The Southeastern Six is a weekly supplement that consists of Bell County, Corbin, Harlan County, Knox Central, Whitley County and Williamsburg.

This should be an interesting season for the Southeastern Six, considering each school has a legit chance to make it deep in their respective classes’ post-season.

So let’s break things down a little bit.

 

Bell County Bobcats (11-3 in 2012)

This will mark Wayne Mills’ third year as Bobcat coach and he’s compiled an impressive 21-5 record since taking over for Dudley Hilton, but with that said, fans on Log Mountain are awaiting Mills to take his squad past the region title game, which they haven’t done just yet.

The past two years, Central has been a major thorn in Bell County’s side once the playoffs begin and it wasn’t any different this past season with the Bobcat falling in the second round of the playoffs to the Yellow Jackets at home, 14-10. In 2011, Central knocked off Bell County in region final play, 26-0.

Can Bell County get past its playoff struggles it has had the past two years?

Possibly so, but the Bobcats will field a young team that at the current time has only six seniors and is dominated by sophomores and juniors.

A lot of skill players return to the mix for Mills and that’s a plus with a team that has four players returning on both sides of the ball.

Dylan Cox, Justin Warwick, Austin Caldwell, and Ben Collett will be expected to step up their play this season. Collett started 11 games as a freshman under center in 2012. The Bobcats have dominated district action the past couple of years, but with Wayne County being touted as the team to beat, Bell County’s chances of grabbing the district’s top seed won’t be as easy as it has been in year’s past.

 

Corbin Redhounds (5-6)

Steve Jewell’s Corbin Redhounds are hoping to erase last season’s 5-6 mark (their first losing record since 1995). Corbin’s season ended quickly in 2012 after losing to LaRue County, 36-16, in first round action of the Class 3A playoffs.

The Redhounds will still be young, but look to be improved with a revamped offensive and defensive line, according to coach Steve Jewell. The Redhounds have four starters returning on both sides of the ball, but many of them will be playing different positions this season. Jewell said a positive start is crucial to his team this season.

Some key players returning to the mix are linebacker Tanner Powers, tail back Jake Coppock, quarterback Taylor Waddle, who could be a multi-back this season, according to Jewell. Zach Ingle will be depended on the offensive line while Cai Jackson will be returning at the linebacker position.

Corbin is hoping to be able to grab the district’s top seed this season and secure home field advantage in the playoffs, but it’s going to be a tough road with both Wayne County and Bell County looking to field solid teams.

 

Harlan County Black Bears (11-3)

The Black Bears have reached the Class 5A state final four two out of the last three years and once again, Tom Larkey’s squad has some high expectations this season. Many believe this could be the best version of the Black Bear football team yet. Harlan County is a winner of three straight district crowns and should be the hands-down favorite once again in their respective district. Larkey’s squad returns eight starters on offense and six on defense.

The key to Harlan County’s success might come down to the play of senior fullback/linebacker Carson Whitehead. He ran for 333 yards on 49 rushing attempts and scored seven touchdowns. He was huge threat on the defensive side of things, leading the Black Bears with 191 tackles.

Quarterback Scotty Bailey returns and ran for 227 rushing yards and four scores in 2012, while completing nine-of-17 pass attempts for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Cole Wilson, and Treyvon Long will also be counted on running the ball along with Zach Chitwood. Harlan County’s offensive line will be strong with William Banks, Zach Caldwell, Justin Hensley and J.W. Cooper returning.

Harlan County’s main strength might just be its defensive play. Whitehead and Long were all-staters last season while Wilson, Mark Messer, Chitwood and Scotty Bailey will be big help on defense. Harlan County has the talent returning to make a run at the Class 5A state crown this year.

 

Knox Central Panthers (10-2)

2013 is going to be very interesting for coach Scott Russell and his Panthers. Many expect Knox Central to make a run at Russell County again for the district’s top seed, but it’s not going to be easy, especially with Mr. Everything Jeffrey Canady graduating.

Canady did it all for the Panthers — 2,012 yards rushing, 28 rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions, 257 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, two interceptions and one touchdown and 74 tackles. He also accounted for 194 of Knox Central’s 386 points scored in 2012 — that’s more than 50 percent of their offense, folks.

But with that said, tail back Jonathan Gist returns (1,320 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) along with receiver Matthew Barger (46 receptions, 754 yards and seven touchdowns) and defensive standout Hayden Canady (162 tackles, three fumble recoveries for one touchdown and one interception).

Barger is also a big plus on defense, too. He led the teams with eight interceptions.

So can Knox Central unseat Russell County as district champs? With both teams losing key players (Central — Canady and Russell County — Nick Britt), it will be interesting to see.

 

Whitley County Colonels (7-5)

Whitley County’s record isn’t always the prettiest, but Jim Black’s Colonels seem to always get the job done, playing one of the toughest schedules around. It doesn’t get any easier in 2013 with non-district teams such as Harlan County, Knox Central, Madison Southern and Rockcastle County on the slate, but look for Black’s Colonels to continue to surprise.

