Paul L. Dunbar (1-0) vs. Rockcastle County (1-1)

Class 4A Dunbar, coached by Mark Peach, finished 8-3 last season and has the talent returning to have another successful campaign.  The offense will be led by Josh Ellis and Aaron Mason.  Ellis threw for 1736 yards and 17 TDs last year and should be even better this season.  RB/WR Aaron Mason rushed for 441 yards last season and caught 31 passes for 491 yards.  Mason should see the ball more this season with the graduation of workhorse RB Corey Dunn.  The Bulldogs return six starters on defense but lack experience in the secondary.  Dunbar opened their season with a 26-14 win at Nelson County. 

The Class 3A Rockets of Rockcastle County are coached by Tom Larkey and finished 14-1 last season.  The Rockets outscored opponents 703-128 last season and have a lot of talent returning.  QB Aaron Anderkin, a 6-4 190 pound senior, threw for 2773 yard and 41 touchdowns last season.  He also has plenty of help in 5-7 155 pound senior tailback Marty Reagan, who rushed for 1321 yard on 161 attempts and caught 40 passes for 625 yards.  Reagan scored 33 touchdowns and also found time to star in the secondary on defense.  The line will be anchored by 6-0 225 pound Sr. Tanner Abney and 6-0 263 pound Jr. Jason Leger.  Leger is currently injured and will not be available for tonight's game.  Rockcastle County opened with a loss to 2A power Mason County but rebounded last week to crush South Laurel 48-0. 

Rockcastle County had to overcome the loss of QB Aaron Anderkin, who exited the game in the second half due to a possible concussion, to hold off Dunbar by a score of 35-28.  Marty Reagan stepped up and carried the load on offense, gaining 214 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns.  He also caught a 35 yard TD pass from Anderkin with no time remaining in the first half to give Rockcastle County a 14-7 halftime lead.  Rockcastle and Dunbar traded touchdowns the rest of the game.  The opportunistic Rockcastle County defense intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles to help preserve the victory.  They held a 399-336 edge in total offense.  Both teams were penalized often, with Dunbar receiving nine penalties for 103 yard and Rockcastle County was flagged 13 times for 128 yards. 

The aforementioned Reagan was named MVP for the offense and also found the time to record seven solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and intercepted a pass.  The MVP on the defensive side of the ball was Stephen Boering.  Aaron Anderkin was seven of ten for 107 yards and two TD passes before he exited the game.  FB Clell Swinney carried the ball 10 times for 88 yards.  The Rockcastle County receivers were also impressive as they made some difficult catches. 

Dunbar also had some excellent performances as QB Josh Ellis completed 18 of 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdown passes.  Aaron Mason caught seven passes for 142 yards and two scores.  He also ran the ball eight times for 49 yards.  TE Clint Keller caught five passes for 72 yards and a score.  The Bulldog defense was led by Bobby Vyverberg with eight solo tackles and one assisted stop. 

Scoring Summary

Rockcastle County

35

Paul L. Dunbar

28

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Paul L. Dunbar	0	7	7	14	28
Rockcastle County	0	14	7	14	35

RC	- Marty Reagan 42 yard run (Devin Taylor kick)
PLD	- Aaron Mason 27 yard pass from Josh Ellis (Carson Kerr kick)
RC	- Reagan 35 yard pass from Aaron Anderkin (Taylor kick)
RC	- Michael Hayes 15 yard pass from Anderkin (Taylor kick)
PLD	- Mason 58 yard pass from Ellis (Kerr kick)
RC	- Reagan 4 yard run (Taylor kick)
PLD	- Clint Keller 11 yard pass from Ellis (Kerr kick)
RC	- Reagan 9 yard run (Taylor kick)
PLD	- Ellis 1 yard run (Kerr kick)

 
 

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to Hugh Davis and Gary Long of WL Stats for the comprehensive stats provided for tonight's game.  Also, a special note of appreciation to the football office at Rockcastle County for the information provided and the hospitality extended me during my stay.  I also enjoyed my visit in the pressbox with a gentleman who goes by the internet moniker STATMAN--a walking encyclopedia of Rockcastle County athletics and a person who truly supports his beloved Rockets. 

Other Games of Interest

Danville

20

Boyle County

10

Wes Cloud scored two touchdowns to help the Admirals end Boyle County's win streak at 47 games. 

Lafayette

21

John Hardin

0

Lafayette improves to 3-0 as Elrazor Sharp rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns. 

Henry Clay

34

Madison Central

7

Demetric Blackburn rushed for 174 yards and two TDs to lead the Blue Devils to victory. 

Tates Creek

34

Montgomery County

6

Trey Hughes scored three touchdowns to pace Tates Creek to a victory. 

Boone County

27

Bryan Station

0

The Boone County defense pitched a shutout and James Brown rushed for 158 yards and a score to settle the issue. 

Bourbon County

60

Fleming County

27

Robert Christopher ran for 312 yards and three scores as the Colonels rolled for 558 yards on their way to victory. 

Breathitt County

70

Knott County Central

16

Breathitt County QB Justin Haddix passed for 6 TDs and the Bobcats scored 56 points in the first quarter. 

Owen County	38		Lexington Christian	0
Lloyd Memorial	34		Beechwood	16
Wayne County	27		Somerset	14
Madison Southern	34		Lincoln County	6
West Jessamine	52		Anderson County	8
Lawrence County	30		Belfry	6
Louisville Male	48		Seneca	21
Paris	49		Powell County	0
Mason County	49		Rowan County	3
Garrard County	47		Estill County	0
Highlands	62		Campbell County	7
St. Xavier	44		Southern	0
Pulaski County	29		Southwestern	26
Nelson County	27		Franklin County	6
Mercer County	34		Harrodsburg	0
Bowling Green	35		Greenwood	3
Corbin	28		South Laurel	13
Louisville Eastern	29		Louisville Ballard	14
Louisville Manual	34		Louisville Butler	21
Louisville Trinity	55		Jeffersontown	0
Mayfield	22		Hopkinsville	16
Harrison County	34		Clark County	13