Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals, 0-3 on the season and coming off a 30-14 loss at

McCreary Central, travel to their oldest rival this Friday night to face

Russell County. The Lakers enter the 33rd meeting between the two schools

with a 1-2 mark and are coming off a 50-26 loss at Pulaski County.

The Cards are 14-18 all-time against their rivals from across the lake

but have won three in a row and six of the past seven in the series,

including a 35-27 win at Jewell Field in 2008.

"I'm sure it will be a battle, it always is. The last three games have

been down to the last play and decided by a touchdown or less so I'm

expecting another dogfight. I know they won their opener but have struggled

against a couple of very good teams the past couple of games so both teams

should be hungry," said Wayne County head coach Shawn Thompson.

Russell County, under the fifth year direction of head coach Bill Sharp,

opened the season with a 39-20 win over Campbellsville but has struggled in

blowout losses to Somerset 40-20 and Pulaski County 50-26. The Maroons owned

a 40-0 halftime advantage last week before the Lakers battled back to score

26 points in the second half to make the score respectable.

"Pulaski County played a tremendous first half so I know Russell County

has a quality football team. Offensively they mix things up well with the

run and the pass. They have a quarterback that can make all the throws, plus

a very nice group of running backs that we'll have to key on and tackle,"

said Thompson.

The junior trio of quarterback Martin Cross, fullback Nathan Irvin and

halfback Jeron Hammond all have had some big nights in the early season.

Irvin and Hammond both rushed for over 100 yards in their season opener

while Cross has passed for 111 yards in each of the last two games.

The Lakers have a 62 man roster but 40 of those listed are freshmen and

sophomores. A talented group of 13 juniors and nine seniors are counted on

to provide Sharp's squad leadership.

"Offensively they base out of the Wing-T and they have a very good group

of skilled kids. Cross also makes some big plays in their passing game, so

defensively we can't just key on one thing. They also have a very good back

in the Britt kid that is very athletic and just a freshman," said Thompson.

Britt scored on a 70 yard run last week against Pulaski and led the

squad with 104 yards on 10 attempts.

"All three of their backs have had 100 yard games so our ability to wrap

up and tackle will be a key. We have to become a much more aggressive team,

if we want to win games and be competitive. Our intensity and focus have

been very disappointing. Plus facing their style of offense focus and

assignment responsibility are so key," said Thompson.

Wayne County allowed 336 yards of offense against McCreary and was once

again hurt by the big play on third down.

"It goes back to consistent effort. We do our jobs for two plays but

miss an assignment or miss a tackle and that's all it takes to spring a big

play. We show signs of doing good things so that's what's so frustrating

that we can't seem to put it all together and jell as a team," said

Thompson.

The Cards' offensive unit posted a season-best 316 yards of offense and

18 first downs last week but couldn't reach the end zone until early in the

fourth quarter. Senior back D.J. Hall paced the effort with 178 rushing

yards on 23 attempts plus added 3 receptions for 31 yards while scoring both

Cardinal touchdowns on runs of 26 and 8 yards.

"We certainly had our chances with three trips to the red zone in the

first half. That just takes the air out of a team plus it gives the opponent

all the momentum and confidence in the world. we just have to finish each

play, give maximum effort and play with a more aggressive attitude," said

Thompson.

The Cards have won their last four games at Laker Field and certainly

could use a win to get some confidence as district play starts next week.

"Absolutely we need a win going to Garrard County next week. Russell

County will be another huge test on the road and we know that but our season

is far from over. We just have to go back to work and get ready for another

hungry football team. The more aggressive and hungrier team on Friday will

be the team that wins," said Thompson.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday night at Laker Field and this is the

second

of five straight road games on the 2009 schedule.

"Jackson County not having their field ready last year kind of changed

our schedule this year but I like playing on the road. The bus trip does

allow for the kids to rest, focus and as a team it allows for the group to

bond together. It will take great effort in all areas Friday night and

hopefully we'll have another good crowd over there to support us," said

Thompson.

Details on the match-up in next week's edition of The Outlook.