It\\’s Playoff Time

It was a crystal clear cool evening on Friday as the Corbin Redhounds began their journey through the Class AA playoffs. The opponent was the Larue County Hawks out of Hodgenville and even though the skies were clear, you may have needed an umbrella to keep from getting hit by a yellow flag. The officiating crew had to have sore arms on Saturday morning as they filled the air with penalty flags and yet at a very key time in the game. The last play of the first half the Larue County Hawks very obviously held in the line and it went undetected as the Hawks scored from 28 yards out to end the first half trailing only by seven points. Oh well!!!
I continue to be impressed with several of the Redhounds as they edge farther into the playoffs. Brad Lawson is the heart and soul of the defense, an outstanding special teams player, and runs the ball very well inside or out. Josh Ware is a very hard nosed runner and also plays great on defense.
Issac Mills combines great speed with power and a very physical brand of play, Issac is catching the ball very well and gives the Hounds another dimension. Eric Blackwood is the big playmaker, he can score from anywhere on the field, and has on numerous occasions this year saved the Redhounds bacon by coming from out of nowhere to run down a touchdown bound opponent. Dempsey Ballou spends a good bit of time in the opponents pass patterns as Dempsey reels in one interception after another and of course the young cool hand Luke, Clint Cashen patiently stands in a pocket provided by an ever improving line and picks apart the enemy secondary.
The Redhounds have completed the first leg of the trip back to Louisville, but must be ready Friday night as the Colts of Louisville DeSales are not to be taken lightly.
I could not help but notice what a fine group of seniors we have this season as the Redhounds will graduate 16 of these young men in May. I think back to two years ago, and a long afternoon in Louisville and how we started so many sophomores on each side of the ball facing a senior laden team from Breathitt County led by an All-State quarterback.
Coach Mike Holcomb still had his first team in with less than two minutes to go and with a 50-point lead was still throwing the football in quest of new records for his quarterback.
The senior class this year includes many of those same kids. Jeremy Brock was injured in an auto accident and was unable to play but for a short time in one game. Jeremy would have been a three year starter. Brad Lawson, Dempsey Ballou and Issac Mills I referred to earlier. Dub Woody is the place kicker and picks up some playing time on defense. Travis Prewitt plays both on offense and defense and is as tough as whit leather.
Andrew Davis, Sean Gosser and Addison Hamlin are all very strong on defense and each was very effective against Larue County. Ronnie Bowling plays both ways and reminds me a lot of his uncle, Eddie Bowling, a Redhound from the past. Ronnie is feisty and quick on defense and gives the ‘Hounds needed strength.
Travis Hart has been a stalwart at center just as his brother and dad before him. Hart is synonymous at center in Corbin.
Ryan Cleary and Aaron Broyles have played well from their tackle positions. Cleary mans the left tackle slot which gives him responsibility to block and cover the quarterback’s back. Ryan has performed better each game and has helped on defense as well. Aaron is very quickly developing into a force on defense as he keeps pressure on the opponents quarterback. Arena also works hard on the offensive line.
These are all great kids who have worked and sacrificed for the Redhound program for three or four years. I hope they are able to close out the season the way they deserve to.
My profile this week will focus on two neighboring schools who will be vying to take another step deeper into the playoffs.
The Lynn Camp Wildcats of coach David Mitchell will seek a second year in a row in driving toward a state Class A championship. The opponent on Friday evening will be the undefeated Williamsburg Yellow Jackets in what should be a great game.
Williamsburg’s defense will have to stop Mr. Inside (Josh Reynolds) and Mr. Outside (Jimmy Chaffin) as they attempt to rush past the Jackets. Lynn Camp on the other hand must find a way to contain Andy Greer, the terrific Jacket quarterback as he throws all over the field. It should be a great game.
My profile is of two outstanding quarterbacks, one from Lynn Camp and one from Williamsburg, each playing in the mid-fifties.
Jack Taylor was the starting varsity quarterback as a 7th grade student at Lynn Camp and was the only six-year starter I can ever remember at that position at the varsity level. Jack was a long armed kid that could run or throw very effectively. Taylor was also a star basketball player.
Donnie Rains was an all-time great quarterback at Williamsburg High School and led the Jackets to many big wins, including a victory over the Corbin Redhounds in 1954.
Combine these two outstanding quarterbacks with Ralph Wilder and the Tri-County had some pretty talented people at that position in the mid 50s.