article 3A Notebook: Robinson Taking Western Hills to New Heights

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Wandale Robinson Highlights Win Over Woodford County

 

It took until the second half for Western Hills to put away home-standing Woodford County, but when the Wolverines finished the job it was on the legs of superstar running back Wandale Robinson. Robinson scored from 56 and 43 yards to help push the third quarter lead to 28-3. For the evening Robinson finished with 320 yards on 15 carries and five touchdowns. He also recorded an interception. Through five games, Robinson has accounted for 1,131 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground with another two touchdown catches.

 

With such gaudy stats it is inevitable to begin questioning where Robinson will play college football. Although just a junior, Robinson has offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Duke, Louisville, Purdue, Syracuse, and Virginia. Many expect him to choose Kentucky and he was on the sidelines Saturday night during Kentucky's game with Florida. However, with the talent he has shown and with another year of high school football still to play, look for those offers to increase.

 

At this point the bigger question for Wandale Robinson and Western Hills is how far can they advance in the postseason? The Wolverines are currently ranked eighth in Class 3A, but third in their district behind Boyle County and Lexington Catholic. Western Hills has never won a district championship and has one playoff victory in their history, a 34-22 win over Shawnee in 2009. If there is a run to be made, Hills will need to reach heights they've not yet been. It's nice to have a guy like Wandale Robinson leading the charge.

 

Corbin Takes Long Road to Beat Mayfield

 

Corbin traveled to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee on Friday night and came home with a 20-17 victory over Class 2A power Mayfield. Both offenses moved effectively throughout the first half but were unable to cash in on numerous opportunities, and Corbin led 7-3 at halftime. It was more of the same in the second half with Corbin pushing ahead only to see Mayfield claw back. Corbin ultimately held off a late Cardinals drive to seal the win. The Redhounds attack was balanced, rushing for 147 yards and passing for 163.

 

This series has been unique for two schools located 304 miles apart. A home-and-home series likely wouldn't be feasible, but Corbin and Mayfield have now met at neutral sites for three consecutive years. Mayfield won 28-14 in 2015 at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia and 35-34 in 2016 at the same site. Friday's game was played at Austin Peay in part because Lindsey Wilson wasn't available but also because Austin Peay's athletic director is a Mayfield graduate. It wasn't the first time APSU has hosted a Kentucky high school football game - Fort Campbell beat Monroe County in 2009 in the state semifinals in a game that was moved due to poor field conditions. Here's hoping Corbin and Mayfield can continue this cross-Commonwealth classic.

 

Breathitt and Powell Secure First Wins

 

No one in Class 3A will go winless after Breathitt County and Powell County picked up their first victories in the 2017 campaign. Breathitt County won a wild 50-43 shootout at Knott County Central. It was an impressive offensive showing for a Bobcats team that had scored only 64 points in their first five games. The win not only marked the first victory for Breathitt, but it was also a district victory, moving the Bobcats into first place.

 

Meanwhile, Powell County had little trouble with Magoffin County, ousting the Hornets 50-12. Powell, which had two losses by one possession on the season, left nothing to chance rushing to a 27-6 halftime lead. Nathan Skidmore led the winners with 140 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

 

Around the Rankings

 

#1 Belfry cruised to a 64-8 victory over Sheldon Clark to kick off district play. The Pirates are averaging 49.6 points per game.

 

#3 Boyle County had no trouble with 6A North Hardin, dominating the Trojans 56-10. The Rebels have a week off before starting district play at Garrard County on October 6.

 

#4 Elizabethtown used quarterback Tyler Durbin's 179 passing yards and a touchdown to ease past Edmonson County 36-8 in the district opener for both clubs.

 

#5 Central dominated Henry County on the ground in a 44-7 victory. Mykah Williams led the winners with 123 yards rushing and a score.

 

#6 Caldwell County needed a 19-yard field goal by Boyce Nichols at the buzzer to subdue district foe Paducah Tilghman, 24-21. Joby Jaggers was 22-38 for 265 yards and two scores on the night. Tilghman rushed 361 yards in defeat.

 

#7 Lexington Catholic lost to 2A power DeSales, 38-22. Beau Allen tossed for 321 yards and three scores but a suspect rushing defense did in the Knights as they allowed 378 yards to the second-ranked Colts.

 

#9 Casey County breezed past Jackson County 49-14. Austin Campbell threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns while Preston Tucker led the Rebels with 100 yards on the ground.

 

#10 Larue County roared ahead of Adair County early and never looked back, winning 45-6. All evidence points to a district championship showdown between Larue and Elizabethtown on October 13.

 

Extra Points

 

After giving up 67 and 55 points, respectively, in back to back games, Morgan County finally stopped somebody in route to a 34-8 district win over Estill County. Kaden Ballinger had a 70-yard kickoff return late in the third quarter to put the win on ice for the Cougars.

 

Trigg County held Fort Campbell to 11 yards in the second half while forcing seven turnovers in a 14-7 win. Trigg can take a huge step toward hosting a playoff game with a win Friday at Paducah Tilghman.

 

Bardstown had all they could handle with county and district rival Thomas Nelson, winning 20-14. The Tigers scored on the first play of the game, a 63-yard touchdown pass from Montrez Railey to Elijah Rogers and led 20-0 at halftime.

 

Three to See

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

 

1. Caldwell County at Union County. Two teams vying for the top spot in District 1 square off in Morganfield on Friday night. Caldwell has won six straight in the series.

 

2. Fleming County at Russell. The two favorites in District 5 meet up in what could ultimately decide the district championship. Russell won last year but Fleming County won the last meeting in Flatwoods, a surprising 18-7 win in 2015.

 

3. Casey County at Bell County. Both teams are chasing Corbin in District 8 but a win for either team would all but assure a home playoff game. Casey beat Bell last year for their first ever series win.

 

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)

 

Washington County at Western Hills. We started the Notebook talking about Western Hills and we'll close by saying you should go watch Wandale Robinson and the Wolverines. And while the Western Hills schedule hasn't been great thus far, this game with upstart Washington County could be an offensive explosion. Washington averages 37.6 points per game and Hills is scoring 44.6. Make the trek to the Capital City for this one.

[gchs_uk9]

ttt

[DevilMayCare]

Robinson is averaging a TD about every 4.5 touches and is averaging 15 yards per carry. :eek:

 

But, he has thrown a pick this year, so he is human... as far as we know.

[gchs_uk9]

Robinson is averaging a TD about every 4.5 touches and is averaging 15 yards per carry. :eek:

 

He's pretty insane. One of the few players who have played against Garrard over the years who I honestly felt like he could score every single time he touched the ball.

[hubbman100]

Same thing happened last year, beat some teams then were destroyed by Boyle and Catholic. Now they must go on the road to play both this year. In order to compete in that district they must bump up the competition to get ready for the district and playoffs. And yes I do agree he is a special athlete that can score any time he touches the ball.