MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: Stock rising in the West – The Independent

Eerily quiet and strangely serene, Friday night was unlike any other inside The Daily Independent sports cave.

Scary good described that particular night elsewhere for a certain individual.

The Monday Morning Quarterback wasnt nearly as frenetically occupied as usual, since relentless rain knocked most of our coverage-area games up or back a day. The QB leaned back to admire the clock reading a reasonable hour after sending the last sports page of the evening until the phone rang a few minutes after midnight.

It was our Lawrence County informant, James Ellis.

Ellis proceeded to read off astronomical numbers, all associated with one person the Bulldog behind center.

Noah West, as it turned out, spent much of his Friday in Prestonsburg well ahead of the line of scrimmage. The junior quarterback, who is still learning the offense, according to coach Alan Short, compelled his coach to call his name over and over and over.

West carried 38 times for 406 yards and four touchdowns in a 37-32 victory.

Short joked about pursuing legal protection.

I had asked (Wests parents, Brad and Deena) after our game with Raceland if they were going to turn me in to social services for child abuse, Short said in a text message. He only had 26 carries that night. Not sure what they will think about 38 for 406.

Short said hes had the luxury of coaching quarterbacks Hayden Kiser, Grant Kiser and A.J. Cyrus, among others.

Some years we run it more, others we might throw it more, Short said. Now, its Noahs turn. With him and his ability to run, we obviously want to run it with him.

Short said West leaned on the Bulldogs experienced offensive line to pave the way past the Blackcats. Every yard was needed.

He is a humble and hungry guy, Short said of West. He is quick to give credit where credit is due, and knows that nothing can happen without the five or six guys up front.

West finished 18 yards shy of his second cousin Michael Wests record of 424.

Three and out

Those concerned about Racelands offense after a shutout at Putnam Stadium last week might have overlooked the Rams defensive performance. No problem, sayeth the Rams. They followed it up by slamming the door on West Carters normally proficient rushing game. Raceland held the Comets to their lowest output from the backfield 34 yards in nine games. Nicholas County limited West Carter to just 20 yards rushing on Sept. 16, 2016.

Ashland defensive coordinator Chad Tackett said the Tomcats weekly goal is to keep their opponents to fewer than the following: 100 rushing yards, 100 passing yards and 14 points.

While Ashland failed to check any of those off the list against George Washington, its defense proved its worth for the second straight week, preparing the landscape for more low-scoring games in the near future.

With 108 yards on the ground on Thursday, Greenup Countys Dalton Halstead became the first Musketeer since at least 2013 to eclipse 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games. Greenup County did not report statistics from its 2013 contests.

Helmet stickers

Four: Noah West (Lawrence Co.), Cam Webb (Raceland), Jaden Campbell (Fleming Co.), Blake Gamble (J. Central).

All of Wests accomplishments are listed above. Unless you skipped directly to this portion of the QBs prize-winning piece, or you just neglected to pay attention, you already had a chance to at least try to comprehend Wests numbers.

Webb tallied six receptions for 119 yards and a score against West Carter. The Ram also snagged an interception.

Campbell had a similar night on Thursday. He recorded 117 receiving yards and a TD to go with an interception and nine tackles.

Gamble toted 26 times for 141 yards and caught four Ryley Preece passes for 68 yards and two scores at Henry Clay.

Three: Gage Salyers (Ironton), Judd Adkins (Raceland), Cameron Corbin (Bath Co.), Ryley Preece (J. Central).

Two: Josh Crump (Fleming Co.), Dalton Daniels (Paintsville), Braxton Ratliff (Ashland), Damon Black (Raceland), Dalton Halstead (Greenup Co.), John Walker Phelps (Paintsville), Gabe Limings (EastCarter), JoshFord (EastCarter).

One: Isaac Caines (Ashland), Lane Rogers (Bath Co.), Patrick Kelly (Greenup Co.), Brad Glascock (Fleming Co.), Devin Johnson (J. Central), Justin Davis (Greenup Co.), Thomas Salyer (Boyd Co.), Matt Horn (J. Central), John McDavid (East Carter).

Did not report statistics: Fairview, Morgan Co., Rowan Co.

Snyders NEKY Super Seven

1. J. Central (2-0)

2. Paintsville (2-1)

3. Ashland (1-2)

4. Fleming Co. (2-0)

5. Raceland (2-1)

6. Greenup Co. (2-1)

7. Lawrence Co. (2-1)

Knocking on the door (next two in): E. Carter, W. Carter.

Wide right

Miss it? Heres a recap of local scores from Week 3: Mason County 51, Rowan County 16; Morgan County 60, Jenkins 0; Ironton 35, Russell 7; Lawrence County 37, Prestonsburg 32; Fleming County 21, Greenup County 17; Hurricane (W.Va.) 17, Paintsville 13; Johnson Central 40, Henry Clay 28; Nicholas County 19, Fairview 6; Bath County 32, Powell County 27; George Washington 14, Ashland 7; South Point 20, Boyd County 12; Raceland 35, West Carter 0; and East Carter 27, Betsy Layne 20.

Halftime Prep Talk

East Carter football coach Tim Champlin and a Raider have agreed to participate in the next episode of Halftime Prep Talk! The HTPT crew will visit Grayson this week. Watch at dailyindependent.com every Friday!

Catch up on past episodes by checking out the Halftime Prep Talk Facebook page.

Reach AARON SNYDER at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664. Follow @DIndependentQB on Twitter.

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MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: Stock rising in the West - The Independent