A Gridiron Clash in the Foothills: Pineville Versus Harlan

By Shane Shackleford 

Writer’s Note: In honor of the 105th anniversary of the Battle of 119 between Pineville and Harlan, this article is stylistically like a sports article might have been written for the Pineville or Harlan newspaper circa 1920. Hope you enjoy it.  

In the cool shadow of Kentucky’s majestic mountains, the crisp air of autumn carries with it the unmistakable anticipation of a contest as storied as the Cumberland River itself. On a field ringed by LED lanterns and the eager voices of townsfolk, the Pineville Mountain Lions and the Harlan Green Dragons prepared once again to do battle, a tradition stretching back to the halcyon days of 1920. 

It was upon this selfsame patch of turf, more than a generation ago, that boys became men and local pride was won or lost in the scrum and struggle of football. The whistle’s shrill call summoned not merely players, but the hopes of two communities whose fates seemed intertwined each autumn. Pineville, with its proud, rugged miners and shopkeepers, matched against Harlan, the dragon’s den, steadfast and unyielding. 

The spectacle commenced with banners and Old Glory fluttering in the late afternoon breeze, mothers and sweethearts clutching scarves, and old-timers recalling games long since faded into legend. The Mountain Lions, clad in their bold maroon and gold, strode confidently to their sideline, while the Green Dragons, resplendent in emerald and white, answered with a fire all their own. 

This was more than a mere game, it was a proving ground, a chapter in a living history book. The grandstands, not the classic rough lumber but brightest aluminum and sturdy, trembled with the roar of the crowd. Told and retold in barbershops and on front porches, each encounter between Pineville and Harlan added new tales to the annals of Appalachian sport. 

Even as the sun dipped behind the ridges, casting long shadows across Pineville’s Bill Adams Stadium, the spirit of friendly rivalry shone ever bright. Boys whose grandfathers once faced off here now donned the same colors, driven by honor and tradition. Each snap, each tackle, was a testament to the enduring legacy of Kentucky high school football—a legacy that began on these very grounds when the world was still young and the dream of victory as sweet as ever. 

These words might have been the introduction to the annual Battle of 119 between the Lions and the Dragons in the Roaring Twenties. Now, in the year 2025, the game still carries the tradition and pageantry of yesteryear. 

Behind the power running game of the Lions, Pineville improved to 3-3 on the season with a 48 to 6 victory over Harlan Friday night in the Gem City of the Cumberlands.  

With a nice audience in the stands and the backdrop of Hall of Fame Induction weekend, The Lions were led by their dynamic duo of senior Landon Robbins and junior Trevor West. The Lion backfield played havoc on the Harlan defense, rushing for over 400 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. Robbins had 348 yards rushing, while West tallied 115 yards of total offense as well. 

The PHS backs ran behind their horses up front as the offensive line of Ben Matthews, Jaxon Helton, Kaden Taylor, Hayden Lawson, and Tristen Johnson, as well as fullback Landon Abner, created holes up front that the Dragon defense couldn’t close in time, allowing Robbins and West to gash the Harlan front seven at will. 

Pineville got the cannon firing early, marching 72 yards on five plays, with the score coming on a 17-yard run from Robbins, staking the Lions to an early 6-0 lead. 

Sophomore quarterback Tate Slone had his best passing performance of his young career, going 4-4 on the drive for 45 yards and 12-15 for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the game. 

After Gage Love recovered a Lawson onside kick, the Lions went three plays for 50 yards, scoring on a Slone to West hookup from 15 yards out, extending the Pineville lead to 12-0. 

Pineville forced the third punt of the night from the Dragons and marched 70 yards on seven plays. Robbins took a Slone pitch around left end for a 16-yard score, ending the opening quarter with Pineville leading 18-0. 

A Harlan punt led to another 70-yard march to paydirt for PHS with the keynote being delivered by West from 10 yards away. Slone connected with Trevor Hill for the conversion to extend the margin to 26-0 early in the second quarter. 

After a Harlan fumble gave the ball back to Pineville, the Lions drove to inside the Harlan five but fumbled the ball and the Dragons recovered. 

When a penalty on Harlan moved the ball to the Harlan 1 yard line, the highlight of the night for the Dragons happened when sophomore running back Boss Bryson went up the middle and broke free for a spectacular 99-yard touchdown jaunt to cut into the Pineville lead at 26-6.

The Dragons recovered the ensuing onside kick but was held by the Pineville defense to a punt. Robbins took a handoff and rumbled through the Harlan defense for a 72-yard score. The conversion toss from Slone to Hill extended the PHS lead to 32-6 at the half. 

Pineville opened the third stanza with a quick three play drive culminating with a West scoring pass from Slone. Slone found Braxton Baker for the conversion to increase the PHS lead to 40-6. 

The final scoring play on the night from Pineville might have been the most highlight worthy, as Robbins ran through tackles, tacklers, and a possible horse collar attempt to go 81 yards to the endzone. After Slone found Baker for the conversion, the final score was set at 48-6. 

The Pineville defense ended the night on a turnover as Hill picked off an errant HHS toss, the third forced turnover on the night for the Lions. 

Pineville moves to 1-0 in district play and travels to Williamsburg for a big district tilt with the Yellow Jackets next Friday. Harlan will host the Middlesboro Yellow Jackets on Friday night as well. Both kickoffs are set for 7:30 pm. 

And, in closing, 1920’s style: 

“As the Pineville band struck up a lively march, and the game clock ticked inexorably onward, one truth was clear: win or lose, the Pineville Mountain Lions and the Harlan Green Dragons had given their all for town and team. And when the final horn sounded, crowds would spill onto the field, already looking ahead to another autumn, another contest, and another chance to etch their names into history. 

“Thus concludes another chapter in Kentucky’s oldest football rivalry—a saga of grit, glory, and unbreakable community spirit.”