Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Wayne County Cardinals face district foe Taylor County on Thursday
night, at Jewell Field in a match up with serious playoff implications.
Wayne County enters with a 2-6 record overall and a 2-2 district mark,
coming off a 9-0 home loss to #2 Somerset. Taylor County, last year's number
one seed in the district, owns a 4-5 record and is coming off their biggest
win of the season last week, a 26-12 home decision over Garrard County. The
local Cards can be assured of a postseason berth with a win and keep open a
shot at avoiding the four seed, while Taylor County can clinch the two seed
and a home playoff game with a win.
"We need to win and just continue to improve as a football team, while
I'm sure they would love to win to be at home to open the playoffs. A lot of
things still have to be played out, but our focus must be on defeating
Taylor County. They are certainly playing their best football of the season
at the right time, so we'll have to be at our best for four quarters, "
said Cards head Coach Shawn Thompson.
The contest marks the 13th meeting between the two schools, as Wayne
County has won the past five games in the rivalry, to hold a 9-3 series
advantage, including a thrilling 41-36 win in 2008. The Cards last six wins
in the series have been by just a total of 21 points, as the scores are;
7-6, 28-22, 20-19, 20-19, 28-21 and last years 41-36 down to the final play
classic.
"Some of those games were when they were in our district 10 years ago,
but I know the last two years it's been an absolute battle. From an
entertainment view I'm sure last year's game was as wild and crazy, as you
could possibly hope for and I expect another down to the wire battle this
week. Taylor County won a playoff game last year and after a slow start,
they are playing very well," said Thompson.
Taylor County opened the season 1-4, with their only win a 28-27 victory
at Washington County, but have won three of four district games in wild
fashion. The squad rebounded from a 0-0 halftime tie at Jackson County to
roll to a 37-8 win, was pounded by Somerset 62-15, needed overtime to
outlast Casey County 22-21, then followed that up with a 26-12 win over
Garrard County.
"Taylor County lost a lot to graduation last year, but they have an
experienced and talented quarterback in Lance Turpin, plus a very good set
of skill kids. I think after some early growing pains they have really found
their rhythm, watching their film against Garrard County, they lined up and
played power football. Their backs really looked impressive in the running
game," said Thompson.
The Redbirds offense starts with four-year starter at quarterback and
head coach Rod Turpin's son Lance Turpin. The senior has passed for over
1,100 yards with 12 total touchdowns, with 6 of those running, against 10
interceptions. Turpin has rushed over 50 times this season and paces an
offense that averages, just like Wayne County 19 points per game.
A trio of offensive backs will get carries out of the backfield led by
the senior duo of Dillon Thompson and Cody Newton.
Thompson has over 200 rushing yards, while Newton also is near the 200
yard mark with 2 touchdowns. Junior Bronson Ingram also figures heavy into
the mix with a team high 217 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns, through 7
games.
"They have a very good group of backs that run the ball hard and also
block very well for each other. Early on they passed the ball more, but
against Garrard they really picked up the running game and looked very good
doing it. We need to build on our effort against Somerset, we can't take a
step back," said Thompson.
Turpin has a couple of very capable targets in the passing game, in
sophomore Blake Dudgeon and junior Ben Hollingsworth. Dudgeon has a team
best 36 receptions for 507 yards with 3 touchdowns, while Hollingsworth has
11 catches for 161 yards and a score.
"Our pass defense continues to improve each week and a big key in that
is our ability to pressure the quarterback. Last week we had four sacks and
that's something we hope to be able to do this week, put pressure on the
quarterback," said Thompson.
Wayne County shut down Somerset pretty well last week and held the
vaunted Jumper offense to just one touchdown, plus allowed only 141 total
yards, on 53 plays. The Cards defensive unit allows 25.8 points per game,
but that number shrinks to just 16 points in district play.
The Cards offense will look to get back on-track after being shut out
for the second time this season.
The squad used 55 plays to tally 127 yards, with 7 first downs, paced by
the 18 touches and 77 total yards of D.J. Hall.
"We have to do a better job of blocking, following our assignments and
getting off the football. Taylor County plays a very aggressive style of
defense, so we must match their intensity up-front," said Thompson.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 Thursday night at Jewell Field.
"This is our game of the season up to this point. We can lock up a
playoff berth with a win and have a chance to try and get some momentum. I
think we're improving, but it will take a very good effort to defeat Taylor
County, so hopefully we'll have some decent weather and a big crowd come out
to support these kids, I know it means so much to them," said Thompson.
Details on the match up in next week's edition of The Outlook.