CORBIN — What eventually became a 28-point Corbin victory was anything but comfortable for the Redhounds through the first three quarters Friday night.
North Laurel twice battled back from deficits and briefly took the lead early in the second half before Corbin scored the game’s final 28 points to pull away for a 42-14 victory.
The win improved the Redhounds to 2-0, while the Jaguars dropped to 1-1.
“I’m very proud of the way our guys played tonight,” North Laurel coach Steven Nelson said. “Most people had us getting blown out fast and we came in and competed with a really good football team. We were up 14-13 in the third and start of the fourth quarter only down 21-14 and we just ran out of gas.
“These boys didn’t quit and we had some guys get banged up and it took away our ability to move the ball,” he added. “Corbin played a great game and they took advantage of our fatigue. I think both teams got better from this game, and I think we have a really special football team. Go Jags.”
Corbin broke a scoreless tie on a 16-yard touchdown run with just 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The extra point gave the Redhounds a 7-0 advantage.
North Laurel answered with a big play early in the second. Quarterback McWhorter connected with Cam Anderson for a 70-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point tied the game at 7 with 9:47 remaining in the half.
Mason Salmons put Corbin back in front on a 3-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds remaining before halftime. The extra point was unsuccessful, sending the Redhounds into the locker room with a 13-7 advantage.
The Jaguars immediately made things interesting after halftime.
McWhorter and Anderson connected again, this time for a 64-yard touchdown with 10:49 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point gave North Laurel its first lead of the night at 14-13.
That lead lasted only three minutes.
Salmons answered with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Corbin converted the two-point attempt to regain the lead at 21-14 with 7:49 remaining in the third.
The score remained 21-14 entering the fourth quarter before the Redhounds finally created some separation.
Trey Person scored on a 16-yard run with 8:55 remaining to extend Corbin’s lead to 27-14. Person struck again with 3:33 to play, breaking loose for a 42-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion made it 35-14.
Clay Akins capped the Redhounds’ late surge with a 28-yard touchdown run with 1:33 remaining, and the extra point produced the final 42-14 margin.
NOTE: Corbin coach Luke Salmons couldn’t be reached for comments.
