New Harlan grabbed an early lead Thursday against visiting Knox Central but couldn’t hang on after losing one of its top offensive weapons early in the game.

Samuel Henson scored on a 6-yard run to give the Patriots an early lead. Henson was slammed to the ground by a Knox defender on the two-point conversion attempt and suffered a concussion that sidelined him for the remainder of the game.

Knox scored in the second quarter to tie the game at 6-6 at halftime.

New Harlan drove to the Knox 4 in the third quarter before a fumble ended the threat.

Knox scored five plays later, then added the two-point conversion for a 14-6 lead. The Panthers recovered an onside kick and scored eight plays later, then added the conversion for a 22-6 lead.

Caleb Johnson scored on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. Ethan Rhymer teamed with Carter Howard for the two-point conversion that cut the deficit to eight.

Knox recovered an onside kick and then ran out the clock.

New Harlan (5-4) closes its regular season schedule Thursday at home against Letcher Central.

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Perry Central broke a tie with a touchdown at the 2:15 mark of the fourth quarter to edge Evarts 22-14 in fifth- and sixth-grade football action Saturday in Hazard.

Reggie Cottrell scored a touchdown in the second quarter. Cottrell also scored in the fourth quarter and Bradon Middleton followed with the two-point conversion.

The 4-4 Wildcats play at Cumberland on Thursday.