Sports

Eighth-grade student-athletes were honored before Adair County Middle School’s football game with Campbellsville Tuesday.

Adair County Football Coach Van Isaac has announced the Indians will be traveling to Monticello Friday for a contest with Wayne County High School. ACHS’ original game at Berea was cancelled.

Kickoff Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. CST.

The No. 1-ranked Lindsey Wilson College football team is set to open the 2021-22 season Thursday with a matchup against Webber International (Fla.) at Blue Raider Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Last season, the Blue Raiders won their first NAIA National Championship and finished the year with a flawless 11-0 record. The team accomplished a perfect 7-0 record in the Bluegrass Division and was crowned conference champions for the fourth time in program history.

Tomorrow marks the 12th season for head coach Chris Oliver leading the Blue Raiders. Oliver has accumulated a 93-33 (48-17 MSC) overall record during his tenure. Last season, Oliver was named AFCA-Regional Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career, as well as claiming the AFCA-NAIA National Coach of the Year award.

A season ago, the Blue Raiders were one of the best in the NAIA. Through the 11 games played, the team averaged an impressive 46.3 points per game. Not only was this offensive display the best in the Bluegrass Division, but it also ranked second in the NAIA. The 509 total points scored by Lindsey Wilson was second-most in the NAIA.

The Lindsey Wilson offense will return two All Mid-South Conference selections from the previous season in quarterback Cameron Dukes and running back Jaylen Boyd. Dukes, who was named AFCA-NAIA Coaches’ All-America Second Team, threw for 2,555 yards and 33 touchdowns. Last season, Boyd became the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards, compiling 685 yards and eight touchdowns during the season to put him in the top spot with 2,441 career rushing yards. The Blue Raiders offense also welcomes back All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division First Team selection Joshua Lewis who totaled 591 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Last season on defense, Lindsey Wilson allowed just 14.4 points per game which was the lowest mark in the Bluegrass Division and the sixth lowest in the NAIA.

The Blue Raiders return All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division First Team selection Luke Bowman and Second Team selection Peyton Doles. Bowman recorded team-highs of 76 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Doles added 64 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception.

Live video and live stats will be available. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

The Class 3A Adair County Indians stunned 6A Barren County Friday night in Glasgow with a 34-26 football victory in double overtime.

For more information on the game, see Thursday’s issue of the Community Voice.

Adair County High School Football Coach Van Isaac has announced the Indians’ game scheduled for Friday at Campbellsville has been canceled. The Indians, will instead, travel to Glasgow for a battle at Barren County. The game is scheduled, according to Isaac, at 8 p.m.

The Adair County Middle School Football Indians will open their season tomorrow (Aug. 14) with a visit from Monroe County. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

We want to provide you with an opportunity to leave your message of support for the Indians here.

Scenes from Adair County Football Practice

Coach Van Isaac is getting ready to begin his third season at the helm of the Adair County Indians. He was brought in to turn the football program around and take it back to the prominence it once had.

Unfortunately, Isaac hasn’t had much of a chance to get that process started. He was hired late in the summer before the 2019 campaign and last year, he and the Indians never knew if they were going to play from one day to the next because of COVID-19. It has been frustrating.

“Year one I got in here really late, I didn’t get in until June or July,” Isaac said. “Year two, we had Covid, so this year seems like the first normal year we’ve had. It has been the first year we’ve had spring ball, and a full off-season.

“I just can’t wait, I have a chip on my shoulder. With me being a young coach and struggling the first two years, you better believe I am hungry; and I am hungry for a win and to get this program turned around.”

The Indians opened training camp on Monday.

Adair County players have been working diligently throughout the summer and Isaac believes his team came out of the crazy 2020 Covid season with the right attitude.

“The direction we’re headed in has been in a positive direction, so we’re not going to do a lot of things different this year. I believe in what we’ve done,” the coach said. “You can be assured I am very determined to have a great season.

“The offseason was above average as it pertains to January through March. I liked the amount of kids we had in the weight room, probably 25. We had such a good spring ball. I like where we’re at overall.”

Isaac received a big surprise this summer when he found out five of his seniors from last year’s team are coming back to play a fifth year through the district’s supplemental year program. That group includes standouts like quarterback and free safety Brady Cundiff, running back and linebacker Cameron Harmon, fullback and defensive end Dylan Pierce, tight end and linebacker Dawson Conn; and lineman Brandon Foster. He said there is also a possibility he could be adding a sixth one.

