COOL DOWN

October, one of the prettiest months of the year. The only thing better than driving through the countryside seeing all the beautiful colors is the thought of high school football and guessing what’s around the corner.
In Class A football, it’s a big battle between Lynn Camp and Cumberland two weeks away. The Redskins are dangerous but how do they stop junior running back Joe Roskopf. As long as he is healthy I like the Wildcats chances of getting in the playoffs. The following week the Wildcats will host Somerset and end the regular season at Williamsburg. Lynn Camp is still in the hunt for a home playoff spot if they win out.
Williamsburg (4-2) is in the same boat. The Jackets lost to Somerset 66-39 last week, but the Jackets proved they could score against the best. They play at Harlan this week then entertain Evarts and Lynn Camp. They will have a critical game at Cumberland as well. A win over the Green Dragons could give the Jackets the confidence to go out with a bang and take the number two seed into the playoffs.
Thomas Frazier, Chase Hamblin and Aaron Root along with others have worked hard to gain a home playoff spot. It’s a goal within their reach.

‘Hounds will go a long way
In Class AA, Corbin is set to go on a long win streak. After playing Rockcastle County and Bell County close and giving Middlesboro all they wanted, the Redounds are ready to make a run for the top spot in the district. The two toughest games, Wayne County and Garrard County will be on the road. But, neither of those teams have played the schedule the Redhounds have played. Garrard County comes close with losses to Mercer County, Lincoln County, Clark County and Frankfort. However, the Lions didn’t score in a 41-0 loss to Mercer or a 49-0 loss to Lincoln County. Clark County beat up on the Lions 49-27 while Frankfort rolled to a 38-6 win. To me, there lies the difference.
Wayne County (4-3) has played only one legitimate playoff contender and that is 4A power, Scott County. The Cardinals lost 48-6. They lost a close game to Clay County, maybe the second best team on their schedule. But, once Clay County got into their schedule with the big boys, Rockcastle County rolled over the Tigers, 61-13.
And the only big-name team Casey County has played was Mercer County. The result was a 66-19 whipping. They beat Grant County to open the season but have lost five straight games.
Once the playoffs begin, look for Corbin to host two district games before heading to Russell, home of the defending 2A state champion. I look for Belfry and Middlesboro to be in the other mountain showdown with the two winners meeting to go to the carpet for the state championship game.

Colonels’ backs against the wall
Never say never. That’s the theme going into this week for the Whitley County Colonels. The Colonels have suffered three losses in a row since beating Lynn Camp. Unfortunately, all three were district losses, leaving Whitley County 0-3 and at the bottom of the slate. However, one team has an identical record, South Laurel. Who would have thought the Cardinals would be 0-3 at this stage of the season in district play.
As wild as it may seem, the Colonels are still in the playoff hunt. Should they win out they would be 3-3. If Lincoln County runs the table, the Colonels have a shot at the number four entry into the district playoffs.
That’s if the Colonels beat South Laurel and Clark County on their home turf and Whitley County ends the season with a victory at North Laurel.
Never say never, dreams do come true…

Soccer tournament
Just a couple of weeks ago, I said the tide was about to turn in the district with Corbin taking charge. I should have said the power was about to return to the Redhounds. Corbin was the power team in the district back in the early 90s.
I was kinda surprised when Corbin knocked off South Laurel 2-0 in London back on September 21. Corbin has a relatively young team this year, but undoubtedly the Redhounds have outworked the Cardinals. The two teams are likely to meet next week in the district finals at South Laurel.
Then it will be on to the region as a winner or runner-up. Playing it out on paper, the Redhounds need to bring home the championship trophy or they will have to take on Perry Central in the regional on the Commodores home field. Perry Central came into Corbin and shut out the Redhounds 2-0, September 19.
If Corbin comes out the winner, they will likely play Letcher Central. The Cougars in only their second year will not be a pushover by any means. Letcher Central was 5-8-1 in their first year of high school soccer. They are 11-3-1 this year with all three losses to Perry Central. They were all close games with two-point margins. They will play their district tournament at Belfry, so anything could happen. But, for a two-year program to be in contention for a regional title is amazing.

Volleyball tourney starts
The district volleyball tournament begins next week at Lynn Camp High School. Corbin has earned a spot in the regional tournament after taking the number one seed into the district. With the three-team sit up, the team that gets the number one seed is automatically in the region.
Corbin defeated both Whitley County and Lynn Camp twice this season so the Lady Redhounds are the heavy favorites. Whitley County has beaten Lynn Camp twice but the games at LCHS were close when the Lady Colonels won on the road.
Rockcastle County is still the team to beat in the region and have gone undefeated in regional play once again. They have only played five regional foes. Corbin was one of the five victims. If they two teams draw into opposite brackets, it’s likely you will see the two in the regional final. However, last year that didn’t happen and Rockcastle County won in the semifinals.
It’s October, a time of the year when school jackets come out of the closet, the night air gets a little colder and bon fires are seen all over the state at local high schools in a effort to fire-up their favorite teams. Good Luck to all!