CALLING THE SHOTS

 The 16^th Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic is history. The folks in and around Danville can be proud of their two teams. Danville and Boyle County combined for 96 points while giving up 10 points. Boyle County beat Corbin 42-10, but there were plenty of exciting moments.

Everyone is talking about Josh Jewell and some of the unbelievable catches he made against the Rebels. Jewell, who is one of the smallest players on the team at 5-7, 130-pounds, caught eight passes for 79 yards. Many times he was one-on-one with Mr. Football candidate Lamar Dawson. Dawson was credited with nine solo tackles and had two interceptions.

Not once did Jewell shy away from the 6-4, 240-pound Dawson.

Ty Cobb got his first taste as a Corbin quarterback. The junior hit on 9-of-14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown pass to Matthew Taylor.

Give credit to the Redhound Varsity Club. The Pigskin Classic is one of the best bowls in the state. They bring in the best talent available and don’t just pick a team that they can beat like other area bowls. There was no comparison with the last two bowls I attended, The Pigskin Classic and The Cumberland Valley Bowl. The atmosphere was totally different in the two bowls.

•Watch out for the train! After watching Cody Perkins of Williamsburg make a hit on Harlan’s Eric Young I know I would not want to stand in front of him. During a play against Harlan late in the game, Perkins snapped the ball to Chris Lowrie and rushed down the field hitting Young full speed. Young bounced about five yards before losing the ball with Spencer Brown making the recovery.

Williamsburg scored and put the game away because of the play. Kevin Hoffman played his heart out as well as Ethan Powers. Hoffman ran for over 100 yards and Powers passed for 185 yards.

•Whitley County has a tough football schedule no doubt. But, the next two weeks could be killer’s row. Coach Jim Black’s team goes to Bell County Friday night to take on the Bobcats of Dudley Hilton. Then to Belfry the following week.

Bell County is 2-0 and has a potent offense behind running back Cory Davenport and quarterback Ben Madon. Davenport has racked up 274 yards and five touchdowns while Madon has hit on 12 of 15 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns. The Bobcats have outscored their first two opponents 116-20.

However, Whitley County seems to be quite a bit stronger than Green County and Madison Central. The Colonels got a good test from Lexington Catholic in a loss then ripped Lynn Camp 62-13.

The Colonels have some depth in Cody Bramlett, Boston Bryant, Cody Bowlin and Jordan Singleton on the ground along with Jordan Chute. Justin Goins has looked outstanding in making six catches for 127 yards. He has four touchdowns after two games to lead the Colonels.

Senior Travis Inman has done an exceptional job at quarterback. He has hit on 7-of-13 passes for 143 yards and four touchdowns, all to Goins.

•The Whitley County soccer teams are enjoying their first season on the varsity level. The Colonels are 1-3-1 with a 5-1 win over Middlesboro. They were able to pull off a 1-1 tie against Perry Central.

“We are working on our confidence,” said Whitley County Coach Boski Cupac. “We seem to be a second half team, but I know we can play just as good in the first half.”

Michael Branham, Alex Raines, Cameron Reeves and Seth McCoy have stepped up for the Colonels. McCoy is doing double duty. He is the place kicker for the football team and tied the record for the most PAT’s in a game against Lynn Camp.

The Lady Colonels have enjoyed even more success. Whitley County has won three games and lost four. They defeated Bell County, another first-year program and Middlesboro twice. They are pretty much assured of not finishing last in the district seed.

•Speaking of soccer teams, the Corbin Lady Redhounds are 6-1-1.  Their lone loss came against Pulaski County (4-1). They have beaten Hazard, Oneida (Tn), McCreary Central, Bryan Station, Bell County and Estill County. They were tied last week at Perry Central.

•Have any tidbits about any high school, middle school or junior high player? Let me know and I will get it in my column. Just give me a call at 606-528-9767.

•Here’s a quick check of this week’s football showdowns. Corbin at North Laurel. Will the Redhounds bounce back from last week’s loss to Boyle County or will North Laurel pull off the upset in the Jungle.

If the Redhounds are focused this shouldn’t be that close of a game. Corbin 32, North Laurel 14.

Whitley County at Bell County. The Bobcats are tough to beat anywhere much less Log Mountain. Got to give this one to the ‘Cats, 28-20.

Knox Central at Williamsburg. The Yellow Jackets might be the smallest school in the area, but they have a lot of confidence and think they can beat the Panthers. Knox Central is off to a tough start, but may be too much for the Jackets in a 36-20 loss.

Lynn Camp at Pineville. Will playing the tough three games prior to this one make a difference in the Wildcats performance. The Lions are 2-0, but McCreary Central and Berea are not in the same class with Clay County, Whitley County and Lexington Christian. However, at home Pineville takes Lynn Camp 22-20.