10-13-10 —    The Wayne County Cardinals, 3-4 on the season and 2-1 in district play, return to the road this Friday night to face Somerset. The Jumpers, the #1 ranked team in Class 3A, own a perfect 8-0 record and are coming off a 49-16 win over Garrard County. Wayne County enters the 30th match-up between the rivals, playing their best football of the season, posting back to back district wins including a 55-6 home win over Jackson County last week.

    "I think we have played our best football of the season the last two games, but we know Somerset is loaded and they've played consistent, aggressive and at a very high level all season long," said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.

    Somerset owns a 23-6 all-time series advantage in the rivalry that dates back to 1971, including their closest district score of 2009, a 9-0 defensive battle at Jewell Field. The Jumpers have won three in a row in the series, as Wayne County's last win was a 37-14 decision in 2002.

    "Give credit to Coach Lucas and Somerset. They played in the state championship game last year and appear ready to match that this year with an 8-0 start. Defensively they are extremely physical and aggressive, while on offense they have weapons all over the field in both the running and passing game," said Thompson.

    Robbie Lucas, in his second season at the helm after the abrupt resignation of Jay Cobb in the summer of 2009, has totaled an impressive 22-1 mark, while guiding the Jumpers. The squad has beaten district opponents Casey County, Taylor County and Garrard County by an eye-popping combined score of 183-24.

    "Scary, that might be the best word to use. We have to play focused football, take care of the football, have some sustained drives and try and force some turnovers. We can't dig a hole early, or fail to match their intensity, they will bring it from the get-go," said Thompson.

    Somerset averages 48.7 points per outing, led by talented senior quarterback Eric Manning. Manning has completed 60 of 100 passes for 1,238 yards with 14 touchdowns, against just 1 interception. The dual-threat player has 324 rushing yards and 2 scores on the ground, through 7 games.

    Manning has two very capable targets in junior Storm Wilson and senior J.P. Henderlight. Wilson has 19 receptions for 358 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Henderlight has 15 catches for 281 yards with 3 scores.

    The ground-attack also has several big-play talents, led by the 411 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns of junior Alex Lange. Seniors Derrick Jackson and Zack Bastin also have posted big numbers with limited carries. Jackson has 333 yards and 10 touchdowns, on only 39 attempts, while Bastin has 8 touchdowns in just 25 carries.

    "The most complete offense we've faced this season and it all starts with Eric Manning. He can beat you with his arm, or on the scramble, plus they have excellent receivers and a group of running backs that know how to play. It all starts with a very solid offensive line, that has good size and skill. They have all the tools," said Thompson.

    The defensive side of the ball is equally impressive and allows just 9.7 points per game. The squad has held Southwestern to 7 points, Danville to 13 and four other opponents to a score, or less.

    Junior Trey Slaughter leads the unit with a team best 65 tackles and may lead the state with an impressive 7 fumble recoveries. Derrick Jackson also plays a big role on the defensive side of the ball and is second on the squad with 45 total tackles.

    "We know Somerset has a great team, maybe their best ever, but we have to go to work. We have to embrace the challenge, which starts with a focused week of practice. We continue to play for our playoff future and want to improve our seed. We'll work hard and just see how it all plays out," said Thompson.

    Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Somerset High School's Clark Field.