Looking Back

The Redhounds easily took the first step in the AA playoffs by running past Morgan County, 40-6 Friday night.

Caleb Watkins and Ryan Fritts sat out the game with injuries, which allowed a sneak preview of what to expect from next year’s squad. Vinny Hoover opened eyes with his quickness and speed as he darted 22 yards for the game’s first score, and of course, Matthew Taylor ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

During last weeks loss to Lexington Christian, my son Scott, who attended the game with me, remarked after a pass reception and bull like thrust for a first down by Taylor, “that sure looked like a Taylor effort”, Scott played with Matthew’s dad, Roy and his uncle Greg, who were both all-time Redhound great players.

Brady Foley also ran real well, blocked great and spearheaded the defense. Taylor is one of the best one-on-one tacklers I have seen in years. Once Matthew zeros in, he is like a missile.

Whitley County, another local team with a legitimate shot at doing well in the playoffs has been a bit of an enigma, starting the season with a great effort against Lexington Catholic in a game which quite frankly, I feel they were robbed.

 Then through a few games struggled and lost, before regaining momentum. I really like Alex Patrick and Jamie Lebanion and Jordan Singleton, who is the son of my old softball buddy, Joe Singleton, who can fly and he did for a 90-yard kick off return against South Laurel.

I attended Redhound basketball practice last week and I am very excited with what I saw.

First I must say Coach Tony Pietrowski and his staff run as good a practice session as any I have ever seen. The drills are quick, precise and physical.

The Redhounds are put through drills that require total focus and excellent hand-eye concentration and physical dexterity. There is no wasted time, they have a few water breaks that are three minutes long and it is back to work.

There are several players who have made marked improvement over the off-season. The seniors Madison Johnson, Issac Wilson, Luke Stewart are teaming with junior Josh Hopkins and sophomore Travis Smith in providing leadership. A new addition to this year’s squad is Hunter Sizemore, a transfer from South Laurel and of course after football season, Aaron Manns, Matthew Taylor and Vinny Hoover will join the mix.

Backcourt players who will make contributions are Brody Freeman, who is a tiger, Justin Olson, Eric Jones, Taylor Jones, Baily Pietrowski and Kyle West. Dominic Timperio, Ronnie Igo and Josh Duncum will add frontcourt help.

Shifting back to football. Saturday afternoon it came down to watching my grass grow or catching the University of Kentucky play Eastern Kentucky University with Rob Bromley doing play by play. I chose watching the game it was easier to sleep with Bromley doing play-by-play.

I believe the only thing that could slow down John Calipari’s basketball Cats would be if they let Bromley do play-by-play.

Seriously, I believe Coach Cal is going to have to find away to incorporate Patrick Patterson into the offense, he looks lost among all of the new talent surrounding him.

I believe he has yet to assert himself as the talent he is. I am not worried, however, I feel we have a coach who will solve any problem that arises. John Wall may well be the most talented player ever at Kentucky. He reminds me of a smooth Dwight “the blue” Anderson if you can remember him.