Redhounds Reign

The 2005 Corbin Redhounds will rally around their three captains as the season gets underway August 20 at the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic in Danville. The Redhounds will take on the Pulaski Southwestern Warriors in the first game of a doubleheader.
With the loss of 16 seniors and the departure of Josh Ware, the Redhounds are looking for leadership. That step was taken when the team selected three outstanding players as their 2005 captains, Lucas Henson, Eric Blackwood and Clint Cashen.
The three talked about their responsibilities at the recent Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic Media Day.
“I’m looking to get better, faster, maybe spread it out a little more this year,” said Clint Cashen one of the youngest players to ever be elected team captain. “I want to provide some leadership and make our team better,” he added.
Lucas Henson, a 203-pound tight end said. “I just want to be a leader and provide leadership.”
“I didn’t catch the ball any last year, so I’m looking to catch a few this year to help us out,” added Henson.
Eric Blackwood, one of the top runners in the state, said. “It’s my senior year, I am hoping to have a great year. We are going to have to put together a strong line. We have to have blockers.”
“Right now we are trying to get conditioned,” said Blackwood. “Coaches knows we are bending over a lot and coach Jackie Jewell has been working with us on catching the ball better.”
“We just have to work hard with practice,” said Blackwood. “The camps are coming up and we need to catch more passes and get plenty of repetitions. That’s going to be the key this year.”
Despite being hit hard by graduation, the Redhounds are a heavy favorite to capture the Class AA, Region 2, District 2 championship against the likes of Casey County, Garrard County and Wayne County.
Not only are the Redhounds (10-4) favored to win in a district that they have never lost a game in, but Corbin has been tabbed the team to beat for the regional title. That would include beating powerful Elizabethown, DeSales, Washington County, Louisville Western, LaRue County, Moore or even newcomer, Christian Academy of Louisville.
Corbin has been tabbed No. 1 in the region with Louisville DeSales ranked second. LaRue County was picked third in front of Garrard County and Elizabethtown.
With Ware gone, Blackwood moves into the number one spot in the preseason poll. The senior caught 45 passes last year for 773 yards. But, it’s at the defensive back position that Blackwood is dangerous. He picked off a number of interceptions last season and got into the backfield for a large number of hits.
The Redhounds also return Cashen at quarterback. He threw the football for 26 touchdowns and more than 2,100 yards. Who will step up for the Redhounds and give Blackwood a hand at catching the ball? Will it be Chance Hendrickson or Lucas Henson or will it be an unsung sophomore or incoming freshman like Cashen did last season.
If anyone challenges the Redhounds it might be Wayne County, led by veteran quarterback Joe Coffey. He led the Cardinals to the playoff last year and is back for a final season.
Garrard County was also hit hard by graduation and must replace quarterback Spencer Crutchfield, who was one of the region’s best. A senior, Bruce Williams, appears to be the top candidate. He has been a hero of sorts the last two years, making a winning catch against Western last year in the final minute of the game. Then two years ago with nine seconds left in a playoff game against DeSales, he threw the winning TD pass.
With Russell County’s move out of the district, Casey County will get an automatic spot in the 2005 playoffs. However, the Rebels will be no match for the Redhounds. Junior wide receiver Marcus Patterson is back but the Casey County defense gave up nearly 40 points a game last season and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of help on the way.