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PREVIEW OF THE WEEK
Posted On 19 Nov 2009
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The Blackcats are on a 12-game win streak and have won 17 straight home games dating back to a 38-21 loss to Beechwood, Oct. 6, 2007.
Prestonsburg poses many problems for the Redhounds defense. “They have a lot of diversity in their receiving core and their backs,” said Corbin Coach Steve Jewell. “They do a real good job running the ball and their line blocks well.”
“A lot of people think they will pass the ball a lot which they will, but they like to spread you out and will run you, a lot like Newport Catholic,” said Jewell.
The Blackcats have been nearly 50/50 this year when it comes to scoring. Senior quarterback Michael Burchett has thrown for 32 passes, hitting on 140 of 213 passes for 2,518 yards.
Joseph Jamerson leads the air attack scoring 10 times; Josh Crayon, a senior, has scored 10 times, Senior Josh Blackburn had five touchdowns; Senior Austin McKinney has four while Tyler Hall, a senior, has two and freshman Bryson Williams has one.
On the ground, the Blackcats have 35 touchdowns with McKinney leading the way with 10 TD’s. He has 70 carries for 426 yards. The top rusher is Crayon with 691 yards on 97 attempts. Burchett has run the ball into the end zone nine times. He has 435 yards on 83 rushing attempts.
When you talk of weapons, Prestonsburg has had 12 different players cross the goal line in one way or another. Jamerson, a sophomore, has 127 points while Crayon has 122 points for the year.
The Blackcats have grabbed 28 fumbles and 12 interceptions on the season.
The Redhounds and Blackcats are among the state leaders in every category. Corbin senior running back Caleb Watkins is second in rushing leaders with 1,726 yards, an average of 156 yards per game.
Burchett is the 2A leader in passing while Jamerson was third in receiving and teammate Josh Blackburn is eighth and Crayon is 10th.
When it comes to scoring, Watkins is 12 points shy of 200. He is the state leader with 188 points.
Prestonsburg and Corbin are in the top five scoring leaders. The Blackcats are averaging 43.8 points per game while Corbin has scored 38 per game. Defensively, the Blackcats have the edge as well; giving up 13.4 while Corbin has given up 17.4 points.
Both teams prepared well with comparable schedules. Of the 10 teams on the Redhounds schedule, nine were in the playoffs with three still alive, Harlan, Hazard and LCA. Nine of the 10 teams on the Prestonsburg schedule made the playoffs with two still in the hunt for a state title, Breathitt County and Sheldon Clark.
“Their quarterback does a good job avoiding the rush,” said Jewell. “You have to account for him at all times. Their backs do a good job as well.”
“A lot of teams you can narrow it down to one or two receivers, they have three or four that can catch it really well. They make a lot of yardage after the catch,” Jewell said.
Friday’s game promises to be a knock down drag out. The big question, will the defenses take control or will it be a shootout in Prestonsburg.
The key to a Redhounds victory. “It’s going to be a big challenge. Obviously, we need to keep our offense on the field and their offense on the sidelines.” – Steve Jewell.
Jim’s Pick: Corbin 42, Prestonsburg 36.
