Royals fall to Bardstown 38-28 in state semifinals

In a Class AAA state semifinal showdown between two athletic 13-0 football teams, the Bardstown Tigers defeated the Mason County Royals 38-28 tonight in Bardstown.

The two teams combined to score 35 points in the second quarter, and Bardstown led 28-20 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, Mason County tied the game at 28-28 early in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard run by Brady Sanders and a two-point conversion run by Keshaun Thomas.

Three plays later, Bardstown took the lead for good when running back Tyleeq Willliams scored his fifth touchdown of the night.

Mason County went three-and-out on its next possession, and Bardstown padded its lead with a 23-yard field goal with 2:28 remaining in the game.

The Royals final possession ended with an interception.

Thomas, Mason County's junior quarterback, threw two touchdown passes (one to Isaac Marshall and one to Landon Scilley) and ran for a touchdown in addition to his conversion run.

Williams, Bardstown's 5-foot-5, 150 pound junior running back rushed for 175 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. He also had a touchdown reception.

Bardstown will play Christian Academy-Louisville in the Class AAA state championship game next week at Kroger Field on the University of Kentucky.

Mason County's 13 wins are a school record.

B 1st Q 5:10 Tyleeq Williams 3 yard pass from Brayden Clark (Tate Blincoe kick) B 7, MC 0 

MC 1st Q 1:49 Keshaun Thomas 4 yard run (kick failed) B 7, MC 06

B 2nd Q 11:05 Tyleeq Williams 8 yard run (Tate Blincoe kick) B 14, MC 6

B 2nd Q 6:46 Tyleeq Williams 6 yard run (Tate Blincoe kick) B 21, MC 6

MC 2nd Q 4:16 Isaac Marshall 20 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (run failed) B 21, MC 12

B 2nd Q 1:30 Tyleeq Williams 1 yard run (Tate Blincoe kick) B 28, MC 12

MC 2nd Q 00:08 Landon Scilley 10 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Brady Sanders run) B 28, MC 20

MC 4th Q 10:37 Brady Sanders 13 yard run (Keshaun Thomas run) B 28, MC 28

B 4th Q 9:47 Tyleeq Williams 9 yard run (Tate Blincoe kick) B 35, MC 28

B 4th Q 2:28 Tate Blincoe 23 yard field goal B 38, MC 28

Mason County defeats Greenup County 27-14 for a school record 13th win and a trip to the state semifinals

The undefeated Mason County Royals are headed to the state semifinals with a school-record 13 wins after beating the Greenup County Musketeers 27-14 Friday night at home in the third round of the Class AAA playoffs. 

The Royals outscored the Musketeers 20-0 in the second half for the third region championship in program history and the first since 2003.

Keyshaun Thomas threw two touchdown passes to KG Walton and one to Isaac Marshall. 

Caden Clark-Roberts rushed 27 yards for a touchdown.

Terrell Henry had three huge defensive plays in the second half: two interceptions and a tackle that stopped Greenup County on 4th-and-one at the Royals' 11 yard line. His second pick was in the end zone with 2:24 left in the game. Mason County was then able to run out the clock.

The Royals will play the Bardstown Tigers in Bardstown next week. The Tigers, also 13-0, defeated Union County 66-33 Friday night.

Christian Academy-Louisville will host Ashland in the other semifinal game.

GC 2nd Q 9:04 Tyson Sammons 40 yard run (Carson Wireman kick) GC 7, MC 0

MC 2nd Q 3:26 KG Walton 14 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Austin Moreland kick) GC 7, MC 7

GC 2nd Q 00:31 Tyson Sammons 8 yard run (Carson Wireman kick) GC 14, MC 7

MC 3rd Q 5:35 Isaac Marshall 23 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Austin Moreland kick) GC 14, MC 14

MC 3rd Q 2:21 KG Walton 47 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Austin Moreland kick) MC 21, GC 7

MC 3rd Q 1:08 Caden Clark-Roberts 24 yard run (kick blocked) MC 27, GC 14

13-0! On to the State Semis! #TogetherWeWin pic.twitter.com/Bi6pzHszOk

— Mason Co. Football (@MasonCoFootball) November 19, 2022

Regional Champs!!! 13-0! pic.twitter.com/umJIU2KQuM

— Mason County Schools (@MasonCoSchools) November 19, 2022

Royals advance to the third round of the playoffs with a 25-0 victory Estill County

The Mason County Royals defeated the Estill County Engineers 25-0 tonight at home in the second round of the Class AAA football playoffs. 

It's the Royals' second straight shutout, and Mason County is 12-0 for just the second time in program history. 

