AT A GLANCE: Webster County, 2023 Season Opener

BY: ANDY HUNT

Check out this week's post to find out what these four former Rockets have in common with Webster County!

       

                     

(Clockwise, starting in upper left): Barkley Hughes (#66) - 1989 All-WKC and 1989 Team Defensive MVP;  Tim Binkley (#34 in color) - 1989 All-WKC; Mike Hunt (#34 in B&W) - 1975 1st Team All-WKC and 1985 Co-Team MVP (Mike Cook); Jerry Jessup (#30) - Scored 112 points in his career and record more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

2023 Webster County 3A (0-0, District 0-0)

• Week 1 – Crittenden County
• Week 2 – Butler County
• Week 3 – Todd County Central
• Week 4 – Ballard Memorial
• Week 5 – Trigg County*
• Week 6 – Hopkins County Central*
• Week 7 – Hancock County*
• Week 8 – McLean County*
• Week 9 – Union County*
• Week 10 – Fort Campbell

                *District Opponents

• Webster County has 44 players on its roster (33 players in ’22, 39 players in ’21 & 27 players in ’20).

Webster County in 2022

• Record: 4-7 (One win was a 1-0, forfeit)
• Of the three teams they played and beat in 2022, those opponents were a combined 7-25 with one of those wins being a 1-0, forfeit, as well.

Webster County returning stat leaders

• Passing
• WC as a team in 2022 was 12/48 for 153 yards with no TDs or interceptions.
• Of the four players which threw passes in 2022 for WC, only Blake Hanor (#10) returns in 2023.  Hanor was 2/10 for 34 yards in 2022.
• Rushing
• 2022 Leading Rusher, Jackson Edens (#2) returns for his junior campaign.  Edens racked up 860 yards on 95 carries (9.05 YPC) along with eight TDs.
• Sophomore, Tyler Kautzman (#35 or #36), returns in 2023 after rushing for 297 yards on 35 carries (8.5 YPC) and he had one rushing TD.
• As a team, Webster County rushed for 2,131 yards in 2022.  They had 21 total rushing TDs.  For comparison's sake, in 2022, Crittenden County rushed for 1,426 yards and had 24 TDs.
• Receiving
• No receiver had more than 60 yards receiving for the year in 2022.
• Kicking
• Tim Catlin, Kicker in 2022, graduated after going 19/20 on PATs and 4/10 on FGs.
• Defense
• Jackson Edens (#2) - 45 Tackles - 1 INT
• Josiah Mills (#18) - 43 Tackles - Fumble Recovery
• Aden Walker (#32) - 40 Tackles - 2 Fumble Recoveries
• Tyler Kautzman (#35 or #36) - 39 Tackles - 2 INTs
• Ayden Preston (#21) - 35 Tackles - Forced Fumble

New Head Coach, Eddie Milum

From “The Journal Enterprise,” May 18, 2023

1^st year Webster County Head Coach.  Milum was an assistant at Webster County and expected to be the offensive coordinator for the 2023 season.  However, then Webster County Football Head Coach, Zach LaGrange, resigned in April opening the door for Milum.  LaGrange was 14-59 over seven seasons.

Milum was an assistant for Webster County from 1995-2003.  In 2004, he left for Hopkins County and was an assistant at Madisonville-North Hopkins until 2015.  

Photo Credit: The Journal Enterprise (M G McKinley, Reporter)
ABOVE: Eddie Milum addressing the players after he was announced as the head coach of Webster County Football.

Crittenden County Single Game School Records Versus Webster County
(Some Statistical Categories Unavailable)

• Passing Yards: 325, Hunter Boone, 2018
• Passing Completions: 22, Hunter Boone, 2018
• Passing Attempts: 29, Hunter Boone, 2018
• Passing Touchdowns: 4 (twice), Austin Berry, 2004 and Hunter Boone, 2018
• Interceptions Thrown: 3 (three times), Jimmy Hughes (1975), David Cozart (1987), and Doug Campbell (1998)

• Rushing Yards: 201, David Hunt, 2001
• Rushing Touchdowns: N/A, minimum 4
• Rushing Attempts: 27, Lane Wallace, 2013

• Receiving Yards: 119, Ethan Dossett, 2017
• Receptions: 6 (twice), Alex Cosby, 2015 and Preston Morgeson, 2022
• Receiving Touchdowns: 3, Gaige Courtney, 2008

• Tackles: 26, Barkley Hughes, 1989 (School single game record for tackles in a game)
• Tackles for Loss: 4 (four times), Adam Beavers, 2017, Brady Birk, 2017, Dylan Yates, 2021, & Case Gobin, 2021
• Interceptions: 3, T.K. Guess , 2004
• Sacks: 2, Jeremy Woodside, 1995
• Caused Fumbles: 2 (three times), Kevin Gilbert (1989), Josh Ipock (2007), and Nick Castiller (2014)
• Fumble Recoveries: 2 (three times), Seldon Howerton (1973), Donnie Beavers (1973), and Greg Brantley (1975)

• Longest TD Pass: 97 Yards, Tyler Boone from Hunter Jones, 2019
• Longest TD Run: 89 Yards, Jerry Jessup, 1989
• Longest Interception Return for a TD: 100 Yards, Jerry Jessup, 1989 (School record)
• Longest Fumble Return for a TD: 92 Yards, Mike Hunt, 1975 (School record)
• Longest Punt Return for a TD: 90 Yards, Tim Binkley, 1989 (School record)
• Longest Kickoff Return for a TD: 82 Yards, Rodney Robertson, 2007
• Longest Field Goal: 29 Yards, Alex Summers, 1984
• Most Points Scored: 24, T.K. Guess, 2005

School Records Versus Webster County

• Four school records for single games have been set against Webster County.  Three were in the same game.
• Longest Interception Return for a TD: 100 Yards, Jerry Jessup, 1989 (School record)
• Longest Fumble Return for a TD: 92 Yards, Mike Hunt, 1975 (School record)
• Longest Punt Return for a TD: 90 Yards, Tim Binkley, 1989 (School record)
• Tackles: 26, Barkley Hughes, 1989 (School single game record for tackles in a game)

Webster County Series
Season - Location - Score - CC Result

• 1972 - AWAY - 6-7 – LOSS * Webster County's 1st Varsity Season
• 1973 - HOME - 0-14 – LOSS
• 1974 - AWAY - 6-6 – TIE
• 1975 - HOME - 20-0 – WIN
• 1976 - AWAY - 13-6 – WIN
• 1977 - HOME - 6-27 – LOSS
• 1978 - AWAY - 0-54 – LOSS
• 1979 - HOME - 12-33 – LOSS
• 1980 - AWAY - 0-14 – LOSS
• 1981 - HOME - 18-7 – WIN
• 1982 - AWAY - 0-14 – LOSS
• 1983 - HOME -12-7 – WIN
• 1984 - AWAY - 23-6 – WIN
• 1985 - HOME - 28-6 – WIN
• 1986 - AWAY - 13-0 – WIN
• 1987 - HOME - 48-36 – WIN
• 1988 - AWAY - 22-6 – WIN
• 1989 - HOME - 25-6 – WIN
• 1990 - AWAY - 0-20 – LOSS
• 1991 - HOME - 7-6 – WIN
• 1992 - AWAY - 21-20 (OT) – WIN
• 1993 - HOME - 7-35 – LOSS
• 1994 - AWAY - 12-40 – LOSS
• 1995 - HOME - 24-6 – WIN
• 1996 - AWAY - 22-7 – WIN
• 1997 - HOME - 18-7 – WIN
• 1998 - AWAY - 19-7 – WIN
• 1999 - HOME - 27-6 - WIN
• 2000 - AWAY - 13-48 – LOSS
• 2001 - HOME - 13-7 – WIN
• 2002 - AWAY - 7-14 – LOSS
• 2003 - HOME - 29-14 – WIN
• 2004 - AWAY - 34-7 – WIN
• 2005 - HOME - 47-6 – WIN
• 2006 - AWAY - 6-14 – LOSS
• 2007 - HOME - 33-21 – WIN
• 2008 - AWAY - 34-0 – WIN
• 2009 - HOME - 49-8 – WIN
• 2010 - AWAY - 53-0 – WIN
• 2013 - AWAY - 19-8 – WIN
• 2014 - HOME - 21-6 – WIN
• 2015 - AWAY - 48-12 – WIN
• 2016 - HOME - 28-6 – WIN
• 2017 - AWAY - 49-7 – WIN
• 2018 - HOME - 48-13 – WIN
• 2019 - AWAY - 48-21 – WIN
• 2021 - HOME - 53-6 – WIN
• 2022 - AWAY - 14-7 – WIN
  
  
• CC leads the series 34 - 13 - 1 (71.9% winning percentage)
• Since 1983, CC holds a 32 - 6 (84.2% winning percentage) edge in the series
• Biggest win in the series for CC, 53-0 in 2010.
• Biggest loss in the series for CC, 0-54 in 1978
• CC has won 13 games in-a-row against Webster County and 16 of the last 17.
• When CC scores at least 14 points in a game against Webster County, it has never lost.
• CC hasn’t lost to Webster County on the road since 2006.
• Most meaningful game was 2002 loss by a score of 7-14, CC team went 10-3 (District Champs and Region Runner-Up) and Webster County (12-2) lost in the semi-finals of 2A.  Beat undefeated Owensboro Catholic in Region Championship, 21-16.  Lost semi-state game to Corbin (11-4), 21-28.
• In the history of WC football program, they have played CC every year except 2011, 2012, and 2020.
• WC has won more than 1 game in a season only four times since 2010.

