By Tim Branstetter / Staff Writer
After starting the game on their own 1-yard line and failing to convert a fourth down try, the Redhounds bounced back with a strong defensive performance.
Whatever hope the Purple Flash had of scoring was gone in a flash as Jake Coppick intercepted a pass on the 10-yard line with 4:17 remaining in the opening quarter. Corbin cruised the rest of the way for a 36-14 victory and a state championship trophy to prove it.
“We knew their quarterback was a talented athlete and we wanted to put pressure on him,” Corbin coach Wendell Foley said. “We did a good job of that and the defense really stepped up today. Our defense has been the key to our success all season. This might be the best defensive game I’ve ever seen.”
The Redhounds grabbed a 6-0 advantage on a 5-yard touchdown run by Coppick, but the Purple Flash answered one play later for the 6-6 score with 2:06 remaining in the first quarter.
Tanner Powers said, whatever you can do I can do better, as he blasted up the middle for a 76-yard touchdown run to give the Redhounds a 12-6 lead with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter.
The Redhound defense added the next score on a 63-yard pick six with 1:29 remaining in the first quarter to grab an 18-6 advantage.
Coppick gave the Redhounds a little more cushion with a 95-yard touchdown run up the middle with 6:08 remaining in the second quarter. Corbin was in control at 24-6.
A 34-yard touchdown by Powers and a 37-yard touchdown pass from Austin O’Neil to Anderson rounded out the Redhounds’ scoring at 36.
“Coppick and Powers are super athletes,” Foley said. “They can take it to the next level. After the first touchdown run I knew they couldn’t stop us.”
Foley wanted to recognize his coaching staff and his defensive specialist, Evan Grisell.
“I want to thank my coaches, Sam Miller, Chance Hendrickson and Mark Payne,” Foley added. “Without them I’m nothing. Evan (Grisell) has played great all year long. I can’t explain how great this feels. It’s not settled in yet. I feel complete. I can retire now.”
Foley admitted he does not plan on retiring anytime soon.
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State Champs
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South Laurel Sweeps
When it comes to a district championship game it doesn't get any better than a line drive down the third baseline with two outs to end the game, and that’s exactly what happened as the South Laurel Cardinals pulled off a 3-2 victory over Corbin in the 51st District Championship Wednesday.
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Knox Three-Peats
Not many people expected the Knox Central Lady Panthers to three-peat as the 51st District champions after graduating seven seniors from last season’s squad. But Barb Gregory’s squad proved all of their naysayers wrong by jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on in the end to knock off rival Barbourville, 8-4, on Wednesday.
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Clay County no match for defending region champs
Not playing a game in five days didn’t seem to bother the defending 13th Region champions any, as the North Laurel Lady Jaguars collected their seventh straight 49th District championship by defeating Clay County Wednesday, 9-0.
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Corbin advances
The three runs the Corbin Lady Redhounds scored during their first round matchup against rival Whitley County on Monday proved to be just enough when the contest picked up where it left off on Tuesday.
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Jaguars capture 49th District championship
The North Laurel Jaguars brought out their bats and made a lot of noise as they blasted by Jackson County and kept swinging until they were the 49th District champions with a 4-2 win over defending 13th Region champion Clay County.
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Maxey captures first AAU state championship
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Barbourville's Back
The Barbourville Lady Tigers are back in the 13th Region Tournament for the second straight season after upending Lynn Camp 13-3 in five innings Monday during first round action of the 51st District Tournament.
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Lady Cards cruise past Williamsburg
The South Laurel Lady Cardinals survived a long lightning delay and managed to cruise past Williamsburg, 14-1, during the first round of the 50th District Tournament on Monday.
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Cardinals advance
A lightning delay and solid pitching by the Yellow Jackets managed to slow the Cardinals down some, but South Laurel was still able to pull away from Williamsburg for a 10-0 win in five innings during the first round of the 50th District Tournament on Monday.
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Young Lady Panthers reach title game
Barb Gregory’s Knox Central Lady Panthers braved Mother Nature and managed to pull out a convincing 11-1 win over Pineville in the first round of the 51st District Tournament Monday.
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