1. SOUTH WARREN

 

What We Know:

- South Warren is a very good defensive team and the lone team in 3A with an unblemished record.

- When they have been expected to face a challenge they have steamrolled their opponent beating Warren East, Adair County, and Etown by an average margin of 38-11

- Their offense has improved since last year.

- Their schedule is weak. Their stiffest opposition was 4A Warren East who has a 4-5 record.

 

What We Don't Know:

- How their offense will look when they play a team with a respectable defense? Warren East gave up 61 to Hopkinsville, Etown gave up 41 to Central, and Adair County has not played anyone with a pulse outside of giving up 42 to SW.

 

 

2. BELFRY

What We Know:

- Belfry can beat good teams... not only that they can rout them. The Pirates have arguably the three best wins of any 3A team in defeating 6A Henry Clay, 5A Southwestern, and Christ. Acad. of Knoxville.. all three games were won in dominating fashion

- Belfry's defense is pretty stout as well. Pikeville is the only team that has been able to score points and sustain drives. Lawrnece County scored 3 TD's, but all were on shortened fields the play immediately following a turnover. Belfry's D shut down Southwestern and Henry Clay who have been lighting scoreboards up all year outside those games.

- Belfry has issues. The Pirates have been less than impressive at times with execution including a downright abysmal first half against Lawrence County.Belfry has consistently taken big plays and even TD's off the board with self inflicted penalties that killed drives.

 

What We Don't Know:

- What Belfry will actually look like when healthy? Belfry's HB depth is scraping the bottom of the barrel, same can be said for their secondary. Last week Belfry played less the Top 4 HB's on their depth chart to open the season, both starting Safeties, and a Starting CB. To further compound things Belfry made a big switch prior to the injuries changing QB's... the first time we will see the new look Belfry offense will be in the playoffs.

 

3. CENTRAL

What We Know:

- Central has played a very tough schedule and have beat the teams they were supposed to, and lost to the teams they were supposed to. Their three losses came to three of the Top 12 teams in 6A by an average margin of 29 points. Their wins have essentially been dominating, but the level of the remaining non-district teams have left a lot to be desired.

- Central still owns their District and 3A teams still struggle to score on them. Henry Co and Etown both have had success on offense this season, and they struggled to score 1 TD between them on the Central 1's.

 

What We Don't Know:

- Is this Vintage Central or a team who has benefited from a set of Lou. Public schools that are not as good as usual? Their 3 Non-District wins were teams with losing records and the jury is out on Etown and Henry County.

 

 

4. CORBIN

What We Know:

- The Redhounds have a nice resume as well. Wins over 5A Southwestern, 2A Danville, and Bell County are all nice, but they were also all very close. Their lone loss was to the #2 5A Pulaski County, but it was ugly.

- Corbin is very balanced. Entering this week's game they have ran for 1413 yards and passed for 1465 yards. They spread the wealth around as well as no single player really stands out.

- They have home field advantage until Bowling Green. Jewell Field is not an easy place to steal a "W".

 

What We Don't Know:

- How will Corbin respond against a team with speed and game breakers? The Hounds have yet to see anyone with the shear athletes equivalent to what they would potentially see from Central, Tilghman, or South Warren. The fastest team they have seen was Pulaski and the Maroons had a running clock going while holding Corbin to a season low in points.

 

 

5. BELL COUNTY

What We Know:

- Bell is big and physical. Outside of Belfry no 3A team has an Oline nearly as big as Bell, and collectively on both sides of the ball thereis a strong chance Bell stands alone from a size standpoint.

-Bell's defense has been solid. Bell has not allowed 3 TD's in regulation a single time this season. Corbin is the lone team to crack 20 points and it took OT for that to happen.

- Bell does not play as well off of Log Mountain. Both losses were on the road.

 

What We Don't Know:

- Does Bell have enough playmakers to go to Louisville Central and beat the Jackets for the first time since coming to 3A? Central has knocked Bell out of the playoffs the last 3 seasons and each time the Bell offense struggled to score points. For all of Bell's size, speed is not their strength.

