New Harlan fell behind 14-0 Thursday at Bell County and spent the rest of the night trying to catch up. The Patriots battled back to within four and got as close the Bobcats’ 30 in the closing seconds before falling 26-22.

Samuel Henson started the comeback with a 21-yard TD run in the second quarter. Henson added the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 14-8 at halftime.

Bell pushed the lead to 20-8 in the third quarter, but Caleb Johnson answered with a 70-yard kickoff return.

Bell scored again in the fourth quarter. Henson went in from the 5 and added the two-point conversion with one minute left. The Patriots recovered an onside kick but ran out of time on the Bell 30.

Henson ran for 96 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Patriots’ offense

Will Cassim led the New Harlan defense with 14 tackles. Henson added 11 tackles. Jacob Shoemaker and Jared Rhymer had seven each.

New Harlan returns to action Thursday at Cumberland.

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New Harlan (4-2) fell 16-8 to Bell County in fifth- and sisth-grade action.

Jace Brown ran for 117 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown to lead the Patriots. Jake Brewer added 96 yards on 10 carries. Gunner Burkhart contributed a two-point conversion.

Landon Brock led the New Harlan defense with five tackles. Brayden Morris and Brown had four each.

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Reggie Cottrell ran for four touchdowns to lead Evarts in a 34-0 win over visiting Harlan in fifth- and sixth-grade football action Thursday.

Cottrell scored twice in the opening quarter with Ryan Coots adding a two-point conversion after the first touchdown for a 14-0 lead after one period.

Brady Freeman added a touchdown in the second quarter. Cottrell also scored followed by a Coots conversion for a 28-0 halftime lead.

Cottrell closed the scoring with a touchdown in the third quarter.

The 3-3 Wildcats play host to Letcher Central on Thursday.