Colonels hopeful for win in Clay County

The Whitley County Colonels football team fell to 0-3 on the year last week after being narrowly defeated on the road by the Rockets of Rockcastle County (3-1).

After falling behind 14-0, the Colonels struck back with only seconds remaining in the first half of play when senior Christian Hamilton caught an eight-yard pass from quarterback Luke Woods for a touchdown. Alex Conlin kicked the extra point to narrow the gap, 14-7.

Rock scored back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter to extend their lead to 27-7, but Whitley refused to die. Sophomore Sean Hickey ran in a score from one-yard-out, and Conlin added on another extra point to make it 27-14 in favor of the home team with a couple of minute left on the clock.

The Colonels outscored their opponents in the fourth quarter 14-8, with Woods running in a touchdown, and also passing for a touchdown to junior receiver Cameron Johnson. Both Conlin PAT attempts were successful, but the Rockets were also able score again, giving them the 35-28 win.

Whitley had a chance to get more points on the board during one drive in particular, but they were unable to punch it into the end zone from the one-yard-line, despite having two tries to convert. That, in addition to a few costly mistakes, including a lost fumble early in the game, kept the Colonels from getting their first win of the season.

Head Coach Jason Chappell’s squad is presented with another very good opportunity to put a mark in the win column this week, however, when they travel to Clay County (1-3) to take on a Tigers team who lost 26-8 last Friday to the South Laurel Cardinals (1-2). The Colonels are hopeful that this game will mark the return of senior running back Austin Ysidro, but he could end up being a game time decision. If he does compete, it will be in a limited capacity, but having him back in uniform will only help this team to get better.

As of now, Whitley County is also scheduled to travel back over to Pike County on Monday the 22^nd to finish their season opener with the Pike Central Hawks. If you recall, that game only made it about halfway through the first quarter before it had to be called off due to inclement weather in the area. The Hawks were up 14-0 on the Colonels when the contest was suspended.

Although they will be at somewhat of a disadvantage on Monday, Whitley could potentially pick up two victories over the course of the next five days, giving them some much needed momentum heading into next week’s home game with the visiting Knox Central Panthers.

Kickoff for the Whitley County versus Clay County game is set for 7:30 PM this Friday on the campus of Clay County High School.

Rockcastle Co 35, Whitley Co 28

Rockcastle  –  6  8  13   8  –  35

Whitley    –    0   7   7   14  –  28

R – Kyle Denny pass from Dakota Bishop (conversion failed)

R – Chance Ansardi run (Ansardi run)

W – Christian Hamilton pass from Luke Woods (Alex Conlin kick)

R – Isaiah Adams run (Dalton Rowe kick)

R – Rowe run (conversion failed)

W – Sean Hickey run (Conlin kick)

W – Woods run (Conlin kick)

R – Rowe run (William Lovell run)

W – Cameron Johnson pass from Woods (Conlin kick)