REDHOUNDS HAMMER DRAGONS

 The Corbin Redhounds opened the 2010 football season in fine fashion Friday night with a resounding 52-14 win over the Harlan Green Dragons. Senior running back Matthew Taylor ran the ball seven times from the line of scrimmage with three of those going for touchdowns. He also scored on a 62-yard punt return and a 53 yard pass from Roman Mitchell to account for 30 of the 52 points the Redhounds put on the scoreboard.

The Redhounds had two 100+ rushers on the night. Junior Brady Foley had eight carries for 110 yards setting up several touchdowns. Taylor finished the evening with 104 yards.

“Both guys played very well and made some big plays,” said Corbin Coach Steve Jewell. “We moved the ball well. I thought the kids blocking did a good job as well.”

Foley, who did most of his damage in the first half, had a 33-yard punt return to help set up the first touchdown of the game. A 23-yard run by Foley to the three-yard line allowed Taylor the opportunity to virtually walk in for the TD. Saxon Okuma was right on target with his kick and added the first of six for a 7-0 lead.

The game turned ugly in the first quarter. After holding the Dragons to a three-and-out, Taylor returned a Harlan punt 63 yards to give the Redhounds a 14-0 lead after Okuma’s PAT.

Senior Wes Tipton got in on the act when he picked off a Ty Saragas passed and raced down the sideline 44 yards before being stopped at the two-yard line. Nick Mills, a sophomore, finished for the Redhounds, taking the ball into the end zone on the ensuing play. Okuma quickly made it 21-0 with 3:36 left on the clock.

Taylor added a second quarter touchdown before Harlan got on the scoreboard with a big play. Demarcus Williams got past the Corbin line and outraced the Corbin secondary to the six-yard line. In all, Williams took the ball 52 yards on the play.

Saragas went on for the score to cut the margin to 28-6.

The Redhounds (1-0) were not done yet as Corbin answered with a special play of their own. Corbin faced a fourth-down punt when Taylor saw an opening and took the ball 47 yards to the end zone for a 35-6 lead.

A Corbin turnover then led to a Harlan score as Saragas connected with Vince Bianchi on a 22-yard play with 1:24 left in the half. Saragas also hit Dakota Morris in the end zone on the conversion to pull Harlan within 35-14.

That’s the closest the Dragons would come. Saxon added a 22-yard field goal just before the half to send the Redhounds to the dressing room with a 38-14 lead.

In the third quarter Taylor scored on a 53-yard pass from Roman Mitchell and Mitchell Frederick scored from 19 yards out pushing the lead to 52-14. Tipton added the final PAT of the night.

Corbin 52, Harlan 14

Harlan      0  14    0  0- 14

Corbin    21  17  14  0- 52

C- Matthew Taylor 3 run (Saxon Okuma kick)

C- Taylor 62 punt return (Okuma kick)

C- Nick Mills 2 run (Okuma kick)

C- Taylor 31 run (Okuma kick)

H- Ty Saragas 6 run (run failed)

C- Taylor 47 run (Okuma kick)

H- Vince Bianchi 22 pass from Saragas (Dakota Morris pass from Saragas)

C- Okuma 22 field goal

C- Taylor 53 pass from Roman Mitchell (Wes Tipton kick)

C- Mitchell Frederick 19 run (Tipton kick)