After looking like the weather was going to clear out as I was watching the Weather Channel before the game, it did a complete 180 and monsooned the whole first half. Whitley handled it better than the Jags, getting TD runs of 4 and 1 yards from Cody Jeffries, who finished with 80 yards to lead the Colonel ground attack, which tallied 210 yards total. Jason Powers added an 11-yard score to make it 18-0 early in the fourth quarter.

 

The Jags had it inside the five toward the end of the first half, but WC broke up a pair of would-be TD passes. Jag QB Adrian Wardrup got things going in the fourth quarter, throwing for 155 yards and TDs of 72 and 5 yards, both to Cameron Cornett.

 

North was unable to recover the onside kick with 1:17 to go, and WC ran out the clock. Tough seasons for each team come to an end, but with some good performances from some underclassmen to give both hope as they move next season into a much softer district in 5AR4D8. Both clubs figure to be leading contenders in the new district with Perry Central, Letcher Central and Clay Co., but they will have to improve from this season's difficulties.

Congrats to Coach Black and his seniors. Hope this bodes well for him next season!

NL has got to make some changes in their offense. They cannot continue to drive the ball down the field to 1st and goal situations then turn the ball over with fumbles, interceptions, or on downs. Something has got to be fixed. Does anyone have any ideas what needs to be done at NL?

 

The Jags have the same record as last year (3-7). However, the losses last year were by much smaller margins, (single digit numbers), except for a couple, (if I am not mistaken). This year they have either been beaten badly or won by more than a TD. IMO they are regressing instead of progressing.

Good win for Whitley against a very sound North Laurel team. Good luck to both teams in the future to both schools.

Look forward to seeing Deaton and the Boys on the hard-wood. I would love to see COrbin and WHitley on the football field.

When you consider the injuries both on and off the field that Whitley County and Jim Black had to overcome this season, it was an amazing performance Friday night. Starting QB McCumbers out with and injury to his leg, along with Baird who broke his leg, along with all the other injuries they had and the still only started 4 players both ways. Friends and neighbors that is a coach who committed to going two platoon and winning. The depth that Whitley cultivated this year will pay off next year when all the injured return. Coach Black will know his team and players and will also have led them through off season conditioning and lifting, which should make a ton of difference. I am sure that the powers that be would not happy with the record but you can be assured that they are happy with the direction that the program is taking.

 

As far as the game goes, it was a hard fought victory for the Colonels and one which they dominated in time of possession and yards and yes even on the score board. Kudos to NL for making a come back, I was impressed with the Wardrup kid at QB, I think he will be the real deal as he matures.

 

Good Luck to both teams in the off season....remember it is only 5 and a half months till spring football and 8 months till summer football.

When you consider the injuries both on and off the field that Whitley County and Jim Black had to overcome this season, it was an amazing performance Friday night. Starting QB McCumbers out with and injury to his leg, along with Baird who broke his leg, along with all the other injuries they had and the still only started 4 players both ways. Friends and neighbors that is a coach who committed to going two platoon and winning. The depth that Whitley cultivated this year will pay off next year when all the injured return. Coach Black will know his team and players and will also have led them through off season conditioning and lifting, which should make a ton of difference. I am sure that the powers that be would not happy with the record but you can be assured that they are happy with the direction that the program is taking.

 

As far as the game goes, it was a hard fought victory for the Colonels and one which they dominated in time of possession and yards and yes even on the score board. Kudos to NL for making a come back, I was impressed with the Wardrup kid at QB, I think he will be the real deal as he matures.

 

Good Luck to both teams in the off season....remember it is only 5 and a half months till spring football and 8 months till summer football.

 

Good luck to Whitley next year. I expect a very successful season next year for the Colonels. Same to North Laurel, both programs seem to have class people heading their programs and deserve some success.

Hopefully them Colonels and General Jim Black will get them a schedule that is a little more balanced. Seems like they were doomed from the get go this here season. A few more home games would help matters and then all them youngins will be healed and rarin to go next season. Ol' Jim Dog was placed in a no win situation in his first season and will bring many wins back the Boulevard of Champion.

Hopefully them Colonels and General Jim Black will get them a schedule that is a little more balanced. Seems like they were doomed from the get go this here season. A few more home games would help matters and then all them youngins will be healed and rarin to go next season. Ol' Jim Dog was placed in a no win situation in his first season and will bring many wins back the Boulevard of Champion.

 

I could have enjoyed that Gentry feller havin the kind of season the colonels had, but not Coach Black and them boys on the team he left.

I think it was made especially for Ol' Gentry...but that is only one man's opinion. You could have put Steve Spurrier coaching at Whitley this year and the record would not have been much if any different. Only win was over a Class A team.

NL has got to make some changes in their offense. They cannot continue to drive the ball down the field to 1st and goal situations then turn the ball over with fumbles, interceptions, or on downs. Something has got to be fixed. Does anyone have any ideas what needs to be done at NL?

 

The Jags have the same record as last year (3-7). However, the losses last year were by much smaller margins, (single digit numbers), except for a couple, (if I am not mistaken). This year they have either been beaten badly or won by more than a TD. IMO they are regressing instead of progressing.

