BluegrassPreps 2015 Western Kentucky Power Rankings – Week 4 Edition

 

Concerning the top story line for this week, we are at the point of the season where the grind of the season has set in on most teams (especially teams that have played a decent schedule). Injuries are a part of the game. The teams that deal with them or minimize them the best are clearly ahead of the competition. And we are either at District games or 1 Week from District games. So let’s get on it!

 

Popcorn N Coke Top 10 Version – Week 4:

1. South Warren 4A (5-0): Win 21-0 vs 6A North Hardin

2. Bowling Green 5A (4-1): Win 32-7 vs 4A Warren Central

3. McCracken County 6A (4-1): Win 55-20 vs Lift For Life Academy, MO

4. Mayfield 2A (4-1): Win 46-14 vs 5A Graves County

5. Owensboro 5A (4-1): Win 49-21 vs 6A Daviess County

6. Christian County 5A (4-1): Win 42-28 vs 4A Hopkinsville

7. Caldwell County 3A (4-1): Win 51-21 vs 6A Henderson County

8. Russellville 1A (5-0): Win 64-28 vs 2A Todd County Central

9. Hopkinsville 4A (4-1): Loss 42-28 vs 5A Christian County

10. Paducah Tilghman 3A (3-2): Win 49-7 at 4A Madisonville North-Hopkins

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 3): Christian County 5A (4-1) 42 vs Hopkinsville 4A (4-1) 28. By all accounts, this game was pretty close until the second half. According to Silo11, Christian County made their long passing plays and Hopkinsville didn’t and that was the difference in the game. Both teams stopped the run game effectively. The Colonels gain the Christian County bragging rights this year!

 

Honorable Mention: Franklin-Simpson (4A) 21 at Monroe County (2A) 14. Two good teams. FS rushed the ball effectively while Monroe turned it over 5 times.

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 4): DISTRICT BUSTER: Paducah Tilghman (3A) (3-2) travels to Princeton to take on District Rival Caldwell County (3A) (4-1). This will be a very HARD fought game with the likely District Crown on the line. Two of the best unheralded QBs in the west on display with Tilghman speedster Jesse Dunigan and Caldwell County’s Shane Burns lighting up the scoreboard!

 

Honorable Mention: Murray (2A) at Russellville (1A) and Butler County (2A) at Owensboro Catholic (2A) – Rex Henderson vs Ray Zuberer III – A matchup made for a video game – Worth the price of admission!

 

Meat N Potatoes Top 10 Version – Week 4:

10) Paducah Tilghman (3A) – Preseason Rank (PR): Next 10 – Last Week (LW): 10 - 2015 Record 3-2; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 49-7 at 4A Madisonville NH (1-4). SR Sayveon McEwen rushed for 138 yards and 3 TDs. QB Jesse Dunigan passed for 100 yards and 1 TD. Week 5: PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Game of the Week DISTRICT BUSTER At 3A District Rival Caldwell County (4-1).

 

9) Hopkinsville (4A) – PR: 8 – LW: 5 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Loss: 42-28 vs 5A Christian County (4-1). See above. Hopkinsville just couldn’t capitalize on the big passing plays late in the game to hang with Christian County. This hurts most in the local super market as bragging rights were lost, but you honestly don’t lose a lot on the football field and if you can re-focus on your district games you will still be a tough out in the playoffs. Week 5: DISTRICT BUSTER vs (4A) Madisonville NH (1-4). These are the best 2 teams in this district, so you need to refocus fast Tigers!

 

8) Russellville (1A) – PR: Next 10 – LW: 7 - 2015 Record 5-0; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 64-28 over 2A Todd County Central (1-4). The Panthers pulled out a “Can of Techmo Bowl” on the Rebels with 560 yards rushing and 3 guys going over 100 yards. QB Jaylyn McMurray was 4 for 4 with 3 TDs. Now we begin to find out more about Russellville: Week 5: vs. 2A Murray (3-2). If you want to hang with Beechwood later in the year, you need to hang with Murray this week.

 

7) Caldwell County (3A) – PR: 9: LW: 9 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 51-20 vs 6A Henderson County (1-4) As Tiger fans said, it is significant for a 3A team to beat a 6A team, even if the 6A team is down. I dare say this is the team playing the BEST ball in WKY right NOW! QB Shane Burns has come on to be a star to those paying attention in Princeton. According to Dreamkiller, he was 33-41 with 397 yards. Not a bad day’s work. PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Game of the Week: DISTRICT BUSTER Week 5: vs 3A Paducah Tilghman (3-2). This one will be worth the price of admission, but you better get there early because I feel the Tiger faithful will be out in force for this one, as the game is in Princeton!

 

6) Christian County (5A) – PR: 6 – LW: 8 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 42-28 vs Hopkinsville 4A (4-1). See above. I have to admit, I have been underwhelmed by the Colonels this year. BUT for me, this is a turning point. The Colonels stayed tough and made the plays in the second half when they needed to. I think the early “uninspiring” play is likely directly due to their youth. There is no doubt they have talent. Now they get a quick district tune up before traveling up the Pennyrile and Audubon Parkways for some Old Hickory Barbeque and a District Buster meeting with the Red Devils! Week 5: vs. Marshall County 5A (1-3).