Four different Royals scored touchdowns: Caden Clark-Roberts on a 70-yard run, Isaac Marshall on a 25-yard pass from Keshaun Thomas, KG Walton on a 37-yard run and Thomas on a one-yard quarterback sneak.

Mason County will host the Greenup County Musketeers in the third round next week. The Royals beat the Muskeeteers 34-29 in the final game of the regular season. 

Greenup County defeated Lawrence County 28-7 tonight.

MC 2nd Q 8:49 Caden Clark-Roberts 70 yard run (pass failed) MC 6, EC 0

MC 2nd Q 00:35 Isaac Marshall 25 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (run failed) MC 12, EC 0

MC 3rd Q 6:20 KG Walton 37 yard run (run failed) MC 18, EC 0

MC 4th Q 1:37 Keshaun Thomas 1 yard run (Austin Moreland kick) MC 25, EC 0

Another Opponent…Same Result!

On to the Region Championship in a rematch against Greenup County. pic.twitter.com/txQPndVSL9

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) November 12, 2022

Royals run their record to 11-0 with a 33-0 first-round victory over Rockcastle

Mason County junior quarterback Keshaun Thomas passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the Royals to a 33-0 victory over the the Rockcastle County Rockets in the first round of the Class AA playoffs tonight at home. The Royals are 11-0.

After a scoreless first quarter, Thomas threw touchdown passes to Landon Scilley and Isaac Marshall in the second quarter. 

                                                   (Isaac Marshall touchdown reception)

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Thomas ran 46 yards for a touchdown. He scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter.

Brady Sanders ran 37 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Mason County will host the Estill County Engineers in the second round next week. Estill County routed Lewis County 52-18.

MC 2nd Q 4:45 Landon Scilley 4 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Carter Sanders pass from Carson Pugh) MC 8, RC 0

MC 2nd Q 00:20 Isaac Marshall 25 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (pass failed) MC 14, RC 0

MC 3rd Q 11:19 Keshaun Thomas 46 yard run (Austin Moreland kick) MC 21, RC 0

MC 4th Q 9:29 Brady Sanders 37 yard run (pass failed) MC 27, RC 0

MC 4th Q 2:18 Keshaun Thomas 1 yard run (pass failed) MC 33, RC 0

Survive and Advance!

11-0… Next up Estill County! pic.twitter.com/FUKOKj7Esi

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) November 5, 2022

Royals beat Greenup County 34-29 to close out a 10-0 regular season.

The Mason County Royals completed a 10-0 regular season, just the third in school history, by defeating the Greenup County Musketeers 34-29 at home tonight. 

The game was not decided until Terrell Henry intercepted a Greenup County pass on the final play of the game. It was Henry's second pick of the night. 

Henry's first interception was followed by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Keshaun Thomas to Isaac Marshall that gave the Royals a 34-14 lead with 10:29 to play in the fourth quarter.

Greenup County answered with back-to-back touchdowns and it was a one score game with a 1:22 remaining. After going three-and-out, the Royals punted with 19 seconds to go. Two plays later, Henry picked off a pass over the middle as time expired.

Mason County got off to a fast start by recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff return. Then, on the Royals' first snap, they surprised the Musketeers with a trick play--wide receiver KG Walton hit a wide open Henry on an option pass for a touchdown 17 seconds into the game.

Thomas scored on a one-yard run to put the Royals up 14-0 in the first quarter.

Two Mason County turnovers led to two Greenup County touchdowns and the score was tied.

Brady Sanders rushed 16 yards for a touchdown to put the Royals back on top with 38 seconds to play in the first half.

Thomas ran 70 yards for a touchdown on Mason County's first drive of the second half.

Mason County will host Rockcastle County in the first round of the playoffs next Friday.

MC 1st Q 11:43 KG Walton 39 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Austin Moreland kick) MC 7, GC 0

MC 1st Q 6:12 Keshaun Thomas 1 yard run (Austin Moreland kick) MC 14, GC 0

GC 1st Q 1:59 Ike Henderson 4 yard run (Carson Wireman kick) MC 14, GC 7

GC 2nd Q 1:23 Carson Wireman 65 yard interception return (Carson Wireman kick) MC 14, GC 14

MC 2nd Q 00:38 Brady Sanders 16 yard run (Austin Moreland kick) MC 21, GC 14

MC 3rd Q 10:13 Keshaun Thomas 70 yard run (Austin Moreland kick) MC 28, GC 14

MC 4th Q 10:29 Isaac Marshall 16 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (kick failed) MC 34, GC 14

GC 4th Q 5:43 Tyson Sammons 4 yard run (Tyson Sammons kick) MC 34, GC 22

GC 4th Q 1:22 Tyson Sammons 5 yard run (Carson Wireman kick) MC 34, GC 29

Royals defense makes big plays in a 40-28 win over Fleming County

With Mason County clinging to a five-point lead and Fleming County driving deep into Royal territory, Caden Clark-Roberts returned a fumble 63 yards for a touchdown with 2:42 left in the game.

