Redhounds send Jackets over the edge in Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic

 

In a rematch of 2014's classic regional final, Corbin scored on its first two possessions of the game and again in the final minute to claim the biggest win for a 3A school to date in 2016. Corbin quarterback Cameron Sizemore hit AJ Moore with a 19-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring and a second touchdown pass from Sizemore to Moore, this time on 4th Down, gave Corbin (2-0) a 14-0 lead with three minutes to play in the first quarter.

 

Central's strong running game hit pay dirt twice in the second quarter behind touchdown runs from Corey Johnson and Chereioun Jones. The game would remain tied until late in the fourth quarter, when Sizemore complete two third-and-long passes to extend the drive and would ultimately score from two yards out to set the final margin.

 

Corbin will look to start the season 3-0 for the second consecutive year as they head to Clay County this week to play in the Appalachian Bowl. Central (0-2) enters week three of a four-week murder's row of games at they travel to 2A #2 Christian Academy-Louisville. Even though the Yellowjackets have lost twice, recognizing the margins and competition makes you think they'll be knocking on the door to Bowling Green come the end of the season.

 

Pirates at Full Sail in Opening Win over Tates Creek

 

Only three times in 2015 did the Class 3A champion Belfry allow more than 16 points in a game and one of those was in the opener against Tates Creek, who played close for much of the game and hung 38 points on the Pirates. And while many are touting this Belfry club as perhaps the best in school history, behind Division 1-caliber offensive and defensive lines, there were early injuries and past history that had some concerned their Pike County Bowl matchup would offer a tough test. If that was the test, though, then Belfry passed with flying colors, dominating Tates Creek, 48-12.

 

Belfry's Cameron Catron returned a punt 79 yards to break the seal on 2016 and the Pirates (1-0) never looked back, roaring to a 42-6 lead and a running clock with eight minutes remaining in the first half. The second half allowed coach Philip Haywood to substitute liberally and get some game experience for the backups, something that will still be important with the starting lineup still healing from some offseason injuries.

 

Losses in the Top 10

 

It wasn't a great week for the 3A Top Ten as, along with #4 Central, six other teams fell this weekend. None were bad losses, as five teams lost to ranked members of higher classes and a sixth fell to a team just on the outside of the top ten. A quick recap:

 

#3 Lexington Catholic scored 28 straight points on St. Xavier and were in range of a running clock, only to see the fifth-ranked team in Class 6A awaken and score 42 unanswered themselves. The Knights (1-1), whose offense is never in question, will have to shore up those defensive deficiencies quickly as they travel to Johnson Central and Covington Catholic the next two weeks, respectively.

 

#5 Boyle County started late and ended later on Saturday night in their Rebel Bowl, falling to 6A #3 Lafayette, 47-21. Boyle (0-2), was competitive for much of the first half, but could never get much going on offense and ultimately couldn't get enough stops against the powerful General offense. Boyle will need better offense and stronger defense this week as they meet cross-town rival Danville. The Rebels will be looking to win their fourth straight in the series, and eighth in nine tries.

 

#6 Caldwell County lost to 4A #5 Franklin-Simpson 14-6 on Friday night. At first glance that seems like a low score for two high powered offenses, but bad weather in western Kentucky delayed or cancelled several games on Friday evening and this one was called at halftime. Who knows how the game might have turned out, but perhaps Caldwell (1-1) can take some solace in history - the last time they had a game called before completion was against Trigg County in 2012, when the Tigers trailed by 1 with just over five minutes to play. That Caldwell club ended up playing for a state championship; perhaps an omen for 2016?

 

Louisville teams going to southeastern Kentucky is difficult every year. Central and Waggener both lost in Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic last season and Central lost to Corbin this year. #7 Waggener knew they'd have their hands full with 4A #7 Knox Central and a loss wasn't unexpected, but the thorough dismantling Knox Central put on the Wildcats was troubling. Waggener (1-1) allowed two Knox Central rushers to surpass the 100-yard mark and the Wildcats' only score came on a short Larry Harper to Tyquan Jackson pass midway through the fourth quarter. Waggener has two very winnable games in the next two weeks, but a clash with Central looms on September 23 and for a team some were positioning as a possible state finalist, it will be a giant bellwether.

 

#8 Garrard County's strong opening statement against Shelby County last weekend was weakened somewhat in a lackluster loss to Madison Southern this week. The Golden Lions (1-1) were held to 189 yards on the ground while senior running back Jacob Foley could only muster 52 yards this week after running for 294 the previous week. Garrard fell behind early and trailed 21-6 before making a run in the second half. The win marked the first victory for Madison Southern in 14 tries against Garrard County.

 

Finally, as bad as Paducah Tilghman looked last week against McCracken County, the Blue Tornado redeemed themselves somewhat in a 29-21 loss at 6A #9 Central Hardin. Tilghman (0-2), will likely fall out of the rankings this week, but for new coach Kurt Barber and his staff, this performance has to make them feel better about the remainder of the season.

 

Extra Points

 

Russell (1-0) won their season opener Saturday night, knocking off home-standing county rival Greenup County, 7-6. The tenth-ranked Red Devils, who have several holes to replace on both lines this season, showed their defensive prowess against a Greenup team who had scored 56 points the previous week.

 

Fleming County continued their strong play to open the season, blanking rival Mason County 31-0. The win for the Panthers (2-0) was their third straight over Mason.

 

Western Hills may give up a lot of points, but they've shown through two games that they can score quite a few as well. Hills (2-0) beat Franklin County, 36-34, notching their first win in the series since 2009.

 

In a game that probably didn't show up on many radars in Kentucky, Estill County topped Magoffin County, 48-14. Estill (1-1) is perhaps an outside threat to win District 7 while Magoffin (0-2) is hoping for a playoff berth, but the biggest significance this game held was it was the first district game played in Kentucky this season. See, the 3A Notebook is always full of useless facts!

 

Three to See

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

 

1. Central at Christian Academy-Louisville. For the second week in a row Central will be playing perhaps the most important game involving a Class 3A team. The winless Yellowjackets, who've lost two games by a combined seven points, will look to log their first win of the season against a CAL (1-1) team ranked second in Class 2A.

 

2. Danville at Boyle County. While Boyle County has begun 2016 with two losses, the Admirals across town are 2-0 and just knocked off 5A power Southwestern. Can the high-octane Ads push Boyle to three losses in a row? The Rebels haven't started 0-3 since losing their first five games, including a loss to Danville, in 2007.

 

3. Lexington Catholic at Johnson Central. Last season, Johnson Central came to Lexington and scored early and often on Catholic, before a late Knights run made the score a more palatable 42-28 win for the Golden Eagles. Now LexCath must go to the mountains to take on a Johnson Central (1-0) team who just beat Capital High School, one of the best in West Virginia. To go along with that, the Knights have to cleanse the sour taste from last weekend's almost victory over Catholic rival St. Xavier.

 

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)

 

Paducah Tilghman at Mayfield. This is far from the beaten path, as these two Purchase rivals have played nearly every year since 1911 (no games in 1913, '16, '18, and '20), but if you're looking for one of the best rivalries in Kentucky, then get to War Memorial Stadium in Mayfield on Friday night. Mayfield, 2-0 and ranked #1 in Class 2A, has won ten straight in the series while Tilghman (0-2) hasn't won at Mayfield since 2004.

Great work gchs.

ttt