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Please post 3A district 4

1. Wayne County (10-2): The Cardinals return nine starters on both sides of the ball, including senior quarterback Tyler Guffley.

2. Bell County (10-3): Wayne Mills' squad is hoping to improve on last season's region title game appearance , but it won't be easy with only four starters returning on both offense and defense.

3. Corbin (5-9): The Redhounds will look to rebound from their first losing season since 1995 with players such as Tanner Powers and Jake Coppock returning to the mix.

4. Casey County (3-8): Coach Sam Marple is excited for the upcoming season with more than 35 players coming out for the first time in years. The Rebels will return nine starters on both sides of the ball.

5. McCreary Central (1-9): The Raiders are looking to snap a three-year playoff drought.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - WAYNE COUNTY

For the first time since the district realingment changed a couple of years back, neither Bell County nor Corbin are the favorites to win Class 3A's District 4 title. This season it's in the cards - Wayne County Cardinals, that is. The Cardinals recorded a school-record 10 wins last season and look to have even more in 2013.

Shawn Thompson's squad is returning nine players on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Tyler Guffey, who threw for 1,535 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and had 426 yards and six scores on the ground. Guffey's main target, senior Jason Perkins (24 receptions, 565 receiving yards and seven touchdowns), returns along with wide out and cornerback Alan Brown, senior defensive end Lance Humble and running back Junior Ruiz (378 rushing yards and six touchdowns).

"We have a lot of experience coming back on both sides of the ball," Thompson said. "Coming off a 10-win season, which is the best in school history, we have a lot of excitement here in Wayne County. This group of young men have worked extremely hard this off-season to prepare themselves for hopefully an exciting and competitive 2013 season.

"Our district schedule will offer a lot of challenges each and every Friday night. Just like every other team, we need a little luck and hopefully avoid any major injuries throughout the season."



TOP CHALLENGER - BELL COUNTY

The Bobcats have won the district championship the past couple of years and will be hard-pressed to accomplish the feat for a third straight year. Bell County returns only four starters on both offense and defense along with only six eniors on the roster. "We have six seniors dominated by juniors and sophomores," Bell County coach Wayne Mills said. "We have a lot of skilled players and if the line comes along, this team has a lot of upside."



PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tyler Guffey, Wayne County, Sr., QB, 6-0, 225. Guffey turned in some impressive numbers last season by throwing for 1, 535 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 87-of-175 pass attempts. He also ran for 421 years and six touchdowns on the ground.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alan Brown, Wayne County, Sr., CB/WR, 6-1, 175;
Rance Carman, Casey County, Sr., ILb, 5-10, 160;
Jake Coppock, Corbin, Jr., RB, 5-9, 180;
Dylan Cox, Bell County, Jr., TE/LB, 6-4, 225;
Lance Humble, Wayne County, Sr., DE, 6-3, 235;
Tanner Powers, Corbin, Jr., LB, 5-8, 205;
Jason Perkins, Wayne County, Sr., WR, 5-9, 170;
Justin Warwick, Bell County, Sr., WR/DB, 5-6, 150;
Taylor Waddle, Corbin, Sr., QB/FS, 6-1, 180;
Matt Whitehead, McCreary Central, Jr., LB/S.


District Preview is by Les Dixon of The Corbin Times-Tribune