Most Games Played Against A Single Opponent
Opponent - Number of Contests (Minimum 25 Games)

1. 56 - Russellville
2. 55 - Caldwell County
3. 46 - Fulton City
4. 48 - Webster County
5. 43 - Trigg County
6. 42 - Ballard Memorial
7. 39 - Fulton County
8. 36 - Union County
9. 27 - Reidland
10. 25 - Murray

Returning Stat Leaders

• Passing - CC returns 93% of its passing yards
• Micah Newcom (#10) - 168/248, 2208 yards, 27 TDs, 10 INTs
• Rushing - CC returns 77% of its rushing yards in 2023
• Gavin Travis (#5) - 96 attempts, 452 yards, 5 TDs
• Micah Newcom (#10) - 132 attempts, 411 yards, 11 TDs
• Tyler Belt (#23) - 42 attempts, 217 yards, 2 TDs
• Receiving
• Caden Howard (#6) - 19 receptions, 246 yards, 5 TDs
• Tyler Belt (#23) - 14 receptions, 154 yards
• Gatten Travis (#5) - 6 recpetions, 120 yards, 1 TD
• Defense
• Gatten Travis (#5) - 63 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, forced fumble
• Bennett McDaniel (#8) - 56 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, forced fumble, INT
• Levi Piper (#3) - 37 Tackles 
• Caden Howard (#6) - 23 Tackles, 3 TFL, sack, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
• Gabe Keller (#1) - 15 Tackles, fumble recoveries, INT

Record Breaker Watch
Micah Newcom

• Passing Yards – Career
• 4. Nick Castiller – 2,814
• 5. Jamie Curtis - 2,813
• 6. Micah Newcom – 2,398
• 7. J.D. Gray – 2,172
• 8. Turner Martin – 1,840
• 9. Sean Thompson – 1,757
• Micah Newcom has 182 completions in his career which ranks tied for 5^th all-time.  Next up are Austin Berry with 227, Nick Castiller with 234, Luke Crider with 283, and Hunter Boone with 489.
• Micah Newcom has 271 passing attempts during his time as Rocket which is the 10^th most in that category for a career.  Next up are Travis Gilbert with 279, Sean Thompson with 281, and J.D. Gray with 320.
• Passing Touchdowns – Career
• 1. Hunter Boone (2015-2018) – 84
• 2. Luke Crider (2018-2021) – 49
• 3. Austin Berry (2002-2005) – 47
• 4. Micah Newcom (2020-Present) – 30
• 5. J.D. Gray (2006-2009) – 24
• Yards of Offense (Passing and Rushing Yards) – Career
• 9. Jimmy Hopper (1960-1963) – 3,028 (stats incomplete)
• 10. Xander Tabor (2017-2020) – 3,007
• 11. Sean Thompson (2000-2003) – 2,987
• 12. Rodney Robertson (2005-2008) – 2,835
• 13. Micah Newcom (2020-Present) – 2,803
• Micah Newcom has been responsible for 41 total TDs in his career.  This ranks him tied for 11^th in career TDs responsible for.  Next up are David Beverly with 42 and Xander Tabor, Rodney Robertson, and Dennis Mott with 44.

Stat Projection

These are the projected CAREER stats and statistical rankings if Micah Newcom repeated his exact stats from 2022 in 2023.

• Career Passing Yards – 4,606 – 2^nd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 6,763
• Would be the second Rocket QB to have two, 2,000+ passing yard seasons (Hunter Boone).
• Career Passing Completions – 350 – 2^nd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 489
• Career Passing Attempts – 519 – 3^rd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 892 (2^nd – Luke Crider, 538)
• Career Passing TDs – 57 – 2^nd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 84
• Career Completion Percentage – 67.44% (350/519) – All-Time Leader
• Previous All-Time Leader: Austin Berry, 57.32% (227/396)
• Career Passer Rating – 169.36 – All-Time Leader
• Previous All-Time Leader: Austin Berry, 166.82
• Career TD to Interception Ratio – 2.48 (57/23) – 2^nd All-Time
• Previous All-Time Leader: Austin Berry, 2.61 (47/18)
• Career Yards of Offense (Passing & Rushing Yards) – 5,422 – 2^nd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 7,060
• Career "Total Touchdowns (Responsible For)" – 79 – 2^nd All-Time
• All-Time Leader: Hunter Boone, 92
• Career Rushing Touchdowns – 22 – 12^th All-Time
• Would be the 8^th player to have scored 11 or more rushing TDs in a season, twice.
• Career Scoring – 144 – 17^th All-Time
• Would be highest point total for player who only scored while playing quarterback.