10-20-10 —     The Wayne County Cardinals finished the regular season 5-5 and now open

the Class 3A state playoffs this Friday night at Breathitt County. The

Cards, the number 4 seed, won four out of their last five games of the

regular season and are coming off a 47-6 win at Clinton County. The Bobcats

enter the match-up on a three-game winning streak and own a 6-4 record,

coming off an open week.

    The teams met one year ago in the opening round of the postseason, with

Breathitt County taking a 26-0 home decision.

    ³I guess one good thing from last year to this year is Channing Fugate

is now starting as true freshman at Tennessee, so that¹s one guy we really

struggled to stop last year. Make no mistake about it though, Breathitt

County has a very good football team and it will take our best 48 minutes of

the season to go over there and win,² said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.

    This marks the 10th straight appearance in the state playoffs for Wayne

County and 15th overall in the program¹s history. The Cards are just 3-14 in

the postseason and looking for their first opening round win, since a 20-14

2006 home win over Casey County.

    ³In 2005 and 2006 we had a couple of very good football teams, but we

also had some tough breaks in 2007 and 2008 even with homefield advantage.

We certainly have established that we are a program that plays in the

postseason, but we need to make that next step and the step after that.

We¹ve had some chances to do that lately, but for whatever the reason we¹ve

not moved forward to compete for the ultimate prize. It just takes time,

hard work and dedication,² said Thompson.

    The 2010 Bobcats may not have Fugate, but they do have one of the top

sophomore quarterbacks in the state in Richard Trent. Trent leads the team

in rushing with 1,059 yards and 14 touchdowns on 168 attempts, plus has

completed 67 of 145 passes for 939 yards with 8 touchdowns, against 7

interceptions.

    ³Trent is a big time player. Last year we had trouble stopping him and

watching film, he¹s making plays in both the running and passing game. They

also have some nice weapons in William Collins and Josh Fletcher,² said

Thompson.

    Collins has rushed 96 times for 945 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns,

plus has 16 receptions for 138 yards with another score. Fletcher leads the

team with 17 receptions for 471 yards and 7 touchdowns.

    ³Defensively we have to swarm the football, be aggressive and keep our

focus. We can¹t have any alignment issues, or be out of our spots, or

Breathitt County will big play us. As always our play on the line scrimmage

will be key,² said Thompson.

    The Bobcats average 26.4 points per game, but that number increased to

41.7 points, in three district games.

    Wayne County will face a Breathitt County defense that allows 25.3

points per game. The Cards have posted 44 and 47 points in back to back wins

and that type of effort may be required if the Cards want to advance to the

second round.

    ³Just like on defense our big key on offense will be our play on the

line. Last year we really struggled to match their size and physical style,

so that¹s a concern. We also want to move the football with a good mix of

the run and pass, plus sustain some scoring drives. We have to take care of

the football and minimize any penalties," said Thompson.

    Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.

    "Breathitt County has a nice team, but I do think we can match up with

them pretty well. That¹s a tough environment over there with those covered

bleachers and they have great crowds for their home games. I really think

it's a great atmosphere for football. Hopefully we¹ll embrace the challenge

and go hard for four quarters,² said Thompson.

    Details of the contest in next week¹s edition of The Outlook.