Colonels Advance

Seven different players scored for the Whitley County Colonels as they ran over the South Laurel Cardinals Friday night in the first-round of the KHSAA football playoffs at Whitley County High School, 54-14.

The win sends the Colonels (7-4) on the road for round number two. They will play at Pulaski County Friday. The Maroons defeated Perry Central 35-21.

“The kids were really focused tonight and took control of the game,” said Whitley County Coach Jim Black. “The kids did a great job executing the game plan.”

Black felt his team’s defense was the key to the win. “I thought we kept them pinned back most of the game. We did a good job defensively, we played the ball like we teach them to do and it resulted in three interceptions and a fumble.”

“We had great coverage all night by the defensive backs,” said Black. “We put them in man-to-man most of the night. Jordan Singleton, Justin Goins, Alex Patrick, Josh Wynn and Cody Bramlett all did a great job when asked to.”

The Colonels posted more than 40 points for the fourth week in a row and rushed for 326 yards with senior Alex Patrick accounting to 109 yards on five carries. Patrick scored the game’s first touchdown on a 33-yard run. The senior back had 105 yards on four carries in the first half.

Whitley County spurted out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter as Jordan Chute and Cody Bowlin added touchdown runs of five and two yards. With Jamie Lebanion’s three kicks, the Colonels had a 21-0 lead at the first stop.

Chute, who scored three touchdowns in the lopsided win, ran the ball 15 times for 92 yards.

Another highlight of the game was Singleton’s 94-yard kickoff return after South Laurel had scored in the third quarter. Chute put the finishing touches on the score in the fourth quarter with a seven-yard TD run.

The Colonels and Maroons can put a lot of points on the scoreboard. The Colonels are averaging 37.2 points per game while the Maroons are scoring at a 35.4 clip. Defensively, the Colonels are giving up 24 points per game while Pulaski County is giving up 25.8.

Like Whitley County, the Maroons have a host of running backs led by Alex Abner. Abner has scored 14 touchdowns on 113 carries. He has 852 yards on the season. Zach Eastham is next in line with eight touchdowns. He has carried the ball 85 times for 692 yards. They will also have Sean Haste and R.C. White in the backfield.

Eastham is the Maroons quarterback. He had one of his best games of the year last week against Perry Central when he threw the ball for three touchdowns, completing 21 of 27 passes for 277 yards.

His main target a week ago was Steven McQueen, who had six catches for two touchdowns and 115 yards. White also had a catch for six points. Jordan Walden and Mikey Shepherd are also threats to score for the Maroons.

“They have put together a great season after losing Chris Muse,” said Black. “You have to give coach (John) Hines credit.”

“They are a well-coached team and very athletic,” added Black. “We will have our work cut out for us going into Pulaski County. It’s a number two going to a number one, but I feel confident that if we take care of business we can bring home the victory.”

The Colonels defeated Pulaski County last year in the second-round of the playoffs at Whitley County, 44-35.

“From what I understand, they are running the same type of offense and defense they did last year,” said Black.

“We have to maintain our focus,” said Black. “This will be a big game. We have to be ready to go on the road this week.”

Gametime at Pulaski County is 7:30 p.m.

 

Whitley Co. 54, South Laurel 14

South Laurel      0    6   8 0- 14

Whitley Co.            21 20 6 7- 54

WC- Alex Patrick 33 run (Jamie Lebanion kick)

WC- Jordan Chute 5 run (Lebanion kick)

WC- Cody Bowlin 2 run (Lebanion kick)

WC- Chute 10 run (Lebanion kick)

WC- Josh Wynn 30 run (Lebanion kick)

SL- Miller 6 run (kick failed)

WC- Justin Goins 31 pass from Lebanion (kick failed)

SL- Brown 10 pass from Tyler Vaughn (Miller run)

WC- Jordan Singleton 94 kickoff return (kick failed)

WC- Chute 7 run (Lebanion run)