Before I start, you need to go read the game recap story in this week’s edition. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Did you read it? Okay, well, that fumble that was mentioned in there? It was totally a fumble. No question about it. I was standing right there, along with hundreds of other people, and I clearly saw what happened.
I have seen some gut-wrenching moments while covering local athletics for the past dozen years, but this? I believe this takes the cake, folks. It was bad, and I mean BAD.
Honestly, I don’t know what to say about the situation that hasn’t already been said. Go back and watch the video clips that have been plastered all over social media since Friday night and you can clearly see for yourself that this call was the very definition of atrocious.
I am not one to be critical of officials. As a matter of fact, I like to go out of my way to take up for them whenever I can, because I know there is a shortage and I know that it’s a mostly thankless job. These guys and gals are, for the most part, out there doing their best, but sometimes you just can’t avoid what is right there in your face.
The call was blown. It was terrible. It probably cost Corbin the game, and in all likelihood, a state championship title.
Those are the facts, whether you like them or not.
I have seen some online commenters saying things like, “It doesn’t take away the fact that there were two blocked field goals,” or “It doesn’t change the interception that was thrown before halftime.”
These are true statements, and it is also true that, had Corbin taken over possession, there is no guarantee that they would have scored that last touchdown. But let’s be real here. Anyone who watched or listened to that game knew that both offenses were lighting up the scoreboard. There is a very high probability that the Hounds would have scored again. You know it, and I know it. That moment was crucial, and the wrong call was made.
With all of this being said, the unfortunate truth is that nothing can be done about the situation now. Boyle County is playing for another Class 4A title while the Hounds have to shift their focus onto regrouping for next fall. It is a truly heartbreaking state of affairs, but that is where we’re at.
In an effort to shine a little light on this otherwise miserable outcome, I would like to say a few things, for what it’s worth.
First, the way that this team has come together and improved over the course of the last several weeks has been nothing short of incredible. There was some frustration after three straight losses in the midseason, but instead of hanging their heads and accepting defeat this group decided to do whatever they needed to do to get better and put themselves in a position to make a run at a state championship. They came very, very close to achieving that goal.
Coach Luke Salmons and his staff deserve so much credit for the way this team managed to finish out the season. Salmons and company had their guys believing in themselves, and playing with heart and passion that simply had to been seen to be believed. Great job, all.
When it comes to on-field performances, we could spend all day going down the roster and highlighting amazing efforts. With that being said, I’d like to especially commend the Redhound offensive unit for the way that they played together against both Highlands and Boyle County these last two weeks. The line play has been dominant; Cam Estep, Cole Stevens and Clay Akins have all played like men possessed; and quarterback Mason Salmons has shown an amazing amount of guts and fortitude.
Of course, you don’t make it to the state semifinals without playing some pretty darn good defense, so a big shoutout to guys like Silas Mahan, Malachi Brown, Malachi Zachery, Zach Thomas, Eli Pietrowski, and anyone else who has been out there busting heads on that side of the ball.
To all of the graduating seniors, I commend you for your collective efforts and leadership. You will all be missed, I have no doubt, but you can walk away knowing that you have helped set the stage for the program’s next state championship title, which I believe will be coming sooner rather than later.
