Breathitt handles Middlesboro 50-15 to take District 7
JACKSON – November 17, 2019 – Casey Allen – BSN
The Breathitt County Bobcats hosted the Middlesboro Yellowjackets in the 2nd round of the KHSAA Class 2A Playoffs Friday night. The winner would not only win the District Championship, but also advance to next week’s regional championship game. The Bobcats had gone to Middlesboro earlier in the season and defeated the Yellowjackets 57-7, but this rematch had much more on the line.
FULL GAME IMAGE GALLERY: Click here: https://bluegrasssportsnation.com/breathitt-v-middlesboro-image-gallery-11-15-19/
Breathitt, won the flip, and as they have all year, elected to receive the opening kickoff. Middlesboro had other plans however as they dialed up and recovered an onside kick. The Bobcat defense the stood up and did its job and forced the Yellowjackets to punt.
After picking up a first down, Bobcat Quarterback Jaylen Turner connected with speedy Senior wide receiver, Jacob Noble on a deep post for a 66 yard pitch and catch. Noble made the catch and turned on the jets to out run the Jacket secondary resulting in the first score of the game. The Lane Weddle extra point made it 7-0 at 8:38 in the First Quarter.
The Bobcat stingy defense then again smothered the Middlesboro offensive attack forcing another punt. The Bobcats then drove the ball and drove 56 yards in 6 plays with Junior athlete Braxton O’Hara scoring from 10 yards out. Weddle was again good and the Bobcats lead 14-0 at 3:58 First Quarter.
After Breathitt again got the ball back, the Bobcats pulled off the play of the night. Turner hit hit Charles Andrew Collins with an absolute dime of a pass down the Breathitt sideline from 18 yards for the TD. The pass was a thing of beauty, but the catch was even better. Collins fully extended to get a finger tip on the ball, before ultimately laying out in the endzone for the score. Just incredible athleticism and will to make a play. The Bobcats led 21-0 with 11:38 in the 2nd. Full 10 frame gallery of the catch below!! Click through them all to see the full sequence!!
Collins then scored from 39 and O’Hara from two to set the halftime score of 35-0. The Bobcats started the clock on O’Hara’s third TD of the night at the 11:14 mark of the 3rd quarter.
In sum, the Bobcat defense did their thing swarming to the ball and forcing turnovers, and the offense was just plain explosive. Collins finished with 11 carries for 152 yards and three scores with O’Hara rushing hard for three scores. Also of note was the strong play of Jaylen Turner, who was 5 for 8 through the air for 99 yards and two TD’s, and also made a huge play with his legs. In the 1st Quarter, Turner dropped back to pass and found no one open, but instead of forcing the ball into double coverage, Turner wisely stepped up in the pocket and broke loose for a 37-yard run up the middle which he finished the run by dragging several defenders with him.
Jabari Kyle of Middlesboro played his heart out. The Senior is listed as the Yellowjackets Wide Receiver and Defensive back, but lines up all over the field at various positions. Kyle rushed 11 times for 67 yards and caught 5 for 18 yards. Kyle left it all on the field. Bluegrass Sports Nation has nothing but respect for Kyle and expect big things in his future.
The final score was 50-15 in favor of the Bobcats. While there are no apologies in winning, Breathitt has a lot to work on ahead of their Regional Championship game with Walton-Verona, who took care of Owen County 48-20.
When you make it this far, you are a damn good football team. Regional Finals means there are 8 teams remaining in each classification. In Class 2A, vying for a spot in the State Semi’s are: Breathitt County, Walton-Verona, Somerset, Beechwood, Mayfield, Edmonson County, McLean County, and West Carter. Four of these teams will continue playing, while the other Four will go home next Friday.
The last time Breathitt played in the Regional Championship game was in 2012. If you have never been to the Mike Holcomb Athletic Complex for a Breathitt Bobcat football game, it is highly highly recommend that this is the week you make the trip. The atmosphere will be absolutely electric. Will the Bobcats make their first trip to the semis since 2008, in a year where they lost in the state championship game to Louisville Central, or will Walton-Verona go back for the second straight season. Find out this Friday November 22. Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm.
BSN will again Webcast the game this week. Subscribe to the BSN YouTube Channel, Like the BSN Facebook Page, Follow the BSN twitter account @Bgsportsnation, and hit www.bluegrasssportsnation.com for your Bobcat coverage!!!
