ASHLAND — Ray Brooks thought it was the least he could do. A simple email extending a morsel of support to a fellow coaching friend.

At the time the Boyd County first-year football coach offered Brian Turner and his Morgan County Cougars the opportunity to treat tonight’s matchup in Cannonsburg as a home game, it appeared that Morgan County would be without its football field this fall.

In a miraculous turnaround, Morgan County will host Estill County next week on a field that absorbed extensive damage from the March tornadoes that ravaged the community of West Liberty.

“Word was out that they lost everything,” Brooks recalled. “I can only imagine what it might be like to have to play 10 away games. We wanted to do something to support the kids, something like letting them wear their home jerseys, for example.”

“It was a good gesture on his part,” Turner said. “We’ve had a lot of support, not only toward our football program, but our school and community. The love of God has shone through people.”

Boyd County shut out Shelby Valley, 22-0, last week, while Morgan County put a 43-7 pummeling on Powell County in a scrimmage.

“That doesn’t matter now,” Turner reminded.

His Cougars return most of their big-stat producers from a year ago. That team blanked Boyd County 32-0 in West Liberty en route to an 8-3 season.

While fast and strong, Morgan County is smaller than Boyd County, which Turner noted.

“They have lots of good kids up front,” Turner said. “They were very impressive in their win.”

Turner is glad to get his Cougars back on the field for a real game after such a trying and tiring offseason.

“This is a return to something normal,” Turner said.

Catching Swami

Fitting title for the segment, don’t ya think?

I knew the QB had big shoes to fill when supplanting the Swami in the score-predicting department, but come on, how did he end up 8-0 last week? That lucky Nicholas County pick. Where are you Lewis? Just kidding. The Bluejackets earned it.

Looking up and down the slate, a few scream trouble this week — Paris-Paintsville, Morgan-Boyd and Bath-West are potential pitfalls.

Oh well, here we go ...

Ashland 38, Raceland 20: This isn’t Class 4A versus Class A. No one views it that way anymore. But the Rams, after taking three straight over the Tomcats from 2006-08, are hoping to trim that margin they’ve seen the last three years — 31-0, 44-7, 58-12 losses. Both teams can be explosive.

Morgan County 20, Boyd County 14: It’s always dangerous to face an inspired football team, especially when that team is also quite good.

Fairview 44, East Carter 16: Eagles soar to huge lead before Raiders find the end zone a couple times late.

Russell 31, Greenup County 14: Greenup County’s confidence is rising, but I think Russell wins the key battle in the trenches.

Lawrence County 30, Jackson County 7: Paris pounded Jackson County, 46-22, a week ago, and that’s hardly ever a positive sign. Dawgs get first win here.

Carroll County 22, Lewis County 20: Lewis County started to figure out a few things offensively, it seemed, as Saturday’s game against Nicholas County progressed. Still giving Carroll a slight edge.

Paris 6, Paintsville 5: I clearly have no clue.

Perry Central 26, Johnson Central 24: I realize Johnson Central is going for revenge, and usually that means a win for the Golden Eagles. However, I like Perry County Central’s chances at home in a tight contest.

Pulaski County 34, Rowan County 27: I can see this one turning into a shootout, but it may take a few more weeks for Rowan County’s offense to be fully clicking.

Bath County 14, West Carter 7: Both teams desperately want a win here. It could be one of few for two programs in rebuilding mode. The Wildcats and Comets lost by a combined 74 points last week.

Ironton 37, Wheelersburg 14: Fighting Tigers start off right for their new coach, Mark Vass, on Wheelersburg’s new turf.

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.