Stanford, Kentucky
August 23, 2002
©2002 by Ron Harrison
Introduction
Game One will pit Class A school Somerset against Class 3A Bourbon County. The Somerset Briar Jumpers, coached by Jay Cobb, finished 9-3 last season and are expected to contend for the Class A title this season. They are expected to be led by the explosive Brandon Newell, a 4.4 running back, who ranked in the top ten yardage-wise all-purpose backs in the state. Jr. QB Neal Tucker threw for 2000 yards and 26 TDs last season. The Briar Jumpers also have one of the top kickers in the state in Wesley Midden. The Bourbon County Colonels, coached by Chuke Williams, finished 4-7 last season and must stay healthy and overcome a lack of depth to improve this season. They have a proven weapon in running back Robert Christopher, a 5-7 150 pound junior.
Game Two will match Class 3A Franklin County against homestanding 3A team Lincoln County. Franklin County finished 2-8 last season and Coach Tom Roberts faces the dual delimma of thin numbers and an undersized team. The Flyers should have good overall quickness and will be led by quarterback Michael Mills. The Lincoln County Patriots fell below 0.500 last year, and have a new head coach in Robbie Lucas. The offense will will get a boost by the return of Jason Smith, a 5-7 169 pound Sr. running back, who left the team last season. Smith will have the luxury of running behind an experienced offensive line who averages about 260 pounds per man. Lucas will also welcome 6-1 250 pound Sr. lineman Casey McGuffey who moved back to Lincoln County after playing for state power Cabot High in Arkansas.
Game One
Bourbon County (0-0) vs. Somerset (0-0)
The Somerset Briar Jumpers came to Death Valley and the much-heralded Brandon Newell show was as advertised. Newell scored the first six times he touched the ball and led Somerset to a 56-6 halftime lead. The Briar Jumpers cruised in the second half to close out a 59-12 victory over Bourbon County. Newell scored first on a 34 yard pass from QB Neal Tucker. He then scored on runs of one yard and 80 yards and caught a 61 yard scoring strike from Neal Tucker. Touchdowns five and six came on runs of 27 and four yards. Bourbon County's woes were compounded by the fact they lost six fumbles in the first half. Robert Christopher had a nice evening for Bourbon County as he gained 205 yards on 27 carries and scored on runs of 80 and 11 yards. Mr. Newell led Somerset with 117 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 95 yards. Neal Tucker completed four of eight passes for 125 yards and three touchdown passes. Brandon Newell and Robert Christopher were named MVPs for their respective teams.
Scoring Summary
| Somerset | 59 | Bourbon County | 12 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Bourbon County | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| Somerset | 28 | 28 | 0 | 3 | 59 |
| SOM | - Brandon Newell 34 yard pass from Neal Tucker (Wes Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Newell 1 yard run (Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Newell 80 yard run (Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Alan Keck 12 yard pass from Tucker (Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Newell 61 yard pass from Tucker (Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Newell 27 yard run (Midden kick) |
| BC | - Robert Christopher 80 yard run (run fails) |
| SOM | - Newell 4 yard run (Midden kick) |
| SOM | - Larry Williams 25 yard interception return (Midden kick) |
| BC | - Christopher 11 yard run (pass fails) |
| SOM | - Midden 26 yard field goal |
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Shane True | 14 | 28 | 2.0 | 16 | Brandon Newell | 05 | 117 | 23.4 | 80 | |
| Brian Short | 08 | 66 | 8.3 | 39 | Matt Barber | 05 | 53 | 10.6 | 24 | |
| Robert Christopher | 27 | 205 | 7.6 | 80 | Heath Randall | 02 | 17 | 8.5 | 13 | |
| Allen Browning | 01 | -8 | -- | -- | Scott Newell | 05 | -11 | -- | -- | |
| Matt Hargis | 02 | 10 | 5.0 | 5 | ||||||
| Matt Salmons | 02 | 04 | 2.0 | 4 | ||||||
| Larry Williams | 04 | 01 | 0.3 | 5 | ||||||
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Shane True | 4-1-1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Neal Tucker | 8-4-0 | 125 | 3 | 61 | |
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Brandon Newell | 02 | 95 | 2 | 61 | ||||||
| Heath Randall | 01 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||||||
| Alan Keck | 01 | 12 | 1 | 12 | ||||||
Game Two
Franklin County (0-0) vs. Lincoln County (0-0)
Lincoln County coach Robbie Lucas, aided by the fleet feet of running back Jason Smith, tallied a 21-0 victory over Franklin County in his debut as head coach. The Patriots large offensive line opened up the holes and Smith darted his way to 195 yards on 15 carries and TD runs of 10 and 52 yards. The Patriot defense also pitched a shutout. Jason Smith and Franklin County QB Michael Mills were named MVPs for their respective teams. The Patriot defense were the unsung heroes of this game. They not only kept Franklin County out of the end zone but also recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes for the evening.
