1. South Warren vs. Webster County

2. Corbin vs. Larue County

3. Belfry vs. Jackson County

4. Central vs. Casey County

5. Bell County vs. Henry County

6. Paducah Tilghman vs. Monroe County

7. Estill County vs. Mason County

8. Garrard County vs. West Carter

9. Russell vs. Western Hills

10. Elizabethtown vs. Wayne County

New blood this year?

New blood this year?

 

Paducah gets on a roll.......

New blood this year?

 

Belfry is the big mystery right now. How different will they look in 2 weeks?

 

This time last year Wayne County, Bourbon County, and Central were the favorites with Belfry coming off a come from behind win against Pike Central and a running clock loss to Johnson Central. Belfry allowed an average of 44 points in their two Final Regular Season games.

 

Belfry then got everyone back and the defense meshed and they finished the year by holding three of the top offenses in 3A to a combined 19 points.

Belfry is the big mystery right now. How different will they look in 2 weeks?

 

This time last year Wayne County, Bourbon County, and Central were the favorites with Belfry coming off a come from behind win against Pike Central and a running clock loss to Johnson Central. Belfry allowed an average of 44 points in their two Final Regular Season games.

 

Belfry then got everyone back and the defense meshed and they finished the year by holding three of the top offenses in 3A to a combined 19 points.

 

To me, Belfry and South Warren are close - with everyone else pretty much even. This class is as balanced as it can possibly get. The top ten could all beat one another (throw in Bourbon, as well), given the right circumstances.

I'm really big on Corbin this year. They may have the most impressive win for any 3A team over #2 5A Southwestern.

I'm really big on Corbin this year. They may have the most impressive win for any 3A team over #2 5A Southwestern.

 

Belfry has a win over Southwestern and Henry Clay.

Belfry has a win over Southwestern and Henry Clay.

 

Belfry beat Southwestern in dominating fashion...whereas Corbin needed every inch and yard to win as well.

I definitely agree that Belfry's win over Southwestern was more impressive but you have to also factor in a few things. While both were early in the season, Corbin's win over them was game 2. This is only a week or two before Belfry but the Redhounds have been progressively getting better and better. Corbin has put a totally new offense and defense in this season. These kids on this year's Corbin team have played a traditional smashmouth style of football and blitzed like crazy ever since they were 6 or 7 years old.

 

This is the first year they have ever played in a spread offense and zone D with limited blitzing. Having 70-80 players and an abundance of talent is very nice and makes the transition easier, but the way they have caught on this year has been nothing short of amazing.

I definitely agree that Belfry's win over Southwestern was more impressive but you have to also factor in a few things. While both were early in the season, Corbin's win over them was game 2. This is only a week or two before Belfry but the Redhounds have been progressively getting better and better. Corbin has put a totally new offense and defense in this season. These kids on this year's Corbin team have played a traditional smashmouth style of football and blitzed like crazy ever since they were 6 or 7 years old.

 

This is the first year they have ever played in a spread offense and zone D with limited blitzing. Having 70-80 players and an abundance of talent is very nice and makes the transition easier, but the way they have caught on this year has been nothing short of amazing.

 

No doubt that game tells us nothing where the teams are right now. But it is worth pointing out when arguing "who had the best win" that Corbin won a game that came down to the last drive...while Belfry took a knee inside the 5 and was a couple unnecessary penalties away from putting a running clock up.

 

I am really looking forward to the potential of a Corbin vs Central Regional Final. I say that though, knowing full and well it easily could be Corbin vs. Bell as well.

I definitely agree that Belfry's win over Southwestern was more impressive but you have to also factor in a few things. While both were early in the season, Corbin's win over them was game 2. This is only a week or two before Belfry but the Redhounds have been progressively getting better and better. Corbin has put a totally new offense and defense in this season. These kids on this year's Corbin team have played a traditional smashmouth style of football and blitzed like crazy ever since they were 6 or 7 years old.

 

This is the first year they have ever played in a spread offense and zone D with limited blitzing. Having 70-80 players and an abundance of talent is very nice and makes the transition easier, but the way they have caught on this year has been nothing short of amazing.

 

A couple of things to consider with Corbin as well is they returned 4 starters on the offensive line, but Coach Haddix switched some things around and only 1 of those 4 are currently starting offensively. The OL really seemed to grow up starting in the second half of the Bell Co. game and have played well since then, which could be attributed to some of the OL just getting better as 3 or 4 of them didn't really have any meaningful varsity experience coming into this season.

 

The defense did not appear to be very aggressive early in the season, which I believe had a lot to do with the drastic changes made in not playing as much of a blitzing, gambling style of defense as you pointed out. They seemed to be thinking instead of being physical and flying to the ball, but the light seems to have come on lately and Coach Greer has them playing very well.

 

My main concerns with this Corbin team are careless turnovers and certain areas of special teams play.

A couple of things to consider with Corbin as well is they returned 4 starters on the offensive line' date=' but Coach Haddix switched some things around and only 1 of those 4 are currently starting offensively. The OL really seemed to grow up starting in the second half of the Bell Co. game and have played well since then, which could be attributed to some of the OL just getting better as 3 or 4 of them didn't really have any meaningful varsity experience coming into this season. The defense did not appear to be very aggressive early in the season, which I believe had a lot to do with the drastic changes made in not playing as much of a blitzing, gambling style of defense as you pointed out. They seemed to be thinking instead of being physical and flying to the ball, but the light seems to have come on lately and Coach Greer has them playing very well. My main concerns with this Corbin team are careless turnovers and certain areas of special teams play.[/quote']

 

 

I just hope the Bobcats can make it back to Corbin. I would say Corbin doesn't though.

I just hope the Bobcats can make it back to Corbin. I would say Corbin doesn't though.

 

I'm sure that you're wrong about that. From what I'm hearing, they would love the opportunity to play Bell Co. again, although they do realize that if they don't play better if a rematch does occur, it will likely be a loss. Also, Redhound fans would rather Bell Co. advance to the semifinals as opposed to teams from out of the area .

 

E-town looks really good on film, and will be a big hurdle for Corbin to get by before a Bell game could happen. Central will have a say in it as well on the Bobcat side of the ledger.

E-town looks really good on film, and will be a big hurdle for Corbin to get by before a Bell game could happen.

 

I think Wayne will play Elizabethtown really well tonight.