The Corbin Redhounds (10-3) went on the road last Friday night and played the atypical role of the underdog against the Highlands Bluebirds in round three of the 2025 Class 4A state championship playoffs. The Hounds rose to the occasion in grand fashion, though, executing in all facets of the game to secure a 35-21 regional championship victory.
After trading punts to start out the game, an interception by Corbin’s Trey Person led to a 55-yard touchdown run by Redhound quarterback Mason Salmons with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter. Sebastian Witherington’s extra point was good, making the score 7-0.
Highlands was forced to punt again to end their next offensive possession. About a minute into the second quarter, Corbin scored again when Salmons tossed a screen pass to Cole Stevens, who took it to the house for six. Another extra point extended the Redhound lead to 14-0.
The Bluebirds finally got on the board with 6:43 left in the half, but Corbin answered with a long drive that was capped with a short-yardage touchdown by Person with only 42 seconds on the clock. Going into the half, the Hounds held onto a 21-7 lead.
Corbin took over possession again to start the second half. They had to punt the ball away, but an interception by Lucas Brittain led to a methodical march down the field by the Redhound offense that would eventually run out the remaining time in the third quarter.
By controlling the line of scrimmage and continuing to utilize a ground-and-pound attack, Corbin was able to physically dominate their opponents leading up to a Cam Estep touchdown run on the second play of the fourth quarter that made the score 27-7.
Highlands managed to find the end zone again with 8:53 left in regulation, but another Estep score at the 4:47 mark basically shut the door. After Salmons and Estep connected for a successful two-point conversion, the score stood at 35-14.
The Bluebirds refused to go down without a fight, scoring again with under three minutes in the game. The Highlands defense then forced a turnover on downs, but a Zach Thomas interception sealed the deal for the visitors, allowing the Redhounds to run out the clock and claim their latest regional championship with a 35-21 win.
The following morning, Head Coach Luke Salmons called into a local radio show to express his pleasure about the way that his team performed against some pretty challenging circumstances.
“We knew going into it, and going on the road, that it was going to be tough,” Salmons said. “But I was proud of our kids’ effort. When this team is hungry, when they’re excited and they believe, I think they can do anything.”
Next up for Corbin will be another road trip, this time to face the Boyle County Rebels (12-1) with a spot in this year’s Class 4A state championship game on the line.
