Week 5
Friday, Sept. 16
Game of the Week
Harlan (3-0) at Middlesboro (2-2)
A lot is at stake for these two teams that will be meeting for the 17th time since 1998.
The Green Dragons are looking to remain unbeaten while the Yellow Jackets will look to run their win streak to three games in a row.
Can Middlesboro contain Harlan’s Jayden Ward? And, the bigger question, can the Green Dragons contain Yellow Jacket quarterback Cayden Grigsby?
Prediction: Ward will have a good game for Harlan but look for Middlesboro’s weapons and depth be too much in the end. Yellow Jackets win, 28-14.
Corbin (4-0) at Somerset (3-1)
When you look at the Briar Jumpers’ record, you’re thinking the Redhounds are gonna have a hard time remaining undefeated.
In case you didn’t know, Somerset struggled to beat Paintsville last week while Corbin knocked off its second straight formidable opponent in as many weeks.
The Redhounds need to get more out of their offense, if they’re gonna make a deep run this season in the Class 4A playoffs.
Prediction: Redhounds run away in this one, 32-15.
Whitley County (1-2) vs. Bell County (2-1)
The Colonels’ 28-8 win over Harlan County looks even better now after the Black Bears dominated Knox Central last week.
Bell County is coming off a huge win on the road against Lincoln County while the duo of Daniel Thomas and Dawson Woolum continue to be hard to contain.
The Colonels’ defense will keep the game close for a while but Whitley County’s offense must score at least 30 points to beat the Bobcats.
Prediction: Bell County comes out on top on Log Mountain, 28-8.
Pike Central (1-3) at Harlan County (2-2)
The Black Bears are coming off a huge win with hopes of extending their win streak to two games with Pike Central paying a visit.
Harlan County seems to be hitting on all cylinders on both sides of the ball — that’s a good thing if you’re a Black Bear fan.
Prediction: Harlan County rolls in this one, 42-20.
Knox Central (3-1) at Paintsville (1-3)
This game is a tough one. The Panthers are coming off a disappointing loss to Harlan County, and they’ll be without the services of Gavin Chadwell, and Brent Willoughby.
Knox Central should win this game even though it’s on the road. But some times, the further east you go in the mountains, the harder it is to win.
Prediction: Knox Central needs to get healed up. If the Panthers were healthy, they’d win by three touchdowns, but since they’re not, let’s go with Knox Central, 24-22.
Pineville (4-0) at Berea (1-3)
Coach Allen Harris has done a fantastic job with his Mountain Lions during his first year as head coach of the Maroon and Gold.
Pineville is looking to go 5-0 for the first time since 2010 under former coach Bart Elam.
Prediction: Pineville shouldn’t have a hard time remaining unbeaten. Look for the Mountain Lions to pull out a 42-13 win.
Barren County (3-1) at North Laurel (2-1)
The Jaguars’ schedule hasn’t been an easy one to say the least. Things are just as hard this week with Barren County paying a visit to The Jungle.
The Trojans are winners of three straight, and have outscored their opponents, 116-13, during the stretch.
North Laurel will need to play mistake-free football, and once again turn in another solid defensive effort.
Prediction: we look for this to be another close game for about three quarters before the Jaguars pull out a 28-19 win.
South Laurel (0-4) at Rockcastle County (2-2)
The Rockets are losers of two straight while the Cardinals are still searching for win No. 1 under coach Allen Mitchell.
Former North Laurel coach Chris Larkey had a lot of success against the Cardinals, and we don’t look for it to change this week.
Prediction: The Rockets win, 49-7.
Lynn Camp (1-3) at Jackson County (0-4)
The Wildcats look to end a three-game losing skid while the Generals are looking for their first win since a 44-8 victory over Jenkins on Sept. 18, 2021. Jackson County has lost nine straight games.
Prediction: Even though Lynn Camp has been struggling, look for the Wildcats to get back on track with a 14-12 win.
