REDHOUNDS DEFENSE

 The Corbin Redhounds extended its winning streak over the South Laurel Cardinals to four games and recorded their second straight 21-0 shutout.

“It is always sweet to get a win, but we probably had more mistakes tonight than we have all season,” said Corbin Coach Steve Jewell.

Defense was the key to the Corbin win. After scoring 40 points against 5A foe Clay County and averaging 21 points per game, the Redhounds held South Laurel to 134 yards on the night. Corbin limited the Cardinals air attack to 8-of-25 for 72 yards.

Matthew Taylor, Mitchell Frederick and Josh Coppock intercepted passes by quarterback Joe Boggs.

“I’ve been pleased the last two ballgames with our defense,” Jewell said. “That’s one thing we keep talking about, we have to play hard on both sides of the ball. A lot of times it’s easier to cover up mistakes by flying around the ball.”

The Redhounds took about everything away from the South Laurel passing attack, especially the screen passes that had become successful for the Cardinals. “Coach (Jackie) Jewell does a good job with the secondary, he really schooled them on their screen game. That’s where they have been getting their yardage, on their quick screens and things like that,” he said.

“I felt like we got some good pressure on him to make him get rid of the ball before he wanted to,” said Jewell. “Even though we only had one or two sacks, I think he threw the ball early several times where we were able to get a pick.”

Corbin had its own troubles getting the ball in the end zone. The Redhounds missed on an opportunity right off the bat when they took the first series of the game from their own 20-yard line to the South Laurel 14-yard line when the drive fell apart.

Senior back Matthew Taylor had back-to-back carries for 38 yards that got the Redhounds off to a quick start. Quarterback Roman Mitchell picked up a first down on fourth-and-one from the 21-yard and Brady Foley had a three-yard run to the 14-yard line that highlighted the drive.

But, a six-yard sack and an interception turned the ball over to the Cardinals at the two-yard line.

Corbin held the Cardinals inside the 10-yard line on a three-and-out. Corbin took over from the South Laurel 33-yard, but Mitchell was hit with an eight-yard loss on the first play. However, he redeemed him self with a 41-yard pass play to senior Josh Coppock for the first score of the game. Saxon Okuma tacked on the PAT for a 7-0 lead.

The Corbin defense continued to play well, limiting the Cardinals to 16 yards before forcing a punt to the Redhounds 21-yard line.

The combination of Taylor and Foley paid off once again as the two took Corbin to the end zone with an eight-play drive. Foley went the final 28 yards with 8:04 left in the opening half for the 14-0 lead. Foley accounted for 63 yards on the 79-yard drive.

Another three-and-out gave the ball back to the Redhounds at their own 47-yard line. Again they were able to move the ball down the field with ease as Mitchell hit Josh Jewell, Frederick and Taylor on consecutive passes to the South Laurel 22-yard line. After a Taylor run of two yards, Jewell came up with a catch at the seven-yard line and it was first-and-goal for the Redhounds.

However, Corbin came up empty. Foley was met at the line of scrimmage on first down and a penalty pushed the ball back on the second down play. Back-to-back incomplete passes resulted in a fourth down at the South Laurel 12-yard line.

Okuma tried a 29-yard field goal attempt that was wide to the left with 2:51 left in the half. The Redhounds took a 14-0 lead to the dressing room.

Fumbles and interceptions looked to be the norm in the second half. Neither team was able to get its offense off the ground, but the Corbin defense was able to hold the Cardinals out of the end zone.

Corbin added its final touchdown late in the fourth quarter after pinning the Cardinals deep in their own territory. A Taylor punt was downed at the South Laurel one-yard line but a fumble gave the ball back to the Cardinals midway through the quarter.

Four plays later Corbin had the ball back at the nine-yard line. The South Laurel defense stopped Foley and Taylor or back-to-back carries and a third-down penalty pushed the ball back to the 15-yard line.

Ty Cobb in the game for Mitchell, hit Coppock in the end zone for the score with 3:07 left in the game. Okuma’s kick made it 21-0.

Foley led the Redhounds with 97 yards on 16 carries while Taylor followed with 96 yards on 17 carries. Mitchell was 5-of-10 for 85 yards while Cobb was one-of-one for 15 yards and a touchdown.

The Redhounds will be on the road this week when they travel to Hazard.

Corbin 21, South Laurel 0

South Laurel            0   0   0   0-   0

Corbin                     7   7   0   7- 21

C- Josh Coppock 41 pass from Roman Mitchell (Saxon Okuma kick)

C- Brady Foley 28 run (Okuma kick)

C- Coppock 15 pass from Ty Cobb (Okuma kick)