Corbin to travel to Whitley County Friday for annual rivalry game

Coming off a 35-21 win in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic over Christ School, the Corbin Redhounds will be looking to go 2-0 in 2021, while the Whitley County Colonels will try to get win number one in the Zeke Eier era in the First Priority Bowl Friday night at Colonels Stadium.

The Redhounds found themselves in an early 14-0 hole to the defending North Carolina state champions, but rallied back with 28 unanswered point.

“I thought that it showed a lot of grit by our players,” Coach Tom Greer said of Corbin’s comeback. “They stayed focused and really didn’t let it phase them.”

Greer said the Redhounds’ first goal was to not let the hole get any bigger.

The defense accomplished that goal while the offense began to roll, taking a 20-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.

“I felt like that we really controlled the offensive  and defensive line of scrimmage, and our guys, after the first quarter really dominated them up front,” Greer said.

The charge was highlighted by Jacob Baker’s record setting 51-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

Greer said Baker has hit field goals from 41, 43, and 47 yards in 2020.

With the Redhounds facing fourth-down-and-eight, he had no problem calling upon Baker.

“We have a lot of confidence in Jacob from 55 yards and in,” Greer said.

The Redhounds added two touchdowns in the third quarter to extend the lead to 35-14.

Whitley County Coach Zeke Eier had said the opening game at Perry County Central would be a battle to see which team would be able to effectively run the ball.

The Commodores won that battle, out rushing the Colonels 118 to 50 en route to the 20-13 win.

Whitley County was able to move the ball through the air as quarterback Caden Petrey completed seven passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Caden Rose led the Colonels on the ground with 26 yards on seven attempts.

Whitley County took the lead in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass by Petrey.

Perry County pulled out the last second win, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with seconds remaining in the game.

Eier said his team played a hard physical game, noting that Sam Haynes played well at strong safety and Kendall Jackson and Ryan Steely were “warriors” on the line.

“We need to come out stronger and execute better,” Eier said of what his team has to do going forward. “We had too many penalties and we have to clean that up.”

As to facing Corbin Friday night, Eier said the Colonels have to continue to get better every day.

“We want to come out and play hard-nosed tough football for four quarters,” Eier said.