Of course, it’s going to be hard to unseat Harlan County as the district’s top team, but Whitley County returns a lot of talent from last season’s squad that won seven games.

Sophomore Zack Mills will be expected to carry a lot of the load on offense along with junior Austin Ysidro.

As a freshman, Mills did a lot for Whitley County. He was a part of a three-headed rushing machine that ran for 2,547 yards on the ground. He carried the ball only 95 times for 854 yards, which was second-best on the team. He also caught eight passes for 239 yards and five touchdowns and completed two-of-three pass attempts for 42 yards and one touchdown.

Ysidro ran for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns and completed 22-of-46 pass attempts for 360 yards and six scores. Black will have to find a way to replace Boston Bryant’s team-best 859 rushing yards and 98 tackles along with Samuel Vanover’s 96 tackles.

 

Williamsburg Yellow Jackets (11-2)

This is the year many believe Williamsburg will get over the hump and capture a region championship. The Yellow Jackets posted an impressive 11-2 record in 2012 (third-best in Class A) and look to improve on that as well with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball.

Williamsburg should be the class of its district once again and should be with the talent it returns.

Quarterback Dalton Sizemore returns for his senior campaign and lit the competition up last season for 3,133 passing yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 202-of-334 pass attempts, which included 16 interceptions. He was also doing damage on the ground, too. He led Williamsburg with 626 rushing yards and also reached paydirt five times.

Sizemore has a lot of weapons returning, including his main two targets from last season, junior Corey Shelton and junior Skyler Griffith and look for Skyler’s younger brother, Andrew, a sophomore, be more of an offensive threat this season after finishing the year with 13 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

Shelton and Skyler Griffith turned out to be one of the state’s top receiving duos.

Shelton finished the 2012 season with a team-best 63 receptions while Skyler Griffith had 61. Skyler Griffith led the team with 1,176 receiving yards while Shelton had 1,084 and Shelton led the Yellow Jackets with 20 touchdowns and Skyler Griffith had 13. Juniors Patrick Jefferson (81 carries, 499 rushing yards and seven receptions for 43 receiving yards) and Chase Lowrie’s (318 rushing yards and 12 receptions for 121 yards) will also play big roles this season.

 

The Southeastern Six Rankings

1. Harlan County

2. Whitley County

3. Bell County

4. Williamsburg

5. Knox Central

6. Corbin

The Southeastern Six is a weekly supplement that consists of Bell County, Corbin, Harlan County, Knox Central, Whitley County and Williamsburg.

This should be an interesting season for the Southeastern Six, considering each school has a legit chance to make it deep in their respective classes’ post-season.

So let’s break things down a little bit.

 

Bell County Bobcats (11-3 in 2012)

This will mark Wayne Mills’ third year as Bobcat coach and he’s compiled an impressive 21-5 record since taking over for Dudley Hilton, but with that said, fans on Log Mountain are awaiting Mills to take his squad past the region title game, which they haven’t done just yet.

The past two years, Central has been a major thorn in Bell County’s side once the playoffs begin and it wasn’t any different this past season with the Bobcat falling in the second round of the playoffs to the Yellow Jackets at home, 14-10. In 2011, Central knocked off Bell County in region final play, 26-0.

Can Bell County get past its playoff struggles it has had the past two years?

Possibly so, but the Bobcats will field a young team that at the current time has only six seniors and is dominated by sophomores and juniors.

A lot of skill players return to the mix for Mills and that’s a plus with a team that has four players returning on both sides of the ball.

Dylan Cox, Justin Warwick, Austin Caldwell, and Ben Collett will be expected to step up their play this season. Collett started 11 games as a freshman under center in 2012. The Bobcats have dominated district action the past couple of years, but with Wayne County being touted as the team to beat, Bell County’s chances of grabbing the district’s top seed won’t be as easy as it has been in year’s past.

 

Corbin Redhounds (5-6)

Steve Jewell’s Corbin Redhounds are hoping to erase last season’s 5-6 mark (their first losing record since 1995). Corbin’s season ended quickly in 2012 after losing to LaRue County, 36-16, in first round action of the Class 3A playoffs.

The Redhounds will still be young, but look to be improved with a revamped offensive and defensive line, according to coach Steve Jewell. The Redhounds have four starters returning on both sides of the ball, but many of them will be playing different positions this season. Jewell said a positive start is crucial to his team this season.

Some key players returning to the mix are linebacker Tanner Powers, tail back Jake Coppock, quarterback Taylor Waddle, who could be a multi-back this season, according to Jewell. Zach Ingle will be depended on the offensive line while Cai Jackson will be returning at the linebacker position.

Corbin is hoping to be able to grab the district’s top seed this season and secure home field advantage in the playoffs, but it’s going to be a tough road with both Wayne County and Bell County looking to field solid teams.

