Royals' season ends with 35-14 playoff loss to Ashland

The Mason County Royals opened the game with a time-consuming scoring drive, but  were outscored 21-7 in the fourth quarter in a 35-14 loss to the Ashland Tomcats in the first round of the Class 4A football playoffs Friday night at Ashland.

Chandler Dunaway's one-yard quarterback sneak capped off the 12-play opening drive that began at the Royals' 37-yard line. The drive used over seven minutes of the game clock.

On the fifth play of Ashland's first possession, Jaylen Lofton returned an interception to the Tomcats' 22-yard line. Mason County only picked up five yards before missing a 34-yard field goal attempt.

Mason County's top running back, Malkolm Devine, was injured in the second quarter while playing defense, and did not return to the game.

Ashland tied the game with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter and took the lead on the first drive of the third quarter. 

On the ensuing drive, Mason County reached the Ashland 36-yard line but failed to convert on 4th-and-five, 

Ashland scored on its next two possessions to lead 28-7 with 5:20 left in the game.

Dunaway scored on a 13-yard run with 3:55 to go.

Ashland added a touchdown with 1:59 to play.

Ashland had 402 yards of total offense including 247 yards on the ground.

Mason County rushed for 132 yards. Dunaway completed 12 of 23 yards for 166 yards.

Leevi Dunaway had nine receptions for 92 yards.

The Royals had three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble).

The first quarter interception was the Tomcats' only turnover.

Mason County ends the season with a 4-7 record.

Ashland improved to 8-3. The Tomcats will play Bourbon County in the second round.

MC 1st Q 4:49 Chandler Dunaway  1 yard run (Travis Whisman kick) MC 7, A 0

A 2nd Q 4:39 Aroq Colburn 2 yard run (Blaine Collins kick) MC 7, A 7

A 3rd Q 8:41 Aroq Colburn 1 yard run (Blaine Collins kick) A 14, MC 7

A 4th Q 11:20 Braxton Ratliff 53 yard run (Blaine Collins kick) A 21, MC 7

A 4th Q 5:20 Noah Roberts 5 yard run (Blaine Collins kick) A 28, MC 7

MC 4th Q 3:55 Chandler Dunaway 13 yard run (Travis Whisman) A 28, MC 14

A 4th Q 1:59 Noah Roberts 1 yard run (Blaine Collins kick) A 35, MC 14

(Updated to add the turnovers)

Mason Co. vs. Ashland in Class 4A playoffs

The Mason County Royals travel to Ashland Friday night to play the Ashland Tomcats in the first round of the Class 4A football playoffs. Kickoff is at 7:30. Here are a some fast facts:

• Mason County is the No. 3 seed from District 7. Ashland is the No. 2 seed from District 8.
• Mason County is 4-6. Ashland is 7-3.
• The Royals and Tomcats have one common opponent this season- Rowan County. Mason County beat the Vikings 34-7 on September 2. Two weeks later, Ashland shutout Rowan County 45-0.
• Ashland sophomore quarterback Braxton Ratliff has passed for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• The Tomcats' leading rusher is Noah Roberts who has rushed for 582 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Tate Dowdy is Ashland leading receiver with 46 receptions for 794 yards and nine touchdowns.
• Ashland is 4th in the Class 4A in scoring defense (15.5 points allowed per game) and 10th in scoring margin (13.3). 
• The game will be played at the new Putnam Stadium. The original Putnam Stadium, built in 1937 as a Works Project Administration project, was demolished in 2014. The new stadium was constructed on the same site.
• This is the first game between Mason County and Ashland since 2006 when the Tomcats shutout the Royals 17-0 in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs 
• Ashland leads the series 4-2 and has won the last four games including 17-0. 
• The Tomcats beat the Royals in two of the three games played at Putnam Stadium. 
• Both of  Mason County's wins over Ashland were in 2003 (25-14 in the regular season and 44-21 in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs).