Jackets end season against W’burg

Published 11:55 am Wednesday, October 25, 2017

After three weeks of playing some of the best teams in Class 2A, Middlesboro will wrap up the regular season with a non-district opponent. The Yellow Jackets will welcome Williamsburg to Bradner Stadium with a chance to send the seniors off on a high note.

The visiting Yellow Jackets have won back-to-back games over the past two years against Middlesboro. In 2015, they defeated Middlesboro 21-7. Last year, Williamsburg ran away with a 38-10 victory at home.

A win for they home Jackets would end a four-game losing streak that started on Sept. 22 with a loss to South Laurel. Middlesboro is also looking for their first touchdown since a Sept. 29 meeting with Lexington Christian.

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Williamsburg is looking to continue their three-game winning streak that includes victories over all three of their district opponents — Harlan, Pineville and Lynn Camp.

Know the Yellow Jackets

Williamsburg is no stranger to success as the Yellow Jackets always seem to be a threat in the postseason. The team boasts a 6-3 record with each loss coming against top teams in their respective classes. The Jackets lost to Somerset in Week 2 before back-to-back losses against Paintsville and Ludlow.

Williamsburg holds victories over Jellico, Tennessee; Leslie County; Frankfort and each of their three district opponents.

The Yellow Jackets’ success begins and ends with Alec Poore. The senior quarterback is the glue that sticks everything together offensively. Through the air, he has completed just under 53 percent of his passes for 2,267 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Poore has delivered double-digit receptions to five different players. Darrell White leads the way with 59 receptions for 777 yards and 14 touchdowns. Eli Mattingly and Dalton Ponder have hauled in 28 and 20 catches, respectively.

On the ground, the dual-threat quarterback has tallied a team-high 496 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging 55 yards per game. Ponder has rushed for 424 yards and three touchdowns. Kyle Davis leads the team in rushing touchdowns with five.

On the defensive side of the ball, Hunter Brown has carried the secondary with a team-high six interceptions. Devonte Powell and Ryan White have each grabbed two interceptions with Powell returning one for a touchdown.

Brown also leads the team in tackles with 94 on the season. Cody Maxey has tallied 60 tackles this year.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN