5A District Race

 Whitley County got its first district game under their belt Friday night in a loss to Harlan County. I came away disappointed, not because they lost to the Black Bears, but the way they lost. The Colonels had two touchdowns called back on silly penalties. Had the touchdowns stood Whitley County may have come away from Harlan with a victory.

The loss puts the Colonels in somewhat of a hole to start the first week of district play. Clay County, Harlan County and Perry Central all won last week and go to the top of the district standings.

A couple of my comrades made their predictions recently and say Whitley County will be on the outside looking in come November 5. They had a little fun in predicting the district race, so I though I would too.

After looking at each team’s district schedule and knowing a little bit about the history of the district. I have to disagree with my fellow writers. I may be called a “homer” or just maybe I believe Coach Jim Black’s team has a way of improving as the year goes along.

I do know in this district a team is going to have to steal a couple of road wins to have a chance to win the district and even make the playoffs. And, you most certainly have to win your home games.

Whitley County will face probably the best all-around team in the district Friday night in the Clay County Tigers. The Tigers can burn up a scoreboard, but they can also give up a lot of points. They gave up 26 to Scott County, 42 to Middlesboro and 40 to winless South Laurel.

The Tigers hammered North Laurel last week by a 48-0 score. That didn’t surprise me in the least. The Jaguars defense has been suspect all season and with the loss of wide receiver/kicker Ronnie Rotondi, the Jaguars have struggled on offense as well scoring six points in the last two games.

But, hey I am talking about the Clay County Tigers and their 40-point average. Whitley County will have to play one of their finest defensive games of the season, but I believe the Colonels will win this game and go on to make the playoffs.

Even if they don’t win this one, it would be no reason to throw in the towel with Letcher Central, North Laurel and Perry Central left on the schedule.

I think the Colonels will finish the district slate with a 3-2 mark along with Perry Central.

Harlan County’s Dylon Smith had a break out game against the Colonels last week, scoring four touchdowns and running for 240 yards, but will it happen again.

The Black Bears go into Letcher Central this week for a big game against the Cougars. That game will be much closer than fans think with the rivalry between the two schools. Harlan County is the better all-around team, but I think Letcher Central pulls out the win. That would leave Harlan County at North Laurel and Perry Central and a home game against Clay County. That may very well leave Harlan County with a 2-3 record.

Letcher Central lost last week at Perry Central and have Harlan County and Whitley County at home before going to Clay County and North Laurel. It looks like a 2-3 district season for the Cougars as well.

Perry Central is still a mystery to me. The Commodores are 5-0 against a slate of teams with a combined record of 9-18. It looks like they have an outstanding quarterback in Kyle Huff, who has thrown the ball pretty accurately. He is 63-of-102 with 18 touchdowns. He has already gone over the 1,000-yard mark and has a talented receiving core with Darryl Beatty, Austin Pray and Jay White.

The Commodores will pick up an easy win over North Laurel this week before going to Clay County in what will probably be a shoot-out with 100 points scored by the two teams. Perry Central then hosts Harlan County before going to Whitley County. They look like a 3-2 district team to me and tied with Whitley County for second place.

That leaves North Laurel. With their defense unable to stop anyone and their offense struggling, they will be lucky to win a district game. But, somewhere along the way I think Coach Chris Larkey will find his team on the winning side and finish with a 1-4 record.

The Jaguars could very well be the spoiler with the schedule in their favor. North Laurel will be at Perry Central this week then will play their final three district games at home against Harlan County, Whitley County and Letcher Central. Or this could be where those three teams steal a road game on the way to the playoffs.

My order of finish has Clay County winning the district with Whitley County taking second in a tiebreaker over Perry Central. The number four spot goes to Letcher Central in a tiebreaker over Harlan County.

Now, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.