By SHANNON HUTCHINSON Sports Writer
CNHI
10-6-10 — The Wayne County Cardinals hosted district rival Casey County, last
Friday night at Jewell Field, in an important match up for both
teams. The Cards entered with a 1-4 mark and were coming off a
disappointing 56-39 home loss to Garrard County, while Casey County
owned a 4-2 record, after 63-0 loss, at Somerset. The contest marked
the 29th meeting between the two schools with Wayne County owning a
22-6 all-time series advantage, including a 42-22 decision in 2009,
at Rebel Field.
Senior running back Devin Sloan rushed 21 times for 133 yards and
scored on a 22 yard run, as Wayne County built a 14-0 halftime lead
and held on for a 21-12 win. The Cards used 60 plays to total 273
yards, with 11 first downs and moved to 2-4 overall, with a 1-1
district tally.
"This was a big bounce back win for our football team against a
very solid, hard-nosed Casey County team. Our defense really stepped
up with a huge effort and our offense made some big plays to convert
on our scoring opportunities. This is the type of team win that we
can build on the rest of the season," said Cards head coach Shawn
Thompson.
The Cardinal defense held Casey County to only 141 yards on 45 plays
and forced the Rebels into 9 punts, plus forced two turnovers.
"Casey County has played some good football teams and other than the
Somerset game, they've controlled the line of scrimmage, so I thought
our effort up-front was big. We also did a better job of tackling and
swarming the football, which hurt us last week," said Thompson.
Sloan wasn't the only senior to have a big night in the backfield,
as Travis Pace totaled 12 touches for 70 yards, which included a 15
yard scoring run.
"Devin Sloan ran the ball hard and hit the holes that were there.
Travis made some big catches out of the backfield and also credit
Konagher Parris for a big catch to end the half," said Thompson.
Junior quarterback Shawn Dishman was limited to just 10 rushing
yards, on 14 attempts, but completed 7 of 16 passes for 110 yards,
with a 31 yard scoring strike, against 0 turnovers. "Taking care of
the football is a big key and priority for our offense, so I thought
we did a nice job in that area, but we had a punt blocked and
fumbled a punt, so that has to improve," said Thompson.
The Rebels, which lost their 8th straight game to the Cards, came
into the game with a prolific running game, but totaled just 93
yards, on 32 attempts. Junior quarterback Will Hatter led the attack
with 31 yards, on 8 attempts, while senior leading rusher Corey Roy
finished with 27 yards on 12 attempts.
"Nobody wants to open district play 0-2, especially at home, so I'm
proud of our kids' effort. Our fans were loud and credit our student
section, they really support this team and we can feel their emotion.
Casey County is a very improved team, so this certainly wasn't an
easy homecoming opponent, but we found a way to win," said Thompson.
Wayne County was the only team to threaten to score in the opening
quarter, but a 6-play drive stalled at the Casey County 9 yard line,
with 5:22 left in the quarter.
The Rebels crossed the 50 yard line on their third possession, but a
Blake Adams fumble recovery setup the Cards first score.
Wayne County used 7 plays to travel 67 yards and score on a Devin
Sloan 22 yard touchdown run. The Filip Hillhammer extra-point pushed
the lead to 7-0 with 7:58 left in the second quarter.
Defense dominated most of the action as the next five offensive
series resulted in punts, but Wayne County would strike again with
under a minute left in the half.
Devin Sloan started the march with a 21 yard run and then Shawn
Dishman added a 6 yard run, before connecting with Senior wide out
Konagher Parris for a 31 yard touchdown pass. The score with only :09
left in the half gave Wayne County a 14-0 halftime advantage.
"That was a great pass and catch, which really gave us a big lift
going into the locker-room. We were past-due in having a play like
that go in our favor," said Thompson.
Casey County grabbed the momentum back with a special teams play, on
a punt block and return, at the 6:17 mark of the third quarter.
Dillan Coffey scooped the ball and raced 10 yards for the touchdown,
to close the score at 14-6.
The teams traded punts that rest of the period, as both teams
combined for just 1 first down, the entire third frame.
Wayne County fumbled away a punt attempt, near mid-field, which
setup the Rebels only other score of the night. Casey County used 5
plays, to go 46 yards and score on Coffey's second touchdown of the
half, this one an 18 yard run. The conversion pass failed, leaving
the Cards with a 14-12 edge with 7:17 left in regulation.
The Cards answered right back with a 7-play, 48 yard drive, that was
aided by a Chris Wright 29 yard kickoff return. Travis Pace had runs
of 3 and 1 yards and receptions of 4 and 32 yards on the series.
Pace, a 5-8 165 lbs. back, followed those plays up with a 15 yard
touchdown run. Filip Hillhammer added the point-after to push the
score to 21-12, with 4:02 left in the game.
Junior linebacker Chris Wright sealed the game with an interception
on Casey's next possession, as Wayne County ran out the clock and
claimed the 21-12 win.
"We made a couple of mistakes and Casey County capitalized on them,
but with the game on the line we battled back and finished the deal.
Now we have to go back to work to prepare for Jackson County," said
Thompson.
Friday night is Senior Night on the schedule, as Wayne County's
eight seniors will be honored before kickoff.
"We want to send these guys out the right way, so I'm hoping another
big crowd will come out and show our seniors how much we appreciate
their efforts," said Thompson.
Kickoff for the Jackson County game is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday
night, at Jewell Field. For a preview of the match up see related
story inside this edition of The Outlook.