 

Harlan County Black Bears (11-3)

The Black Bears have reached the Class 5A state final four two out of the last three years and once again, Tom Larkey’s squad has some high expectations this season. Many believe this could be the best version of the Black Bear football team yet. Harlan County is a winner of three straight district crowns and should be the hands-down favorite once again in their respective district. Larkey’s squad returns eight starters on offense and six on defense.

The key to Harlan County’s success might come down to the play of senior fullback/linebacker Carson Whitehead. He ran for 333 yards on 49 rushing attempts and scored seven touchdowns. He was huge threat on the defensive side of things, leading the Black Bears with 191 tackles.

Quarterback Scotty Bailey returns and ran for 227 rushing yards and four scores in 2012, while completing nine-of-17 pass attempts for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Cole Wilson, and Treyvon Long will also be counted on running the ball along with Zach Chitwood. Harlan County’s offensive line will be strong with William Banks, Zach Caldwell, Justin Hensley and J.W. Cooper returning.

Harlan County’s main strength might just be its defensive play. Whitehead and Long were all-staters last season while Wilson, Mark Messer, Chitwood and Scotty Bailey will be big help on defense. Harlan County has the talent returning to make a run at the Class 5A state crown this year.

 

Knox Central Panthers (10-2)

2013 is going to be very interesting for coach Scott Russell and his Panthers. Many expect Knox Central to make a run at Russell County again for the district’s top seed, but it’s not going to be easy, especially with Mr. Everything Jeffrey Canady graduating.

Canady did it all for the Panthers — 2,012 yards rushing, 28 rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions, 257 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, two interceptions and one touchdown and 74 tackles. He also accounted for 194 of Knox Central’s 386 points scored in 2012 — that’s more than 50 percent of their offense, folks.

But with that said, tail back Jonathan Gist returns (1,320 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) along with receiver Matthew Barger (46 receptions, 754 yards and seven touchdowns) and defensive standout Hayden Canady (162 tackles, three fumble recoveries for one touchdown and one interception).

Barger is also a big plus on defense, too. He led the teams with eight interceptions.

So can Knox Central unseat Russell County as district champs? With both teams losing key players (Central — Canady and Russell County — Nick Britt), it will be interesting to see.

 

Whitley County Colonels (7-5)

Whitley County’s record isn’t always the prettiest, but Jim Black’s Colonels seem to always get the job done, playing one of the toughest schedules around. It doesn’t get any easier in 2013 with non-district teams such as Harlan County, Knox Central, Madison Southern and Rockcastle County on the slate, but look for Black’s Colonels to continue to surprise.

Of course, it’s going to be hard to unseat Harlan County as the district’s top team, but Whitley County returns a lot of talent from last season’s squad that won seven games.

Sophomore Zack Mills will be expected to carry a lot of the load on offense along with junior Austin Ysidro.

As a freshman, Mills did a lot for Whitley County. He was a part of a three-headed rushing machine that ran for 2,547 yards on the ground. He carried the ball only 95 times for 854 yards, which was second-best on the team. He also caught eight passes for 239 yards and five touchdowns and completed two-of-three pass attempts for 42 yards and one touchdown.

Ysidro ran for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns and completed 22-of-46 pass attempts for 360 yards and six scores. Black will have to find a way to replace Boston Bryant’s team-best 859 rushing yards and 98 tackles along with Samuel Vanover’s 96 tackles.

 

Williamsburg Yellow Jackets (11-2)

This is the year many believe Williamsburg will get over the hump and capture a region championship. The Yellow Jackets posted an impressive 11-2 record in 2012 (third-best in Class A) and look to improve on that as well with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball.

Williamsburg should be the class of its district once again and should be with the talent it returns.

Quarterback Dalton Sizemore returns for his senior campaign and lit the competition up last season for 3,133 passing yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 202-of-334 pass attempts, which included 16 interceptions. He was also doing damage on the ground, too. He led Williamsburg with 626 rushing yards and also reached paydirt five times.

Sizemore has a lot of weapons returning, including his main two targets from last season, junior Corey Shelton and junior Skyler Griffith and look for Skyler’s younger brother, Andrew, a sophomore, be more of an offensive threat this season after finishing the year with 13 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

Shelton and Skyler Griffith turned out to be one of the state’s top receiving duos.

Shelton finished the 2012 season with a team-best 63 receptions while Skyler Griffith had 61. Skyler Griffith led the team with 1,176 receiving yards while Shelton had 1,084 and Shelton led the Yellow Jackets with 20 touchdowns and Skyler Griffith had 13. Juniors Patrick Jefferson (81 carries, 499 rushing yards and seven receptions for 43 receiving yards) and Chase Lowrie’s (318 rushing yards and 12 receptions for 121 yards) will also play big roles this season.

 

The Southeastern Six Rankings

1. Harlan County

2. Whitley County

3. Bell County

4. Williamsburg

5. Knox Central

6. Corbin

 

I think that Whitley Co. is too high, and Williamsburg probably is as well.

I don't think I can agree with your rankings but it doesn't matter. The good news is that most of this will work itself out on the field head to head with the exception of Williamsburg.