STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
The Barren County Trojans opened the 2026 football season with a 42-6 win over Clay County, Tenn. in the Don Franklin Bowl.
The Trojans controlled the game from the outset, building a 35-0 lead by the end of the third quarter to force a running clock.
Barren County struck first when quarterback Briggs Harris scored on a 7-yard run to make it 6-0 after the extra point attempt failed.
Later in the first quarter, Harris connected with wideout Jackson Stephano for a 74-yard touchdown pass, and a successful two-point conversion to Jackson Pierce pushed the Trojans’ lead to 14-0.
The Trojans kept adding on before halftime, extending the margin to 28-0 as the Barren County offense continued to move the ball efficiently against Clay County’s defense.
In the third quarter, Cameron Gutierrez broke free for a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 34-0, and kicker Jacob Dooley added the extra point for a 35-0 lead and a running clock heading into the fourth.
Clay County avoided the shutout with 11:05 remaining when quarterback Fletcher Strong scored on a short run, cutting the deficit to 35-6 after the missed extra point.
Barren County answered late in the fourth, as Brayden Bartley powered in from a yard out, and another Dooley kick closed out the scoring at 42-6.
Barren County ran just 41 offensive plays but finished with 483 total yards, including 348 on 30 rushing attempts.
Ten different Trojans had carries, led by Jaxson Pierce with five rushes for 93 yards, while Bartley, Gutierrez, and others contributed on the ground.
Harris completed six of nine passes for 135 yards, with three of his completions going to Stephano for 116 yards and the 74-yard touchdown.
Defensively, Barren County limited Clay County to 193 total yards on 48 plays, including 131 rushing yards and 62 passing.
Strong led Clay County through the air and scored their lone touchdown, but he was also intercepted once.
Hamilton paced Clay County’s rushing attack with eight carries for 69 yards, including a 60-yard run, while Ashley added 52 yards on 14 carries.
Key Facts
• Barren County beats Clay County, Tennessee, 42-6 to open the 2026 football season Friday night.
• Trojans rack up 483 yards of offense on 41 plays, including 348 rushing yards.
• Quarterback Briggs Harris accounts for two early scores, including a 74-yard TD pass to Jackson Stefano.
• Ten different Barren County players record rushing attempts in the win.
• Barren County leads 35-0 after three quarters, triggering a running clock.
• Clay County’s only touchdown comes on a short run by quarterback Fletcher Strong in the fourth quarter.
