Jacks

Defense looked quite strong with freshmen stepping in to play big roles. Brayton Fugate, Cory Shouse and Richard Trent saw their first action at the high school level and all seemed ready. QB Jade Haddix showed break-away speed on a TD run, Dakota Ritchie will be a big target over the middle, Josh Fletcher is the best receiver in the region, and Channing Fugate will get his yards despite being keyed on heavily. Letcher Central appeared to be the lesser conditioned team and it showed as the evening wore on. Of course, few teams have proven to be better conditioned than Holcomb's teams and it usually shows by the fourth quarter.

John Rader - Breathitt County - UK

Rich McCune - Breathitt County - UK

The difference in UK and UL in their dealings, or lack thereof, with Fugate is that UL offered a scholarship. UK never made the offer. Illinois, Purdue, Western, Stanford and Indiana also offered, but who could fault Fugate for going with the big boys who wear the orange.

UK might've thought it wouldn't have had a shot at landing this good of an athlete, especially with UT on his trail; but Brooks should've been in the game much earlier...like last year. We've seen it happen too often, but this kid could break some Big Blue hearts down the road.

How many big time KY high school football players have been stolen away by the Vols? I know there's been a few in basketball.

Channing Fugate is The Horse that can and should win this race. Of course it's hard to get the votes from the Triangle as The Big Dipper always said. But Fugate should be the state's premier back and that position is a favorite for Mr. Football honors historically.

Breathitt defeated Ohio Co. by 15 in Lex Cath Tourney; lost to Rowan by 7 at Rowan, split with Johnson Central; lost two to Clay in close games

Clear choice, Channing Fugate

Channing Fugate, Breathitt County

Channing Fugate...2714 yards rushing this year and counting, well over 30 TDs rushing, not to mention receiving yardage, at 6-2, 220, has tools to be big-time player on Saturdays down the road. Possibly best player ever to come out of Breathitt County, and that says quite a bit.

Coach Banks has worked really hard at Breathitt and the problems the program has seen this season are hard to explain. Kids have left the team for various reasons. It's a different world today and I'm not sure what the answers are in keeping young athletes dedicated to a cause. In any case, if Coach Banks does step down, I sure can't imagine Cecil Clair being able to get back in the saddle after being out of basketball for so long. On the other hand, I've heard nothing about Coach Banks leaving.

Tough match-up for the Owls. Could be the last game for a large senior class. I think Estill wins easily.

If Breathitt's Smith finishes on the low block, the Bobcats will win by 10. If not, the game could go to the wire; however, Terry's been hot beyond the arc which could take pressure off Hollan. Wolfe plays hard and is capable of getting hot from long range which could send the game to the wire in any case.

Does anyone know if the 14th Region has named its coach and player of the year, and if so who they are?

Anybody know what professional photos are selling for taken of regular season highschool games?

Who made all-tourney team?

Breathitt simply has quite a few young people, starting two freshmen. In fact at times there have been four freshmen on the floor at the same time. You have to let these young people play as much as you can if you are a smart coach...to get them ready for tournament play.

Powell has no means of controlling the crowd. Fans walk along the sidelines to get to their seats. The facility is more along the nature of a high school gym than an arena suitable for a regional tourney. Big mistake holding a region there, as proved the last time it was held there.

I've watched a lot of kids come and go...Fugate's the real deal. He has a world of potential. What he does with it will determine his future. D-1 in basketball or football is well within his reach. He's still growing at 6-2 and wears a size 15 shoe.