October 18, 2018 – CASEY ALLEN – Bluegrass Sports Nation Breathitt Football Columnist
Breathitt, after starting the season 0-3, has completely taken the Region by storm by winning six (6) straight games and capturing their first district crown since 2013. The name Breathitt, carries weight in the Mountains, this group of Bobcats are now known. The Six (6) straight wins also mark the program’s first winning season since 2013. After making a statement by beating a 6-1 Powell County team 50-34 to snatch the District crown, it would be easy to have a let-down. Coach Moore and the Bobcats will look to avoid that as they host a hungry Magoffin County team on Friday Night at Mike Holcomb Athletic Complex.
Magoffin County is led by former Breathitt Bobcat Justin Combs. Coach Combs’ 2018 edition of the Hornet haven’t had the season they were hoping for, having only compiled three (3) wins, but the Hornets’ have played better than the record dictates. Talking to Coach Combs this week, he discussed that they have been close several times, “We were in a lot of our games, just shot ourselves in the foot. We hurt ourselves a lot.” Justin praised his team for their fight, “My guys never give up, they fight to the final whistle.” There are no moral victories in football, but the Hornets haven’t had a running clock put on them all season. With the schedule the Hornets have played, well, that’s impressive and says a lot about their character and their Coach.
Magoffin has been eliminated from playoff contention, but no victory would be sweeter than beating the District Champs on the River Bank. From the mid 90’s to early 2000’s, many teams viewed playing Breathitt as their “State Championship.” This Friday night is just that for the Hornets. Beating Breathitt would be a program victory for the Hornets and would be give them a huge momentum boost heading into offseason conditioning.
The Bobcats are now 6-3 on the season and will be a #1 seed heading into the playoffs. The goal of being District Champion being realized, the goal for this Friday is to avoid injuries while maintaining their momentum heading into their end of season bye week, and the playoffs. Friday night is also Senior Night for the Bobcats. Breathitt will be honoring a Senior class that has been through a lot in their time as Bobcats. Many of them were “thrown to the wolves” so to speak as, as they had to play varsity ball as freshmen and sophomores.
Cameron Stacy is a four-year starter at Quarterback. Cameron has had many accomplishments while at Breathitt, but none may be bigger than his leadership of this team. While being sidelined for medical reasons this season, the Bobcats signal caller has led by example. Cam showed up everyday to practice, offering advice to sophomore Braxton O’Hara and has helped O’Hara put the Commonwealth on notice of his talent. A lot of O’Hara’s success can be credited to Cameron’s leadership.
Breathitt’s success however, begins and ends with their All-senior offensive linemen. Chase Banks, Braxton Eiserman, Ethan Moore, Dusty Deaton, and Nick Shelton have controlled the line of scrimmage since those first two game of the season. This group has steadily improved and are the heart beat to the Bobcat offense. They have given a young quarterback plenty of time to throw the ball and opened huge holes allowing Breathitt’s stable of running backs to explode for big plays. Over the last six (6) this offensive line’s play has turned Breathitt into a real threat heading into the post season.
Speaking of Breathitt’s stable of running backs . . . Seniors Tyson Gross and Junior Dalton Manns are a lethal combination out of the back field. The duo is capable of taking a handoff to the house from anywhere on the field, and the Bobcat faithful have become accustomed to these two outstanding backs making big plays.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bobcats are led by Seniors Charlie Hudson, Ethan Hudson, Jason Noble, and Tyler Patrick. Charlie and Ethan on paper seem to be undersized for a defensive lineman, they both have showed what it is to be a Bobcat and have played outstanding all season long. Both Ethan and Charlie have often went up against bigger offensive linemen, and not only held their own, but often times whipping the bigger lineman and making huge plays. Jason Noble has been a head turner and a head hunter from the Safety position. Jason’s emergence this season huge, and when the team needs a spark #27 is usually the one who gives it defensively. Tyler Patrick has shut down many team’s #1 receiver. Any quarterback that has dared to test him has paid dearly for it. Tyler has not only been put on an island but has owned that island. In fact that island is now named “Patrick Island.” Tyler has intercepted a pass in three straight games, and had two against Morgan County. Tyler has also batted several passes away and made touchdown saving tackles from his corner back position.
This Breathitt team started the season with the goal of winning a district title. They have done just that. They have secured the #1 seed heading into the playoffs for their district, and home field for the first two rounds of the playoffs. This Senior class has already made a huge impact and are leaving their mark on this historic and rich program. But they are not done. This Senior class, and the entire Bobcats team, are asking themselves one question as we head towards the playoffs……WHY NOT US?
Come out and support this Senior class as we celebrate all of their accomplishments this Friday night on the River Bank. If you can’t make it, you can still celebrate the 2018 Breathitt County Bobcats with us here on BSN by liking our Facebook page, and visiting our website at www.bluegrasssportsnation.com. We will have pregame interviews with both head coaches, updates throughout the game, with a full photo gallery, post game interview with Coach Moore, and a complete game recap of all the action.
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