Jackets hope to ground Comets
Wade Holland
You know exactly what you’re going to get when NicholasCounty and West Carter lace up their cleats, button up their chin straps and take the football field versus each other.
Four of the last six meetings between the two have come down to the final possession of the game with the average margin of victory being only 5.5 points. The two have split their last four meetings, with West Carter winning the two most recent games after Nicholas Co. had won the previous two.
The two teams will go at it again this Friday in Olive Hill at 7:30 p.m. Nicholas Co. brings a 1-1 record to town, while West Carter is winless at 0-2.
“It’s going to be a heck of a game. A very tough game,” said Nicholas County Coach Robert Hopkins. “Nothing will come easy against them.”
Last year’s 28-8 West Carter victory matched the margin of victory from the previous year when the Comets also won by 20 at 26-6. But Nicholas Co. was on a roll before that, winning 24-20 in2007 and 25-20 in2008.
Historically, the two have always been well matched, with Nicholas Co. holding a 7-6 record against the Comets since 1998. There was a time right after the turn of the century when Nicholas Co. owned the series, winning five straight against the much larger school.
Playing on the road in Olive Hill has not always been good for the Bluejackets, who have won only two times at West Carter since 2000. Nicholas Co. beat the Comets on their home turf in 2001 and 2007.
But the past is the past, and 2011 is a new year. Nicholas Co. takes a lot of momentum to Olive Hill with it after coming from three touchdowns back to win against Fleming Co. last week. Meanwhile, West Carter is still searching for win number one after falling to Fairview 58-21 inweek one, and Bath Co. 42-12 inweek two.
For comparison sake, Nicholas Co. beat Fleming Co. (46-45), while Fleming Co. beat Bath Co. (54-14), while Bath Co. beat West Carter (42-12), all of which would point to Nicholas Co. being the favorite this week.
West Carter has had its fair share of difficulties in its two losses this season. The Comets were able to gain only25 yardsrushing in a week one loss. While the ground attack did catch on for week two, the Comets passing attack has accounted for only150 yardsand four interceptions in the two games.
Leaders for the Comets include quarterback Caleb Whitt, who is currently the team’s leading passer and second leading rusher, and Tristen Mitchell, who is averaging nearly10 yardsper rush through two games.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jacob Nunley and Cody Stamper are players to watch. Both had 12 tackles each last week.
Other than minor injuries that are expected after two tough games against 3A opponents, Nicholas Co. is relatively healthy going into the game. Standouts Caleb Pope (hand) and Chris Morgan (ribs) are currently showing little to no signs of their early-season injuries.
CLASS A, DISTRICT 7 STANDINGS
Fairview2-0 overall, 0-0 district
Paintsville 1-0 overall, 0-0 district
Nicholas Co. 1-1 overall, 0-0 district
Raceland 1-1 overall, 0-0 district
Last Week’s Scores:Fairview32, East Carter 7; Paintsville 34, Paris 12;Ashland58, Raceland 12.
