ONE STEP AWAY

 Monday while I was waiting on coach Steve Jewell for our weekly interview I was bragging to Willard Farris and Jody Mouser about predicting the Redhounds would go 8-2 in the regular season. I felt sure they would reach this point in the season and I feel even more confident now that they will take down Newport Central Catholic.

Willard said I was a “feel good guy”. He’s right, I feel good about having confidence in the Redhounds. After all, this is Corbin where we expect the football team to shine year after year.

I did miss two games this season. I felt like the ‘Hounds would beat Hazard, but lose to Clark County. And, of course, I figured Corbin would take it on the chin against Boyle County.

I don’t think the Redhounds have over-achieved despite losing a lot of seniors from last year’s team. I knew they would have a good running team with Matthew Taylor and Brady Foley.

I think the surprises have been Josh Coppock, Josh Jewell and Ty Cobb. They have made a big impact on offense. I believe if the game were on the line, Saxon Okuma would nail a field inside the 50-yard line.

The defense has really come on strong. Not in my weirdest dreams would I have ever thought they would have put the hurt on Prestonsburg like they did. The Redhounds had 15 hits for losses according to my stats that could be a record in a third-round playoff game.

Corbin had a much better crowd last week, but they were not very vocal. You would have thought the game was at Prestonsburg with all the signs and noise. I’d like to challenge the Corbin student body to blow Newport Central Catholic off the field. Let them know where they are…Corbin!

Eddie Eviston, a former quarterback at Georgetown College, will bring his Thoroughbreds to Campbell Field. Jewell said NCC likes to run the ball, but will pass quite often to keep a team off-guard.

Newport Catholic has two big-time runners in Chris Kelly, who has 28 touchdowns this season. He has 1,505 yards on 242 carries. Quarterback Brady Hightchew has 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The two will pose a real serious threat to the Redhound defense that is one of the tops in the state. Of the four teams left in Class 2A, Corbin is the stingiest. The Redhounds allowed 14.4 points per game with Owensboro Catholic second (14.5). Newport Catholic is giving up 19.5 per game.

However, the Breds are second in offense, scoring 42.2 points while the Redhounds average 38.4 points per game.

Both teams have two losses; Newport Catholic fell to Ryle 27-7 and lost to Beechwood 40-39. The Redhounds lost to Boyle County 42-10 and Hazard, 35-28.

Taylor and Foley are inching closer to that 1,000-yard mark. Taylor has 992 yards on 136 carries while Foley has 948 on 167 carries. Taylor leads the Redhounds with 164 points on 27 touchdowns and one two-point conversion. Foley has 11 touchdowns to his credit.

Corbin goes pretty deep when it comes to others scoring. Eight players have rushed for a touchdown and seven players have scored via the pass.

Ty Cobb has passed for 17 touchdowns and has thrown for 1,075 yards including 122 yards in the win over Prestonsburg.

I’m going to brag on the Redhounds’ defense. They have 26 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries. It goes to show the ‘Hounds are playing some stellar defense.

Keep an eye out for Newport Catholic defender (18) Brian Doyle, who has seven picks this year and (74) Jake Giesier who has four fumble recoveries, two for touchdowns.

Corbin has won eight games in a row, but this one could go down to the wire. That’s why the Redhounds need all that noise and support Friday night.

Both teams have two outstanding backs and a very outstanding support staff. If defense wins championship, this one will go to the Redhounds. I am calling it a 35-31 Corbin victory.