Raiders drop district game to Jackson County

By Steve LeMaster
stevelemastersports@yahoo.com

McKee – McCreary Central was unable to return to the win column on the road as host Jackson County pulled away to win 26-12 in a Class 3A, District 8 football game on Friday night.

With the loss, McCreary Central slipped to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in Class 3A, District 8.

Jackson County improved to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the district with the win.

McCreary Central amassed over 300 yards of total offense in the district matchup. But the Raiders couldn’t visit the endzone enough to earn the win.

Isiah Baker led Jackson County to the victory, rushing 11 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

Through eight games, McCreary Central has been outscored 391-234. McCreary Central returned to district competition at the start of the season.

In addition to Jackson County, McCreary Central has dropped games to Perry County Central, South Laurel, Bell County, Corbin and Casey County. Perry County Central outlasted the Raiders 64-58 in four overtimes in a season opener on Aug. 18.

McCreary Central posted back-to-back wins over Fort Knox and Paul Laurence Dunbar in September. The Raiders rolled past Fort Knox 63-30 then edged Paul Laurence Dunbar 22-21 one week later.

Lucas Ford-coached McCreary Central compiled a 7-3 record in 2016, claiming wins over Jenkins, Clinton County, Berea, Sheldon Clark, Pineville, Fort Knox and Thomas Walker, Va..

McCreary Central is off this week. The Raiders are slated to visit Lynn Camp for a regular-season finale on Friday, Oct. 27.

McCreary Central will be looking to enact some revenge when it visits Lynn Camp later in the month. Lynn Camp slipped past the Raiders 38-36 when the two teams met during the 2016 season.