 

I agree that the offense has to get better, but the defense had a ton of new starters and went from giving up 22 ppg to over 30 ppg this season. The offense didn't drop off very much from last season, going from just over 15 ppg to around 14 ppg. The young guys who got their first real varsity PT this year (Wardrup, Cornett, White, Baer, etc) will get better next season.

 

You are correct, the Jags lost only 2 games by more than 1 score all of last season and pulled off the major upset against Madison Central last year. The only blowout loss was to Madison Southern when the game was over by halftime and the Jags played their worst game of the season in all phases of the game and were run over. They also took a major blow last year early when Cessna was hurt against Mercer. At that point, they were 1-0 with the 20-8 lead on Mercer. When he went down, it was like the wind left their sails and while they never quit (except the Mad Sthrn game), they never fully recovered.

 

The Jags have to find replacements for Maggard & Asher as well as a few holes on the line (Hartney, Hampton & Smith) who they lose to graduation. If they can find replacements for those guys, they have several returning starters back in 2007. I mentioned in another thread what has to be done. They have their best group of frosh coming in next season in talent, size and numbers that they have had in 4 years and some of those kids may have to step up immediately. Those current 8th graders (10-1) are playing for their conference championship tonight at NL against Clay County. They remind me of this year's senior class at that age except that they have more size which the Jags need.

 

The DB's were a pleasant surprise to me this season as the past few years they seem to be getting better even when they lose starters. The line has to get bigger and stronger and they have to find more speed somewhere.

Good luck to Whitley next year. I expect a very successful season next year for the Colonels. Same to North Laurel, both programs seem to have class people heading their programs and deserve some success.

 

Well said. I think both coaches are class acts. Let's just hope they get it turned around so that 4A football in SEKY can get back on track! (Okay, it will be 5A in 2007, but you know what I mean!).

I think it was made especially for Ol' Gentry...but that is only one man's opinion. You could have put Steve Spurrier coaching at Whitley this year and the record would not have been much if any different. Only win was over a Class A team.

 

 

Correctioin they did beat NL for a win in 4A. But yeah your genreal idea was right. As far as the schedule being made for Gentry there were some return games there which were beyond anyones control.

 

Whitley for the most part was competitive and only got embarassed twice. they played Lincoln County closer than anyone in the district and should have beaten South and Madison Central. Ahh such is life in High school football. Ol Jim Dawg will have them ready next year.

Whitley never could get it going this season. This season the Colonels were in 90% of their games right till the end. I really like and respect the coaching staff, so I have not said much publically this season although I think there are several key reasons for the Colonels coming up just short so many times. Just for fun (ain't anything else for us Whitley fans to do) no disrespect intended, I am going to spout off a few of my thoughts as to why we have been coming up short. I hope some of the die hard Colonel fans and coaches will throw in their two cents worth.

 

1. The all out passing attack has produced too many turnovers and has consequently taken Whitley out of a number of ball games in which Whitley was good enough to win personnel wise. Turnovers give up easy points, wear down the defense and pin the offense in terrible field position. Whitley does not have the personnel to throw the ball all over the field, we are too dad-gone slow. Lets run 90% of the time and fool'em once in a while with the long ball.

 

2. Until we develop a kicking game and better over all special teams play, we are not going to beat good teams. Suggestion: Make field goals, in feeder league games, count 6 points. Count extra point conversions 3 points for kicks. Do not allow any defensive rush on kick attempts. Lets give the kids and elementary coaches some motivation to kick the ball. Please, Please, put the punt, back into developmental league games. Again, do not allow the defensive rush aganst punts. We have to kick better to improve at the high school level.

 

 

3. Whitley has played out of shape all year. The team needs to lift at least twice a week during the season, run gassers (at least 8 to10) 4 days a week and have 45 minutes of stretching at least 4 times a week. All the kids should be in the field house watching tape, stretching and doing supervised lifting on Sunday. The hardest working, most dedicated kids win. Our boys need to understand this fact. The coaches work on Sunday the players should too, its all about being the best.

 

4.Whitley did not play physical enough this season. I think there should be at least 3 contact practices per week (four on Saturdays after a soft hitting performance). Practices in shorts and helmets make for soft players that can not block or tackle (worse it makes players dread contact, great football players love contact). To be honest, flashy plays and trickery do not add up to poop. Blocking and tackling win ball games. Five or six well executed offensive sets with a good understanding of the 5 or 6 plays makes a good offense. Three defensive sets (normal, goal line, pass) at most is all any good team needs. On offense line-up, knock the guys head off across the line from you, go where you are supposed to go and knock someone elses head off, repeat. On defense, keep your head up, locate the ball, read the play and hurt sombody, repeat. This is the plan that wins ballgames.

 

In summary, practice blocking, tackiling and taking care of the ball. Make the kids stronger, faster and meaner than anyone they play. Lift, run, bust head every day. No off days, no non-running days, no shorts and helmet practices. lift, run bust head every day.