BLACK, TAYLOR IN ALL-STAR GAME

 Whitley County Coach Jim Black and Corbin running back Mathew Taylor are in Louisville preparing for the Kentucky Football Coaches Association All-Star football game that will be played Sunday at St. Xavier High School. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

This year’s all-star game has a new format. It will be the Greater Louisville All-Stars vs. Kentucky “Best of the Bluegrass”. The will match the top 40 seniors from the Louisville area including Hardin, Shelby, Henry and Oldham Counties against the top 40 seniors from the rest of the state.

According to game director Jimmie Reed, this is the third format of the all-star game, which featured the Kentucky All-Stars taking on Tennessee from 1984 to 2007. The all-star game went to a East-West format for two years, but coaches around the state feel this new format will renew interest among the fans.

Coach Jim Black was actually selected a couple of years ago for this honor. “I was suppose to coach the East All-Stars,” Black, who has been in Louisville preparing for Sunday’s game at St. Xavier High School.

“It has been a lot of fun so far,” he added. “There are some very good athletes on the East team.”

Several coaches from Black’s staff will be on the sidelines as well. Bobby Gibbs and Brian Lawson will help with the coaching staff. Bobby Jo Lawson, a former Colonel and now head coach at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Lexington is also on the staff.

Other Kentucky East coaches include ShaDon Brown of Rowan County, Jeff Marks of Simon Kenton and Shawn Berner of Fort Campbell.

Corbin’s Matthew Taylor will join some of the Bluegrass’ best in the fight against the Greater Louisville area.

Taylor played in 14 games for the state semifinalist Redhounds. He scored 20 rushing touchdowns on 146 carries while gaining, 1,026 yards. He finished his senior season with 27 touchdowns and added a conversion for 164 points.

Taylor had an outstanding career with the Redhounds. He ran for 1,791 yards while receiving 914 yards in passes. He had a combined 2,705 yards while scoring 255 points in three years.

Taylor, John Dudley Hilton (Bell County) and Tanner Gilbert (Clay County) are the only three players from Southeastern Kentucky on the roster.

Among the top players in the state are: Tre Powell (Ft. Campbell), Austin Abner and Ryan Hahn of Highlands, Jay Wilmott (Scott County), Brandon Boards and Cy Williams of 5A state runner-up Allen County. Nate Letton of Lexington Catholic, Jay Cain (Lone Oak), Alex Newton (Mason County) and Troy Timmerman of Covington Catholic.

“This is just a great honor to coach a team like this,” said Black.

State champion coach Ty Scroggins of Louisville Central will guide the Greater Louisville All-Stars.