These are the Cats who are either not getting enough credit due to weak SOS or potentially a lack luster season but could turn it around . These teams are not nessairly teams that could win it all but rather ruin it all for someone who is supposedly better. I think some dark horses are:

 

Mercer County(2-6)

Taylor County(2-6)

Fairdale(5-3)

Knox Central(7-1)

Collins(4-4)

North Oldham(5-2)

Ashland Blazer(5-3)

 

 

Feel free to add some and statements for each

With North Oldham, Collins and Spencer Co., whoever emerges as the Region winner will get home field against Owensboro/Madisonville/Franklin Simpson/Warren East Region winner - and they could play spoiler so I would agree those 3 could be on the West Side.

 

I wouldn't count Mville or FS as a dark horse, but I think Warren East has the potential to play spoiler also.

I'll take Knox Central with their ground and pound attack and perhaps Ashland just because they have a nice RB and is quick, fast and a definitely a homerun hitter. Not sold on anyone else.

I'll take Knox Central with their ground and pound attack and perhaps Ashland just because they have a nice RB and is quick, fast and a definitely a homerun hitter. Not sold on anyone else.

 

Seldom a formula for success in the playoffs. A team like that gets down a couple of scores to a quick strike, speed, offense and there isn't enough time to come back.

CovCath

 

Haven't you heard, "This is THE year!"

 

Seriously, if they get healthy, they have a decent team that could give JC and Highlands all they can handle.

Seldom a formula for success in the playoffs. A team like that gets down a couple of scores to a quick strike, speed, offense and there isn't enough time to come back.

 

True, but if a quick strike, speed offense gets down... Ground and pound will eat up that clock. But I will somewhat disagree, just a little. Boyle Co is a ground and pound first program and won numerous state title. I believe Belry is as well. My point is that it could happen. I do understand with the game now a days.. Speed Kills

 

Seldom a formula for success in the playoffs. A team like that gets down a couple of scores to a quick strike, speed, offense and there isn't enough time to come back.

 

I typically agree, but Ashlands backs are extremely fast and are capable of scoring on any play from anywhere on the field. They aren't your average ground and pound team in the sense that when they're down they can't come back, in example the game against Raceland. That said I still don't see then ending one of the big dogs season this year.

If Madisonville could get over the mental hump and the coaches forget they haven't been there before then they have the talent to actually be a Dark Horse.

True, but if a quick strike, speed offense gets down... Ground and pound will eat up that clock. But I will somewhat disagree, just a little. Boyle Co is a ground and pound first program and won numerous state title. I believe Belry is as well. My point is that it could happen. I do understand with the game now a days.. Speed Kills

 

That word is the key, that IS the style they prefer, but they historically could do a pretty good job of passing the pig.

 

I am not knocking Knox, I am speaking strictly about style. If you can't throw it enough to keep them guessing, an average defense can pack it in and slow you down enough for their offense to take over. I would venture a guess that JC had a big, time of possession advantage in every one of their losses to Highlands.

Boyle county in the title years averaged over 150 yards per game in the air. That is run first but with balance. Ground and pound is not 150 yards per game passing. Heck did Duggins win Mr.Football? Smith was a D-1 qb.

If a defense fears the pass on every single play, instead of playing the run, and hoping they don't get burned by a surprise slant over the middle, it can make for a pretty interesting day for the quarterback and two running backs averaging about 10 yards per carry.

 

In 1998, Highlands (Lorenzen) went into the championship game averaging nearly 400 yards per game, passing, with the starters seldom playing into the 2nd half. On the first or second offensive play of the game, Lorenzen threw a pass which traveled about 400 yards through the air only to have the receiver drop it in the end zone. From that point on, Waggener rushed 3, sometimes 4, dropping everyone else into pass coverage. Lorenzen only attempted 6 more passes completing 3 for a grand total of 11 yards while the Birds rushed for about 400 yards and a 56-7 win.

 

HIGHLANDS 56, LOU. WAGGENER 7

 

Simply put, if you expect the run on every play, it is easier (I didn't say easy) to defend the rush than it is if you expect the pass more than a handful of times a game.

If a defense fears the pass on every single play, instead of playing the run, and hoping they don't get burned by a surprise slant over the middle, it can make for a pretty interesting day for the quarterback and two running backs averaging about 10 yards per carry.

 

In 1998, Highlands (Lorenzen) went into the championship game averaging nearly 400 yards per game, passing, with the starters seldom playing into the 2nd half. On the first or second offensive play of the game, Lorenzen threw a pass which traveled about 400 yards through the air only to have the receiver drop it in the end zone. From that point on, Waggener rushed 3, sometimes 4, dropping everyone else into pass coverage. Lorenzen only attempted 6 more passes completing 3 for a grand total of 11 yards while the Birds rushed for about 400 yards and a 56-7 win.

 

HIGHLANDS 56, LOU. WAGGENER 7

 

Simply put, if you expect the run on every play, it is easier (I didn't say easy) to defend the rush than it is if you expect the pass more than a handful of times a game.

 

 

 

This is just silly talk Don...

 

We all know that pass only went 358 yards through the air...:thumb:

Mercer County(2-6)

Taylor County(2-6)

 

One of these two is most likely not making the playoffs.

One of these two is most likely not making the playoffs.

Most likely that is the case. But GC, Out of those two. Who would you rather play in the playoffs. Like if it was Garrard vs Taylor/Mercer.

This is just silly talk Don...

 

We all know that pass only went 358 yards through the air...:thumb:

 

You're not taking into account the added distance from the 4 times it curved back and forth.