 

 

6. GARRARD COUNTY

What We Know:

- The Golden Lions are playing sound and complete football. Outside of an early season loss to Danville on a missed FG the most points Garrard has allowed in a game was 14. Offensively GC has consistently put up points save one performance vs. Wayne Co. They will not blow you away statistically, but it can be argued they have been the most consistent team besides South Warren.

- GC got over the Bourbon hurdle and did something few have done. The Lions pretty much stopped Brent Holman. The sensational HB only managed 52 yards. You would be hard pressed to find many games Holman did not gain 52 yards on a single carry.

 

What We Don't Know:

- What the value of that Bourbon win really is? The Colonels have been hit hard by injuries, especially on the lines, and have not been the same dominating form as the past couple years. Bolin has not had the accuracy expected and the BC receiving corps have been a question mark. The Wayne County win in hindsight doesn't look very convincing, nor does a 28-14 win over a Lincoln County team that has limped to a 3 win season.

 

 

7. PADUCAH TILGHMAN

What We Know:

- Tilghman played a really tough schedule and took a bunch of losses. All 5 losses came to teams ranked in their class and their biggest defeats came to the #1 1A and #1 4A teams in the State. It can be argued PT has played by far the toughest schedule of any 3A team.

- Tilghman is improving. Coach Rogers news system was a drastic change and PT took lumps adjusting. Their offense though has been able to score all year and is now starting to put up big yards. They have outstanding speed and athletes and have seen great teams already.

 

What We Don't Know:

- Does Tilghman have the size and depth for the teams in the West? PT has a small roster with a ton of players going both ways and their size leaves a lot to be desired up front. Corbin, South Warren, Central, and Bell County all will have a distinct size and numbers advantage... can their athletes offset this?

 

9. RUSSELL

What We Know:

- The Devils have flown under the radar. They sit at 7-1 with impressive wins against Mason County and 4A Ashland, and a win over a surprising Fleming County team, but not a lot of people are talking about them. It could be because Russell has been "down" the past couple years...or the fact all their games have been from around a 50 mile radius, but their resume is equally as impressive as some of the Top 5 or 6 teams in terms of quality of wins.

- New Coach TJ Maynard has the Devils playing confident. Much like PT Russell made a hefty overload from a philosophy standpoint and seem to be finding their stride entering the playoffs. They are averaging nearly 387 total yards per game and are on pace to having 3 guys with a 1000 rushing yards by season's end.

 

What We Don't Know:

- What is the value of their wins? Mason County and Ashland are great names, but both teams appear to not be themselves. Mason is an injury depleted team lacking their normal home run hitters. Ashland has the home run hitters but have had a sketchy defense and inconsistent lineplay.

South Warren, Belfry, Lou Central, Bell Co this season and the next 4 after, add on Boyle Co. and Lexington Catholic. No particular order.

If Belfry can get healthy, the title is theirs IMO.

 

South Warren & Central...I think those are the other two major title contenders.

Great Job ATLCat.. I think you have done a great job with this. I think that 3A is wide open this season.

Corbin plays at Campbell Field, not Jewell Field. Just a heads up.

Great job Cat

6. GARRARD COUNTY

What We Know:

- The Golden Lions are playing sound and complete football. Outside of an early season loss to Danville on a missed FG the most points Garrard has allowed in a game was 14. Offensively GC has consistently put up points save one performance vs. Wayne Co. They will not blow you away statistically, but it can be argued they have been the most consistent team besides South Warren.

- GC got over the Bourbon hurdle and did something few have done. The Lions pretty much stopped Brent Holman. The sensational HB only managed 52 yards. You would be hard pressed to find many games Holman did not gain 52 yards on a single carry.

 

What We Don't Know:

- What the value of that Bourbon win really is? The Colonels have been hit hard by injuries, especially on the lines, and have not been the same dominating form as the past couple years. Bolin has not had the accuracy expected and the BC receiving corps have been a question mark. The Wayne County win in hindsight doesn't look very convincing, nor does a 28-14 win over a Lincoln County team that has limped to a 3 win season.

 

ATLCat, thanks for the kind words for the Garrard program. You have trumpeted our program for years and always have nice things to say about the school and community.

