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another game preview

From Harlan County Sports.com


By JOHN HENSON
Harlan County Sports.com
Eager to show they belong in the conversation as a contender in District 8 of 5A, the Whitley County Colonels have the look of a team with something to prove as they prepare for their showdown Friday at Harlan County.
The Harlan County Black Bears have a different perspective after two straight district titles. They know they are the team with a target on their backs and expect to see Whitley's best effort this week.
Both teams bring 5-2 records into the game and both won their district openers last week as Whitley downed Perry Central 47-28 after a slow start and Harlan County rolled past Letcher Central 49-0. Barring a major upset next week, the winner of Friday's game will win the district title and have the home field advantage in the playoffs until the state finals.
"They realize a win will mean a good possibility of a district championship. I really feel this is the game that could determine the district championship," Harlan County coach Tom Larkey said.
"We told them last week that every district game is for the district championship, but they realize the importance of this game," Whitley County coach Jim Black said.
Harlan County rolled past Whitley the past two years on the way to district titles, including a 51-25 win last year in WIlliamsburg. The Bears rolled up 321 yards on the ground, led by Marcus McMillian's five-touchdown performance.
The Colonels were also impressive offensively in last year's game with 324 yards rushing. Instead of counting on fullback Boston Bryant for the majority of their offense, the Colonels turned to the nifty fakes and surprising quickness of quarterback Austin Ysidro, who finished with 129 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns. Running back Josh Nichols added 120 yards on 10 carries.
"We worked on (the option) all week long. We got sucked down inside and didn't pay attention to what was going on," Larkey said after last year's win. "They should have never ran it on us, but they did."
Harlan County moved the ball on the ground with ease last year, but Whitley's defense appears to be quite a bit improved this season
"They have some new defensive linemen and we have some new offensive linemen, so the same people won't be out there, especially on our side of the football," Larkey said. "We have to go out there and our kids have to put their nose to the grindstone and get the job done."
Whitley could be among the most improved teams in the state in 5A, having already exceeding their win total from a year ago.
"We're a year bigger, stronger and smarter, so we're bound to see some improvement, and they've worked really hard," Black said.
Senior tailback Jake Middleton has taken over for McMillian as the Bears' primary ball carrier and has rushed for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns through seven games. Juniors Treyvon Long and Cole WIlson, both capable of big plays as a runner or receiver, each reached the end zone in last week's win.
Senior quarterback Austin Maggard sat out the second half last week after suffering a shoulder injury and is out for the year with torn cartilage. Junior receiver Scotty Bailey will take over at quarterback. Wilson also took some snaps at the position and gives the Bears something of a "WIldcat" look when he's at quarterback.
"We have to execute offensively and try to take advantage of what they're giving to us," Black said. "Defensively, we have to be ready for a very brutal game. They will try to run the football, and we have to be ready to try and meet that challenge. We have to try and match their physicality and get some stops. They killed us last year on the line. Every time we did get an opportunity to get an out, instead of getting an out we gave up a touchdown. I haven't seen anybody stand in there toe to toe with them, but we have to try and do that to slow them down a little."
Freshman Zack Mills has taken over as the Colonels' top rusher this year with 548 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Austin Hooper has 496 yards and Bryant has 413 with six touchdowns. Ysidro has rushed for 349 yards and has completed 20 of 43 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns. Tyler Sears has seven receptions and Mills has five, including four for touchdowns, to lead the Colonels.
"They play hard. They have a good offense and like to do a lot of things. You have to stay honest with them," Larkey said. "Boston Bryant is a big fullback and you have to watch the quarterback on the option and their speed on the outside. Our defense has their hands full. We have to win the war on the trenches."
Even though Harlan County won convincingly last year and is at home, the Colonels appear to be a popular pick to unseat the Bears as district champs.
"I think a lot of the talk is due to the fact we've had some not so good games," Larkey said. "I think our schedule has been rather tough with Morristown West and Knox Central, plus a pretty talented George Rogers Clark team. I feel a lot of people think we're down this year. But that's good. Let them pick Whitley County. I enjoy being the underdog every now and then."
Black says the Colonels' success has led to a confidence boost.
"We're making plays that we couldn't make last year," he said. "That's a big factor. You make one, then you end making up two or three."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.