Central makes clutch fourth-quarter stop to win 3A state championship, 20-19

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDRB) -- Central High School doesn't play many regular season games in their classification, so the rest of 3A is just finding out about how stingy the Jackets can be.

Central rolled to the 3A title game, outscoring playoff opponents 194-6. They get Corbin on Friday night in the final at Kroger Field.

Central had two fourth down stops inside the 10 in the second quarter. But, despite the stout defense, the Yellow Jackets trailed 6-0 at half.

Offensive fireworks were waiting in the third quarter. Malik Goodall ran on in from the three yard line, and a two point conversion made it 14-13 Central. Less than three minutes later, Goodall scored again from 12 yards out, his third rushing touchdown of the quarter. That made it 20-13.

But Corbin came back. Chase Estep had a three-yard touchdown to get within one with under four minutes to play. The Redhounds decided to go for two to take the lead, and Central got the stop. The Yellow Jackets held on to win the state championship, 20-19.