We’re three weeks into the high school football season and they’re only two teams remaining in the Southeastern Six that is sporting an unbeaten record.

Yep, both Knox Central and Corbin are 3-0 with hopes of extending their win streaks to four games Friday.

The Panthers are going to have a hard game on the road against Harlan County while Corbin will host rival Danville at Campbell Field.

So how did these two teams get to 3-0 and how have they remained unbeaten?

Let’s take a closer look.

 

Knox Central

How the Panthers have reached the 3-0 plateau

The Panthers opened the season with a 51-7 win over Atherton in the Pioneer Bowl, but things haven’t been as easy since.

Knox Central struggled in a match-up against Southwestern in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, but still managed to pull out a 31-28 overtime win thanks to a field goal by freshman Jacob Tate.

Scott Russell’s squad remained unbeaten after a Week 2 win over Prestonsburg, but once again the Panthers had to slip by, defeating Prestonsburg 28-27 in the Appalachian Bowl.

 

Key Players during the unbeaten streak

Knox Central has received play from some key players during its 3-0 start. Freshman Casey Diamond has shined at times behind center, but receiver Matt Barger took over against Prestonsburg and threw for more than 70 yards and two touchdowns during the win over the Blackcats. Barger has also been a threat catching the ball, and making plays on defense. He had two touchdown receptions against Southwestern along with an interception and fumble recover on defense.

But the key player so far has been tailback Jonathan Gist, who ahs ran for more than 200 yards during the Panthers’ last two games and more than 650 yards on the ground this season.

 

How long can they go without a loss?

Knox Central will face a tough test Friday on the road against Harlan County. The Black Bears are coming off a tough loss at home against Belfry and will try to erase the memory of last year’s loss to the Panthers. The two teams played each other in the pre-season and the Black Bears came away with an easy win. If Knox Central does get past Harlan County, the Panthers will face another tough test the following week at home against Bell County. If they can beat the Bobcats, then they could be 8-0 when they travel to face Russell County in a key district match-up on Oct. 25.

 

Corbin

How the Redhounds have reached the 3-0 plateau

The Redhounds have been stout on defense, and it has shown in each of their first three wins. They defeated Southwestern in the Ray Corell Bowl, 14-0, and followed that with a 36-8 victory over Perry Central in the Cumberland falls Pigskin Classic.

Corbin improved to 3-0 by defeating Trimble County on the road this past week, 55-6.

 

Key players during the unbeaten streak

Tailback Jake Coppock has been a force running the ball with his 298 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns while Corey Taylor has completed eight-of-16 pass attempts for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Cai Jackson has t55 yards receiving while Taylor Waddle has returned a 72-yard punt for a score and leads the team with five receptions and 76 yards pass receiving.

Defensively, Tanner Powers and William Reedy have been solid.

 

How long can they go without a loss

Corbin faces its toughest opponent of the season Friday against Danville, and then will hit the road the following week against South Laurel. If the Redhounds win those two games, a match-up with Wayne County will take place on the road on Oct. 4. Corbin could very well enter that game with a 5-0 record.

We’re three weeks into the high school football season and they’re only two teams remaining in the Southeastern Six that is sporting an unbeaten record.

Yep, both Knox Central and Corbin are 3-0 with hopes of extending their win streaks to four games Friday.

The Panthers are going to have a hard game on the road against Harlan County while Corbin will host rival Danville at Campbell Field.

So how did these two teams get to 3-0 and how have they remained unbeaten?

Let’s take a closer look.

 

Knox Central

How the Panthers have reached the 3-0 plateau

The Panthers opened the season with a 51-7 win over Atherton in the Pioneer Bowl, but things haven’t been as easy since.

Knox Central struggled in a match-up against Southwestern in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, but still managed to pull out a 31-28 overtime win thanks to a field goal by freshman Jacob Tate.

Scott Russell’s squad remained unbeaten after a Week 2 win over Prestonsburg, but once again the Panthers had to slip by, defeating Prestonsburg 28-27 in the Appalachian Bowl.

 

Key Players during the unbeaten streak

Knox Central has received play from some key players during its 3-0 start. Freshman Casey Diamond has shined at times behind center, but receiver Matt Barger took over against Prestonsburg and threw for more than 70 yards and two touchdowns during the win over the Blackcats. Barger has also been a threat catching the ball, and making plays on defense. He had two touchdown receptions against Southwestern along with an interception and fumble recover on defense.

But the key player so far has been tailback Jonathan Gist, who ahs ran for more than 200 yards during the Panthers’ last two games and more than 650 yards on the ground this season.

 

How long can they go without a loss?

Knox Central will face a tough test Friday on the road against Harlan County. The Black Bears are coming off a tough loss at home against Belfry and will try to erase the memory of last year’s loss to the Panthers. The two teams played each other in the pre-season and the Black Bears came away with an easy win. If Knox Central does get past Harlan County, the Panthers will face another tough test the following week at home against Bell County. If they can beat the Bobcats, then they could be 8-0 when they travel to face Russell County in a key district match-up on Oct. 25.

 

Corbin

How the Redhounds have reached the 3-0 plateau

The Redhounds have been stout on defense, and it has shown in each of their first three wins. They defeated Southwestern in the Ray Corell Bowl, 14-0, and followed that with a 36-8 victory over Perry Central in the Cumberland falls Pigskin Classic.

Corbin improved to 3-0 by defeating Trimble County on the road this past week, 55-6.

 

Key players during the unbeaten streak

Tailback Jake Coppock has been a force running the ball with his 298 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns while Corey Taylor has completed eight-of-16 pass attempts for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Cai Jackson has t55 yards receiving while Taylor Waddle has returned a 72-yard punt for a score and leads the team with five receptions and 76 yards pass receiving.

Defensively, Tanner Powers and William Reedy have been solid.

 

How long can they go without a loss

Corbin faces its toughest opponent of the season Friday against Danville, and then will hit the road the following week against South Laurel. If the Redhounds win those two games, a match-up with Wayne County will take place on the road on Oct. 4. Corbin could very well enter that game with a 5-0 record.

 

Good story Les, but I have to disagree on who has been the key players for Corbin.

 

In my opinion, for whatever that's worth, the key players have been Cody Lane, Cody Liford, Harley Lambert, Dalton Anderson, Zach Henson and Coby Cima.

Thanks. Cody Liford has been solid on defense. I should have added him. I forgot.

Les, has the kid from Knox Central who came in and was thought to be able to contribute in football and basketball gotten eligible or has there been any traction on that at all? I think he was expected to be a WR. Supposedly a pretty solid athlete.

Les, has the kid from Knox Central who came in and was thought to be able to contribute in football and basketball gotten eligible or has there been any traction on that at all? I think he was expected to be a WR. Supposedly a pretty solid athlete.

 

Any idea what his name is?

Any idea what his name is?

 

Sorry, not sure.