CORBIN —
By Les Dixon / Sports Editor
When it comes to playing the best in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, the Corbin Redhounds welcome the state’s best and Saturday’s match-up with No. 1 ranked Boyle County isn’t any different.
The Redhounds will enter the game as big underdogs against the Rebels, who captured the Class 4A state championship last season, while compiling an impressive 31-1 record during their past 32 games.
Larry French’s squad is also riding a 17-game win streak, so the odds are stacked for a Redhound win, right?
Wrong.
If you listen to Boyle County coach Larry French, his Rebels will have to play a perfect game to beat Corbin at Campbell Field — and he may be right. The Redhounds pulled off a big upset a few years back when they knocked off a heavily-favored Rockcastle County squad 42-22 during the Pigskin Classic in 2004 and they almost did the same against Lexington Catholic in 2001 — the loss was later awarded a 1-0 victory because of a Knight forfeit.
“Corbin has a very good football team,” French said. “They are a good, disciplined team. I don’t think it’s going to happen (blow Corbin out). They are going to give us fits. They have a lot of talent.”
But so do the Rebels.
There is a reason they are picked to repeat as Class 4A champs — they return lots of talent.
Boyle County already has wins over Johnson Central (36-29) and Franklin County (51-20). The Rebels are averaging 281 yards on the ground and are led by Chris Cook’s 295 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Devon Cox has 93 yards on the ground this season, while Zach Hester follows with 77.
Quarterback Devon Hale has completed 16-of-26 pass attempts for 205 yards and four touchdowns.
“They are a big, physical and strong team,” Corbin coach Steve Jewell said. “They are very basic at what they do, but they do it really well. Their bread and butter is their offensive and defensive lines. That’s where they win their games. To be honest, they are a complete ball club.
“But that’s what we like here at Corbin, we don’t mind facing challenges,” he added. “And Boyle County is a challenge. This is going to test the character of our kids and I believe we’ll be ready for the test. We will be able to find out where we’re at and we know we’re the obvious underdog, but we’re going to show up and play.”
Corbin looked solid during its first game of the season last week, when the Redhounds ran past Harlan, 52-14.
Jewell’s squad totaled 374 yards on offense, while Matthew Taylor scored four touchdowns in the first half (two rushing, one on a punt return and one on a fake punt) and finished the game with five, while Brady Foley rushed for 112 yards in the game (all in the game’s first 24 minutes) to lead Corbin to the easy 38-point win.
“The big key for us is to score more points than they do,” French said. “They put 52 points on the scoreboard last week, so we know they are going to be ready to play. This is a game where you have two schools that have great football tradition and we hope to be able to go down there and be able to play our ‘A’ game.”
So what does Jewell think about his team’s chances of pulling off the upset?
“I feel like we have a good shot,” he admitted. “I know we have a great game plan. There’s no doubt we obviously have unseasoned kids right now, but I do feel like the kids will play well. We’re going to make mistakes, but we’re hoping to have some good things happen early and have a positive snowball effect. If that happens, I like our chances.”
Game time is slated for 8:45 p.m.
Both Danville (2-0) and Pikeville (1-0) come in unbeaten and will open the Pigskin Classic at 5:45 p.m.
The Admirals have wins over both Mason County (21-14) and Rockcastle County (40-0), while the Panthers defeated Boyd County, 16-7, this past week in the Pike County Bowl.
Local Sports
You have to Believe
Redhounds enter game against defending Class 4A champion Boyle County as underdogs
- Local Sports
-
-
Cards stand ground
It took a team effort, but South Laurel was able to make the big play late to defeat Harlan County, 5-4, and advance to the semifinals of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament.
-
Moving on
It wasn’t easy, but North Laurel managed to sneak by Corbin, 2-1, during the first round of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament Monday.
-
Lady Cards slip past Clay County
James Burns’ South Laurel Lady Cardinals continued a recurring theme in the first round of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament — scoring runs with two outs and nobody on.
-
Bell eliminates Knox Central
Bell County built a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning against Knox Central in first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament Monday, but still needed a leaping catch by centerfielder Alisha Russell to seal the deal on the Lady Bobcats’ win over the Lady Panthers.
-
Errors lead to Barbourville’s 15-0 loss to Harlan County
A crucial error in the second inning led to five unearned runs for Harlan County, as the Lady Black Bears cruised to an easy 15-0 win over Barbourville in four innings Monday during first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament.
-
Knox Central puts up fight before losing to Middlesboro, 6-2
Middlesboro’s Nick Capps took care of business and managed to hold off Knox Central, 6-2, to advance to the second round of the 13th Region Baseball Tournament Monday.
-
North runs win streak to 19 games
The North Laurel Lady Jaguars were clicking on all cylinders Monday during first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament as they defeated Corbin in five innings, 12-0.
-
Tigers drop 10-2 decision
Clay County was forced to put the ball on the ground, but once they did they were able to get going as they defeated Barbourville, 10-2, during the first round of the 13th Region Tournament Monday.
-
Who really are the favorites this year?
Corbin and North Laurel High Schools’ first round match-ups in both the 13th Region Baseball Tournament and 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament will highlight Monday’s first round action.
-
Fantastic Finish
Brandon Hillard’s Knox Central Panthers almost pulled off a shocker before falling to rival Barbourville, 7-6, in the finals of the 51st District title game Thursday.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
