article 3A Notebook: Corbin Clips Alcoa to Move to Head of the Class

With Sizemore Out Front, Redhounds Power to Victory and Top Ranking

In 2016, Corbin averaged 37.6 points per game en route to a 12-2 record and a second consecutive appearance in the Class 3A state semifinals. While the offense has yet to hit those inflated targets from last year, on Saturday night Coach Justin Haddix's Redhounds picked up perhaps the biggest win in his four year tenure with a 22-21 overtime victory over fifteen time Tennessee state champions Alcoa.

Game two of the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic was a defensive struggle throughout. Alcoa finished with 216 total yards while Corbin managed only 136. Corbin (2-0) broke the seal with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Sizemore to Cameron Maguet but missed the point after, a miss that looked at first like a curse but may ultimately have been a blessing. Alcoa went up 7-6 at halftime and added a second score in the third quarter. A late drive by Corbin culminated with Sizemore hitting Christian Gosselin with a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth down. Sizemore tossed to Gosselin again, this time for the two point conversion that knotted the score at 14. In overtime, Alcoa scored first and kicked the PAT. Corbin, this time on the legs of Sizemore, scored from one yard out and Haddix never hesitated in going for two and the victory. Sizemore took the snap and rumbled over the right side for the conversion and victory.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for Corbin as they play Pulaski County, Beechwood, and Mayfield in their next three games. However, with Belfry losing to Huntington (WV) on Friday night, the Redhounds will go into next week at the head of the class in Kentucky.

Western Kentucky Winners

Caldwell County and Paducah Tilghman played admirably in close losses to higher class teams last week, but moral victories wouldn't have to be accepted this time around. Both District 1 rivals picked up impressive victories: Caldwell County a 27-10 winner over Graves County and Paducah Tilghman a 7-0 winner over Liberty Tech of Jackson, Tennessee.

Caldwell jumped out to an early 21-0 first quarter lead courtesy of a 13-yard fumble return touchdown on a bobbled punt snap, a 37-yard pick six, and a third touchdown after a punt return to the Graves 28. That cushion was more than enough for the Tigers to secure a win in their first ever meeting with Graves County.

Meanwhile in Paducah, the Tornado scored early then held on late to defeat last season's Tennessee Class 3A state runners up Liberty Tech. Senior Antonio Askew's two fourth quarter interceptions kept the Crusaders out of the end zone and gave further credence to the thought that new coach Steve Duncan might have a contender at Tilgman.

Floyd Central Still Undefeated in School History

Floyd Central, a new consolidation of Allen Central and South Floyd, won their second game in as many outings on Friday with a 43-0 romp over county rival Betsy Layne. The Jaguars, coached by Shawn Hager, who spent several years as head man at Sheldon Clark before moving to Prestonsburg as an assistant, relied on the ground game to churn up the Bobcats. Floyd Central used eleven running backs to run for 328 yards and five scores while only attempting two passes. With Breathitt County and Lynn Camp scheduled for the next two weeks, Floyd Central could find themselves at 4-0 when they face neighbor Prestonsburg on September 15.

Around the Rankings

#1 Belfry lost their season opener to Huntington (WV) 45-34. Four-time defending state champion Belfry led 27-7 before the wheels came off due to four turnovers. While there may be temptation to think Class 3A is now much more open, the same formula for Belfry football was present as the Pirates ran for 433 yards against one of West Virginia's best teams.

#4 Central (2-0) continued to ride its defense as the Yellowjackets nipped Western, 13-12.

#5 Lexington Catholic (1-1) was handled convincingly by 5A #2 Covington Catholic, 48-2. Both had split victories in the rivalry over the last two years but the Colonels from CovCath proved to be the superior club this season. Things get no easier for the Knights as they face Lafayette, Lexington Christian, Highlands, and DeSales over the next four weeks.

#6 Boyle County (2-0) wore down Waggener over four quarters, beating the Wildcats 54-19 in the Rebel Bowl at Boyle County. Sophomore Reese Smith had two touchdown catches and three interceptions on the evening for Boyle.

#7 Russell fell in their season opener to Greenup County, 34-28 in overtime. It was the first victory by Greenup at Russell in school history.

#10 Western Hills railroaded the Engineers of Estill County 51-8 in Frankfort. Wandale Robinson scored three times in the first half, including a 68-yard punt return and a 97-yard touchdown run, as the Wolverines evened their record at 1-1.

Extra Points

Fleming County had all it could stand from rival Mason County in the Panthers' season opener on Friday, but managed to hang on for an 18-14 victory. Fleming has won four straight against Mason County.

Austin Campbell threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns as Casey County (2-0) used a strong second half to beat Campbellsville 50-18.

Union County traveled over 200 miles to Lebanon and came home with a 49-21 win over Marion County in the lid-lifter for the Braves. Union is positioning themselves as a potential threat to Caldwell County and Paducah Tilghman in District 1 and could be 5-0 when they host Caldwell on September 29.

Pendleton County is 2-0 for the first time since 2005 after the Wildcats beat Nicholas County 18-15. Friday night's win also marked the first victory for Pendleton over Nicholas since 2013.

Three to See

(Each week the 3A Notebook will preview the three best games featuring Class 3A teams for the coming week)

1. Boyle County at Danville. Two of the best in their respective classes meet in what should be a dandy at Admiral Stadium. Danville won 43-15 last season breaking a three-game Rebel winning streak in the series.

2. Fern Creek at Central. This should be a classic battle of Jefferson County Public School powers who last met in 2000, a Central win. Fern Creek leads the all-time series 15-1.

3. Mayfield at Paducah Tilghman. One of western Kentucky's oldest rivalries is renewed when the Cardinals face the Blue Tornado. Mayfield won 48-26 last season and have won the last eleven meetings between the two.

Just One More

(Tired of the same teams every week? Want to go off the beaten path for a 3A game this Friday night? Each week we'll look at an under-the-radar matchup to watch in Class 3A)

Knott County Central at Perry County Central. While this game looks more like the finals of the WYMT Mountain Classic, it features two surprise clubs that have started the season 2-0. Knott and Perry have not played each other since Perry pounded the Patriots 63-8 in 2010.

Coaches, if you'd like your kids mentioned in these articles please have stats posted by Sunday afternoon. Thanks! :thumb:

Excellent Work as usual.

A few points:

Absolute HUGE win by Corbin

Belfry played admirably vs a very good HWV, no shame in that game

Central is still being Central and will be there when it counts

Boyle seems to be clicking

Lex Cath as usual hasn't played there best ball yet

ETown -don't overlook them

Western Hills, is this the year they break thru?

Caldwell, something tells me they will overcome the loss of their QB

PT- getting better, thats about all I can say

Things are shaping up to be another great year in 3A

Great stuff!!

ttt

Things are shaping up to be another great year in 3A

Noone has been a harder critic of PT than me over the past five or six years.

If Tilghman can assert themselves well this week against Mayfield consider me actively intrigued and willing to turn the page to a new start. They have two outstanding Defensive efforts so far and if they can follow suit against the Cardinals efficient Offense then it will bode very well.

If Tilghman can assert themselves well this week against Mayfield consider me actively intrigued and willing to turn the page to a new start. They have two outstanding Defensive efforts so far and if they can follow suit against the Cardinals efficient Offense then it will bode very well.

I agree with this. I don't need to see Tilghman beat Mayfield but a competitive game with another good defensive performance will have me closer to being a believer in the Blue Tornado.