By Jonathan L. Smith
(Photo of Bob Floyd high-pointing a catch courtesy of SERG Photography)
This will be the 7th ever meeting of the Lincoln County and Corbin football programs, with all of the games being in the four-year period between 2019-2022, when the schools were placed in the same 4A District.
In the six game series, Corbin has won all six games.
2019- Corbin 26-21 (regular season)
2020- Corbin 14-8 (regular season)
2020- Corbin 38-14 (playoffs)
2021- Corbin 42-21 (regular season)
2021- Corbin 42-21 (playoffs)
2022- Corbin 63-0 (regular season)
Corbin was 12-2 last season, losing to Paducah Tilghman in the 4A semifinals. They are coached by Luke Salmons, who will be facing the Patriots for the first time. He is in his second season after replacing Tommy Greer who retired after the 2023 season. Before moving to Corbin, Salmons coached in West Virginia.
This season, the Redhounds are 8-3 with wins over Linton, Indiana (42-20), North Laurel (28-14), Bryan Station (7-0), Harlan County (53-6), Whitley County (49-6), Perry County Central (47-13), Great Crossing (47-7), and Russell County (35-0). Their losses were all in a three-game stretch to Pulaski County (35-28), Frederick Douglass (28-7), and Johnson Central (37-34).
They like to throw the football, averaging 189 yards per game, while rushing for another 164 per game. Junior quarterback Mason Salmons, son of coach Luke Salmons, is 98/153 for 2,087 yards, 25 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Salmons is the second leading rusher on the team with 325 yards on the ground.
His top receivers are senior Cam Estep (593 yards), sophomore Zach Thomas (499), and senior Cole Stevens (463). Their top ball carriers are Cole Steven (806 yards), Mason Salmons, and Trey Person (202 yards). They have made 45 of 53 PAT kicks, 1 two-point PAT, and have missed on the only field goal try of the season.
Defensively, they have 13 takeaways (3 fumbles and 10 interceptions), and are led in tackling by juniors Silas Mahan and Malachi Brown. The Redhounds average 34 points a game while giving up 15 per contest. They are allowing 122 yards rushing per game but only 46 yards a game passing. They finished first in District 8, outscoring their three district opponents 149-25.
Lincoln County is 9-2 on the season and finished second in the district. Their two losses were to Boyle County and Franklin County, ranked #1 and #3 in the KHSAA Class 4A RPI standings. Lincoln County is 6th (.67511) and Corbin is 8th (.64069).
There are two common opponents with very similar results: Perry County Central, which Corbin defeated 47-13 and Lincoln County beat 49-14; and Russell County, which Corbin beat 35-0 and Lincoln County defeated 35-12.
While Corbin has gained more yards by passing than rushing, Lincoln County is just the opposite. The Patriots have rushed for a total of 2,392 yards in eleven games, while junior quarterback Tucker Foster has passed for 1,386 yards on 122/213 passing. Foster is also the third leading rusher on the team (634 yards), behind seniors Damon Spigle (694) and Reed Curlis (681). Foster’s main targets when throwing the ball are senior Bob Floyd (652 yards, 9TDs), junior Clay Pendygraft (220/2), and junior Johnny Adkins (197/1).
Junior placekicker Brody Baker is 45/48 on PAT kicks and is 3/6 on field goals. Baker’s 45 made PAT kicks sets a new single-season school record, eclipsing the 42 kicks made by previous record holders Dave Francis (1993) and Daniel Renner (1999).
Lincoln has been more aggressive than Corbin this season in the defensive takeaways category with 22 (6 fumbles and 16 interceptions), where Corbin has a total of 13. Both Tucker Foster and Bob Floyd have an impressive five interceptions each. The Patriots are led in tackles by Reed Curlis, junior Tucker Julian, junior Drake Willoughby, and Tucker Foster.
This second round playoff game kicks off at 7:30 Friday night in Corbin. The stadium address is 410 Barbourville Street, Corbin, Kentucky 40701.
