Five Games to Watch

 

Murray (2-3) at Ballard Memorial (5-1) – The winner of this district battle most likely gets a first round home game in the playoffs. Murray had last week off to prepare for the Bombers, who were hammered 63-28 by Caldwell County for their first loss of the season.

 

The key for Ballard is to contain the Murray ground game and get them off the field on third down. For Murray, they have to limit Ballard Memorial’s big play potential.

PREDICTION – Murray 28 Ballard Memorial 20

 

McCracken County (3-2) at Graves County (4-1) – Two of the better quarterbacks in western Kentucky meet in Mayfield. McCracken sophomore Zyaire Hughes was brilliant in the Mustangs’ 53-17 thumping of Fort Campbell last week – 22-of-34 passing for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Troutman had another strong game with 181 yards and a score.

 

Graves County was able to rest some regulars in their 60-14 district win over Apollo. Eagle quarterback Peyton Puckett goes against a McCracken secondary that picked off five passes last week.

PREDICTION – McCracken County 38 Graves County 27

 

Paducah Tilghman (1-5) at Madisonville (2-3) – There is little doubt that Paducah Tilghman is the best 1-5 team in the state – their opponents are a combined 28-5. Madisonville has had trouble stopping the run in recent weeks, which bodes well for Tilghman back Tre Coleman.

 

The Maroons have stumbled of late and were dealt a tough blow last week when junior quarterback T.J. Paup broke a bone in his leg and will be done for the season.

PREDICTION – Paducah Tilghman 33 Madisonville 14

 

Butler County (3-2) at Union County (4-1) – Butler County appeared on their way to a road upset win at Owensboro Catholic last week, but the Aces finished the game with a 20-6 run, including the clincher with 47 seconds left. Bear quarterback Bryce Shanklin left last week’s game with an injury, but Jimmy Burns came in and completed 18-of-23 passes for 159 yards and two scores.

 

Aces QB Houston Hartz threw for 371 yards and six touchdowns in the win.

 

Meanwhile, Union County’s novacane approach worked again in a 43-13 district win over Hancock County. The Braves limited Hancock to 132 total yards. On offense, three Braves rushed for 53 yards or more. The school from Morgantown has to travel 109 miles for their district game in Morganfield.

PREDICTION – Union County 28 Butler County 27 (overtime)

 

Warren Central (3-3) at Owensboro (5-1) – After three straight losses to start the season, the Dragons have righted the ship somewhat with three wins, holding their opponents to 20 points. Rondell Green and quarterback Chris Porter-Bunton give Warren Central a nice 1-2 combo in the backfield, combining for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns. Porter-Bunton has thrown for 680 yards and six scores.

 

Meanwhile, Owensboro has so many weapons at the disposal of coach Joe Prince. Airius Phillips leads the Red Devils with 355 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while Anthony James adds 322 yards. Four backs have over 100 rushing yards. Warren Central leads the all-time series with Owensboro 7-5.

PREDICTION – Owensboro 34 Warren Central 20

 

Last Week – 3-2 (correctly picked 24-21 score in Hoptown/Christian County game – just got the winner wrong

Season – 22-8

 

 

Quarterback Comparison

(Through Five Games)

 

Luke Guhy (Mayfield) – 95-of-138 (68.8%), 1,388 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INT, 15 rushes, (-41) yards

 

Elijah Sindelar (Caldwell County) – 98-of-158 (62.0%), 1,414 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INT, 29 rushes, 299 yards, 5 TD

 

Zyaire Hughes (McCracken County) – 90-of-144 (62.5%), 1,344 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs, 55 rushes, 169 yards, 6 TDs

 

Peyton Puckett (Graves County) – 67-of-109 (61.4%), 1,076 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs, 14 rushes, 42 yards, 1 TD

 

 

Small School Rankings (Classes 1A-3A)

 

1. Mayfield

2. Caldwell County

3. Paducah Tilghman

4. Russellville

5. Fort Campbell

6. Murray (+1)

7. Owensboro Catholic (-1)

8. Union County

9. Ballard Memorial

10. Trigg County

11. Butler County

12. Hancock County

13. McLean County

14. Crittenden County

15. Webster County

16. Todd County Central

17. Fulton County

18. Fulton City

 

 

Big School Rankings (Classes 4A-6A)

 

1. Henderson County

2. McCracken County

3. Graves County

4. Owensboro

5. Christian County

6. Hopkinsville

7. Madisonville

8. Daviess County

9. Muhlenberg County

10. Ohio County

11. Calloway County

12. Marshall County

13. Apollo

14. Logan County

15. Breckinridge County

16. Hopkins County Central

Always a pleasure to read your posts Scribe. We love you here in the Purchase!

 

By the way, unless it rains, I'm predicting a wider margin of victory by the Mustangs! I think they are on a roll with something to prove!

Nice work Scribe but for the life of me I just can't imagine why the Mayfield-Fulton game is not in the 5 games to watch list. :lol2:

Great article, scribe!