PRENTISS – The Lawrence County Cougars used strong defense and special teams play to claw out a tough 18-8 win over Prentiss Friday night.

The defense turned back one Prentiss threat after another to keep Lawrence County in the game. Then, with the Cougar offense sputtering, Quitten Brown returned a Prentiss kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown.

With the win, Lawrence County improved to 3-1 overall, while Prentiss fell to 1-3.

“We didn’t play a great game,” said second-year Lawrence County coach Jaymie Palmer, “But our defense came up with big plays in the red zone, and that was the key to this win. Prentiss has a tough, athletic team, and they beat us up some, but we’re happy to get out of here with a win.”

Lawrence County put up 55 points against Brookhaven a week earlier, but the Cougars’ first five possessions on Friday produced no points and just three first downs. Meanwhile, Prentiss was knocking on Lawrence County’s door the entire time. On their first possession, a 43-yard Jalen Madison-to-Anthony Walker pass got the Bulldogs as close as the Cougars’ 6-yard line. The drive ended, however, with a T-Tez Cole recovery of a Prentiss fumble.

Prentiss’ next possession got as close as the LCHS 3-yard line, only to have an errant shotgun snap foil the Bulldogs’ efforts. The third Prentiss series had a similar ending, with Cougar cornerback Mark Rhodes intercepting a Madison pass at the Lawrence County 6-yard line.

Prentiss finally broke through. Madison connected with Anthony Walker for 32 yards, then got 25 more on a completion to Tim McNair Jr. Those pass plays set up Isaiah Gatlin’s one-yard touchdown plunge with 3:53 left in the first half. Gatlin then ran for two points, making it an 8-0 game.

The Bulldogs’ momentum was short-lived, as Quitten Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown. A bad snap foiled Lawrence County’s extra point attempt and Prentiss led 8-6.

Late in the half, after the Cougar defense forced a Prentiss punt, Lawrence County grabbed its first lead. Brown ripped off runs of 12, 10, and 13 yards, the last being for Brown’s 13th touchdown of the young season. LCHS led 12-8 at the half.

Defense dominated the second half. Lawrence County limited Prentiss to just one second-half first down. The Cougars, meanwhile, weren’t doing much better. An errant Prentiss punt snap got Lawrence County close, but the Bulldogs blocked a Josh Stephens field goal attempt.

The Cougars finally got an insurance score with 8:35 left in the game, when T-Tez Cole popped an inside running play for 15 yards and a touchdown. Cole popped another trap play for an apparent score minutes later, but that play was negated by a holding penalty.

Lawrence County outgained Prentiss 236-225 in total offense, with Brown rushing for 96 yards on 17 carries. Charl’Tez Nunnery gained 60 yards on 20 carries, despite losing 31 yards on sacks. Cole rushed six times for 44 yards.

Unofficially, the LCHS defense was led by linebacker Cole, defensive tackle Brandon Armstrong, and defensive end Will Thurman. The Cougar secondary, led by Mark Rhodes, Kejaun Brown, DeMarcus Brown, and Rykendrick Harness, battled well against a quality Prentiss receiving corps.

Isaiah Gatlin led Prentiss with 64 yards on 10 carries. Jalen Madison completed 9-of-20 passes for 175 yards. Kevin Hall, a towering lineman who played virtually every snap on both offense and defense, stood out for Prentiss.

Lawrence County will travel to Franklin County this Friday.