Rockcastle County

Wayne County barely beat his team and then was upset by Southwestern, a team with a losing record in the district championship game, but Boyle County coach Steve Adams still thinks Wayne is the team to beat in the 12th Region Tournament. “They are so experienced and play so well together,” said Adams. Yet even the Boyle coach wouldn’t go all-in with the Cardinals in the tourney that starts Wednesday at Lincoln County. “Pulaski County can do something that Wayne County can’t — they can turn you over.

Boyle County coach Larry French knows this: There is no way his team can fumble the ball away five times and win two weeks in a row. The Rebels did that last week and got past Knox Central. But if they cough up the ball like that this week against Rockcastle County, it could mean an early exit from the playoffs. “I think they slipped in and put something on the ball,” joked French, whose team will play Rockcastle on Friday in Mount Vernon in the second round of the class AAAA playoffs.

SOMERSET — The Garrard County girls are growing up fast this postseason. They’re getting an education in how to play under pressure, and the fact that they’re still alive in the girls 12th Region Tournament indicates that they’re learning their lesson well. Garrard rallied to win a second straight elimination game, coming from behind twice to beat Mercer County 49-45 Tuesday night in a regional first-round game at Pulaski County. The Golden Lions erased Mercer leads in the fourth quarter and the first overtime before capturing first regional win since 2006.

Football fans following the Patriots to Rockcastle County Friday night as they get back into action will find a fairly easy road to Mt. Vernon, home of the Rockets. To reach the Rockets football field, which is located at Rockcastle County Middle School, take U.S. 150 east to Mt. Vernon. Turn left onto KY Hwy 461 at the first traffic light near Mt. Vernon. Go approximately one mile, then make a right onto KY Hwy 1326. The middle school is situated just up a hill on the right.

The Danville Admirals should know exactly what they’re up against this week. Their opponent is a team that saw a long string of winning seasons snapped last year and that can’t wait to prove that 2009 was an aberration and that 2010 will mark a return to form. Sound familiar? It does to Danville coach Sam Harp, because Rockcastle County comes into Saturday’s game in the Bob Allen Pigskin Classic at Admiral Stadium almost exactly where the Admirals were a week ago. The Rockets are still smarting from last year’s 5-7 finish — the same record Danville had — that included three losses in the fourth quarter or overtime, and like Danville, they return a number of experienced players but are still relatively young.

MOUNT VERNON ? Clarke Rowe rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns and John Saylor added 146 yards and two scores to lead Rockcastle County to a 42-14 win over Lincoln County here Friday night in the Renfro Valley Jamboree Bowl. The Rockets (2-1) hit hard and hit early, opening up a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to rack up 432 yards offense. The Rocket defense was equally impressive, holding the Patriots to minus-50 yards rushing. "Rock is a solid team and well-coached, and our kids got to experience that first-hand tonight," said Lincoln coach Mike Settles.

10 years ago... An estimated 1,500 people ? train buffs, historical preservationists, politicians and the merely curious ? braved a blistering sun for the dedication of the renovated L & N Depot in Stanford. The $483,000 remodeling project, which included a lighted walking trail to Danville Street and, ultimately, would include a park for children, was unveiled in a ceremony that was important to those who came but, as the guest speaker noted, also preserved an important piece of American history.

Lincoln County took advantage of 11 walks and three errors to defeat Rockcastle County 15-1 in five innings Thursday night at Stanford. Gabby Gabriel went 3 for 4 with four RBIs for host Lincoln (9-13), which also had eight hits. Kristin Meece scored four times for the Patriots, who scored four runs in each of the first two innings and five more in the third. “We had really good at-bats tonight for the first time in a long time and demonstrated patience at the plate. It sure helps your offense when you bat through the lineup each of the first three innings,” Lincoln coach Kevin Bandura said.

Angela says the cave is easy to navigate, but exploring it will give you all the thrills and wonder of spelunking. Morehead State University geography professor and professional spelunker Gary O'Dell will accompany the tour and point out features and formations. It's a 90-minute drive to the cave. Participants must be willing to make the drive unless members of the tour decide to carpool. Everyone will meet at the library parking lot at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Dress for a cave environment: comfortable shoes (no sandals)

When East Jessamine's Annie Jones hit a high pop-up near home plate during the opening round of the 12th Region Tournament at Pulaski County, things looked bleak for the Jaguars. Down by two to Rockcastle County in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs, Jones' foul pop represented the end of East's post-season run. But the ball fell to the ground and Jones had new life. Two pitches later she drilled a line drive into centerfield to tie the game. The Jaguars prevailed in 11, 9-8. Jones' clutch hit was just one of many.