LEXINGTON — The more things change, the more things remain the same.
Case in point — the Corbin Middle School Redhounds capturing a state record ninth overall state championship on Saturday by outlasting Paducah Tilghman with a 14-8 decision.
The eighth grade Redhounds captured their sixth state championship while Corbin Middle School has also won three state championships.
“Overall, it was a total team effort,” Corbin coach Brent Jackson said. “These kids have slowly evolved into a really, really good football team. I love their unselfishness and their understanding of what it means to play as a team.
“I can’t say enough about this coaching staff and how much they give to this program, to our kids, and to this community,” he added. “Finally, my hat’s off to the Corbin Redhound Nation who came tonight and flooded LCA stadium in red. I’m very blessed to be a small part of this Redhound program and what it represents.”
Corbin (11-1) took control of the game early as solid runs by Jackson Marlow, Bret Estep, and Brody Hart set up Estep’s 23-yard touchdown connection to Easton Hendrickson to give the Redhounds an 8-0 lead.
Corbin held the eight-point edge until Paducah Tilghman’s opening drive of the third quarter as Jakeem Southward caught an eight-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at right apiece.
But the Jackson’s squad showed a true grit like only a Redhound can as linemen Landon Big Mac Jones, Brenden Miller, Eli Centers, Micah House, and Brennen Hollin opened big holes, allowing big runs from Landon Broughton, Estep, Marlow, and Hart.
Estep capped off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Luke Trett on a toe-tapping catch in the corner of the end zone, giving them a 14-8 lead.
Corbin made one final stop as they held the Paducah offense 30 yards shy of a possible go ahead scoring drive.
“We played smart football but due to adjustments we made, at the end of the day, physical football is what got us the win,” defensive coordinator Jeff Barnett said.
