Hounds, Jackets lived up to the preseason hype Friday night

If you didn’t get down to Campbell Field Friday night to see Williamsburg play Oneida and/or Corbin play Christ School in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic, then I’m here to tell you, believe the hype.

Williamsburg and Corbin were both machines in the demolition of their respective opponents, and it was, by whatever definition you choose, a demolition.

Jackets’ quarterback Sydney Bowen ran the offense, playing pitch and catch with five different receivers to the tune of 338 yards and five touchdowns, while running for two more scores.

Shannon Martin caught five passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns, while Jayden Rainwater caught seven passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns in Williamsburg’s 50-21 win.

Defensively, the Jackets forced five turnovers, including three fumbles and two interceptions.

While Williamsburg has a lot to be proud of, we all know Coach Jerry Herron, Jr. is not going to let his players rest on those laurels. They know if they don’t keep playing at that level, they can be on the other end of the scoreboard on any given Friday.

Williamsburg has a trip to Middlesboro on Friday. It is a team that is coming off of a 22-20 win over Hazard.

What can you say about Corbin’s win Friday night?

The Redhounds came back from an early 14-0 deficit to score the next 28 points en route to the 35-21 victory.

After taking Christ School’s best punch, the Redhounds responded with a haymaker of their own behind a stellar running game, vicious defense and the foot of kicker Jacob Baker.

Baker nailed two field goals, including a school record 51-yard shot. In addition, every Redhound kickoff sailed into the endzone for a touchback, never giving the Greenies the opportunity to set up a return.

Like Bowen for Williamsburg, Corbin quarterback Cameron Combs showed the ability to run, busting through the Greenie defense for a 76-yard rushing touchdown early in the third quarter.

In addition, Combs found Hunter Newberry for one touchdown pass and Treyveon Longmire for a second.

Like Coach Herron, Redhounds Coach Tom Greer is not going to give his players the opportunity to rest on their laurels.

It will be back to business to get ready for Whitley County Friday night.

One game does not make a season.

But Corbin and Williamsburg have shown that they have what it takes for a deep runs into the playoffs and, possibly, a run at a perfect season.