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An example of how important not turning the ball over to Central: Corbin was playing at Central in the playoffs around 4 years ago, believe the score was 7-7 with a little over a minute to go in the first half. Corbin stops Central on 3rd down around their own 30 yd line, there is a holding penalty on Central that Corbin accepts for some reason, so they replay 3rd down. Central throws it deep and up for grabs and their all state RB takes it away from 2 defenders and scores on an 85 yd pass play. Central kicks off, Corbin fumbles and Central picks it up and runs it in for another score. So instead of 7-7 at the half, it's now 21-7. Corbin receives the second hand kickoff, again fumbles it and Central runs it in for another score. On the following possession, Central picks off a pass and returns it for a pick 6. It's amazing how often they score off of turnovers.

In my opinion, you need a physical strong safety and inside linebackers to slow down Knox Central's running attack. Their RB(#44) is very difficult to bring down one on one. Mercer Co needs to force Knox into having to rely on their passing game to consistently move the ball. Mercer also needs to be somewhat balanced offensively. If they can't stop the Knox Central running game, I expect the Panthers to come out on top.

I don't much like comparing scores, but it's hard to ignore the outcome of each team's game against Casey Co. in the regular season. Powell Co. lost to Casey Co. by a score of 36-13 and Bell Co. beat Casey Co. 47-12.

I realize that most people will think that I have possibly lost my mind, but I believe that Knott Co. is going to give Corbin some problems. They have a pretty good passing game, plus Corbin will more than likely have 3 starting DB's out with injuries. I'm not expecting an upset, although I do believe that Knott Co. will move the ball and put up some points on the Redhounds. Corbin's offense has not been a juggernaut, so it may take until the 4Q before they can get a running clock.

I believe they lost their focus after Knox laid the wood to them a few times...

Congrats to the Panthers. The coaches had a good game plan on both sides of the ball and the Panther players carried it out. Honestly, Knox Central looked like the best team that Corbin has faced this year.

Knox Central is just whipping Corbin up front. No fire or emotion from the Hounds at this point, and if they don't get excited soon, KC is going to run them off the field.

Corbin had twin brothers last year who started on the football team that made it to the Regional championship game. They were also on Corbin's swim team that qualified for the state meet. In the spring, they were the doubles champions in the Regional tennis tourney and both qualified for the state track meet as members of the track team. They also were both high honors students.

Knox Central has been playing well, although they let a win against Wayne Co. slip through their fingers. This match-up is pretty even and I expect turnovers to decide the outcome.

Casey played Corbin much better than the final score would indicate. Casey Co. has some good players, just not enough total players, and they basically just ran out of gas against a much deeper Corbin team.

Corbin 28 - 0 in the 3rd Qtr.

Corbin has a very good defense, especially against the run. They held Bell Co. to 110 yards on the ground and 80 through the air, but they are still suspect against a good passing attack. Injuries have hit that side of the ball hard, although those young kids who had to step in starting with the Danville game have really improved over the last 5 games. I would have to go with Central as the best defensive team, with Belfry and Boyle closely following, then maybe Corbin.

From what I have heard, I believe you are right. It's not that big of a deal, just not something that someone in his position should have done. There is a growing segment that would like to see someone else as coach next year, so he sure doesn't need to be giving them any more ammunition.

How could 3 voters think that North Laurel should be #1? They have a very good team, but the best team in Class 5A, really?

An interesting stat from this game is that Bell Co. only played 14 total players(7 Sr., 5 Jr., 1 So and 1 Fr, whereas Corbin played 26(4 Sr., 9 Jr., 9 So. and 4 Fr. Corbin also scored the last 21 points in this game, so I wonder if fatigue played a role in this.

I wasn't there, but have talked to some who were. Knox Central has a pretty good team, are physical on both sides of the line, but have struggled with pass defense. Teams that rely mostly on the run may struggle against Knox Central. I think Central gained about 35 yards passing and committed 6 turnovers while Knox Central committed 2 turnovers.

Corbin's physicality surprised Bell Co. and their defense did not allow a drive the entire game. On the negative side though, the Hounds continue making costly mistakes, which led to all 3 Bell scores. Also Corbin lost a couple more players to what look like significant injuries, one of which should not have happened and hopefully a certain player's coaches will help prevent that kind of thing from happening in the future.

Bell Co. should be the prohibitive favorite because: 1. They returned twice as many starters as Corbin and only lost by 1 pt. last year. 2. Corbin has 3 defensive and 1 offensive(best lineman) starters out. 3. Corbin will be starting 3 freshman. 4. Bell Co. has a 3 yr starter at QB and Corbin has a Sophomore. 5. Bell Co. is playing at home. 6. Bell Co. is bigger, stronger, faster & older. I am hearing that Corbin has held a few things back offensively this year specifically for this game, now whether they will be effective or not may be another matter. The good news for Corbin is that their kicker should be able to play unless there is a rainout in the soccer tourney.

You hit the nail on the head.

The first paragraph is talking about Corbin's chances against Bell Co. and the second paragraph about the other teams left on Bell's schedule.

Bell Co. should be favored over Corbin, although I believe that Corbin is capable of beating them, but would have to play a much cleaner game than they have so far this year. They are still nursing a lot of injuries with 4-5 starters missing most of the last 4 games, with a couple of those vital to combating Bell's strengths . They did get 1 starter back starting with the Mayfield game, which has helped, but there are at least a couple out for the year. From what I saw from Harlan Co., I doubt they are physical enough to beat Bell and I have no idea about the Tenn. team they play.

Jackson Co. had about 27 players(they do have a lineman who can really play though), which is not good, especially if you are 3A. They may need to drop out of the district and try to schedule down as much as possible. They can't gain any momentum without having some sort of success, at least in my opinion. A game like this doesn't really do much for their opponent either, Corbin's 2 starting RB's carried the ball once each that I can recall. Corbin has a bye next week, then have to travel and play Bell Co. after basically being off for 2 weeks.

Final from Thursday night.

Corbin got a starting RB back for the Mayfield game, plus made a change on the offensive line, which seemed to help the running game. Corbin did not make as many mistakes against Mayfield as they did against Danville on the offensive side. I was not at the game, but the fans I talked to who were at the game thought that Mayfield might be a little better, but that a game between the two could go either way.

A really tough pass interference call on the Hounds, next play Mayfield hits a 65 yd TD pass as they burn the Corbin freshman. Corbin just missed on a long TD pass, Mayfield didn't.