Redhounds close out season with loss to NCC

It wasn’t the ending Redhound fans wanted for their team, a 26-7 loss to Newport Central Catholic. It was nearly the same script as last year when the two teams met in Newport. The Thoroughbreds used a powerful defense and potent running game to outscore the Redhounds 19-0 in the second half to pull away.
Last year it took a turn around for the Thoroughbreds to come from behind in the second half to beat the visiting Redhounds.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage all night long,” said Corbin Coach Steve Jewell. “We didn’t run the ball and that’s our game. We didn’t run the ball well at all. We’ve got to be able to do those things to set up our pass. We got into a strictly passing game and that’s not our style of ball.”
The Redhounds were held to 56 yards on the ground, the lowest of the entire season. Junior Caleb Watkins rushed the ball for 43 yards on 15 carries while senior Michael Campbell carried four times for 13 yards.
Through the air, the Redhounds were 15 of 25 for 123 yards. “We did a few things right in the passing game but blocking wise we didn’t do very well at all.”
“Defensively, we did good things there for a while then we started with some poor tackling,” said Jewell. “It was the very same scenario as last year, we had some missed tackles, we had some people wrapped up and they would squirt out on us.”
“To their credit, they made plays and we didn’t make the plays when we needed to,” said Jewell. “It is about as old fashion as it gets when it comes down to it, it’s just blocking and tackling.”
“You can hype it up and talk about it all you want, but the bottom line it’s just blocking and tackling,” Jewell said.
The teams battled through a scoreless first quarter until Mark Kelly broke loose for a 20-yard run to the end zone in the second quarter. Chris Grosser’s kick made it 7-0 with 5:07 in the half.
But, Corbin refused to quit and answered the challenge with an eight-play drive that started at the NCC 47-yard line. Senior quarterback Lance Freeman spearheaded the drive. Two big catches by senior Corey Sewell kept the drive alive and a nine-yard run to the right corner of the end zone by Freeman with five seconds left on the clock got the Redhounds back into the game. Senior Michael Campbell booted the ball through the uprights, tying the game at 7-7 just before the teams went to the dressing room for the half.
The Thoroughbreds started the second half very quickly. A 33-yard punt return by Mark Kelly got the visitors rolling. NCC controlled the clock and the game, scoring on the drive when Chris Kelly went in from 10 yards out to put the Thoroughbreds ahead for good with 6:42 in the third quarter. The PAT was blocked, leaving the door open for the Redhounds.
But, a tough as nails NCC defense stopped the Redhounds. Once the Thoroughbreds got the ball back they drove it in for another score. This time it was a two-yard run by Mark Kelly with 2:38 left in the period. Again the Redhounds stopped the two-point conversion try, but the visitors led 19-7.
Newport Catholic put the finishing touches on the game in the fourth quarter when Justin Jones scored on a short pass from quarterback Rob Kues from three yards out. When Grosser added the PAT, the Breds led 26-7 late in the game.
Corbin was unable to answer with another score.
Jewell and the Redhounds were disappointed with the loss. “Anybody that likes competition is very disappointed right now. Like I told the team, we have all of off-season to reflect about a 13-win season, it’s something we can hang our hat on, but everyday we go into the weight room in January that’s not what we are looking for. We’re looking for a state championship,” said Jewell.
“We’re knocking on the door, we just haven’t kicked the door in yet,” said Jewell.

Newport Catholic 26, Corbin 7
NCC 0 7 12 7- 26
Corbin 0 7 0 0- 7
NCC – Mark Kelly 20 run (Chris Grosser kick)
C – Lance Freeman 9 run (Michael Campbell kick)
NCC – Chris Kelly 10 run (kick blocked)
NCC – Mark Kelly 2 run (run failed)
NCC – Justin Jones, 3 pass from Rob Kues (Grosser kick)