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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONDON \u2014 Friday\u2019s matchup between Bell County and North Laurel has been tagged Game of the Week in the 13th Region, and both Bobcat coach Dudley Hilton, and Jaguar coach Jason Chappell agree, it should be a good game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Bell County,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cThey one of the premiere programs in the state of Kentucky.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the game being in a lot of local interest,\u201d Hilton said. \u201cWe are both from the 13th Region, and we don\u2019t get to have many games against teams in the 13th Region. That\u2019s one of the things that make this interesting. It should be a good one to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hilton will be entering his 49th year of coaching, and said his team is ready to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHonestly, I think we are all excited to get out there,\u201d he said. \u201cOur kids have worked hard and out in a lot of work the past six or seven weeks, and they\u2019re ready to see what they can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know I\u2019m excited,\u201d he added. \u201cI go out there, and out a little pressure on myself to see if I still can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chappell has been pleased with his players\u2019 efforts during their scrimmages, which he hopes has prepared them for Friday\u2019s home matchup against the 13th Region\u2019 second ranked team, Bell County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jaguars enter the game ranked No. 4 with North Laurel hoping to start the season on a high note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur guys played incredibly hard and very physical last night during our last scrimmage,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cWe understand we have some things to fix, but felt good about some things we did as well. They are extremely ready to get the season underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe answered many of the questions I had in the Cov. Cath scrimmage,\u201d he added. \u201cThey showed me they would play through adversity. They also showed how physical they could be. Our guys have worked their tails off all offseason. They are certainly ready to play.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hilton said he\u2019s impressed with what North Laurel brings to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re talented,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ve got a lot of strong, and fast kids. They\u2019ve got what makes a good looking team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a few unanswered questions (coming into the game),\u201d Hilton said. \u201cWe graduated some key players, and it is important to fill the holes they left. We\u2019ve got to protect the ball, and can\u2019t t give them any momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Jaguars hope to get a win against the Bobcats, they\u2019ll have to find a way to slow down tailback, and Mr. Football candidate Daniel Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas enters the season ranked as the 13th Region\u2019s top player. He rushed for 2,228 yards and 29 touchdowns last season while leading the team with 360 receiving yards on 12 receptions. He also found paydirt five times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thomas is also a defensive threat, finishing with 87 tackles, six sacks, and two fumble recoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBell County is one of the premiere programs in the state of Kentucky,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cTheir strengths are their coaching. Their run game and their defense are, too. Daniel Thomas is as good of a running back there is in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGame number one is always super-important, especially with a schedule like ours,\u201d he added. \u201cWe definitely need to set the tone for who we are are. On both sides we have to be great on 1st downs. We have to stay ahead of down and distance situations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bobcats outlasted North Laurel last season, holding off the Jaguars with a 43-35 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn game one last year, we were good on first downs but they were able to convert several third and longs,\u201d Chappell said. \u201cSo we have to be able to get off the field. We have had several guys under the weather the last couple of weeks, but right now we are fairly healthy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hilton and his Bobcats are ready for kick-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve put in the work,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s time to see what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n