Season opener at the Briar Patch next Saturday night at 8 p.m.

I'll post streaming video link when available.

Looks like Lake Cumberland Sports will be streaming the game this week. I'll post a link later unless they do so first.

Should be a Somerset blowout correct.

Wayne County struggled to a 4-8 record a season ago, against a brutal schedule. Every team that the Cardinals lost to, except for Eastern, won a least 9 games and a playoff game. Wayne started freshman Reese Garrett at quarterback and experience some growing pains on offense. Garrett threw for 980 yards with 5 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2025. The experience he gained against that schedule should be invaluable. He will have leading rusher Weston Hancock back for his senior season. Hancock rushed for 804 yards and 4 scores a season ago. The Cardinals will also return their leading receiver Ian Tucker who hauled in 49 balls for 598 yards and 4 of Wayne County's 5 scores through the air.

Somerset, in spite of losing their starting quarterback in the opener, finished last season at 11-2, losing in the 3rd round to Owensboro Catholic 27-19. Gone from that team is the 2A player of the year Kris Hughes. Hughes stepped in a quarterback and finished the season with 1092 yards passing and 11 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. On the ground he ran for 2081 yards and 37 touchdowns. You don't replace a Kris Hughes. The cupboard is far from bare for the Briar Jumpers, however. Talented sophomore Xavier Wooldridge returns after rushing for 209 yards and 4 scores, catching a team leading 27 passes for 418 yards and 3 touchdowns. He even took some snaps at quarterback and played a key role in the secondary. Corban Cimala returns in the backfield after rushing for 709 yards and 9 touchdowns a year ago. He figures to be the lead back in a backfield that will also feature Wooldridge at times, as well as holdovers Xavier Hudson and Jett Boyd. McCreary County transfer Darius Ridner will give the Jumpers another weapon. Ridner rushed for 437 yards and 5 scores and added 20 catches for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns as a freshman in 2025. Ridner is also a dangerous return man as he had 2 kickoff return touchdowns for the Raiders. Somerset will have a new quarterback this season as senior Guy Turner transferred in from Paris. Turner threw for 1246 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions a year ago. He added 342 yards and 12 scores on the ground. Another key for the Briar Jumpers will be junior kicker/punter Julian Carroll. Carroll was first team all-state last season as a punter, and is ranked as the number 1 punter/kicker combo in the class of 2028 by ProKicker. He was a perfect 58-58 on extra points and hit 3 of 4 field goals. He usually ensures that the Jumpers win the field position battle.

While this one looks to favor the Briar Jumpers, Wayne County won't be intimidated after facing Bell County, West Jessamine, North Laurel and Boyle County twice last season. Somerset has tended to start slowly the past few years dropping 2 of their 3 openers under Coach Clay Clevenger. Will the Cardinals be able to take advantage of Somerset trying for find their footing as they try to form an identity without Hughes. Or will the Briar Jumpers start off the year with a win?

I think Somerset wins, but it's closer than many expect and isn't settled until into the 3rd quarter. Briar Jumpers 35-14.

Somerset by as much as they want.

Somerset clock runner.

Somerset 38-14.

Where I don't follow Wayne County that closely, I was unaware of Korbyn Edwards. He missed almost all of last session. In 2024, however, he rushed for 1636 yards and 34 touchdowns and threw for 765 in 12 games. In recent seasons the Jumpers have struggled a bit with running quarterbacks. Edwards at quarterback could definitely make this one a battle.

Bump.

Another option for streaming this game.

The Lake Cumberland broadcast is live.

Wayne with a couple of first downs before throwing a deep interception.

Somerset takes over inside own 30.

Nice 35 yd pass from Turner to Decker for a TD.

7-0 Somerset