By SHANNON HUTCHINSON Sports Writer
CNHI
10-20-10 — The Wayne County Cardinals met Taylor County, last Thursday night in Campbellsville, in an important district contest for both teams.
Wayne County entered with a 2-2 district mark and 3-5 record overall,
while Taylor County owned a 1-8 record with a 1-3 district tally. The match up marked the 14th meeting between the two schools, with the
local Cardinals owning a 10-3 series advantages including a 14-7 home decision in 2009.
Wayne County used 62 plays total 439 yards of offense with 20 first
downs, paced by the career night of running back Devin Sloan, en
route to a 44-13 win. Sloan rushed 16 times for 232 yards and a
touchdown, as the Cards secured a state playoff berth.
"Even though I didn't like our intensity or focus, I'm certainly
pleased with the result. This district road win puts us in the
playoffs, which is one of the main reasons we work so hard in the off-
season. Anything can happen in the postseason, but we have to be
there to make that a reality and we're assured a playoff spot. Devin
Sloan had a big night running the ball and our offense put together
some solid drives," said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.
Sloan, a 6-0 180 lbs. senior, posted runs of 38, 43, 20, 30 and 46
yards, during the game as Wayne County totaled 51 rushing attempts
for 389 yards.
"Our past history with Taylor County has always been down to the
wire games, so it was good to open it up a little and play a lot of
our younger guys late. They were playing for their best effort has
always been down to the wire games, so it was good to open it up a
little and play a lot of our younger guys late. They were playing for
their playoff shot too, so we knew Taylor County would give their
best effort," said Thompson.
The Redbirds, which had the first season of head coach Curtis Cotton
end at 1-9, used 56 plays to total 215 yards of offense, with 14
first downs. Senior quarterback Matthew Johns completed 14 of 27
passes for 167 yards, with an early 68 yard touchdown strike to Blake
Dudgeon, to pace the hosts.
"Taylor County ran a wheel route in the first quarter and we just
busted the coverage, which gave them momentum early. I thought we
settled down and played better, but give them credit they have some
nice skill kids," said Thompson.
After the Cardinal defense forced a three and out series to open the
game, the offense responded with points on the board. Wayne County
used great field-position to roll 44 yards in 4 plays and score on a
Devin Sloan 5 yard touchdown run. Sloan set up the score with a 38
yard run and Filip Hillhammer booted the extra-point to push the lead
to 7-0, with 9:38 left in the first quarter.
Taylor County answered back 3 plays later, as Johns connected with
Dudgeon from 68 yards out. The kick failed, which gave Wayne County a
7-6 edge at the 8:14 mark of the opening period.
The Cards added to their lead on their next possession, as the squad
stayed on the ground for 7 plays and marched 64 yards, scoring on a
Shawn Dishman 2 yard run. Sloan once again provided the key play of
the drive, a 43 yard run, as the kick failed leaving the score 13-6
with still 4:56 left in the first stanza.
"I thought that was big for our momentum, to come right back and
score. It was their Senior Night, so I'm sure they were emotional,
but after we scored, we grabbed some control of the game," said
Thompson.
The Redbirds tried to answer back, but had their next series stall
on the Wayne County 48 yardline, which setup Wayne County's next
scoring drive. The Cards used 6 plays to setup a Shawn Dishman 17
yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kyle Gehring. The duo
connected earlier on the series for 11 yards, as a Dishman conversion
pass to Travis Pace pushed the lead to 21-6, with 11:14 in the half.
Wayne County had two more chances to score in the half, but a Shawn
Dishman pass was interrupted in the end zone and a crucial third end
and goal play was flagged for a holding penalty, later in the
quarter. The visitors opted for a field goal attempt on fourth down
and goal from the 12 yard line and Filip Hillhammer booted the 30
yard field goal to push the lead to 24-7.
The field goal, at the 1:37 mark of the second quarter, left Taylor
County with not enough time to score, as Wayne County owned a 24-7
halftime advantage.
"We certainly left some points on the field and that's always a
concern, but it's nice to have confidence in our field goal unit.
Filip is kicking the ball pretty well, so we won't hesitate to at
least attempt to put some points on the board," said Thompson.
The Cards fumbled away the kickoff to start the second half, but
Taylor County failed to muster a first down and was forced to punt.
Wayne County scored the only points of the third quarter on an 8-
play, 77 yard drive, capped-off by a Shawn Dishman 2 yard run.