Scoring Summary
| Lincoln County | 21 | Franklin County | 0 |
| School | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Franklin County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lincoln County | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| LC | - Jason Smith 10 yard run (Justin Kolasa kick) |
| LC | - Jon Adams 5 yard run (Kolasa kick) |
| LC | - Smith 52 yard run (Kolasa kick) |
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| Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | Rushing | No. | Yds. | Avg. | Long | |
| Michael Mills | 06 | 16 | 2.7 | 12 | Chris Hart | 03 | -14 | -- | -- | |
| Josh Walker | 17 | 67 | 3.9 | 17 | Logan Boyd | 11 | 57 | 5.2 | 17 | |
| Brad King | 02 | 00 | 0.0 | 4 | Jason Smith | 15 | 195 | 13.0 | 52 | |
| Bryan Weeks | 02 | 30 | 15.0 | 25 | Jon Adams | 03 | 14 | 4.7 | 10 | |
| Jay Moore | 01 | 06 | 6.0 | 6 | ||||||
| Randy Mengel | 01 | 01 | 1.0 | 1 | ||||||
| Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | Passing | A-C-I | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Michael Mills | 20-7-2 | 123 | 0 | 47 | Chris Hart | 13-5-2 | 63 | 0 | 19 | |
| Jay Moore | 1-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Josh Walker | 1-1-0 | -1 | 0 | -- | ||||||
| Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | Receiving | No. | Yds. | TD | Long | |
| Matt Wise | 01 | 47 | 0 | 47 | Randy Long | 03 | 49 | 0 | 19 | |
| Bryan Weeks | 03 | 42 | 0 | 23 | Nate Rice | 01 | 11 | 0 | 11 | |
| John Roberts | 01 | 14 | 0 | 14 | Mark Davis | 01 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Brian Thompson | 01 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||
| Brad King | 01 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||
| Michael Mills | 01 | -1 | 0 | -- | ||||||
Conclusion
Somerset was as good as advertised and should be a threat for the Class A title.
Brandon Newell was touted as one of the premier players in the state and he only added to his
sizeable reputation tonight. Somerset substituted liberally tonight because of the score but it was
obvious even with cameo performances from several players that they are for real. I was impressed with
the effort Lincoln County gave in Coach Robbie Lucas' debut. The return of
Jason Smith adds a spark to the offense and the defense played very well.
Acknowledgements
I would like to extend my appreciation to Lincoln County athletic director Tim Whitis for the hospitality
extended me during my stay and to the other athletic directors who provided me with info about their teams.
Other Games of Interest
Boyle County scored on their first six possessions to notch their 46th consecutive victory.
Boyle County 60
Bardstown 0
Madison Central scored 20 first quarter points then made a last-second defensive stop to hold on for the win.
Madison Central 20
Bryan Station 12
QB David Buchanan threw for one score and ran for two other touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils to a victory.
Henry Clay 18
Highlands 13
Lafayette gained 345 yards on the ground on their way to a big win in their opener.
Lafayette 48
Logan County 14
Kevin Smith rushed for 131 yards on 30 carries,
scored two TDs, and made a key interception in the end zone to lead the Newport Central Catholic to victory.
Lloyd was led by QB Brandon Ernst, who passed for 316 yards and three scores.
Kenny Hollenkamp caught four passes for 142 yards and three scores.
Newport Central Catholic 28
Lloyd 21
Frankfort 29
Dayton 18
Woodford County 24
Anderson County 14
Covington Catholic 14
Boone County 0
Cumberland 30
Cawood 22
Bullitt East 33
Fern Creek 25
Conner 20
Corbin 6
Mercer County 35
Scott 14
South Laurel 13
Knox Central 12
Trinity 43
North Hardin 0
West Jessamine 58
Berea 13
Pulaski County 42
North Laurel 14
Scott County 44
Clark County 13
