Leslie Co. at Corbin



Where: Campbell Field

Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Team Records: Corbin 6-1, Leslie County 2-5

The inside scoop: Corbin coach Steve Jewell looks for Leslie County to put up a fight against his Corbin Redhounds today at Campbell Field.

The Eagles are 2-5 on the season, but put up a fight against district foe Middlesboro before losing 28-14 last week.

“They are an improved team,” Jewell said. “They were tied at 14 apiece with Middlesboro in the fourth quarter before Middlesboro began to pull away.

“Like I said, they’re much improved from last season and they’ve got a whole lot more skilled kids than they have had in the past.”

Leslie County’s lone wins came against Clinton County and Morgan County, while Corbin is coming off an 85-34 win over Knott Central that saw Caleb Watkins run wild.

Watkins finished the game with 275 rushing yards on eight carries and had rushing touchdowns 70, 31, nine, 47 and 42 yards. He also had a 69-yard touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty.

When he wasn’t scoring rushing the ball, Watkins was adding touchdowns through the air and on kick-offs. He returned two kick-offs for scores (75 and 78 yards) and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Roman Mitchell.

With that said, does Jewell believe his team will be ready to play today?

“I’ll let you know later,” he laughed. “It’s kind of been a mixed bag of things this week at practice. We’ve given the kids some days off because of fall break and we’re trying to stay away from the flu, too.

“Hopefully, our kids’ minds will be clear and we can take care of business,” Jewell added. “I really believe Leslie County is starting to turn things around, but they are still young with only four seniors.”

Jewell also said he didn’t know what to expect because of the cold and wet weather that is forecasted for tonight’s game.

“The weather is going to be a double-equalizer,” he said. “It will get us ready for postseason play, but then again, we’re going to have to play in wet and muddy conditions this week on a field that’s already in bad shape.”



Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: Corbin will cruise to its 41st straight district win, 56-14.



No. Laurel at Whitley Co.



Where: Colonel Stadium

Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Team Records: North Laurel 4-3, Whitley County 3-4

The inside scoop: To start the 2009 season, Chris Larkey inherited a team that only had two wins last year, while Whitley County Coach Jim Black’s 2008 squad won the district and reached the state semi-finals. This week, the two teams meet for a district clash, but are more evenly matched than the prognosticators may think.

The Colonels were in the driver’s seat for the district crown until a loss to Letcher County Central last week put them in a four-way tie for first place. The Jaguars, lost in double overtime to Harlan County, putting them on the outside, looking in, concerning the playoff picture.

“There is a lot riding on this game for both teams,” said Chris Larkey. “Whitley County may have the best team in the district, and they lost to Letcher County last week. This is a must-win game for us. A win this week would put us one step closer to making the playoffs.”

Black agreed.

“It should be a good football game. The teams are evenly matched,” said Black. “They are a physical team, with a pretty good running back. It will come down to whoever makes the least mistakes.”

With so much parody in the district this season, it is completely unpredictable on who will win the match up today. Whitley County had an impressive performance against Harlan County three weeks ago, but has not played as well since. North Laurel rolled through Clay County three weeks ago, but have failed to win since. Both coaches know how important each game in the district is, and that anyone can capture the district crown.

“All of our teams in the district are as evenly matched as you can get,” said Black. “From top to bottom, we have a lot of good, solid football teams. The team that comes the least prepared will struggle to win in this district.”

Larkey said he feels the district is possibly the most competitive in the state.

“I looked it up, and out of 38 districts, we have more teams over .500 than any other district,” Larkey said. “There is going to be two good teams left out of the playoffs. Every game is important, and is a must win.”

Both teams pose a good ground attack. Whitley County will look to  be successful with their option offense, while North Laurel will try to utilize their star running back Adrian Wardrup.

“They are a big, fast team. They do a good job running the option, and it is unlike any other offense that we have seen or will see,” said Larkey of the Whitley County offense. “We have to make sure we have someone tackling the fullback, quarterback and pitch man on every play. It take disciplined football.”

For the Colonels, their biggest concern will be Wardrup, and not allowing the Jaguars to have any big plays.

“We have to do a good job to eliminate big plays,” said Black. “We have to be mentally focused. We have done a good job on first and second down, but we have been giving up too much on third down. We don’t need to allow (Wardrup) to break any long runs on us. Good field position will be a big factor of the game.”

Though the game brings a lot of pressure, both coaches feel that their teams are prepared, and ready for the challenge.

“Our kids went out last week and played their hearts out because they knew how important the game was,” said Larkey. “We feel that we could easily be 3-0 in the district right now, and we should be. Our kids go out and lay it all on the line. It will be a hard fought game, but they will be ready to play.”

Black said his team seems to be ready after a couple good days of practice.

“I think our kids are ready because of the way they practiced the last two days,” said Black. “I think they are ready to come out and take care of business.”



Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: I’m going with Whitley County, 28-14.



W’burg at Lynn Camp



Where: Mitchell Field, Lynn Camp High School

Date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, 8 p.m.

Team Records: W’burg 3-4, Lynn Camp 3-4

The inside scoop: When the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets and Lynn Camp Wildcats meet today, it will not be the first time their game holds a lot of meaning. Being district rivals, both teams must go through another to capture the district crown. This week, the Yellow Jackets will travel to Lynn Camp as both teams look to secure a spot in the post-season, particularly, hosting a first round playoff game.

The Yellow Jackets have only one district loss, which came at the hand of Campbellsville last week 14-12. The Wildcats lost to Campbellsville earlier in the year, but evened their record last week with a win over Clinton County. The winner of tonight’s match up will be in a good position to finish runner up in the district.

Lynn Camp Coach David Mitchell said his team knows what is on the line this week.

“It seems like every year, the winner of this game goes on to make a nice run in the playoffs, and the loser of the game either doesn’t make the playoffs, or loses in the first round,” said Mitchell. “It is a big game for us.”

Herron agreed, and said his team always looks forward to the matchup against the Wildcats.

“Our kids enjoy playing them. They are a rival in the district, and it is always an important game for us,” said Herron. “Our kids know how important the game is, as any district game they play.”

Though the teams have contrasting offensive styles, both coaches know they have concerns facing them this Friday. For Lynn Camp, their biggest concern will be stopping Yellow Jackets’ senior quarterback Ryan Moses, who has accounted for the majority of the Williamsburg offensive production this season (2,037 passing yards, 495 rushing yards, 27 total TDs).

“He is the best quarterback in this area,” said Mitchell. “He is really good. We have to play sound, disciplined defense against them. When they run, we must read run, and when they pass we have to read pass.”

Herron said his team’s biggest concern would be the ground attack that Lynn Camp poses, led by senior tailback Wesley Steele (1042 rushing yards, 6 TDs).

“They are a physical team, as is any Lynn Camp team,” said Herron. “They like to run the ball and do a good job at that. We have to make sure we do a good job tackling, and be physical up front.”

Williamsburg is the favorite in the game, but that means nothing in this district, were all of the teams seem virtually evenly matched.

“It is a balanced district. All of the teams are playoff teams, and we have to come prepared each and every game,” said Mitchell. “We just want to come out, play hard, and execute our offense.”

Herron added that the district is as balanced as he has seen it.

“Our district is very evenly matched. We feel like we must play good and execute each week, in order to be successful,” said Herron. “Our kids do know how important each game is, and they practice and play hard for us to be successful.”



Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: This is a tough game to pick. I really believe Lynn Camp is playing better, but I’ve got to go with Williamsburg, 42-28.