Who wins and why?

Owensboro by whatever they feel like.

One of the most lopsided games week one of playoffs.

OHS needs to work on some things in this game, most notably, the passing game.

D58 - I agree. It seemed at the Henderson game our OC was content on losing, we moved the ball (over 300 yds of offense), but when we needed to throw we didn't, when we did throw Locher missed 2 wide open TD's, which is very uncharacteristic. It almost seemed like we weren't going to show anything new heading into the playoffs.

 

I know you give good honest assessments on the radio show, but you do realize we are missing 3 important defenders in: DE/LB Crowe (#24), OLB Tinsley (#10) and obviously S Phillips (#8). Prince acted like Phillips would be back. If you look at the season stats, Crowe and Tinsley are among our leaders in tackles and they have great speed - we need them back desparately. I like Board at MLB, but we are weak at weakside MLB IMO (Linsday looks good there, not sure why he doesn't start there). Do you know if we are going to get these guys back?

Brown, thanks for listening to the show. We're going to record a podcast tonight and I can promise that you won't want to miss this one.

 

I think Locher missing wide open throws is a product of his lack of game reps throwing the football. Every year, OHS claims it's going to throw the ball a little more, but every year they revert back to the basic option play heading into the playoffs. At this point, it may very well be too late. They probably just need to stick with the basic option play, run some counters and reverses, and try to utilize some screens. Really, OHS doesn't need to throw the ball a lot because of their scheme. However, I do think they need to take a few shots down the field to keep the defenses honest. OHS can bring either Johnson or Barrett out of the backfield almost anytime they want and most defenses won't pick them up.

 

As for the defense, they've been pretty dissapointing, especially the linebackers. I didn't realize that Crowe was out but I did know about Phillips and Tinsley. I think OHS needs to get Vasaad Greer on the defensive line. He's a guy that takes two blockers to block him which frees up the linebackers to make plays. OHS plays a 3-4 defense (which I love for OHS) but the defensive line has to take up blockers so the backers can step up and make plays. Sometimes OHS gets caught blitzing off the end and they leave gaps up the middle.

 

All in all, I don't feel good about OHS making it to the state championship game. They are too predictable and good teams will take advantage of that. A couple of things working in their favor are that OHS is talented and Madisonville (who may have more talent) isn't well coached. I still think North Oldham probably comes out of the west.

Good points - I agree Locher should be throwing alot more. I would throw 20-25 times a game, that would only open up the runs.

 

It was good to see Michael Johnson blast out and outrun everyone down the sideline. Greer is a beast on both sides of the ball, I agree.

 

If our Defense puts Lindsay with Board at MLB, get Crowe back at DE, tinsley at OLB and Phillips back at Strong Safety, I think OHS will be difficult to deal with. The game plan needs to look more like when we played Bowling Green than when we played Henderson.

They probably just need to stick with the basic option play, run some counters and reverses, and try to utilize some screens. Really, OHS doesn't need to throw the ball a lot because of their scheme. However, I do think they need to take a few shots down the field to keep the defenses honest.

 

They are too predictable and good teams will take advantage of that. A couple of things working in their favor are that OHS is talented and Madisonville (who may have more talent) isn't well coached. I still think North Oldham probably comes out of the west.

 

Very interesting... In the Madisonville/Franklin game and especially against a Highlands type team, OHS MUST mix up their run and pass. They kept BG's very good defense off-balance for most of the night with the run AND pass. If you are one-dimensional against Highlands or any good team, you will lose.

 

OHS can make the state championship game. They need those 3 guys back and they need their VERY under rated QB to play a great game in their tough games. I think Owensboro or Franklin comes out of the West. But you can't be one-dimensional and do that.

OHS has a very athletic team and atheltic defense, but those 3 defenders I mentioned are probably 3 of the best on defense from a speed/skill standpoint. Additionally, they've got to let Linsday play MLB full-time with Board, as we got dogged at the weakside linebacker spot vs. Henderson. He's stout/strong and fast (backup FB). Phillips also plays RB/WR, Linsday the backup FB, but Crowe is straight defense. He gives great speed to the DE position.

 

Our QB is very poised and he's made great passes all year, but missed 2 easy 15-20 yd passes over the middle, to D58's point, the lack of repetition isn't helping.

 

I think OHS will be fine - I just hope Madisonville beats FS so we can get the round 3 game at Rash!

All in all, I don't feel good about OHS making it to the state championship game. They are too predictable and good teams will take advantage of that. A couple of things working in their favor are that OHS is talented and Madisonville (who may have more talent) isn't well coached. I still think North Oldham probably comes out of the west.

Would like to know your reasoning when you say Madisonville isn't well coached, over the last few years they have played with and beaten owensboro. Over the last 4 years and I believe a couple before this series has been competitive.

2011 Maroons 49-6

2012 Maroons 13-9, Devils 31-7

2013 Devils 41-13

2014 Devils 29-22

Owensboro sucked in 2011. 2012 was a little better.

 

I don't know about coaching for MNH but they have a solid team this year, no doubt.

Edited November 4, 201411 yr by Brown

Would like to know your reasoning when you say Madisonville isn't well coached, over the last few years they have played with and beaten owensboro. Over the last 4 years and I believe a couple before this series has been competitive.

2011 Maroons 49-6

2012 Maroons 13-9, Devils 31-7

2013 Devils 41-13

2014 Devils 29-22

 

I just think from a shear talent standpoint that Madisonville should be doing better over the last few years. I've been tooting the horn of the Maroons because most people just look at their record in the past and assume they weren't very good. However they've always passed the "look" test. I do understand that the "look" test isn't always accurate but they've had talent over the past few years like the kid that went to Michigan (Jeremy Clark I think). Look at this year's Maroon squad...from a shear talent standpoint, I'd give them the advantage over OHS without hesitation.

 

I'm not as plugged in to Madisonville football so maybe the coach is maxing their potential. I dunno.....

I just think from a shear talent standpoint that Madisonville should be doing better over the last few years. I've been tooting the horn of the Maroons because most people just look at their record in the past and assume they weren't very good. However they've always passed the "look" test. I do understand that the "look" test isn't always accurate but they've had talent over the past few years like the kid that went to Michigan (Jeremy Clark I think). Look at this year's Maroon squad...from a shear talent standpoint, I'd give them the advantage over OHS without hesitation.

 

I'm not as plugged in to Madisonville football so maybe the coach is maxing their potential. I dunno.....

 

Understandable comments, 2011 (Clarks year) the Maroons lost a close game to a very good Franklin Simpson team, and over the past few years and in the past the look test doesn't always show other parts of a team, there have been underachieving years and hopefully this isn't one of them, either way Owensboro is tough team and the rematch will be a good game if Madisonville can get over the FS hump