With that core of players to build around, Isaac is also excited to see what his rising seniors will contribute. That talented group includes, linebacker Case Cowan, last year’s leading tackler; guard Briley Taylor, defensive tackle Joshua Smallwood, tight end Nathan Hines, quarterback and defensive back Luke Janes, fullback Brian Cornelison, and speedy wide receiver DeShawn Singleton.

“I want them to be confident, what we call supremely confident, where you are confident in your preparation, confident in the hard work you’ve put in, confident in your abilities,” Isaac said. “When we walk on to the field with a team like Taylor County or Glasgow, I do not want to be intimidated. (We need to remember) we’re pretty good, too.”

The Indians’ preseason practice schedule is Monday through Thursday, usually from 4-6 p.m. They will take part in a camp at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro July 28-31.

Adair County is scheduled to open the 2021 season Aug. 20 at home with Russell County. Isaac said he is shooting to break the all-time attendance record that night with 3,000 paid admissions. At halftime of the game, the 1992 Adair County football team and coach John Peck will be honored.

Members of the 1992  team that would like to come back for the event should contact Isaac at van.isaac@adair.kyschools.us

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

Adair County 8U Little League All-Stars have advanced to the semifinals of the state championship tournament in Richmond. The Indians will play either North Laurel or North Oldham tonight for a spot in Tuesday’s title game with Louisville Eastern. The first pitch tonight will be at 6:30 p.m. CST.

For more information on the tournament, check out Thursday’s edition of the Adair County Community Voice.

The Adair County 8U Little League all-stars will be in Richmond this weekend competing in the 2021 State Tournament. The Indians’ first game is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CDT, against either Ashland or Corbin. Be sure to post your best wishes for the team here as the Indians compete against the best teams in the state.

For more information on the tournament, check out this week’s Adair County Community Voice.

Brittany Michaela Crockett was born May 10, 1994, in Louisville. She was a gift from God from her first breath.

Brittany went to be with our heavenly Father on June 1, 2021. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Hobert Helm.

Brittany is survived by: her parents – Michael and Patricia Crockett of Lexington; her best friend and grandmother – Linda Helm of Columbia; paternal grandmother and step-grandfather – Nenia and Eldridge “Tangle” Dykes of Columbia; her fur-baby, Minnie,who was always by her side; many other family members also survive.

Brittany loved video games, researching on the internet, animals and being with her “granny.”

The family has chosen cremation and no services are planned at this time.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Scenes from Adair County High School Football Coach Van Isaac’s youth football camp.

Adair County High School will host the 2021 20^th District Baseball and Softball tournaments.

The baseball tournament begins Saturday, May 29^th, at 1:30 p.m. with Campbellsville facing Adair County. Taylor County will play Marion County at 4:30 p.m. The championship game will be Monday, May 31^st, at 4 p.m.

The softball tournament will start Monday, May 31^st, at 11 a.m. with Marion County and Adair County. Taylor County will play Campbellsville at 1:30 p.m. The championship game will be June 1^st at 5 p.m.

Tickets for all games can be found by going to https://tinyurl.com/adairtickets or by visiting the ACHS website. Tickets are required for all fans, including Adair County fans.

Questions about the district tournaments may be directed to Brent Campbell, athletics director, at 270-384-2751 or by email at brent.campbell@adair.kyschools.us.

The 2021 Adair County High School Football Camp drew a large crowd this week. Head coach Van Isaac said campers worked on basic football fundamentals including tackling, defense, passing, kicking and receiving. For more photos from the camp, check out Thursday’s issue of The Community Voice.

Adair County Schools will have a follow-up athletics interest meeting for the following sports: archery, bass fishing, cross country, Esports and soccer on Monday, June 7, at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

All interested athletes and parents are urged to attend. If you have questions, please contact Brent Campbell, athletics director, at 270-384-2751 or by email at brent.campbell@adair.kyschools.us.

Andrew Reliford has confirmed he has resigned his position as girls’ basketball coach at Adair County High School. A search for his successor is being conducted. Reliford said he will stay on in his teaching position with the district.

Lindsey Wilson College head football coach Chris Oliver has been named the 2021 American Football Coaches’ Association NAIA Region 1 Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The honor is the sixth for Oliver, who is in his 11th season at Lindsey Wilson. He is one of two coaches across all levels of collegiate football to record multiple selections as region coach of the year in their respective region this season.

