Raiders Remain Undefeated Despite Wildcat Effort: Hart Wins 38-35

Senior Roger Harris (1) holds off Hart County's Drake Thompson (6) at Hart County, Sept. 18, 2026.

Darren Doyle story: Macy Miller, photos:
The Edmonson County Wildcats traveled to face the Hart County Raiders on Friday night and nearly completed a dramatic second-half rally before falling 38-35. 

Hart County jumped out to a fast start as Jayden Chancellor broke a 45-yard touchdown run and the two-point conversion succeeded, putting the Raiders up 8-0 with 7:19 left in the first quarter. Hart's Gage Owens added a 13-yard scoring run and another successful two-point conversion in the final seconds of the period. Edmonson managed only a safety in the quarter and trailed 16-2 at the break.
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Jacoia Orvis takes on a Hart Co. defender in a run against the Raiders.

Edmonson's Sawyer Simmons runs the ball in for a touchdown.

Roger Harris runs the ball.

Bricen Blake runs up the left side against a Raider defender.

The Wildcats answered early in the second quarter when Roger Harris scored on a 12-yard run and Hayley Shields converted the extra point to make it 16-9. Hart's Chancellor immediately answered with a 73-yard kickoff return touchdown (two-point try failed), stretching the lead to 22-9. Edmonson QB Sawyer Simmons then found Camden Williams for a 42-yard touchdown pass, and Shields added the kick to pull Edmonson within 22-16. 

Chancellor struck again on another kickoff return, this time converting the two-point try, and Hart County took a 30-16 halftime lead. 

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Roger Harris with a bloody left knee.

Kicker Haley Shields leads the kickoff for the Wildcats.

Roger Harris runs the ball.

Edmonson continued to fight in the third quarter. Simmons connected with Williams again, this time from 26 yards, and Shields’ extra point made it 30-23. Eli Boone answered for the Raiders with a 1-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion, pushing the lead back to 38-23. That score held through the end of the third quarter.

The Wildcats refused to go away as Roger Harris punched in a 3-yard touchdown run (two-point conversion failed) to cut the deficit to 38-29 with 8:06 remaining. Simmons added a 9-yard rushing touchdown with 2:27 left, but an error on the snap for the extra point attempt was bobbled. Simmons recovered it but was assessed an unsportsmanlike penalty. A Hart County player dragged Simmons' leg while he was down after the play ended. Simmons pitched the ball at him out of frustration. Instead of offsetting penalties, the Wildcats were the only ones assessed with just over two minutes remaining.

The Cats attempted a pooch kick to regain possession, but Hart County took the ball at the Wildcat 42 yard line. The Raiders were able to run out the clock and hold on for the 38-35 win.

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Sawyer Simmons prepares to connect with Camden Williams (background) for another touchdown.

Camden Williams on his way to one of his two touchdowns.

Roger Harris runs the ball.

The Wildcats line up on the ball.

Coach Vessels gives instructions in a timeout huddle.

Edmonson County Cheer.

The Cats take the field against the Hart County Raiders.

Wildcat Head Coach Justin Vessels said while it's frustrating to find high points in another loss, he was proud that the Wildcats took an undefeated team down to the wire with the offensive effort they'd been working toward.

"This was more like what I envisioned our offense being all along this year. We finally had a breakout night where we got the passing game and the running game going some. Sawyer (Simmons) his best game by far. We got several different receivers involved in the passing game. Camden caught a seam route across the middle in the first half for a touchdown, had another one on a stop over here, we got Joseph (McGuire) a big fade route over here."

Coach Vessels discussed several more offensive plays that kept the Cats in the game.

"You know, this is what I hope we continue to look like on offense."

​Simmons accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). He was 17 of 21 passing attempts for 285 total yards, along with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Williams hauled in two scoring receptions. Harris added a pair of rushing scores for the Wildcats.

Chancellor was the standout for Hart County with a rushing touchdown and two kickoff-return scores.

​Edmonson drops to 1-4 on the season. They are scheduled to take on Butler County High School at home next week at 7PM.