Tates Creek football posts rare intercity shutout of Henry Clay

Tates Creek put on a show for the fans in attendance for its home opener, hammering Henry Clay 44-0 on Friday night.

The win — probably the most significant since third-year head coach Antoine Sims took over — was its first shutout since 2013. Before Friday, the Commodores hadn’t shut out a city opponent since defeating Bryan Station 6-0 on Oct. 20, 2006.

It was Henry Clay’s worst loss since falling 70-34 to Scott County in 2013. The Blue Devils were last shut out in a 43-0 defeat at Pulaski County last season.

Sims and Henry Clay Coach Sam Simpson conferred and agreed to call the game with 1:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“This is a big deal for us right now,” Sims said. “We’ll celebrate tonight and tomorrow. Sunday we’ll get back to work and on to the next opponent.

“But it’s a big deal for us right now in this very moment. Then we’ve gotta get over it.”

Tates Creek’s speedy defense gave Henry Clay fits all night. The Commodores finished with a 451-81 advantage in total yardage and were plus-four in the turnover department thanks to four fumbles by the Blue Devils.

Cameron Workman was 12 of 21 for 363 yards and four touchdowns, including a 26-yard bomb to a leaping Jackson Beerman in the end zone to put an exclamation point on the evening.

Beerman ended with six catches for 161 yards. Running mate Turner Gentry caught only two passes but made the most of them; they totaled 126 yards and both went for TDs.

Tates Creek, once renowned for its ground-and-pound tactics when Sims played for the Commodores, has transformed into an athlete-friendly, spread-you-out program. The fruits of that shift were on full display Friday night.

“We’ve gotta let the athletes get out in space and do what they do,” Sims said. “That’s what makes this game fun and exciting to watch. That’s what these kids see on TV every Saturday, so we gotta make it fun for ’em.”

Tates Creek (2-2) won its second straight after dropping contests at Scott County and Belfry the first two weeks of the season. Henry Clay (1-2) won at Clark County last week after dropping a close battle with Ryle in the Traditional Bank Bowl at Lexington Catholic.

Tates Creek hosts Madison Southern (4-0) next week. Henry Clay welcomes Knox Central (2-2) to Lexington.

This story was originally published September 9, 2016 at 11:55 PM with the headline "Tates Creek football posts rare intercity shutout of Henry Clay."