The Harlan County junior varsity team evened its record at 1-1 on the season Monday, but it wasn’t easy as the Black Bears missed scoring opportunities early and had to hang on for a 6-0 victory at Leslie County.

Harlan County appeared on the way to a touchdown in the second quarter after a run for a first down by Ryan Sawyers, but two potential touchdown passes for Jordy Brewer were dropped in the end zone.

The Bears put together their best drive of the night in the third quarter, highlighted by three straight runs for first downs by Cody Taylor. The first went for 9 yards on a fourth-and-two play. The second was the best run of the night as Taylor knocked over a Leslie defender, spinned away from trouble and went 30 yards to the Eagles’ 25. Taylor ran 17 yards on the next play to the Leslie 8.

With the Bears facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1, Sawyers ran behind the middle of the Harlan County line for a touchdown with 3:02 to play in the third quarter. Brewer was brought down on the two-point conversion attempt.

Leslie was unable to move the ball on the ground but had several big plays through the air and drove to the Harlan County 9 with the help of four completions by Troy Napier, the last coming on a 23-yard catch by Evan Whitaker. Jeremiah Eldridge and teammates sacked Napier on first down. After two straight incompletions, Napier was brought down by Justin Howard and Dustin Hensley on the Harlan County 7.

Leslie County got to the Harlan County 27 on its final possession before the Bears’ defense again held.

Harlan County returns to action Monday at Corbin. The freshman team plays at South Laurel on Thursday.