They’re a lot of big matchups this Friday in the 13th Region with 11 games on slate.
We’ve got three games that are between regional teams (North Laurel at Bell County, Clay County at Knox Central, and South Laurel at Harlan County) while we also have some impressive bowl games as well — Short-Redmond Auto Group Pride of the Mountains (North Laurel at Bell County), Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic (Williamsburg vs. Oneida, Tenn., and Pikeville at Corbin), First Priority Bowl (Berea at Harlan, and South Laurel at Harlan County), and the Knox Professional Pharmacy Bowl (Clay County at Knox Central).
With that said, take a look at our Week one Preview along with what we believe will be the Game of the Week.
Game of the Week
Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic
Pikeville at Corbin, 8:45 p.m
The two teams have met twice since 1998 with Pikeville coming away with a 34-0 win over the Redhounds on Aug. 27, 2005 while Corbin repaid the favor with a 23-15 victory on Aug. 30, 2008.
Corbin is going to have to find a way to contain senior running back Blake Birchfield, who ran for 2,512 yards, and 25 touchdowns last season.
The Redhounds will be led by a stingy defense, and senior quarterback Cameron Combs, who will be protected by senior lineman Franklin West while his top receiver will be Brody Wells.
Best of the Rest …
Short-Redmond Auto Group Pride of the Mountains
North Laurel at Bell County, 7:30 p.m.
The two teams have met only once since 1998 with the Jaguars coming away with an impressive 30-22 win at home over the Bobcats last season.
Dudley Hilton’s squad is looking to return the favor on Friday.
Bell County will be led by a two-headed rushing attack that is considered one of the best duo’s in the state. Senior Dawson Woolum ran for 1,678 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while junior Daniel Thomas gained 778 yards on the ground along with finding paydirt 11 times.
North Laurel will counter with a much-improved defense that held its own against Class 4A state champion Boyle County during last week’s scrimmage.
Junior linebacker Austin Johnson led the way with a state-best 21 sacks last season while leading North Laurel with 121 tackles.
Junior quarterback Tucker Warren will be a threat on offense after passing for 1,955 yards and 17 TDs last season while running for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
Knox Professional Pharmacy Bowl
Clay County at Knox Central, 7:30 p.m.
These two teams have played each other 17 times dating back to 1998. Knox Central leads the series 12-5 during that span while holding a 10-game win streak over the Tigers. The last time Clay County pulled off a win over the Panthers was back on Sept. 18, 2009 when the Tigers picked up a 27-7 victory.
This season’s matchup could be a close one with both teams returning lots of talent in both sides of the ball.
Knox Central is led by Steve Partin, who many consider the best player pound-for-pound in the 13th Region. Partin can do it all for the Panthers on both sides of the ball. He will be joined by junior Gavin Chadwell, who is being recruited by the University of Kentucky.
Clay County’s passing attack of junior quarterback Tate Rice, and receivers Zach Saylor, Brady Wolfe, and Tyson Wagers will be on full display Friday.
Middlesboro at Hazard, 7:30 p.m.
These two teams have met three times dating back to 1998 with the Yellow Jackets holding a 2-1 edge. Middlesboro won on Nov. 13, 1998, 50-12, in the Class A playoffs while garnering a 22-20 victory last season. The Bulldogs’ lone win came on Aug. 25, 2001. They handed the Yellow Jackets a 34-21 loss.
This season’s game looks to be fun. Both teams are pretty evenly matched.
Junior quarterback Cayden Grigsby returns from last season’s squad that posted a 13-1 mark while reaching the Class 2A’s state semifinals. Grigsby threw for 1,745 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while running for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior receiver Kamron Wilson (19 receptions, 345 yards, 5 TDs) along with lineman Terrance Brooks
Keep an eye on Hazard senior running back Max Johnson, who ran for 760 yards while finishing with 219 receiving yards. He can do it all. He had a second-best 83 tackles and scored touchdowns running, receiving, on kickoff returns, and on punt returns.
