Kroger KSR Game of the Week Preview: Webster County at McLean County

For the first time ever, the Kroger KSR Game of the Week will be traveling to Calhoun, KY, where the McLean County Cougars will host the Webster County Trojans in a rivalry game with high stakes at play. If McLean County wins this game, they will secure a home playoff game. For Webster County, a win would put them in position for a potential home playoff game as well, though they would need some help to make that happen.

The Cougars are 5-2 (2-1 in District 1) and are coming off of a thrilling win against the Hopkins County Central Storm, 28-27. McLean’s Aden Bolden scored the game-winning two-point conversion after the Cougars marched down the field and scored a touchdown. Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator Justin Cook and his defense would then hold off the Storm to escape with a win.

The Edward Milum-led Trojans are also 5-2 (2-1 in District 1), but they are heading into this week’s contest on the heels of a heartbreaking loss to the Hancock County Hornets, 40-39. At halftime, Webster County was up 33-18, and it seemed like things were going to continue rolling in the second half. However, the Hornets rallied and took the lead with 5:30 left in the game. On the following kickoff, Webster County fumbled away the ball, and the game was basically over from there.

Scouting Report: McLean County Cougars

The staple of every team coached by Zach Wagner is the infamous Wing-T offense. The same is true for this year’s squad. With a plethora of talent in the backfield, McLean County can run an effective option offense. At quarterback, Brodie Cline (Sr.) is the pure definition of a dual-threat player. He has 425 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air. He also has 437 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Aden Bolden (So.), Elijah Baldwin (Sr.), and Ayden Rice (Jr.) have a combined 1,153 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.

On the other side of the ball, the Cougars play an aggressive brand of defense powered by Coby Dant (Sr.), Hunter Stratton (Fr.), and Kamden Walters (Jr.). Dant has four sacks and 8.5 TFL on the season. In addition, Stratton has 56 total tackles, including 24 solo tackles. Walters has 29 tackles and an interception thus far. The Cougars are holding their opponents to 22.3 points per game, but it’ll be interesting to see what they can do against one of the toughest offenses in Class 3A.

Scouting Report: Webster County Trojans

Webster County is seeing a lot of success this season, but that hasn’t been the case in previous seasons in Dixon, KY. The Trojans are already up to five wins on the season –the last time they won at least five games was in 2007. Part of the huge success this year has been their potent offensive attack. Like McLean County, they run an offense that thrives with counter and misdirection-type plays.

Quarterback Blake Hanor (Sr.) has thrown for 304 yards and has recorded six passing touchdowns this season. However, like the Cougars, most of the production comes in the run game. Jackson Edens (Jr.), Jarvis Starks Scott (Sr.), and Tyler Kautzman (So.) have carried the ball for a combined 1,684 yards and 19 touchdowns. Also, the Trojans have a kicker, Brain Alfaro (Fr.), who is capable of making field goals from over 40 yards out. As a collective unit, Webster County is scoring an impressive 41.3 points per game.

Series History and Game Time

Webster County leads the all-time series against McLean County, as they have a 23-20 record against the Cougars. However, McLean County has won the last seven contests between the two schools, and by a large margin. McLean County won 68-29 in their last meeting with Webster County in 2019.

The Thursday night game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT (local time) at Paulsen Stadium in Calhoun, KY. The Trojans will make the roughly 30-mile journey as both teams battle in a highly anticipated game with a lot on the line.