The Evarts Wildcats started the season with high hopes. They were tabbed by most area coaches as one of the better teams in District 7 of Class A.

Now, they're the only winless team remaining in the county.

The Harlan Green Dragons made crucial plays and got big performances from a couple of reserves in Friday's Alumni Bowl as they knocked off the visiting Wildcats 22-12.

Playing for the Dragons' starting quarterback and primary running back, respectively, freshman Jon Lundy and sophomore Teddy Thompson were instrumental in both of the Dragons' scoring drives, including a crucial possession late in the game.

Harlan coach J.B. Donahue praised his young players' performances.

"Teddy still doesn't know our whole offense, to be honest. Those two kids really stepped up big," he said.

"I told our older kids that it was really important that they showed confidence in those young kids when they got out there."

Lundy replaced Donnie Clem after the senior quarterback received a hard hit in the second quarter. Donahue said that Clem could have returned, but he chose to keep him out as a precaution.

With the Dragons trailing 12-7 and pushed back to their own 32 by a penalty with less than three minutes to play, Lundy led a seven-play scoring drive, capped by his 8-yard toss to Ryland Pope.

Thompson played a big part in the drive as well, completing a halfback pass to Randy Blakley for a critical first down.

After the touchdown, Lundy rolled out and found tight end Jared Meadors in the end zone for the two-point conversion and a 15-12 lead with 1:19 to play.

Evarts couldn't piece together a comeback. Junior quarterback Shawn Hoskins misfired on his first three passes of the series, and his desperation heave on fourth down was interecepted and returned 45 yards for a game-sealing touchdown by tackle Logan Curry.

Hoskins threw two more picks before the end of the game. The first was intercepted by Marvin Smith, who fumbled it back to the Cats. Pope then picked off a Hoskins pass on the ensuing fourth down play.

Without junior running back Frank Middleton, who was at the game but did not play due to an injury, Evarts had a difficult time mounting an offensive attack. The Cats amassed 171 yards of offense and just seven first downs.

Evarts struck first, finding the end zone with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter. Hoskins hooked up with senior receiver Will Smith for a 38-yard gain that took the Cats to the Dragons' 1. Bryan Freeman crashed through to give the Cats a 6-0 lead.

With 6:30 to play in the second quarter, a bad snap and short punt by Evarts gave Harlan the ball at the Cats' 13. Three plays later, Thompson scored on a 5-yard burst. He also kicked the extra point to give the Dragons a 7-6 lead.

Thompson finished with 69 yards rushing on nine carries.

Evarts struck back on their first possession of the second half.

Senior running back Derek Mefford, who moved from wide receiver, scampered 14 yards for the touchdown to put the Cats back on top.

The Cats seemed hesitant to kick the ball away late in the game. Evarts turned the ball over on downs at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Later in the period, the Cats converted one fourth down, but the next time, Hoskins was sacked by Harlan's Seth Haywood to give the ball back to the Dragons for what would be the decisive touchdown.

"I can't say enough about coach (Eric) Perry, and more importantly, about the kids who played defensively. Evarts is a heck of a football club, and defensively we just had a big night," Donahue said.

The 1-1 Dragons will travel to Berea to take on 3A power Madison Southern on Friday.

With the loss, Evarts fell to 0-2 on the season. The Cats will return to action Friday at Leslie County.

Evarts coach Ovie Canady noted that his team hasn't lived up to expectations yet.

"I'm like everybody else, I guess," he said. "I thought we were going to be better than we were. I told the kids we can do one of two things: fold up the tent and quit, or we can be men and try to recover from this."