COLONELS FALL

As it has for most of the season, it was a tale of two halves for the Whitley County Colonels in Friday’s loss to Montgomery County, 21-8.
“They didn’t do anything that we had not shown the players,” said Whitley County coach Jim Black. “We were ready as far as preparations.”
“For some reason we just did not come out and play the first half,” said Black. “I just have to find a way to motivate them in the first half. It was the tale of two halves again. We played well in the second half but, that’s not winning any ballgames for us.”
The teams battled to a 0-0 tie in the first quarter but the Indians exploded for 21 points in the second period.
Montgomery County scored on the big play to take a 7-0 lead in the game when Kaleb Curtis connected on a 55-yard strike to Jamil Owens early in the second quarter. It was three and out for the Colonels and they were forced to punt. The Indians returned the punt to the Colonels 26 yard line and on first down, Jarrod Nester went the distance for a 13-0 lead. The PAT made it 14-0.
“We put ourselves in a hole on that return,” said Black. “We have to do a better job on that, we have to get down the field on punts.”
A turnover led to the third Montgomery County touchdown, a fumble by running back Cody Jeffries. The Indians responded with a drive that saw Nester score his second TD of the quarter.
The Colonels went into the dressing room down, 12-0.
As in the past the Colonels came out and took charge. “We moved the ball up and down the field,” said Black. Jeffries scored with 8:15 left in the third period and Kevin Wells added the two-point conversion on a pass from quarterback Jordan McCumbers.
“We gave up 21 points in the first half and didn’t give any in the second,” said Black. “We scored eight points and drove the ball up and down the field.”
“We just have to come and play an entire game, like we did against Madison Central,” said Black.
The Colonels still have a breath of air when it comes to the playoff picture, but a win over South Laurel is a must. Whitley County has to win out and have a little help from Lincoln County, Madison Central and even Montgomery County to get in the playoffs.
“You know what they are going to do, they are going to throw the ball,” said Black of the South Laurel offense. “We are going to take advantage of what they give us.”
“For both of us, we have to win to keep your playoff hopes alive,” Black said. “We’ve got to win this game and so do they. It’s all on the line with this game.”
“It will be a tough game and I am sure they will come ready to play,” said Black. “We’ve seen them on film and I don’t expect any surprises.”
“We need to prepare ourselves and get ready for this game,” said Black. “We need to take care of ourselves and get ready to play in the first half.”
“We’ve got to play an entire game,” added Black, the first year coach at Whitley County.

Whitley County 0 0 8 0- 8
Montgomery Co. 0 21 0 0- 21
Second Quarter
MC – Owens, 55 pass from Curtis (Hovermale kick)
MC – Nester, 26 run (Hovermale kick)
MC – Nester, 2 run (Hovermale kick)
Third Quarter
WC – Jeffries, 4 run (Kevin Wells, pass from McCumbers)