Series History: Hopkinsville Leads 11-3

Series at Warren Central: Hopkinsville Leads 5-3

 

It's finally football season, and for Hopkinsville it starts in the exact same place that their last season came to a close, at Warren Central. This time it's a regular season matchup in the Rivals Bowl, a bowl co-hosted by the Dragons and Greenwood, who will play in the first game. The Dragons have won two straight against Hopkinsville, eliminating them from the playoffs the last two years, including a 48-10 score last season. But in a bit of an anomaly, the Dragons have never won a regular season matchup with the Tigers. They're 3-2 in the playoffs against Hoptown, but have been blanked 9-0 in regular season meetings, the last coming in 2008, a 27-25 Hopkinsville victory.

 

Both teams come in looking to improve on relatively disappointing campaigns in 2013. For Hopkinsville, they are continuing the slow road back to the program that they once were, and limped to a 4-7 record last season. But even that was an improvement from a 3-7 campaign the year before, and it wasn't so long ago that they suffered a 14 game losing streak. In their scrimmage they showed well against Owensboro, a team that is coming off a state semifinal appearance in 4A. Perhaps respectability is on the way, and a win in this first game would be another huge step. Warren Central, meanwhile, finished 6-6 last season, failing to make the region finals for the first time since 2009. There are a lot of familiar faces on the field returning, but almost none on the sidelines. Only Carlos Quarles returns from the previous Warren Central staff, and new coach Howard Feggins has brought a completely new offensive system and philosophy. With that, came new coaches, including former UK head coach Guy Morriss, recently added as OL coach. Last season started on the wrong foot with an ugly loss to Madisonville North-Hopkins, but the Dragons had a strong showing against perennial power John Hardin in their scrimmage. This game is a bit of a must win as far as the record goes, as it will only get more difficult from here.

21-10 Dragons win

Think the Dragons win by 2 touchdowns. I look for the D to be too much for Hoptown to handle. If the O were used to the new system it would be more but that will take time.

After hearing from DragonFire and some other folks about the scrimmage against JH on Friday, I think WC's defense dominates this game and they win by 2-3 TDs.

I think Central needs to win by at least 2-3 TDs to feel good moving forward. I understand Hopkinsville is improving, but we're still talking about a team that Central beat by 38 last season. There are much, much tougher games on the schedule moving foward - I think Central needs the confidence boost.

This one might be closer than some think. Hoptown has improved and has a good 1 2 punch with their backs alone with their gusty QB who runs the veer good. The tigers will be 70% run but if they can pass enough to keep the dragons honest would be huge. Don't know what to expect out of WC except they won't be running the wing t. Sounds like their still playing good on the defensive side by hearing about the JH game.

 

WC 34

Tigers 24

I think WC wins. Hopkinsville have lost a lot games over the last 8 years and have a tendency to drop there heads if they get off to a slow start. If Hopkinsville can get off to a good start, and maintain that level of play, they can keep it within 2 TDs. If after a quarter or 2, things don't go there way, it could be another 48 to 10 type game. Hopkinsville have to stop letting a few bad series define the whole game.

This WC team will go as far as their QB takes them.

If I were guessing, Chance Shanklin will be the one starting under center tonight. I think before last week's scrimmage I might have said sophomore Chauncey Greer would get the nod, but Shanklin appeared more at ease in the scrimmage, which is worlds different from a 7 on 7 with no rush. Shanklin doesn't have a lot of experience in real games, but that's compared to absolutely no experience for the others he's in contention with.

 

Whoever it is will have to grow up fast, really only getting this week of what I still consider a slightly easier opponent before the pressure ratchets up for two weeks.

Warren Central 38-12.