LEXINGTON, Ky. (WHAS11) — Central High School was out for revenge in last night's Class 3A State Championship win over Corbin at Kroger Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets lost to the Redhounds in last year's semifinal, and the championship game was one of the closest games they played all season.
In the first half, Central's offense struggled to get going, and the team relied on its defense to keep them in the game.
"I told the defense at halftime, they kept us in the game," Coach Marvin Dantzler said. "We literally played defense the whole first half, and we had to find a way to get some points on the board."
Central quarterback Malik Goodall did find a way to score in the second half, eventually tying the Redhounds 6-6. A Corbin fumble then expanded the Yellow Jackets' lead to 20-13.
The Redhounds had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation, storming down for a touchdown, but elected to bypass a PAT and go for a two-point conversion. The Yellow Jacket defense stood strong, securing a state championship for Central.
"This moment is something I always dreamed of," Goodall said. "It's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life...it's just a dream come true."
Central finished their season 13-2, outscoring playoff opponents 216-27.