LONDON—Heading into the postseason on a win is what most football teams across the state were hoping for this week, and the South Laurel Cardinals were one of the teams who did just that. South Laurel topped the visiting Harlan Green Dragons 40-18 on Friday.

South Laurel (5-5) got off to a fast start as Logan Gentry scored just a few minutes into the first quarter. Gentry’s touchdown was the first of five on the night.

“I thought we played better at the quarterback spot, and that is the key for us to be a good football team,” coach Donnie Burdine said. “We’re still really thin, we get tired in the second half because we’re playing kids both ways. But, considering the weather and the extenuating circumstances, I thought our kids did well.”

Sitting up at a 7-0 lead, South capitalized on a Harlan turnover. A 25-yard carry by Ace Allen gave the Cards another first down, then on the fourth down, Gentry made a 30-yard keeper for the second touchdown. Connor Wilson’s extra point put the game at 14-0.

The South offense stayed ahead in the second quarter with about a 35-yard pass between Gentry and Daterian Brigance to get another South first down. Then, a carry into the end zone by Gentry was called back on the second down for a holding call. But, it did not take long for Gentry to find himself there again at 4:30 for a 20-0 lead.

Not far after, Harlan (4-6) found its first score of the night on a 60-yard kick return by Caleb Adkins at 4:23.

“I was disappointed with how many points we gave up. I felt just like coach Lovell said when they got the kick return for a touchdown, I didn’t think we played as hard defensively after that,” Burdine said

With the last minute winding down in the half, Gentry kept the offense moving with a 30-yard keeper for the 27-6 halftime score.

The third quarter brought one score for South Laurel as Gentry carried the ball down for 60 yards and another touchdown. With four minutes to go in the third, the score sat at 33-6.

Not long after the fourth quarter started at 11:54, Harlan added its second touchdown on a 10-yard reception from Will Varner to Jon Eldridge.

“I think they were after that shutout, and when it went away, they knew they were up big and they kind of let down a little bit,” Burdine said. “But I’m OK with it.”

On the next play, Harlan recovered the onside kick from South, but no score came until 6:02. Allen made a short carry for six points for the Cardinals after collecting around 50 yards in his prior carry. With another Wilson PAT, South led at 40-12.

The Green Dragons did find one more score before closing the game out.

South Laurel travels to Harlan County (3-5) next week for its first playoff game in 5A. Harlan travels to Hazard on Friday in the Class A playoffs.

”We will fix a few things and go to Harlan County and see if we can get a win,” Burdine added.