In Head Coach Jody Mouser’s first season at the helm of the Corbin Middle School football program, the eighth grade Hounds have played their way back into the Kentucky Middle School Football Association (KYMSFA) Division 2 State Championship game.
Corbin (10-2) travelled to Somerset last weekend and came away with a 34-6 win over Johnson County to earn their spot in this year’s Division 2 state tournament finals. The week prior, they defeated McCreary County, 26-20, to secure their latest regional championship title. Their first game of the tournament was a 36-12 win over Knox County back on October 23.
“Our O-line and our D-line have been great,” Mouser said of his team’s performance so far in the postseason. “The assistant coaches have done a great job working with them. Everyone has been all about the team, always cheering for each other. This is a fun group to coach. They all really like each other.”
In addition to exceptional line play, Mouser said he has also been pleased this season with the on-field leadership of players such as Ryder Broughton and quarterback James Nunley. He said Jake Salmons has firmly established himself as one of the best eighth grade running backs in the state, and he added that fellow running back and linebacker Micah House is also one of the most all-around gifted middle school athletes that he has seen.
The Redhounds, of course, will come into this weekend’s title game as the reigning and defending Division 2 state champions. They defeated Paducah, 14-8, one year ago to secure what was the school’s ninth state championship crown (six for the eighth-grade team, three for the seventh grade). Their opponents this time around will be the Rockcastle County Rockets, who defeated Paducah in last week’s semifinal round, 28-14.
The Rockets also bested Clark Moores Middle School, Boyle County and Lincoln County earlier in the tournament.
While the Hounds did not face Rockcastle County in the regular season, Mouser said the two teams did meet up on the field earlier this year for a preseason scrimmage. “It was good for us to get to see them,” he said. “They are always known for their physicality, so we will have to match that. It should be a good game.”
Mouser said that he has a lot of confidence in his team’s ability to get the job done, pointing to a come-from-behind double overtime victory against Northern Pulaski earlier this season as a “turning point” where he feels like his players really began to believe that they could make a run at another state championship title.
“These are some really resilient kids,” Mouser said. “They have all bought in, and they are playing for each other.”
Corbin and Rock will face off this Saturday, Nov. 15, at Lexington Christian Academy, located at 450 W. Reynolds Road in Lexington. Kickoff time is slated for 1 p.m. Admission will be $12 for adults and $5 for students at the gate, with cash or card being accepted.
For those unable to make the game, follow along with the News Journal on Facebook for updates throughout the afternoon.
2025 CMS eighth grade football team members are: Eli Hinkle, Jake Salmons, Ryder Broughton, Jonah Cima, James Nunley, Grayson Gibbs, Dalton Rife, Campbell Romines, Gunner Broughton, Keagon Gray, Lucus Pratt, Cameron Crusenberry, Tag Walker, Beau Hash, Jaxon Taylor, Maddox May, Lincoln Crawford, Lance Barton, Micah House, Judd Bunch, Hagen Anders, Gunner Duff, Gatlin Godsey, Draven Dean, Eric Monhollen, Jaxon Monday, Braylen Tuttle, Mason Hanlon, John Lawson, Conner Spencer, Parker Cox, Cole Hammack, Kasen Reams, Brodie Robins, Caden Stradley, John Warren, Aiden Meek, Kaden Stamper, Dagon Noble, Axel Kiskaden, Hays Steely and Kenny Woods.
