Football

Coach J.B. Donahue is no stranger to the 13th Region. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1982 before making his way to Williamsburg to attend Cumberland College. Donahue would eventually return home to Harlan where he would lead the Green Dragons for 24 seasons. During that time, he compiled 138 wins including three district titles. In addition to his high school coaching experience, he also worked as an assistant coach at the University of the Cumberlands and Union Commonwealth University. Matt Rhymer is one of his former players. As for this season, Donahue says, “Our game plan for the remainder of this season is to prepare each week to perform our best. We...

Whitley County Head Football Coach Matt Rhymer has "stepped down".  The announcement was posted on Whitley County High School's Facebook page Monday morning.  "Having a winning football program at Whitley County High School is a priority," said Athletic Director Bryan Stewart. "I understand the importance it has to our current players, our former players, our school, and our entire community." Whitley County is currently 0-6 on the season after a 42-6 loss to North Laurel on Friday.  According to the school's announcement, J.B. Donahue, a former head coach at Harlan Independent and assistant coach at the University of the Cumberlands and Union Commonwealth University, will serve as interim head coach throughout the remainder...

“I really feel like we had our best week of practice last week, and it really showed on the field,” said Lynn Camp Football Head Coach Allen Mitchell. “Even though the score is probably not indicative of how the game went, I really feel like we experienced a lot of growth for the first time.” The Wildcats lost 26-0 on the road to Jackson County on Sept. 18. Mitchell said that growth was evident in his team’s attention to detail. “The biggest thing with our guys is not the lack of ability, but it’s been attention to details - the little things that make you so much better,” Mitchell explained. “Sometimes with...

Whitley County football is still on the hunt for its first win of the season after the Colonels lost 55-8 to the South Laurel Cardinals on Sept. 11. Whitley County is now 0-4 on the season. Head Coach Matt Rhymer said South Laurel is good team, and ideal field position in the game set them up for success against his own defense. “You know their first three touchdowns, their drive started on the plus side of the field, so that made it really challenging for our defense,” said Rhymer. “Situational football was not ideal for us this past week.” On offense, senior Landen Rose scored the Colonels only points for the night –...

Lynn Camp football is now 1-3 on the season after a 48-6 loss to Thomas Walker on Friday. “Honestly, a little disappointed in our level of play,” said Head Coach Allen Mitchell. “I really felt like that we would go over there and play our best game of the year, and you know, I've got to do a better job of preparing our guys.” “We played poorly,” Mitchell explained. “I've got to find the right buttons to push to get us going on Friday night.” The Wildcats rushed for 47 yards on 22 carries Friday night. Freshman quarterback Josh   Jody recorded the Wildcats only touchdown of the night. “We're having some individual growth,...

Photos by Melissa Hudson The Williamsburg Yellow Jackets were unable to “get in sync” against the Sayre Spartans falling 57-18. “We just turned the ball over to much,” said Williamsburg Head Coach Jerry Herron. “ put ourselves in a bad spot and just never really got in sync.” With several players on the roster injured, the team’s bye-week comes at the right time for the Yellow Jackets. “Biggest thing we’re trying to do right now is just to get healthy,” said Herron. While the varsity team won’t take the field, Herron said the team has a junior varsity game lined up to get the younger players reps ahead of the second half of the...

Photos by Hunter Juarez Both the Corbin Redhounds and the Pulaski County Maroons walked into Friday night’s match-up undefeated on the season, but only the Maroons would walk out with a still perfect record. Pulaski County defeated Corbin 21-14. “We knew they were one of the top teams in the state and top teams in 5A, and we felt like we were a good team too,” said Corbin Football Head Coach Luke Salmons. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. You know they’re a good football team and that returns a lot of - almost all - seniors.” The Maroons were able to hold the Redhounds to just 21 yards...

It will be a battle of the unbeatens Friday night, as 2-0 Sayre High School travels from Lexington to Williamsburg High School where they will do battle with the 3-0 Jackets. This past Friday, Williamsburg picked up a win vs. Frankfort High School via a forfeit. Williamsburg Head Coach Jerry Herron said the situation was unfortunate. “They said they had some significant injuries the game before that week. They weren’t able to participate so we had no game two years in a row with them. It is unfortunate, but it is what it is. At least we came out of the game healthy,” he said. Herron noted his team is young at a...

The Whitley County High School Football Team is off to a tough start this season picking up its third loss of the season to Rockcastle County High School last Friday 45-8. “They were good. We had a hard time getting going. Those guys played hard and competed. We just were not in great position to give ourselves a chance to win the game. Offensively, we had a hard time making first downs. They were pretty aggressive up front that caused us a lot of confusion. They got a lot of pressure on the quarterback fast,” said Colonels Head Coach Matt Rhymer. “It was hard to make throws down the field. In...

Corbin High School’s victory over the larger Bryan Station High School this past Friday by a score of 26-18, sets up a battle of unbeaten teams this Friday as the Redhounds will take on the unbeaten Pulaski County High School Maroons. “It was a good game. It was a good 6A school, a large school. It is what you want schedule wise. There were some really bright spots and some things we have to improve on. I was proud of our kids’ effort and the ability to run the football. There are some things we have to improve on,” Corbin Head Coach Luke Salmons said about the Bryan Station game. “I...