The Book Of Daniel

The busiest legs in the mountains are weaving a tale of biblical proportions in Bell County. The author isn't putting pen to paper, but rather, cleats to turf. In the process, he's written an unofficial eleventh commandment for the Bobcats:

 'Thou shalt have no other ball carriers than Daniel Thomas'

The state leaders in rushing yards and yards per game collided, as Thomas and Steve Partin met atop 'Log Mountain'. 

They battled at elevation, but kept their tactics grounded. 

Bell County's pace setter churned out 251 yards and five touchdowns to out-distance Partin's 144 yards and two scores. Partin added a passing touchdown to keep his squad close before his counterpart went to work.

Thomas didn't cross the goal line until midway through the second quarter. But when it rains, it pours, and he opened the heavens, scoring 36 of Bell County's next 38 points to pull away from Knox Central. 

He's the first to crack the 2,000 yard mark this season and is running away with the state rushing lead. 

With 2k behind him, the push for the rare air of 3k is on.

Bell County vs. Knox Central Highlights From WYMT

 

 

Good Things Come In Threes

The pickings were slim this week, due to a combination of widespread bye weeks and some mundane district matchups.

Three watchlist quarterbacks made the most of their mismatches.

Brody Benke's versatility has been a major boon to the Highlands offense this year. Boone County got a taste, with Benke connecting on all seven pass attempts, including two touchdowns. He also added his third receiving score as the Birds wrecked the Rebels.

Boyle County's Rebels are usually the ones swinging the wrecking ball, and Russell County was the latest in line to be demolished. Sage Dawson oversaw the job, completing 13 of 20 throws for four scores.

Dawson and Jackson Wasik delivered two weeks ago head to head, and Wasik bounced back from the loss with an efficient night against Bourbon County. Lexington Catholic's leader finished 8/11 for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Combined, Benke, Dawson, and Wasik threw as many touchdown passes (10) as incompletions and not a single interception. 

 

Noteworthy Performances From Week 8

- Central Hardin was unable to contain Shaun Boykins, with the 'Trojan Horse' catching 13 balls for 184 yards and two scores, plus a rushing touchdown. The second receiving touchdown was the game winner for North Hardin and one of the plays of the week. Boykins corralled a desperation heave from his distressed quarterback along the sideline before splitting several Bruins and racing untouched to the endzone. He sits at or near the top of the leaderboard for the triple crown - receptions, yards, and touchdowns - despite missing two games. 

Pic cred to Joe Meischke for The News-Enterprise

 

- Injury has robbed Zah'Ron Washburn of any real shot at Mr. Football, but his senior year has been given a new lease. His long awaited return to the Manual lineup came just in time for the rivalry game against St. Xavier. Washburn got zero carries, but caught six balls for a couple of touchdowns to help the Crimsons pull out a dramatic win over the Tigers for just the third time in the last thirty years. With him out of the running at this point, it's unlikely we'll see him in here again, but his return to good health is a welcome sight that the watchlist didn't want to overlook.

 

Players Featured This Week

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)

Season to date: 205 carries for 2,088 yards and 34 touchdowns | 54 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score 

 

Steve Partin (RB/QB/LB, Knox Central)

Season to date: 121 carries for 1,266 yards and 18 touchdowns | 56 tackles | 11 TFL | 5 sacks

 

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)

Season to date: 82/130 for 1,253 yards and 17 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 799 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns | 112 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Boone County

 

Sage Dawson (QB/DB, Boyle County)

Season to date: 83/117 for 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 168 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

 

Jackson Wasik (QB, Lexington Catholic)

Season to date: 109/167 for 1,608 yards and 17 touchdowns with 1 interception | 103 rushing yards and 1 touchdown 

 

Shaun Boykins (WR, North Hardin)

Season to date: 58 receptions for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Central Hardin

 

Zah'Ron "Zeek" Washburn (RB, Manual)

Season to date: 19 carries for 94 yards | 7 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns 

Highlights: vs. St. Xavier

Watchlist Spotlight Games Tonight

CAL vs. Central - After a week off, Cole Hodge leads the top ranked Centurions into battle against a fellow 3A contender and Louisville blueblood. 

LexCath vs. Lloyd Memorial - Jackson Wasik takes the Knights on the road to meet the undefeated Juggs in another meeting of top 5 3A teams.