Marion County

HARRODSBURG — Missed opportunities to score eventually turned fatal for Mercer County as the Titans were able to score just 10 points off five Marion County fumbles and dropped a 31-10 decision to the Knights on homecoming here Friday. Mercer overcame a 7-0 deficit to grab a 10-7 lead following one of the Marion fumbles, but couldn’t convert when the Knights fumbled on their next three possessions. Marion scored late in the half to lead 15-10 at the break and was never threatened in the second half.

The Boyle County boys had a two-goal lead at the half and went on to shut out visiting Marion County 4-0 on Thursday at Rebel Stadium in the Rebels’ 29th District opener. “Our passing was much better this evening. We kept the ball on the ground and didn't rely on bombing balls down the field,” Boyle coach Cris McMann said. “Our forwards were much more creative with their runs as well.” Matt Cruttenden opened the scoring for Boyle (2-2, 1-0 district)

It may not go down on the record books as a win, but it sure looked like one on the Lincoln sideline as the soccer Patriots celebrated a season-opening 4-4 tie with visiting Marion County. “I’ll take it,” said Lincoln coach Wendy Peters. “I am extremely happy starting off the season with Marion County in a 4-4 tie. We’ve played Marion for the past 10 years and never won or tied.” In those past 10 years, Marion County has dominated on the soccer field, outscoring Lincoln 35-4 in six games, including shutouts of 7-0, 5-0 and 4-0 and blowouts of 9-1 and 10-3.

LEBANON ? Add another chapter to the Mercer County's tough season. The Titans (0-7) had their share of chances but couldn't pull out their first win of the season against Marion County (4-2) at John J. Boswell Stadium here Friday. "I just know our kids are not quitting. They're staying focused on the job at hand. I tell them all the time that good things come to those who continue to work hard. I believe that," Mercer coach Bill Mason said. The Titans trailed 21-15 after pinning Marion senior punter Alex Mayo in the end zone for a safety on a blown snap with 11 minutes, 55 seconds to go in the game.

Mercer County has been its own worst enemy at times this season. "Our biggest hurdle has been our own mistakes. We have fixed our early special teams problems, and have greatly improved our tackling. We have to put together a full game for our quarter form our offense, defense and special teams," Mercer coach Bill Mason said. "Not just a quarter here or there, four quarters from all three areas. " Mason hopes his team can put it together for its first win Friday, when the Titans step out of district play to face Marion County, Class AAAA's No. 9-ranked team, in Lebanon.

Tate Spivey scored a first-half goal Thursday, and Aaron Steele had five saves to help Mercer County (5-1) to a 1-0 win over visiting Marion County. "After being outperformed on Monday (in a loss to Boyle County), the Titans came to the field with a new attitude. Hustle is the name of the game, and we did just that," Mercer assistant Tim Shannon said. Spivey had the game's only goal with 17 minutes, 35 seconds left in the first half. Mercer outshot Marion 19-12. KSD 6, Campbellsville 1 ?

LORETTO ? Classical music plays in the background in the studio as Sister Jeanne Deuber walks around her latest work. A metal foot sticks out at the base of its wooden limbs. Metal hands hold a globe-like object. Deuber hasn't determined what she will do next on the figure. She's apologetic about the disarray of her studio located in a historic building on the grounds at the Sisters of Loretto's Motherhouse in Nerinx. After devoting much of her energy to a recently shipped-out piece, Deuber feels behind on her work.

State police detectives are continuing to look into fires that were intentionally set over the past two weeks as part of an ongoing investigation that led to Sunday's arrest of four former Boyle County and Gravel Switch firefighters. Former volunteer firefighters Stephen Orberson, Melinda Orberson, James Tate and Fredrick Tate pleaded not guilty Monday to charges related to five fires they are believed to have set in Marion County over the past 18 months. Charges related to nine Boyle County fires are expected to be brought before the Boyle grand jury next month.

Craig Yeast had been looking for a school system that would not only give him a chance to coach football, but also would let him work in the system daily. Finally, the former Harrodsburg and University of Kentucky standout has found that place -- Marion County. He's taken a job as offensive coordinator under head football coach Jeff Robbins in addition to working in the school. "I had to have a job to make a move like that for me and my family," said Yeast, who was scheduled to be the offensive coordinator at Lincoln County this season.

Three Boyle County firefighters and one former firefighter have reportedly confessed to involvement in setting 12-14 fires in Boyle and Marion counties over the past 18 months. In a press conference held Wednesday afternoon at Boyle County Fire Station 7, Chief Donnie Sexton said the findings of an investigation that began at the end of June were turned over to Kentucky State Police arson investigators on July 1 and detectives obtained confessions Tuesday. A juvenile who is part of the Boyle County Fire Department's Explorer Program also was implicated.