Shelby Kester

Staff Writer

     The face off of the former Lone Oak receiver Jamarielle Brown and former Purple Flash quarterback Corey Robinson in the Clash of the Flash game on Saturday ended with the Hilltoppers being the victors over Troy and securing their first winning season since moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2009. The Trojans allowed 338 yards rushing on the way to a 42-18 loss, marking the fifth loss in the past six games for Troy. The Hilltoppers dominated the game, possessing the ball for nearly 44 minutes. Despite the final score, Robinson’s performance which included 303 passing yards and 2 touchdowns earned him Top Performer honors from ESPN.  Though Brown didn’t get much playing time, he believes “if my team is winning, that’s all that matters.”

In the four years since Troy quarterback Corey Robinson and WKU wide receiver Jamarielle Brown led Lone Oak High School to its first ever trip to the Kentucky football championship title game, they have taken different paths toward reaching accomplishments in their college career. During their high school career, Brown and Robinson set state and national records together including Robinson’s 91 touchdown passes- 28 of those were caught by Brown. They were the kick-start to a winning tradition for the football program.  Not only were they dynamite on the field, but off the field they considered each other brothers. Brown moved in with the Robinson family just before the end of his sophomore year of high school and remained there until Robinson, a year ahead in school, graduated.

     Since the start of his college play, the Senior Day match up game (Clash of the Flash) is the closest Robinson has played to Paducah since being named Troy’s starting quarterback last season. After his first season at Troy University, he tied for 9th overall in passing yards in Division 1. Robinson earned the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Award, was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Offensive Team prior to the start of this season, and was named to both the Davey O’Brien and Manning awards watch lists.

Brown began the season by being named the No. 1 “Z” receiver on WKU’s depth chart prior to their game against Kentucky. As a sophomore, he’s expected to get more playing time over the next few years and be a key player for the Hilltoppers.

     The build up to the game was excitement filled for both sides. Not only was it Clash of the Flash, but also WKU’s senior day. When asked how Robinson was expecting the opposing quarterback to fare, he responded, “It’s something you really can’t put your finger on. He’s got a good arm. He’s got good experience. He gray-shirted, so he’s been in the offense a little while. Plus, they got good coaches down there and they run their system well.”

     Even though their paths have taken them from teammates to rivals, they still have a respect for each other, but are able to remain competitive for their respective teams. Jamarielle summed up his feelings before the game; “It’s just Corey. We played high school together. He was the man back home. He’s doing pretty decent at (Troy), but he’s playing us here, so going into that game, we’re trying to get a ‘W’.”