The Warren East football team has surpassed expectations so far this season.
The Raiders shut out Portland (TN) 21-0 in the first game of the season before staging a late comeback and upsetting Greenwood 37-31 in the Citizens First Bowl the following week.
Warren East suffered its first loss of this season this past Friday night against a stellar Wayne County team, but the Raiders hung in tough for a half with the Cardinals in the monsoon-like conditions caused by Hurricane Harvey on the blue turf at Jim Ross Field.
The Raiders (2-1) are led by Trevor Naftel, the senior rushing for 484 yards and three touchdowns on 58 attempts.
Senior quarterback Dwayne Cook has completed 15-of-44 passes for 491 yards and five touchdowns, with fellow senior wide receiver Caleb Huskey being Cook’s main target. Huskey has caught 10 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns and is currently leading the entire state of Kentucky in receiving yards.
But Edmonson County (3-0) is coming into this game with momentum. In fact the Wildcats are still yet to lose a game and are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011.
However the Wildcats are not just winning against their opponents…they’re dominating. Edmonson County defeated Caverna, Butler County, and Grayson County by a compiled score of 144-19, and the Wildcats’ closet skirmish with defeat was a 42-13 victory at Butler County on August 25.
Dual-threat quarterback Tucker Cole is the main weapon in the Wildcats’ offensive attack. The senior has completed 14-of-19 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns while tossing no interceptions, and he is the Wildcats’ leading rusher with 280 yards and four touchdowns on 20 attempts.
The defense has been stellar for the Wildcats—who are ranked fourth in the state in scoring margin with a plus-38.5 advantage per game. Edmonson County has forced seven turnovers this season (three interceptions and four fumbles). The Wildcats are led by senior linebacker Brett Brannon, who has recorded 33 tackles on the year.
Kickoff between the Raiders and Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. Friday night at Edmonson County High School.