 

As for what we know, the Garrard defense is the strong suit. The starting defensive unit has allowed 7 touchdowns in 8 games so they are hard to score on. The offense has made positive strides each week, especially after the lackluster performance against Wayne, and has shown themselves a strong running unit and a capable passing team. Garrard also gets back a solid receiver in Mike Redmon who went out in the Lincoln game with an injury and hasn't played since. That will give the Lions two big play receivers to go with two solid tight ends that can catch the ball.

 

With what we don't know, the Bourbon game was an outstanding performance by Garrard. But beyond Bourbon, the next best opponent on Garrard's schedule is Danville. Garrard outgained the Ads by 150 yards that night, but were beat on two deep passes, a pick-six, and a missed field goal. Wayne County was expected to be a big-name opponent but the Cardinals never really clicked this season.

 

It will be interesting to see how Garrard plays tomorrow against Estill County. The Engineers have a solid club, but the Lions have won their three home games by an average of three touchdowns and have seemed much more dominant on the home field. The playoff task will be very tough, with potential regional matchups with Russell, Mason, and/or Bourbon again. If Garrard can cross that mine field, they'll be playing with a great deal of confidence come Thanksgiving.

You got a blowout win at Wayne? I watched that game. The freshman qb had a chance to tie the game when his reciever dropped a slant in the end zone.

If I remember wayne played on Monday of that week against a good north laurel.

Not buying Garrard. I'm sold on Belfry they will survive through that awful region and be healthy come semi-state. Corbin and Bell are solid, but aren't overpowering. Central may struggle on the road in the playoffs.

 

South Warren has played nobody, but I do believe they are good team that will probably lose to a less talented but more battle tested Paducah Tighlman.

 

This may be the year of complete shocks in 3A. Last year it was 1 vs 2. It may be 1 vs 7 or 2 vs 10.

It will either be Garrard County or Russell going to Pond Creek on Thanksgiving weekend. They are far above the rest IMO

Corbin has a lot of depth this year with no starters playing both ways. This may have hurt them a little earlier in the year as a few younger players were thrown into the fire. Bell's offensive line dominated the trenches in the first half and racked up a lot of rushing yards, then the tide turned in the 2nd half and they struggled moving the ball on the ground and only gained 1 or 2 1st downs on the ground. Now Corbin did close the hole that Bell took advantage of in the first half and they also tackled better, but the fact that Corbin played 34 players in the game and Bell Co. only played 16 also played into it.

 

If Corbin can stay away from facing a really good QB in the playoffs, they have a chance to go pretty far. They need to shore up their special teams and cut back on turnovers as well.

You got a blowout win at Wayne? .

 

Who said anything about a blowout? I said they had a lackluster performance and were lucky to win.

Corbin has a lot of depth this year with no starters playing both ways. This may have hurt them a little earlier in the year as a few younger players were thrown into the fire. Bell's offensive line dominated the trenches in the first half and racked up a lot of rushing yards, then the tide turned in the 2nd half and they struggled moving the ball on the ground and only gained 1 or 2 1st downs on the ground. Now Corbin did close the hole that Bell took advantage of in the first half and they also tackled better, but the fact that Corbin played 34 players in the game and Bell Co. only played 16 also played into it.

 

If Corbin can stay away from facing a really good QB in the playoffs, they have a chance to go pretty far. They need to shore up their special teams and cut back on turnovers as well.

 

Corbin never really moved the ball on Bell at any time during the game. All of their points in regulation came off really one big play on offense the other was setup by an interception. The score should have been 21-0 at one point in the game. But we all know the saying if's and but's. I hope Bell gets the chance to play Corbin again.

Corbin never really moved the ball on Bell at any time during the game. All of their points in regulation came off really one big play on offense the other was setup by an interception. The score should have been 21-0 at one point in the game. But we all know the saying if's and but's. I hope Bell gets the chance to play Corbin again.

 

Commander, what play did Bell run on their 2-point try in overtime? Did Corbin stop it or did Bell not execute?

Commander, what play did Bell run on their 2-point try in overtime? Did Corbin stop it or did Bell not execute?

 

Both Corbin blitzed and the Receiver ran the wrong play is what Coach Mills told me the other day.

Both Corbin blitzed and the Receiver ran the wrong play is what Coach Mills told me the other day.

 

Thanks. Gutsy call to go for two, but I don't blame them.