Kroger KSR GAMES of the Week: A doubleheader in Bell County

For the first time in history, the Kroger KSR Game of the Week will be a doubleheader. Both games will take place in Bell County. Middlesboro and Bell County High School are simultaneously hosting regional championship games for the first time since 1995. 

West Carter at Middlesboro 

The 12-0 Middlesboro Yellow Jackets will host the visiting West Carter Comets in a 2A regional championship game. Middlesboro is averaging 43.1 points per game and is led by quarterback Cayden Grigsby’s 1,545 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. The signal-caller has also rushed for 767 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Caleb Bogonko ranks fourth in 2A with 1,263 rush yards and has found the endzone on 21 occasions. Jay West is the team’s leading receiver with 21 catches and seven scores. Logan Daniels and Kameron Wilson both have 16 receptions and combine for 11 touchdowns. The defense is directed by Tyler Kelly. His 73 total tackles are tops on the team. He’s also added eight tackles for loss. Terrance Brooks has racked up 30 stops and 10 TFLs. The Yellow Jackets are surrendering 15.7 points per game. 

The 9-3 West Carter Comets are fresh off a 27-19 win over Martin County. Quarterback Eli Estepp has thrown for 1,741 yards and tossed 23 touchdowns. Cole Crampton is nearing the 2,000-yard mark after running for 1,837 and 23 touchdowns. Crampton is 2A’s leading rusher. Jackson Bond is Estepp’s primary target and has hauled in 36 catches for 813 yards and 9 touchdowns. Isaac Bond’s 113 tackles are a team-high. Samuel Rayburn is the designated havoc producer after accumulating 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 quarterback sacks. The Comets are giving up 17.8 points per contest. 

Belfry at Bell County 

Two legendary head coaches will face off for the region title. Belfry’s Phillip Haywood has won the most games in KHSAA history.  He’s also won seven state championships. Bell County’s Dudley Hilton is second in career victories and has won three titles.  

The host Bobcats are 10-2. Bell County defeated Rockcastle County 28-8 a week ago. Quarterback Cameron Burnett has completed 51 passes for 1,027 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also accumulated 317 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. Dawson Woolum is the team’s leading rusher after posting 1,540 yards and 20 touchdowns. Daniel Thomas’ 714 and 10 scores rank second. Carter McCune’s 17 receptions for 444 yards lead the team. Daniel Thomas has 20 catches and scored three touchdowns. The Bobcats are averaging 34 points per game. Ethan Raby and Daniel Thomas have both recorded over 90 tackles. Hayden Dameron has pitched in 15 tackles for loss and eight quarterback sacks. Cameron Burnett’s five interceptions rank second in 3A. Bell County is allowing 19 points per contest. 

Belfry enters Friday’s contest with a 6-6 record. The Pirates started the season 0-5, but have won six of their last seven games. Phillip Haywood’s teams are run-heavy. Running back Isaac Dixon is one of the best RBs in Kentucky. He’s rushed for 1,036 yards and 16 touchdowns. Dre Young has added 409 and four scores. Quarterback Caden Woolum has gained 100 yards and ran for five touchdowns in 2021. The Pirates are scoring 29.5 points per outing. Zayne Hatfield and Zachary Savage have both posted over 50 tackles. Five Pirates have over 40 stops. Belfry is surrendering 22 points per game. 

The two games will take place less than ten miles apart. The KSR crew will be busy this weekend in southeastern Kentucky. 

A Message from Kroger

We’re excited to tell you about something new from our friends at Kroger. Did you know Kroger is America’s largest grocery chain that started over 135 years ago? They are doing something they’ve never done before: bringing fresh groceries right to you with a new service called Hometown Pickup. 

That’s right, for those of you in Cynthiana, Midway, Eminence, Bedford, McKee, Dry Ridge, Carlisle, Eubank, Georgetown, Mt. Vernon, Jackson, Frenchburg, Irvine, Mt. Olivet, and Paris, Kentucky you can now order all your groceries online and pick them up at a central location in your hometown. No more long drives into the city to get fresh food for you and your family. Now THAT is truly Fresh for Everyone. Thanks, Kroger. 

Learn more and place your first order at Kroger.com/hometown.