PREVIEW OF THE WEEK

When you think of traditional mountain football the names of Corbin, Middlesboro, Prestonsburg, Pikeville and Hazard come to mind. The Redhounds play Middlesboro each year and have played Pikeville in recent years. Corbin met Prestonsburg in last season’s playoff and will likely do so again this.

However, a team Redhound fans have not seen for a while has been the Hazard Bulldogs. It’s been 23 years since the two have played and that came in the second-round of the playoffs in 1986 when Corbin rolled past the Dawgs, 34-7. But, it has been even longer since the two met in a regular season game. The last time was in 1981 when the Redhounds took a big bite out of the Bulldogs, 60-6.

Corbin Coach Steve Jewell knows a much stronger Hazard team will be coming to Campbell Field Friday night. The Bulldogs are 3-1, losing only to 5A foe Letcher Central, 35-21. They beat Leslie County 33-6 then smothered Paris 52-6 and Williamsburg 63-8.

Hazard has enjoyed success the last several years. Last season coach Mark Dixon’s team made it to the Class A finals before losing to Beechwood, 14-7.

“They have some good physical linemen,” said Jewell. “Just as big as any team we have played this year. The unique thing about their linemen, they move well.”

“They have a lot of similarities in the fact that they have a lot of people going both ways which is the characteristic of a single A school,” added Jewell.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are led by #60 All Fugate with 34 tackles on the season. “He is really quick and can fly off the ball,” Jewell said.

Corey Slone #22 and B.J. Combs #21 also are among the top hitters for the Bulldogs.

The secondary has picked off seven passes in the first four games and the defense has recovered two fumbles. Zack Blanton has two interceptions with one going for a touchdown.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have plenty of weapons with Alex Hall (#2) leading the way on the ground with 252 yards and two TD’s. Eric Back as five touchdowns on 27 attempts and has rushed the ball for 138 yards. Jon Combs (#15) has three touchdowns.

Combs is the Hazard quarterback and has thrown the football 62 times, completing 43 for four touchdowns.

Joey Meehan (#20) has two TD’s while Jordan Olinger (#1) and B.J. Combs has the other.

The Bulldogs have been able to mixed the run game and passing attack well. They have 778 rushing yards and 875 passing yards.

“I think they have got a group of kids that function well,” said Jewell.

“It seems Meehan is their go to guy when they want to pass. He doesn’t have blazing speed but he’s a winner,” Jewell said. “I’ve never met the kid but you can see it on tape that he is the type of kid that they are going to throw it to and if the ball is anywhere around he is going to catch it and make something happen.”

“They are going to be the best team we’ve faced so far as well as skilled athletes and line combined,” said Jewell. “We’ve faced some teams that have real strong lines but their skill was as good and vice-versa. I feel it is going to be the biggest test so far.”

Jim’s Pick: Corbin 28-21