First Priority Bowl
South Laurel at Harlan County, 7:30 p.m.
Harlan County has won both matchups played between the two teams. The Black Bears won in 2019, 39-19, and again last season, 59-26.
Look for Friday’s game to be much of the same.
The Black Bears will need to improve on defense after allowing 43 points per game last season while Jonah Swanner, and a Thomas Jordan will have to pick up the slack on offense.
The Cardinals will attempt to get first-year coach Allen Mitchell his first win as Cardinal coach while attempting to improve on their 2-26 mark the past few years.
Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic
Williamsburg vs. Oneida, Tenn., 5:45 p.m. at Corbin
The Yellow Jackets cruised to an easy 50-21 win over Oneida, Tenn. last season, and enters Friday’s game as heavy favorites.
Senior quarter Sydney Bowen is looking to have a big game after throwing for 2,251 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. The 2020 13th Region Player of the Year also ran for a team best 914 yards, and 11 TDs last season.
Senior receivers Martin Shannon, Jordan Perkins, and Clayton McFarland return along with sophomore Nate Goodin.
Defensively, Williamsburg will be strong again with Connor Lay, and Nolan Pittman returning along with Cade Hatcher, Zac Bowen, John Croley, Cooper Prewitt, and Mason Powers.
Perry Central at Whitley County, 7:30 p.m.
The Colonels have dominated the series between the two teams since 1998, winning 11 of the 16 matchups. Perry Central won last season, 20-13.
Whitley County returns six starters on offense, and 10 starters on defense.
Tye Hamblin, Mason Croley, and Caden Rose are expected to carry the load on offense for the Colonels.
The Commodores are much-improved since former Hazard coach Mark Dixon took over the reigns last season. Six starters return on both sides of the ball for Perry Central as junior transfer quarterback Kizer Stone along with running back Elijah Gayheart and receiver Tye Vinson lead the way.
First Priority Bowl
Berea at Harlan, 7:30 p.m.
After losing three of its first four games to Harlan dating back to 1998, Berea turned things around last season, winning, 29-8.
Senior quarterback Jayson Coburn (663 passing yards, 5 TDs), running back Yamil Cruz (494 rushing yards and, 5 TDs) return for the Pirates along with defensive stars Joe Collins, Ty Thompson, and Isaiah Dorsey.
Senior Jayden Ward will look to build on last season’s success for the Green Dragons after running for 698 rushing yards. Dylan Middleton also return after rushing for 284 yards last season.
Senior R.W Sanford returns for Harlan after leaving the team with 90 tackles in 2021.
Jackson County at McCreary Central, 7:30 p.m.
McCreary Central is 5-2 against Jackson County since 1998. The Raiders’ lone losses came in 2012 (38-14), and 2017 (26-12).
The Generals look to be in rebuild mode after graduating some key players. Sophomore Noah Collett returns after leading Jackson County with 342 rushing yards and four touchdowns from last season. He also caught 12 passes for 95 yards.
Senior quarterback Maddox McKinney returns for the Raiders along with defensive end Kylie Williams.
Phelps at Pineville, 7:30 p.m.
The two teams have only met once time since 1998 with the Mountain Lions coming away with a 26-20 win last season.
Allen Harris will attempt to get his first win as Pineville’s coach with 15 of 22 starters returning from last season’s 8-4 squad. Sophomore quarterback Jason anybody returns along with senior tight end Evan Biliter. Landon King and Sawyer Thompson also return along with Gage Brock.
Phelps has stepped away from Class A, District 7 competition this season as junior quarterback Steven Layne returns along with wide receiver Corey Tummire.
Lynn Camp at Jellico, Tenn.
The Wildcats will look to snap a 17-game losing skid against a Jellico, Tenn. team that posted a 5-6 mark last season.
Senior running back Nick Sanders returns along with Dominic and Darren Campbell on defense.
