FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Jellico vs. Oliver Springs

Editor’s note: Campbell County has a bye week in Week 6. They return to action in Week 7 to take on the Bobcats at Central High School.

When: Friday

Where: Jellico High School; Homecoming

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Records: Oliver Springs (1-4, 1-1 District 4-A) at Jellico (0-5, 0-1)

Previous meeting: Last season, Oliver Springs took the game, which was played at Oliver Springs. The Bobcats took the win, 59-0.

Last week: Midway slipped past the Blue Devils, topping them 29-6 in the non-district match-up. The loss gives Jellico the out-right record of 16 straight as they continue to surge forward. Already this season, they’ve improved greatly over the scores of last season. Don’t be surprised if this game may come as a shocker. A much-improved Jellico team will look to a much weaker Oliver Springs team from last season.

Oliver Springs fell to a tough Coalfield team by a score of 45-7. The Bobcats have only scored one touchdown in each of their five games except for the games against Greenback and Oakdale. Against the No. one ranked Greenback, Oliver Springs fell 55-0 before bouncing back with a 62-6 trouncing of Oakdale for their only win of the season.

Keep an eye on: Ryan Payne will once again be looked upon to handle most of the offense. Taking on a semifinalist team in the Region 2A state playoffs from last year, going 9-5, the Bobcats have drastically fallen off. Payne will have to be top shape in order to give Jellico a chance though.

Another key factor will be the homecoming festivities. With all that surrounds the week, Jellico will have to keep their head going into the game on Friday. Too many distractions can prove drastic.

Dodging Shawn Childress will have to be a priority for Jellico. The speedy sophomore caught two interceptions and a 29-yard touchdown pass against Oakdale in the first six plays of action to open up a 14-0 in under two minutes. For Jellico, getting past Childress, while guarding him in the passing lane will have to be top priority.