Dishman finished the game with 17 carries for just 14 yards and
completed 5 of 10 passes for 50 yards, but led all players with 3
total touchdowns. The extra-point pushed the score to 31-6, with 3:33
left in the third period.
Taylor County put together their longest drive of the night on their
next series, but a 15 play march for 61 yards ended with a fumble, at
the Wayne County 20 yard line.
Devin Sloan sparked the Cards on their next series, as a Sloan 46
yard run, set up back to back Tyler Guffey 10 yard runs. Guffey
scored on a 10 yard keeper, which pushed the margin to 38-6, with
9:38 left in the game.
The Redbirds second fumble of the night and quarter, gave Wayne
County a short-field just 27 yards from the goal line. Four plays
later, Daniel Marcum raced in from 10 yards our to push the lead to
44-6, with 7:30 left in the game.
"We put a lot of our junior varsity guys in and I thought they
played hard. Anytime we can get experience in a varsity game that's a
big plus," said Thompson.
Taylor County added a score on their final offensive series, as a 6
play, 60 yard drive was capped off by an Alex Gupton 12 yard run. The
Raphael Cunha extra-point left the final score 44-13.
"We know we're in the playoffs and after Casey County beat Garrard
County Friday night, we know we are the four seed and headed to
Breathitt County. We traveled over there last year, so we're familiar
at least a little with the type of team they have," said Thompson.
Up next for Wayne County is the regular season finale on Friday
night, at Clinton County.
"Its a border battle, so that makes it a rivalry game. We just have
to go back to work and get healthy," said Thompson.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday, at Bulldog Field.
Wayne County Middle ends season 7-5 with 20-14 overtime win
The Wayne County Middle School Cardinals wrapped-up their 2010
season, last Tuesday night at McCreary County. The Cards entered with
a 6-5 mark, coming off a 34-6 win at Clinton County, while the
Raiders were coming off a 34-6 win at Clinton County, while the
Raiders were coming off back to back wins over Jelico (TN) 60-0 and
Cofield (TN) 28-24. The teams met a month earlier with Wayne County
claiming a 20-12 win.
Jared Philpot, making he first start in the offensive backfield,
responded with 2 rushing touchdowns and a 2-pt conversion, as Wayne
County rallied to take a 20-14 overtime win. Philpot scored on runs
of 4 and 2 yards, while fullback Kadameon Branham added over 100
rushing yards and a touchdown.
Austin Garner, making his first start at quarterback, ran the
offense well all night long, as the Cards never punted.
"It was a cold and rainy night, plus it was McCreary's Homecoming
and they were coming off two big wins, so it was a very good win for
our kids. It certainly didn't come easy as we trailed most of the
night, but our guys never quit and just refused to lose. I'm proud of
every one of our guys and to do it without a couple of our starters
out with injury, it was a good test for our guys," said Cards head
coach Shannon Hutchinson.
Wayne County ends the season with a 7-5 record and knowing its
played some of the best middle schools in the state. "We lost to
Pulaski Southern, Knox County, Lexington Catholic and Pulaski
Northern twice, so of the four teams that beat us all won their
opening games in the state playoffs. Southern, Lexington Catholic and
Knox County are all in the state semifinals, when you look at that to
finish 7-5 makes for a pretty decent, year" said Hutchinson.
The squad was honored last Friday night at Jewell Field, in between
the 4th and 6th grade games of Wayne County and Burnside. All players
on the roster were recognized and received a trophy, plus the
following awards were presented.
All-Big Sought Fork Conference 8th grade—nose guard, Jared Philpot;
defensive tackle, Rodney Rednour; quarterback, Logan Gardner;
fullback, Kadameon Branham.
All Big South Fork Conference 7th grade—defensive end, Kody Vaughn;
fullback, Nathan Garner; center, Nicholas Hicks; defensive back, Ty
Humble.
Defensive MVP—Jared Philpot
Offensive MVP—Logan Garner
Defensive Lineman of Year—Rodney Rednour
Offensive Lineman of Year—Jared Philpot
Receiver of Year—Drew Perkins
Linebacker of Year—Justin Pennycuff
Running Back of Year—Kadameon Branham
Defensive Back of Year—Drew Perkins
Special Teams Award—Calvin Godsey
Special Teams Award—Logan Gardner