SHUTOUT WIN

The Corbin Redhounds advanced to the final eight of the Class AA football playoffs with a 27-0 win over the Wayne County Cardinals. The Redhound defense came to play, recording their first shutout since beating Russell County 2-0, October 12, 2001.
The Redhounds were led on defense by senior Anthony Miller (5-7, 180) with 14 tackles, six of those unassisted. Rob Madon added nine tackles and had two interceptions. Seniors Zach Woody and Josh Martin added five tackles each and hit Wayne County quarterback Jordan Steele for six losses of 23 yards.
The Redhounds had only one turnover in the game compared to Wayne County’s six., a complete turnaround from the first time they played in Monticello. “That was huge,” said Corbin coach Steve Jewell. “Obviously that was one of the things we preached we had to have coming into the game. We don’t need any turnovers and that’s the same for next week. We can’t leave the ball on the ground or throw those interceptions.”
“We felt like that was the difference in the ball game up there,” said Jewell. “And, I think that was the difference tonight.”
Leading 14-0, the Redhounds took advantage of a Wayne County turnover to score with :46 left in the second quarter. Junior quarterback Clint Cashen scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone to put the Redhounds ahead 20-0. Jordan Wagers added the kick and the ‘Hounds went to the break with a 21-point lead.
‘That helped our confidence,” said Jewell. “We knew we had the ball first (in the third quarter) so we needed to stick that in. It was a good momentum changer. There’s a big difference between a 14-0 and a 21-0 going in at halftime.
Corbin (7-5) put the game away with a quick play to start the third period when Cashen hooked up with Jake Reeves for a 75-yard strike with 11:35 on the clock.
“We wanted to be able to stretch the field because it helps our running game,” said Jewell. “A lot of teams will use the run to set up for the pass but we’re actually having to use it for the opposite.”
“It’s good to get Jake in the mix,” Jewell said. “But, it was good for Clint’s confidence too. He’s nursing a little injury right now, but he is going to be all right. He delivered the ball right on the money.”
Corbin posted two scores prior to Cashen’s second quarter TD. Junior C.J. Light scored on a two yard run in the first period after the Redhounds drove 50 yards on 10 plays to pay dirt for the lead with 2:17 in the opening quarter.
In the second period it was junior Josh Sanders taking the ball 19 yards for the score.

The win was Corbin’s 28th in a row in district play dating back to October 20, 2000 when they lost to Green County 33-28.
The Redhounds will face the defending Class AA state champions, Russell. Friday night. The Red Devils come in with an 11-1 record not having lost a home game in three years. Russell has a 23-game win streak in the friendly confines of Henry Evans Stadium.
Jewell is looking forward to the meeting with the Devils. “The only thing better would be for them to come here.” He said.
“If you like challenges in life this is what you look forward to,” said Jewell. The challenge will be stopping Red Devil senior Kasey Clark. Clark has scored 39 touchdowns this season to lead the state. He was ninth in rushing on the latest KHSAA stats total for Class AA earlier this week with 1471 yards on 172 carries. According to the website he has 96 career touchdowns and 4152 yards.
The Red Devils were first in defense in 2A, allowing just 8.6 points per game. Offensively, Russell ranked second in 2A with a 43.5 average.
In Corbin, the Red Devils defense may face their toughest opponent offensively as well as defensively. Cashen and company rank third in passing but the Russell defense is first in its class against the pass.
So, the challenge is on.
“I’m proud of the kids, they have worked their tails off to get back to this point,” said Jewell. “They have gained a lot of confidence and we are going up there with the right state of mind.”