On Fleming County's next possession, Terrell Henry came up with his second interception of the game and the Royals left Flemingsburg with a 40-28 victory tonight.

There were four lead changes.

Keshaun Thomas threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Marshall on the Royals' first play.

Thomas also rushed for two touchdowns. The second one was set up by an interception return to the six yard line by Trey Walker.

Caden Clark-Roberts had a rushing touchdown in addition to his scoop-and-score.

Brady Sanders also ran for a touchdown.

Mason County is 7-0 overall and 2-0 in district play. The Royals are at home vs. Lewis County next week.

MC 1st Q 8:30 Isaac Marshall 45 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Ryan Skaggs kick) MC 7, FC 0

MC 1st Q 00:41 Brady Sanders 4 yard run (kick failed) MC 13, FC 0

FC 1st Q 00:17 Austin Trent 71 yard run (Parker Sills kick) MC 13, FC 7

FC 2nd Q 2:55 Landon Johnson 22 yard pass from Nate Ruark (Parker Sills kick) FC 14, MC 13

MC 3rd Q 8:36 Keshaun Thomas 8 yard run (pass failed) MC 19, FC 14

FC 3rd Q 5:51 Landon Johnson 45 yard pass from Nate Ruark (Parker Sills kick) FC 21, FC 19

MC 3rd Q 2:38 Keshaun Thomas 6 yard run (Brady Sanders run) MC 27, FC 21

MC 3rd Q 1:04 Caden Clark-Roberts 8 yard run (run failed) MC 33, FC 21

FC 4th Q  7:37Austin Trent 15 yard run (Parker Sills kick) MC 33, FC 28

MC 4th Q 2:42 Caden Clark-Roberts 63 yard fumble return (Ryan Skaggs kick) MC 40, FC 28

(Game statistics courtesy of WFTM's Travis Scaggs and Drew Spangler.)

Royals edge Boyd County 13-12

With 55 seconds remaining in the game, the Mason County defense stopped Boyd County on 4th-and-1 from the Mason County 40 yard line to secure a 13-12 road win for the Royals tonight.

Mason County scored both of its touchdowns in the second quarter on a 41-yard run by Caden Clark-Roberts and a 14 yard touchdown pass from Keshaun Thomas to Isaac Marshall. Austin Moreland's PAT after the second touchdown turned out to be the winning point.

Boyd County threatened to tie to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but after the Lions' second touchdown of the second half, they failed to convert the extra point with 7:13 left in the game.

Mason County (4-0) will play its home opener next week against district foe Pendleton County.

MC 2nd Q 10:51 Caden Clark-Roberts 41 yard run (pass intercepted) MC 6, BC 0

MC 2nd Q 2:25 Isaac Marshall 14 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (kick failed) MC 13, BC 0

BC 3rd Q 9:00 Rhett Holbrook 1 yard run (kick blocked) MC 13, BC 6

BC 4th Q 7:13 Josh Thornton 18 yard pass from Rhett Holbrook (pass failed) MC 13, BC 12

(Game statistics courtesy of WFTM's Travis Scaggs and Drew Spangler.)

Royals lose home opener to Montgomery County 41-14

The Mason County Royals had three red zone defensive stops including two in the first quarter, but lost to the Montgomery County Indians 41-14 tonight in the Meadowview Regional Medical Center Kickoff Classic.

Interceptions by Terrell Henry and Ashton Adams stopped Montgomery County's first two red zone drives, but the Indians later scored 22 straight points and built a 28-point lead.

Montgomery County running back Jacob Diallo rushed for three touchdowns and quarterback Alex Hatton threw two touchdown passes.

Keshaun Thomas threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Marshall, and Brady Sanders rushed for a touchdown for Mason County.

The Royals (1-1) host the Tates Creek Commodores next week.

