Raiders turns focus to South Laurel

By: Steve LeMaster

STEARNS – After falling to visiting Perry County Central in four overtimes in Week 1, McCreary Central will has turned its focus to its next opponent — South Laurel. The Raiders will host South Laurel in Week 1 of the high school football season on Friday night (Aug. 25).

“We have a tall task ahead of us with South Laurel, another (Class) 5A team coming in,” McCreary Central Coach Lucas Ford commented. “They are athletic on defense and like to spread you out on offense.”

Perry County Central managed to outlast host McCreary Central 64-58 in four overtimes in the season opener on Friday, Aug. 18 and will visit Breathitt County for its next game later in the week.

McCreary Central and South Laurel will carry identical 0-1 records into this week’s game. North Laurel defeated crosstown rival South Laurel 36-12 in a season opener.

Quarterback Adrian Fultz led South Laurel in its opener, completing 14 of 24 passes for 179 yards and rushing for one touchdown. Fultz, however, threw a pair of interceptions.

The Cardinals concluded the 2016 season 5-6 and are minus offensive leader Jared Grubb. During the 2016 season, Grubb passed for 971 yards and rushed for another 959 yards. Fultz and Grubb split time at quarterback for South Laurel during the 2016 season.

South Laurel competes with Southwestern, Pulaski County and Lincoln County in Class 5A, District 7. The Cardinals lost in the opening round of the 2016 Class 5A State Playoffs.

Despite suffering a loss in the season opener, Ford confirmed his team’s goals haven’t changed.

“Our goals are still to make the playoffs and win a playoff game,” said Ford.

Kickoff for the McCreary Central-South Laurel football game is set for 7:30 p.m.