I don't know who will win this game but I do know NCC will fight to the end in this game. Their not going to go to Ashland and lay down because they have Baker and Long or because they are playing in a new stadium. I agree it will be a fun game for sure. We have heard all about Ashland's offense does anyone know anything about their defense?

I don't know who will win this game but I do know NCC will fight to the end in this game. Their not going to go to Ashland and lay down because they have Baker and Long or because they are playing in a new stadium. I agree it will be a fun game for sure. We have heard all about Ashland's offense does anyone know anything about their defense?

 

Defense should be as good or better than last year. Ashlands question marks right now are with the receiving corp and the o-line. We always graduate a lot of linemen so I don't think that will be much of an issue. NCC needs to stop the run to win the game in my opinion.

I am going with Ashland in this one. Opening night, home field advantage and a lot of returning firepower. BUT, I wouldn't be surprised if NCC comes in with the NKY mystique and pulls out the win. I expect a high scoring affair, regardless of who wins. I think the winner will have to score at least 40.

IMO for the Breds to win this one, the NewCath offense with a new QB under center, will need to maintain control of the clock. The Breds passing game will take time to develop whoever is under center, but I do look for Nate Enslen to have many balls thrown his way. I think much will rest on the running game of Jake Smith and company. The Breds have a very good defense, but can ill afford to have that defense on the field a majority of the time and still pull out a victory.

 

This is one of the smallest NewCath teams in a very long time, but have full faith they will play bigger than their size.

No matter the outcome of this one, it will only help the Breds prepare for their district portion of the schedule, as well as, their playoff run.

Ashland's home opener plus the first game in the "new" renovated Putnam Stadium, statue of legendary Tomcat Coach Herb Conley will bring even higher emotions than usual (and that's high) at Putnam.

Both NCC and Ashland are deep in tradition / pride. Ashland's running backs imo may be the difference in what should be a great h.s. football game.

 

Tomcats 21

N.C.C. 15

Last year a big problem for Ashland was conditioning. They were gassed early and play was stopped for kids cramping often in the second half, the majority of them from Ashland. It's supposed to be a hot one again this Friday.

Last year a big problem for Ashland was conditioning. They were gassed early and play was stopped for kids cramping often in the second half' date=' the majority of them from Ashland. It's supposed to be a hot one again this Friday.[/quote']

 

In my experience cramping isn't related to conditioning nearly as much as it is eating the right nutrition and drinking plenty of fluids. I get what your saying though, if it was a problem last year it could be a problem this year.

Early season games are hard to predict and I know nothing about NCC. What I believe is that Baker should be primed for a monster year and one would expect him to run for 150 to 225 yards in this one which should translate into 28+ points for AHS. NCC will have to score a lot to have a chance to win this game. Ashland 35-21. It will be a fun opener.

Good luck with the whistle NCC.

What time does this one start? I think I'm going to make this one.

N.C.C. by 7

Ashland to me is one of the biggest mystery teams in the State.

 

I really have no grasp how good they are going to be. Wouldn't surprise me to see Ashland win by 3-4 TD's...nor would it surprise me to see NewCath handle them pretty easily.

Good luck with the whistle NCC.

OK, I begin with I am an Ashland fan, always have been and always will be. But I truly think of myself as a fan of football(and bball and....). I simply go to watch and rarely get exited and emotional. I enjoy watching young high school athletes playing competition for the love of the game. I catch other games occasionally at Russell, etc. I even play to catch Pinecrest High School in Pinehurst, NC on an upcoming golf trip. Call me naive maybe, but I really don't think officials, as a general rule, "intentionally" miss calls to the detriment of another team. I truly don't believe any happens at Putnam Stadium any different than any other high school field across the country.

OK, I begin with I am an Ashland fan, always have been and always will be. But I truly think of myself as a fan of football(and bball and....). I simply go to watch and rarely get exited and emotional. I enjoy watching young high school athletes playing competition for the love of the game. I catch other games occasionally at Russell, etc. I even play to catch Pinecrest High School in Pinehurst, NC on an upcoming golf trip. Call me naive maybe, but I really don't think officials, as a general rule, "intentionally" miss calls to the detriment of another team. I truly don't believe any happens at Putnam Stadium any different than any other high school field across the country.

 

I disagree... HAHA

 

There are only two venues that I can honestly say that every single game I have watched there has had an atrocious call or non-call that directly favored the home team.

 

Ironton and Ashland.

 

That's not saying or implying anything fishy is going on... maybe it is just the "standard crews" that work those games aren't the most attentive refs.... maybe the setting and home crowd intimidates them... maybe it's the fact that there are more highly competitive games where the calls are as meaningful. One thing is for sure there is a good bet there will be a minimum of one absolute head snatcher per contest.

I disagree... HAHA

 

There are only two venues that I can honestly say that every single game I have watched there has had an atrocious call or non-call that directly favored the home team.

 

Ironton and Ashland.

 

That's not saying or implying anything fishy is going on... maybe it is just the "standard crews" that work those games aren't the most attentive refs.... maybe the setting and home crowd intimidates them... maybe it's the fact that there are more highly competitive games where the calls are as meaningful. One thing is for sure there is a good bet there will be a minimum of one absolute head snatcher per contest.

 

I respect your position to disagree. Are the "bad officials" out there? Absolutely.....and I have never watched any sporting event that there weren't atrocious calls. Happens everywhere, every game all the time. I just think painting officials as favoring a certain team with a broad brush is a bit of a reach. I have found that most fans are overly emotional and see the event with "colored glasses"