Series History: DeSales 1-0

Series at DeSales: First Meeting

 

Both teams enter this matchup undefeated and highly ranked in their respective classes. It's a contrast from last season when Warren Central entered at 0-2, hoping to stave off their first 0-3 start in 18 years. They found early success, jumping out to a 14-0 lead just 9 minutes into the game, and led 21-14 at the half. But DeSales dominated the second half of the matchup, taking their first lead just before the end of the third quarter en route to 26 straight points and a 40-27 victory. This season the series shifts to DeSales, the home opener for the Colts. They have won 5 straight at their field, dating to a 43-31 loss to Caldwell County in the 2012 state semifinals. The Dragons lost their last three true road games last season, and will have a tough opponent in the defending 2A state champions to try to avoid a fourth straight loss on the road.

 

However, this season has been all good for both teams so far. The Dragons opened with a home win over Hopkinsville 54-16 in new HC Howard Feggins' debut, before notching an impressive 28-14 victory over then-3A #2 ranked Bourbon County. The new offensive strategy for Central has worked so far, with Chance Shanklin already throwing 6 TDs, half the total for the entire team in their 2013 campaign. Meanwhile DeSales has continued business as usual, shutting out Louisville Holy Cross in a weather-delayed 31-0 victory, before following up with a 30-6 win over Grayson County at Central Hardin on a short week. This should be one of the marquee matchups in the entire state this week.

I'll go with DeSales, 35-24.

Warren Central 34

DeSales 31

Who returned for Desales this season?

Who returned for Desales this season?

 

DeSales returned 5 offensive and 3 defensive starters from the championship game. Those were 6 players as two of them went two ways. They lost the interior of their line, returning both tackles. Graduated their top two rushers in Dylan Byrd (2,026 yards) and QB Nathan Roush (1,008 yards). Roush also threw for 1,215 yards. Their receiving corps were almost entirely intact. Returning defensive starters were Pirtle at DE (also a WR), Nord at LB (also FB), and Craig at CB.

 

In all, 25 seniors were listed on last year's roster. They do have 23 seniors listed on this year's roster, same as the juniors on last year's roster. No idea if that's accurate to what they actually have as some teams have not done great about updating this year.

This is going to be a tough one. Our defense has played very well, although not against powerhouse competition, but they are doing the things that they should. Last year if i remember correctly, the Dragons ran a lot of jet sweeps, which was successful until we made the adjustments in the second half. This year I assume that the ball is in the air more. This game could go either way. It's a hard one to pick. I think we have been pretty vanilla on offense the last 2 weeks. It'll be interesting to see if we open it up a little more this week.

This is going to be a tough one. Our defense has played very well, although not against powerhouse competition, but they are doing the things that they should. Last year if i remember correctly, the Dragons ran a lot of jet sweeps, which was successful until we made the adjustments in the second half. This year I assume that the ball is in the air more. This game could go either way. It's a hard one to pick. I think we have been pretty vanilla on offense the last 2 weeks. It'll be interesting to see if we open it up a little more this week.

 

Feggins is a special, special receiver. You will have to roll coverage to him.

I think WC is improved and Desales likely a notch down from last year, but, with that said, the game's at Desales and they won convincingly last year. Not sure WC has made up enough ground to garner a victory, although I think it'll be close.. Desales 28 WCentral 24...

If Central does not handle DeSales, I will say that you can go ahead and take them off the "could possibly win 5A" list. Nothing against DeSales, but a 3A team that returns just 6 total players who were starters should not be able to hang with Warren Central who returns just about everyone on their defense and has the Feggins kid as an addition on their offense.

WC in a close one. Good luck to all

If Central does not handle DeSales, I will say that you can go ahead and take them off the "could possibly win 5A" list. Nothing against DeSales, but a 3A team that returns just 6 total players who were starters should not be able to hang with Warren Central who returns just about everyone on their defense and has the Feggins kid as an addition on their offense.

 

We are 2A. I agree though, there's no way our little 2A team should be able to compete. Dragons by a lot, just like last year. Wait.....Never mind.

Some folks on here give way too much credit for what class a teams in.. Losing to the best 2a team in the state at there place says nothing about what a team will do come playoff time.. There's no difference in this game then there was in the 6a HClay/3a Belfry game.. Every week, there are 1a, 2a and 3a teams kicking the snot out of 4a, 5a and 6a teams. And some of those 4a, 5a and 6a teams will make decent runs in the playoffs..

Some folks on here give way too much credit for what class a teams in.. Losing to the best 2a team in the state at there place says nothing about what a team will do come playoff time.. There's no difference in this game then there was in the 6a HClay/3a Belfry game.. Every week, there are 1a, 2a and 3a teams kicking the snot out of 4a, 5a and 6a teams. And some of those 4a, 5a and 6a teams will make decent runs in the playoffs..

Here, here.

 

Some of us get it.

DeSales by 8.

Central by a pair of scores is my pick. Not that I'd be stunned if DeSales won though. First true road game for Shanklin as a starter, it'll be interesting to see how he handles it.