears led 10-0 after one quarter.

Ratliff hit Max Toner for a 19-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to push the margin to 17-6. Cleveland cut it to 17-12 on a touchdown pass by Cornelius, but Duke scored on a 1-yard run to put Lexington up 24-12 at halftime.

Cleveland again pulled within a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Chase Cornelius early in the third quarter. Lexington, however, answered when Duke capped an 80-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard run to make it 31-18.

Lexington added a 25-yard scoring pass from Ratliff to McCafferty and led 38-18 after three quarters. Duke completed the scoring with a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter to extend the margin to 45-18.

The Golden Bears finished with 535 yards of total offense.

"Winston County knocked us out 13-6 in the first round last year," Putman said. "We really have to get ready and see what we can do against them."