Clay Co. at Knox Central
Where: Panthers Stadium
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Team Records: Bell County 6-2, Knox Central 6-2
The inside scoop: For the second week in a row, Wayne Mills’ Knox Central Panthers will be participating in a key district contest.
With a playoff appearance already wrapped up for the first time since 2001, Wayne Mills’ squad will try to clinch home-field advantage for at least one game with a win against visiting Bell County today.
But it’s not going to be easy, to say the least.
Dudley Hilton’s team enters with a 6-2 record and has the same thing on their minds as well.
A win means the Bobcats will be at home and a loss means Bell County will go on the road in the playoffs, so both teams have something to play for.
With that said, the big question that needs to be asked will be if the Panthers will have a letdown after their HUGE win against Clay County last week.
“Last week was a great win for us and that is the kind of over-the-hump win we have waited for,” Mills said. “But I think a win over Bell County this week would really put this program on the next level.
“As far as our confidence, our kids are really in good shape and I think they are ready to play,” he added.
Mills knows his team isn’t going to have an easy time knocking off Bell County. The Bobcats have Brent Slusher along with Spencer Greer and TR Christopher returning from last season’s state semifinal team.
Slusher has committed to play for Auburn University, while Greer and Christopher are a solid one-two punch in the backfield.
“This is a different kind of team as far as Bell County goes,” Mills said. “They have a solid player in the Slusher kid and anytime you have a Division I-type player, it changes the way teams play against you.
“Even though they have changed a lot, they are still going to make you beat them,” he added. “What I mean is they are the kind of team that won’t beat themselves and you will have to answer every call and hope they miss one along the way.”
If Knox Central is going to win then look for the Panthers’ ground game along with quarterback Corey Smith to have a big game.
Smith has completed 61-of-115 pass attempts for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Brandon Tolliver leads Knox Central with 940 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: This is a hard game to pick. Knox Central played Bell County tough last season at Log Mountain before losing, 26-20. I hope the Panthers don’t come in happy because they’ve reached the playoffs. They proved me right last week and hopefully Mills and company will prove me right again today.
Panthers in a close one, 20-16.
Somerset at Lynn Camp
Where: Mitchell Field
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.
Team Records: Somerset 4-4, Lynn Camp 3-5
The inside scoop: The Lynn Camp Wildcats need a win in the worst way.
And, if they’re going to get the victory, it will be against one of the top teams in Class 1A, the Somerset Briar Jumpers.
This is a good matchup with teams that have contrasting styles. It’s a Somerset team that loves to air it out against a Lynn Camp team that loves to run the ball and control the clock.
Who wins?
I’m not sure, but this game should be an exciting one to watch.
The good thing about this game is the fact it’s on Lynn Camp’s home turf.
The bad thing?
Well, the Wildcats are 0-4 at home this season and don’t think it hasn’t been on Lynn Camp head coach David Mitchell’s mind.
“It is playing on my mind,” he admitted. “I am trying to figure out why we have not played as well at home as we have on the road. Usually it is just the opposite.”
Mitchell also seems worried whether his team will come ready to play against the Briar Jumpers.
The Wildcats are coming off a 27-15 home loss to Cumberland.
“I thought we knew the importance of last week’s game and the opportunity to nail down a playoff spot,” he said. “We just didn’t play very hungry. We didn’t have much emotion or spirit. Hopefully we can do that this week.”
We all know if the Wildcats are going to win, then tailback Joe Roskopf needs to have a big game.
He ranks second in the state in yards rushing with 1,780 yards and has 17 touchdowns.
Roskopf isn’t the only player in this game that is putting up big numbers.
Just take a look at Somerset quarterback Russ Deaton.
He’s one of the top passers in the state with 2,329 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.
“It seems like they have more success passing than we have running it,” Mitchell said. “They have more options than we have. They can throw the football.”
“They have a lot of team speed,” he added. “A lot more than most every team in the district, including us. They have a great quarterback and probably one of the best receivers in the state. I think Cole has caught 21 touchdown passes in eight games. Anybody that plays against Somerset has got their work cut out for them.
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: I really never would have thought the Wildcats would go 0-5 at home this season, but it’s going to happen.
I’m taking the Briar Jumpers, 42-14.
W’burg at Cumberland
Where: Redskin Field, Cumberland High School
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Team Records: Cumberland 6-2, Williamsburg 5-3
The inside scoop: Just when I was beginning to count out the Yellow Jackets, they pull off a nice district win.
Jerry Herron’s squad can put a finishing touch on a playoff spot IF they can defeat Cumberland on the road today.
It won’t be easy.
The Redskins picked up a big district win last week over Lynn Camp, while hoping to hand Williamsburg a district loss today.
The Yellow Jackets control their own destiny and beating Cumberland is a major step in the right direction.
“This one is the key,” Herron said. “We need to win this game because we don’t want to put ourselves in the spot to where we have to win the last game to be in. Then if you win the last game to get in, you are the fourth seed. Our goal is to win this game and try to get the third seed.”
The Yellow Jackets have lost two of their last three games, but Herron believes last week’s win over Evarts got his team back on track.
“I think the kids got back on the same page last week,” Herron said. “I think we had the best week of practice we have ever had last week and that helps. When you get back on track, it makes the kids say ‘OK, now everything is working,’ and it makes them work a little harder and try a little more. These kids are really resilient. They haven’t quit or stopped the whole season.”
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: The Yellow Jackets need this game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pull it off, but I’m going with Cumberland, 28-27.
Casey Co. at Corbin
Where: Campbell Field
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Team Records: Casey County 3-5, Corbin 3-5
The inside scoop: The Redhounds can basically wrap-up home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs with a win over visiting Casey County today.
Both teams are coming off district wins and both teams enter today’s contest with identical overall and district records at 3-5 and 1-0.
With a lot at stake, Corbin head coach Steve Jewell knows what lies ahead for his Redhounds.
“The biggest thing right now is to pick up these next two games,” Jewell said. “Even though we won last week, we still have a long way to go in getting to where we want to be in three or four weeks.
“We have to focus on Casey County and then go from there,” he added.
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: Corbin extends its district win streak to 24 games after defeating Casey County, 35-13.
No. Laurel at Mad. Central
Where: Indians Field
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Team Records: Madison Central 4-3, No. Laurel 3-5
The inside scoop: David Abbott’s North Laurel Jaguars are on life support and need a win over Madison Central to keep their playoffs hopes alive.
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: Last year at this time, North Laurel shocked the state by handing Madison Central its first district loss in 24 tries. Can they shock the Indians again?
I really don’t believe so. The Indians get revenge and knock off North Laurel, 42-7.
GRC at Whitley County
Where: Colonel Stadium
Date: Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Team Records: GRC 4-4, Whitley County 1-7
The inside scoop: The Colonels had a week off coming into today’s game, while GRC is coming off a loss and hopes to secure a playoff berth with a win over the Colonels.
Fear ‘Les’ Forecast: Don’t let Whitley County’s 1-7 record fool you. The Colonels are a whole lot better than their overall record shows.
This game will be close, but I still believe the Cardinals will have enough ammunition to pull out a hardfought win over homestanding Whitley County, 28-14.
