The first week of the high school football season did not disappoint, with a new rivalry formed in the far western part of the region where Paducah Tilghman beat McCracken County 24-23 before an overflow crowd at the new Marquette Stadium (the new McCracken school secured naming rights for all of their sports venues).

 

All the Mustangs have to do is look back at two missed extra points and a touchdown called back for holding in the fourth quarter.

 

Neither team rushed for more than 85 yards in the game, with Tilghman again proving how hard it is to get to the outside against their speed. They held McCracken to 32 rushing yards on 33 carries, including three yards on 18 attempts by dual-threat quarterback Zyaire Hughes.

 

Mayfield is still Mayfield

 

I’m curious as to the percentage of teams who scored on the first play of the season and then went on to win the state title. If it happens in 2013, you can add Mayfield to that list.

 

Jake Guhy hit Deion Jackson for a 74-yard scoring strike on the game’s first play, which helped Mayfield beat Fort Campbell 37-21. Guhy was super effective, hitting on 18-of-24 passing for 324 yards and five touchdowns – three to Jackson who had 148 yards receiving.

 

Fort Campbell junior Tristen Luke had a 78-yard touchdown run but was held in check otherwise, finishing with 95 yards on 13 carries.

 

Mayfield has won 11 of the 13 career meetings with Fort Campbell.

 

Tiger strong

 

Caldwell County showed why they are considered by many to win the Class 2A state title with a 45-22 win over Christian County before a packed house in Princeton.

 

Junior quarterback Elijah Sindelar controlled the game well, throwing for 180 yards on 18-of-29 passing. However, Christian County turned the football over five times – with Caldwell scoring on a fumble recovery and a pick six.

 

It was the first game between the schools since 1988.

 

Quarterback Comparison

 

Luke Guhy (Mayfield) – 18-of-24, 324 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT, 3 rushes, 2 yards

 

Elijah Sindelar (Caldwell County) – 18-of-29, 180 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 6 rushes, 47 yards

 

Panther Party

 

Russellville broke out the old wishbone attack and ran past Trigg County 41-21 as three different Panthers ran for over 70 yards. Russellville finished with 310 rushing yards on 52 carries.

 

Barrett Croslin, grandson of former Panther coaching great Ken Barrett and a member of the 2009 Logan County team that advanced to the Little League Baseball World Series, ran for 75 yards, threw for a touchdown, and picked off two passes in the secondary.

 

It wasn’t a pretty game, featuring 10 turnovers – five by each team.

 

Get Well Soon

 

The Notebook sends a quick get well wish to Crittenden County head coach Al Starnes, who is recovering from colon surgery. Assistant Jeremy Wheeler filled in as Starnes’ replacement Friday and helped guide the Rockets to a 35-6 win at Fulton City, home of the tallest grass of any field you will visit. Lane Wallace helped make Wheeler’s night a smooth one, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Coming up Aces

 

Owensboro Catholic shrugged off a slow start to beat Apollo 45-6 in their 2013 season opener. Houston Hartz was 24-of-37 passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. The Aces play Daviess County this week before their cross-city rival

 

Killebrew’s Killing It

 

Hopkinsville senior Dee Killebrew wanted to make sure Greenwood didn’t win their fourth game over the Tigers in the past five years. He ran for two touchdowns and caught two more as Hoptown opened with a 35-6 win over the Gators, spoiling the coaching debut of Chris Seabolt.

 

Madisonville Gets a ‘Special’ Win

 

Madisonville turned a few heads with their 27-13 opening win over Class 5A power Warren Central Friday. And they can thank their special teams squad.

 

The Maroons blocked a punt and recovered a muffed punt in the first half, both of which set up scoring runs by Jaron White. Later, Wayne Brown blocked another punt and returned it for a score.

 

Five Games to Watch

 

Fort Campbell at Russellville – Both teams have strong running games and can put the points on the board. Can Fort Campbell get Russellville’s wishbone offense off the field on third down? That could prove to be the key

PREDICTION – Russellville 40 Fort Campbell 35

 

Murray vs. Calloway County – These cross-town rivals meet at Murray State for their annual bragging rights game. Murray gave up 373 passing yards and six touchdowns in a 47-26 loss to Bryan Station last week – something I’m sure the Calloway coaches took note of.