Mo C 1st Q 3:02 Tanner Donathan 29 yard pass from Alex Hatton (Edgar Diaz kick) Mo C 7, Ma C 0

Mo C 2nd Q 11:07 Tanner Donathan 48 yard pass from Alex Hatton (kick failed) Mo C 13, Ma C 0

Ma C 2nd Q 9:49 Isaac Marshall 77 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Ashton Adams kick) Mo C 13, Ma C 7

Mo C 2nd Q 3:18 Jacob Diallo 3 yard run (Jacob Diallo run) Mo 21, Ma C 7

Mo Co 2nd Q 00:19 Alex Ison 23 yard run (Edgar Diaz kick) Mo C 28, Ma C 7

Mo C 3rd Q 2:53 Jacob Diallo 4 yard run (Brian Martinez kick) Mo 35, Ma 7

Ma C 3rd Q 1:01 Brady Sanders 3 yard run (Ashton Adams kick) Mo 35, Ma C 14

Mo C 4th Q 5:46 Jacob Diallo 2 yard run (kick failed) Mo 41, Ma C 14

Mason County opens the season with a 16-7 victory over Newport

The Mason County Royals opened the 2021 football season and the Coach Joe Wynn era with a 16-7 road victory over the Newport Wildcats Friday night.

Isaac Marshall had six receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. 

Mason County quarterbacks Ashton Adams and Keshaun Thomas each threw a touchdown pass. Adams also kicked a 23-yard field goal and an extra point.

All of the scoring took place in the first half.

The Royals play host to the Montgomery County Indians this coming Friday night.

MC 1st Q 10:21 Isaac Marshall 80 yard pass from Ashton Adams (pass failed) MC 6, N 0

N 1st Q 5:24 Kaleb Lee 17 yard pass from Ethan Jefferson (kick good) N 7, MC 6

MC 2nd Q 11:17 Ashton Adams 23 yard field goal MC 9, N 7

MC 2nd Q 00:07 Isaac Marshall 22 yard pass from Keshaun Thomas (Ashton Adams kick) MC 16, N 7

(Game statistics courtesy of WFTM radio's Travis Scaggs and Drew Spangler.)

Royals clinch 2nd place in district with a 42-20 road win over Powell County

The Mason County Royals clinched second place in the district with a 42-20 victory over the Powell County Pirates Friday night in Stanton. 

Mason County scored on all seven of its first half possessions and led 42-6 at the half. 

The Royals' two quarterback offense was clicking. Ashton Adams threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Chad Clark- Roberts in each of the first two quarters. Adams also scored on a rushing touchdown. Terrell Henry rushed for a touchdown and threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Marshall.

Caden Clark-Roberts had a rushing touchdown.

Mason County is 4-2 overall and 3-1 in district play. The Royals close out the regular season next week at home against Harrison County and will be at home for the first round of the playoffs on November 13. 

MC 1st Q Chad Clark-Roberts 66 yard pass from Ashton Adams (Ashton Adams kick) MC 7, PC 0 
MC 1st Q Terrell Henry 20 yard run (Brady Sanders pass from Carson Pugh MC 15, PC 0 
MC 1st Q Ashton Adams 28 yard run (Ashton Adams kick) MC 22, PC 0
MC 2nd Q Caden Clark-Roberts 4 yard run (kick missed) MC 28, PC 0
PC 2nd Q Stephen Norris 68 yard run (kick missed) MC 28, PC 6
MC 2nd Q Chad Clark-Roberts 66 yard pass from Ashton Adams (kick missed) MC 34, PC 6
MC 2nd Q Isaac Marshall 32 yard pass from Terrell Henry (Terrell Henry run) MC 42, PC 6
PC 3rd Q Stephen Norris 1 yard run (pass failed) MC 42, PC 12
PC 4th Q Josh Ledford 5 yard run (Josh Ledford run) MC 42, PC 20

(Game stats compliments of WFTM radio)

 

Royals lose to Fleming County 7-6

Defense ruled the game as the Fleming County Panthers edged the Mason County Royals 7-6 in a district football game Friday night in Flemingsburg. The Panthers have won eight straight games in the series.

After a scoreless first half, Mason County lost a fumble its own 13-yard line on the opening drive of the second half. Three plays later Zeke Conn ran four yards for a touchdown for the Panthers.

Mason County answered with a 72-yard scoring drive that was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Adams to Isaac Marshall. The Royals were unable to convert the PAT.

Both defenses were strong the rest of the way. Fleming County forced a Mason County fumble on the Royals' next to last drive with 2:06 to play. The Panthers went three and out, but a 48-yard punt pinned the Royals at their own 10-yard line. With less than a minute to play and no timeouts remaining, Mason County drove to the Fleming County 42 yard line, but the Panthers came up with an interception on the final play of the game.

Mason County falls to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in district play. The Royals will be at home next week against the Lewis County Lions.

FC 3rd Q  Zeke Conn 4 yard run (Justyn Haggerty kick) FC 7, MC 0                   

MC 3rd Q  Isaac Marshall 8 yard pass from Ashton Adams (pass failed) FC 7, MC 6

(Game stats compliments of WFTM radio.)