CORBIN — Tom Greer’s Corbin Redhounds took care of business on Friday, winning 49-14 over Taylor County, during second round action of the Class 4A playoffs.
Quarterback Kade Elam turned in another stellar effort from behind center, throwing for two touchdowns (both to Carter Stewart) while also running for two scores. Guy Bailey also got into the scoring action with two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter.
”Taylor County has a nice team,” Corbin coach Greer said. “They had a lot of momentum coming in. They have big tackle that’s going to UK. They’re big upfront and that worries us. I thought our line on both sides of the ball played great. It was a good win and our kids were zoned in and focused and they did a great job.”
The win sets up a regional final meeting between the Redhounds (12-0), and defending state champion Boyle County (12-0), who is coached by former Corbin coach Justin Haddix.
The two teams met in the KHSAA Class 4A State Championship last season with the Rebels pulling out a 32-26 win.
“It’s going to be exciting for everyone,” Greer said. “We are going to celebrate this win and then get back to work. We’ve got to make sure to get our game plan in.”
Most rankings have both Boyle County and Corbin as the two top ranked teams in the state, but due to the RPI with the Rebels having the No. 2 rating in the East, and the Redhounds a No. 3 rating in the East, the two teams will face-off Friday at Boyle County.
“Last year with the way the RPI went, we were able to play all of our playoff games at home leading to the state championship game,” Greer said. “With the RPI, I’m good with head-to-head matches, but we have no control over our opponents’ opponent. We got the forfeit win against North Hardin had to forfeit seven games because of an ineligible player and that ended up hurting us, but it is what it is. We got to go play Friday, and one good thing about us, we play pretty good on the road.”
The Redhounds got on the scoreboard first after driving down the field as Guy Bailey continued his impressive play of late by finding pay dirt with 6:37 remaining to give his team a 7-0 lead.
Bailey found the end zone again a few minutes later and scored on a three-yard touchdown run to push the Redhounds’ lead to 14-0 with 2:02 left in the first quarter.
Corbin turned things up a notch defensively, and kept Taylor County out of the end zone after the Cardinals had a first and goal situation inside the Redhounds’ 10-yard line.
Greer’s squad turned the Cardinals over after making a key play on fourth and goal, and drove downfield to take a 21-0 edge into the locker room at halftime as Elam connected with Carter Stewart with a 35-yard touchdown pass at the 1:20 mark of the second quarter.
Taylor County came out in the second half and became the first team to score against Corbin’s defense since Oct. 6, as Peyton Smith found the end zone with a one-yard run to cut the Cardinals’ deficit to 21-7 with 8:26 remaining in the third quarter.
Just when it looked as if Taylor County had the momentum, Corbin answered as it always does and struck seven minutes later.
Elam found the end zone with a one-yard run, giving the Redhounds a 28-7 edge with 1:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Elam added another rushing touchdown with 9:48 left in regulation to make the score, 35-7. He followed with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Carter Stewart while Jerod Smith put the finishing touches on the win with a scoop and score fumble recovery on defense.