PREDICTION – Murray 24 Calloway County 7

 

Christian County vs. Hillsboro (TN) – Former Hopkinsville head coach Craig Clayton returns to the Stadium of Champions again, this time as head coach of the Burros. Clayton is at Hillsboro after being shown the door at Franklin High (TN). Christian County looks to rebound from a five-turnover loss to Caldwell County

PREDICTION – Christian County 27 Hillsboro 14

 

McCracken County at Mayfield – Now that the fanfare of their opening game with Paducah Tilghman has passed, the Mustangs can focus on football. Mayfield football. Jack Haskins again goes head-to-head against the Cardinal football machine in what should be an interesting matchup.

PREDICTION – Mayfield 34 McCracken County 13

 

Evansville North (IN) at Henderson County – The Colonels opened the coaching tenure of Tony Lewis with a win over Reitz last week. He is the first Henderson coach to win his debut game since Tom Duffy in 1994. Henderson has won five straight against North.

PREDICTION – Henderson County 28 Evansville North 26

 

Last week - 3-2 with the 16-point Mayfield margin of victory correctly picked

 

Small School Rankings (Classes 1A-3A)

 

1. Mayfield

2. Caldwell County

3. Paducah Tilghman

4. Owensboro Catholic (+1)

5. Fort Campbell (-1)

6. Russellville (+2)

7. Murray (-1)

8. Butler County (+1)

9. Trigg County (-2)

10. Hancock County

11. Union County

12. Ballard Memorial

13. Crittenden County

14. Webster County

15. Todd County Central

16. McLean County

17. Fulton County

18. Fulton City

 

 

Big School Rankings (Classes 4A-6A)

 

1. Madisonville

2. Christian County

3. McCracken County

4. Henderson County

5. Graves County

6. Owensboro

7. Marshall County

8. Hopkinsville

9. Calloway County

10. Apollo

11. Ohio County

12. Daviess County

13. Logan County

14. Hopkins County Central

15. Breckinridge County

16. Muhlenberg County

Really interesting stuff Scribe, good work.

Scribe, thank goodness you put that out early, I had one I was about to post and I saw yours and realized mine was trash can material. Great job!

 

Friday McCracken Co will head to Mayfield possibly 2 linemen short, Sayner (WKU) got ejected last week against Tilghman and another who's name escapes me at this moment got hurt and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

 

Something that caught my eye was Murray being Murray in regards to their offense. Despite claims of throwing the ball some this year the Tigers chose to stay on the ground despite having Boone who can wing it

Another great write-up. :thumb:

 

One itty bitty correction. Caldwell and Christian last played in 1998, not 1988. Probably just a typo.

Us radio guys are good for a few typos

Scribe, thank goodness you put that out early, I had one I was about to post and I saw yours and realized mine was trash can material. Great job!

 

Friday McCracken Co will head to Mayfield possibly 2 linemen short, Sayner (WKU) got ejected last week against Tilghman and another who's name escapes me at this moment got hurt and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

 

Something that caught my eye was Murray being Murray in regards to their offense. Despite claims of throwing the ball some this year the Tigers chose to stay on the ground despite having Boone who can wing it

 

Jack Moreland is the one that you're trying to think of. That's a big loss, pardon the pun, for McCracken County. They'll have their work cut out for them Friday night. I'm excited to watch the talent Mayfield has assembled this season. They look to be special once again.

 

I will always predict McCracken County to win--even if they're facing the Dallas Cowboys. Just how I am! However, everyone realizes how tall a task beating Mayfield is. Not just this year--every year. McCracken will have to play near mistake-free football to leave Mayfield with a win. Finding protection on the line to protect Zyaire Hughes and give Jordan Troutman room to run will be huge. McCracken County pushed Tilghman around with Sayner/Moreland in the game. Without them, Tilghman was able to get in the backfield more. Look for Mayfield to do the same.

 

Excellent work, Scribe! I appreciate the work you and all of the other western Kentucky posters provide each and every week.

 

Look forward to Friday night.

Us radio guys are good for a few typos

 

Yes, I didn't have to learn how to spell until I moved into the newspaper biz.