Ashland travels to Corbin to play in the 4A regional finals. The two schools have one common opponent - Johnson Central. Ashland would defeat Johnson Central 41-36 in one of the all-time great games played at Clark's Pump'n'Shop Putnam Stadium and Corbin would defeat Johnson Central 56-51 in a classic game. 

Starting with the 11-1 Ashland Tomcats, they are coming off a win against Mason County where they picked up 474 yards on the ground and 6 touchdowns. Braxton Jennings led the charge with 300 yards on 24 attempts and 2 touchdowns while also collecting two receptions. LaBryant Strader ranks as the #13 passer in 4A, having thrown for 1,860 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions and a 70.4% completion percentage. Braxton Jennings ranks #16 in Kentucky in rushing with 1,093 yards on 128 attempts and 19 touchdowns and he leads the charge on an Ashland team that ranks #9 in the state in rushing with 2,725 yards. Ashland will spread the ball around on the receiving end as Cam Davis, Braxton Jennings, and Sam lyons have 33, 33, and 32 receptions respectively - each ranking in the top 50 state wide in that category. Ashland ranks #3 in scoring with 43.4 points per game and have not scored under 40 since their 26-10 loss to Harvest Prep of Ohio early in the season. Defensively, they're ranked in the top 5 allowing 15.3 points per game. Defensively Ashland ranks #6 against the pass allowing 81 yards per game - but while some of that comes against good QBs, Kade Elam is the truly the best of the best and will challenge this defense. The Tomcats rank #12 in the state in sacks with 1.6 per game and #5 in interceptions with 15. 

Corbin also comes into this game 11-1. Four teams on their schedule (Pikeville, Lexington Catholic, Frederick Douglass, and Hazard) are still playing this week and they are coming off a win against Wayne County where Kade Elam picked up 209 passing yards and 5 touchdowns with only 5 completions. Elam ranks #2 in 4A in passing with 3,144 yards, 38 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions while completing an unreal 76.9% of his passes. Receiving is balanced with Cam Estep, Colton Creekmore, and Noah Cima having 54, 45, and 36 receptions respectively. Although Cima has the least of the three in receptions, he leads in yardage with 912 and averages a whopping 25.3 yards per receptions with 12 touchdowns. Corbin ranks #4 in scoring with 43.0 points per game. Defensively, they rank #6 in 4A having given up 16.6 points per game. The rushing defense in in the middle of the pack having allowed 1,423 yards on the season, but a third that alone came against rushing powerhouse Johnson Central. The passing defense ranks #10 in 4A having allowed 1,009 yards on the season. They rank #7 in sacks in 4A with 21 and #6 in interceptions with 14.

These two teams looks like they match up quite nicely and it should make for an exciting game! What are your thoughts? 

I plan on listening to this game Friday night.  Will 1340 am have the game?  

Just now, Rebel said:

I plan on listening to this game Friday night.  Will 1340 am have the game?  

I am hoping for video!!

Corbin 34-28.

First ever meeting for two of EKY's richest traditions. 

All signs point toward this being a barnburner. Two great quarterbacks with skill people galore and speed all over the field.

I think both pass defenses are going come out of this a little worse for wear, as Elam and Strader are locked in and running their offenses at the highest level.

My confidence took a hit last Friday night. Ashland's pass defense struggled at times against Mason County. Taking nothing away from Mason County, the passing game at Corbin is just head and shoulders above theirs. I do believe the Tomcats have the more balanced offense and will be able to put some points on the board. I'm just not sure they can get enough stops on the defensive end.

Since it's a 3.5 hour bus ride from Ashland to Corbin I give the hounds a slight edge. RPI has spoken but that game against an Ohio team sure stings just a little more now. That's not Corbin's fault and it's out of control for both teams. Neutral sights at this point in the playoffs would sure make sense in this type of game though....   

Video of this one would be great.

On 11/18/2024 at 4:26 PM, theguru said:

I am hoping for video!!

Does Corbin usually stream their home games? 

I think this could go either way, I'm  leaning a bit in favor of Ashland 42-35 in a shoot-out.

18 hours ago, LRCW said:

Does Corbin usually stream their home games? 

I know they usually stream on T107. I think it cost $10, unfortunately.

https://t1073.com/Sports.html 

On 11/18/2024 at 6:19 PM, DevilMayCare said:

First ever meeting for two of EKY's richest traditions. 

That's wild. I would have expected them to have played a time or two in the Rec Bowl or the playoffs or just a regular season game.

1 hour ago, Red Dead Redemption said:

I know they usually stream on T107. I think it cost $10, unfortunately.

https://t1073.com/Sports.html 

Thanks, free is great, but $10 isn’t bad. 

Give me Corbin 42-28. 

Speaking of broadcasts, the Corbin HUDL page is already counting the Ashland game as a win and they have the Boyle County game scheduled on HUDL.

14 hours ago, theguru said:

Speaking of broadcasts, the Corbin HUDL page is already counting the Ashland game as a win and they have the Boyle County game scheduled on HUDL.

I can tell you, I know a lot of the players and Coaches and have talked to some this week that they aren't looking past this game and know it will be a tough, hard fought game. I have heard nothing but respect for Ashland. I don't think Ashland has got the recognition they deserve this year.