Oliver led the Blue Raiders to a 7-0 record this season, and the Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division title. Lindsey Wilson has earned a bid into the NAIA playoffs where they will host a first-round game this Saturday at Blue Raider Stadium against No. 13 Bethel (Kan.).

In his 11 seasons, Oliver has compiled an 89-33 overall record, including a 48-7 mark over the last five seasons. He has advanced to the NAIA Championship Series six times in his career.

This season, Lindsey Wilson won the program’s fourth MSC divisional title. The Blue Raiders completed the program’s third perfect regular season as they have also accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2019.

Lindsey Wilson enters the postseason ranked No. 3 in the final regular-season NAIA Football Coaches’ Top-25 Poll.

The AFCA will announce the 2021 Spring AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year during the week leading up to the NAIA National Championship. The Regional winners are finalists for National Coach of the Year.

Registration is still being accepted for children wanting to play in the Adair County Little League Baseball and Softball Divisions. Parents can sign-up their children Monday, March 15, and Wednesday, March 17, at the Blue Building at Joe Johnson Little League Park.

Registration will be open for boys and girls, ages 3-12,  from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night.

The cost is $60 for the first child of the family, $30 for each additional child. Cash, check or debit card will be accepted.

Read more of the latest headline news: https://adairvoice.com

The kickoff time for the Lindsey Wilson College football game with Pikeville (Ky.) on Feb. 12 has been adjusted, LWC athletics director Willis Pooler announced today.

Kickoff is now slated for 1:30 p.m. CT at Blue Raider Stadium.

“Due to the forecasted temperature for next Friday’s season opener, we felt it was important to move up the game time for the safety of our student-athletes,” Pooler said. “I would like to thank Pikeville for their willingness to make the adjustment.”

Fans will be limited to family members who appear on the pass list. All fans will be required to adhere to the attendance policy, including the Lindsey Wilson screening protocol before entering Blue Raider Stadium and wearing a face mask and observing social distancing while inside the stadium.

Visiting fans will not be permitted inside Blue Raider Stadium this season.

Adair County freshman Hannah West has made the most of her opportunities in basketball.

For more information on her journey to becoming one of the top players in the region, read Thursday’s edition of the Adair County Community Voice.

The Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team shook off a rusty first half to garner a 72-64 come-from-behind victory over host Martin Methodist (Tenn.) on Monday evening at the Curry Christian Life Center in Pulaski, Tenn.

The tally in the win column snaps a season-long two-game skid for the Blue Raiders (13-3, 8-3 in the Mid-South Conference).

Lindsey Wilson used a 16-5 run in the early stages of the third quarter to turn an 11-point deficit into a 44-44 tie with three and half minutes to play in the third frame. Reagan Turner led the charge with eight points during the run. The Blue Raiders set aside their first-half shooting woes to convert on 10-of-11 from the field in the quarter, including hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Despite taking a 55-51 lead into the fourth quarter, the Blue Raiders’ advantage was at constant risk. Martin Methodist rekindled its scoring touch to charge back, tying the game at 60-60 with 5:25 left in regulation.

Lindsey Wilson quickly regained its momentum closing with a 12-4 run, thanks in part to a clutch free throw presence that included a 6-of-8 showing in the deciding run.

Turner paced the Lindsey Wilson offense with a game-high 25 points, shooting an impressive 8-of-9 from the field, including making both of her shots from 3-point territory. Bree Glover snatched her fifth double-double of her senior campaign, contributing 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. As the conference’s leader in rebounds per game, Glover has corralled 10 or more rebounds in six consecutive games.

Sydnie Hall scored nine of her 14 points in the first quarter, including the Blue Raider’s first seven.

Lindsey Wilson will look to split their four-game road trip when they travel to Bethel (Tenn.) this evening. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

Bree Glover was unstoppable on Thursday night as the senior led the Lindsey Wilson College women’s basketball team to a 63-54 victory against Pikeville (Ky.) at the Biggers Sports Center.

The forward out of Glasgow, filled the stat sheet. Glover recorded a career-high 21 rebounds, just two shy of tying the program record, 13 points, four blocks, and four steals.

After two weeks off, the Blue Raiders (10-1, 5-1 MSC) showed some rust early on with five turnovers in the first five minutes of the game. Despite that, Lindsey Wilson was able to stay close to Pikeville (9-5, 5-5 MSC), down just 18-15 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Blue Raiders returned to their dominant form by going on a 9-0 run and taking a 24-18 lead which turned into a 31-27 advantage by halftime.