By SHANNON HUTCHINSON Sports Writer
CNHI
11-17-10 — The Wayne County Cardinals will have a new-look schedule and compete
in a new class 3A district in 2011. The Cards will no longer have
district match ups with Taylor County, Jackson County, Garrard
County, or Somerset next season, as reclassification will affect the
Cards, like never before.
Wayne County and longtime rival Casey County will team with Bell
County, Corbin and McCreary Central to form a new district.
"Looking at next year, things will be a lot different. We have
played Corbin and McCreary Central in the past, so that's not a big
change, but adding Bell County with all their tradition will shake
things up. Corbin has been in our district for many years and I'm
sure with McCreary Central being a district match up that will change
the dynamics of the game as well," said Cards head coach Shawn Thompson.
The district games are not the only changes on the 2011 slate, as
Lincoln County, Madison Southern, Estill County, North Laurel and
East Jessamine team with 2010 returnee Clinton County to round-out
the non-district portion of the schedule.
"Clinton County is moving to the opener of the schedule, while we
have never played Lincoln County, or East Jessamine so that will be
different. It's hard to believe as close as Lincoln County is that
the teams have not played in over 40 years," said Thompson.
North Laurel has been on and off the schedule four times in the past
12 years, while Madison Southern and Estill County are both former
district foes.
"We have never defeated Madison Southern in eight games, or had
great success against Estill County. I like the look of our schedule
for next year, but make no mistake about it we'll have our hands
full," said Thompson.
The schedule and district shake up also means teams like Monroe
County, Garrard County, Taylor County, Rockcastle County and Russell
County are no longer in the plans for at least the next two years.
"Making a schedule is a very tough thing to do, especially at a
school like Wayne County. We don't have dozens of schools in our 60
mile area that are similar in size and also that want to play. Also
once you find a team, a date that will work for both teams has to be
lined out. It takes some time to make it work, its not an easy
process," said Thompson.
Wayne County does have enough key returnees on the roster that 2011
should be another exciting season.