 

5) Owensboro (5A) – PR: 4 – LW: 5 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 49-21 at 6A Daviess County (4-1). The Red Devils probably would have been behind on the scoreboard if emotions were tallied at the beginning of the game as Daviess County and their fans always have this game circled. And they played very well. DC tied it up in the 3rd Quarter at 21; then the Red Devils just hit another gear for 4 TDs. But give DC credit for playing tough. Owensboro just too many weapons. Week 5: OPEN Most likely Coach Fallin and staff will be travelling to Christian County for some Woodshed Barbeque and to watch the Christian County Colonels, their district rival and next opponent.

 

4) Mayfield (2A) – PR: 2 – LW -4 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win 46-14 vs 5A Graves County 6A (2-3). Graves County got a glimpse of Angry Mayfield. Mayfield gains 164 on the ground and 315 in the air. Defense only gives up 100 on ground and 100 in the air and picks off 3 passes. With their star RB injured SO Shauntrez Tyler got the call and performed well with over 100 yards and a TD. This is big Mayfield fans because injuries are part of the game. Mr. Tyler looks ready to play! Week 5: vs 3A Corbin (3-2) at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky. Get your car filled up with gas Cardinal fans and follow your team! Should be a good one!

 

3) McCracken County (6A) – PR: 5 - LW – 3; 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 55-20 vs Lift For Life Academy Charter, St Louis, MO (1-3). Hard to know what to make of this one! Lift dresses 21 kids and drives to McCracken for this game; is it me or does it just not seem to add up for a 1 and 3 team? Zyaire Hughes was seen on the sidelines in this game with arm in a sling. Hopefully he will be back soon. Corey Fike had a good game with more than 100 yards rushing and a couple TDs. Cash Jones was very good also. DISTRICT BUSTER: Week 5: vs. 6A Daviess County (4-1). This game will likely determine the district champion. Will DC stud receiver John Stratton be back (injured in last week’s Owensboro game)? Will MC stud Zyaire Hughes be back from injury? Tune in and find out sports fans As The Season Turns!

 

2) Bowling Green (5A) – PR: 1 – LW: 2 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 32-7 vs 4A Warren Central (1-4). The old cross-town rivalry game goes to the Purples. Jamale Carothers was terrific as usual for BG most notably with no turnovers. The defense was also very solid limiting the Dragons to 1 score. Some are concerned or rejuvenated, depending on your druthers, about the Purples second half scoring. The fact is they scored when they needed to and that’s all you need. I was told the total # of players on the Dragon sideline was way down from days gone by. I like to beat Warren Central every time, but to me BG is better when WC is better and for Dragonfire’s and Big Black Jack’s sake I hope WC continues to battle on and improve and admire them for not dodging the Purples. Makes the angst flow! Week 5: at 6A Central Hardin (3-2).

 

1) South Warren (4A) – PR: 3 – LW: 1 - 2015 Record 5-0; District Record 0-0] Week 4 Results: Win: 21-0 vs 6A North Hardin (1-4). South Warren buses will need to up the police escort anytime they travel through Hardin County these days as the Spartans completed the Hardin County Triple Crown by a score of 88 to 15. This is a better win than it looks on paper due to the injuries South is currently dealing with, most notably is QB Ryder Litton being out. The offense obviously wasn’t clicking well, but the defense surely was. It is a sign of a great team when you can still win when you don’t have your best stuff. Now is the time to prepare for when things like injuries don’t go your way for the playoffs. DISTRICT BUSTER Week 5: vs 4A Franklin-Simpson (3-2).

 

Jayvon Quarles Week 4 Players of the Week:

1) Johnny Drumgole – RB and S – Russellville – 214 yards on 8 carries and 3 TDs!

2) Rex Henderson – QB – Butler County – 13 for 17 with 249 passing yards and 3 TDs!

3) Sayveon McEwen – Wingback – Paducah Tilghman – 138 yards and 3 TDs!

4) Tre Fant – DB/S – Bowling Green – 1 INT vs Warren Central but it’s his 6th on the season and continues his streak of at least 1 in 4 straight games!

 

School Records:

1) Maddie Alexander – K – Franklin Simpson – After the first string kicker went down with injury; Maddie Alexander, a 5-sport athlete and academic scholar at FS, came on and calmly drilled 3 XPs in FS victory over Monroe County on Friday marking the first points by a female for FS varsity football ever! Congratulations Maddie!

2) Jacob Rickard – DE – McLean County – Recorded 5 sacks for a school record in McLean’s win vs Hopkins County Central!

 

Week 4 “Trending Down”

Hart County (3A) – Down – Tough game vs Union County last week. Missed opportunity to continue your upswing. District play starts in 2 weeks. Time to regain momentum this week vs Larue County.

Madisonville NH (4A) – Down – Seems like a long way from last year, but a 1-4 start to this year is a tough way to start the rebuilding cycle. But there is still time Maroon fans. As I still see you getting second in your district. Time to start trending up!

 

Week 4 “Trending Up”

Owensboro Catholic (2A) – Up – After a disappointing showing vs Daviess County (who is a better team than most give credit to), then a nice bounce back showing vs the Red Devils (a moral victory if there is such a thing), two powerful victories lead us to a district buster showdown with primary district rival Butler County!

Allen County Scottsville (4A) – Up – The Patriots couldn’t buy a break in the early season against 3 solid teams going 0 and 3. Since then, they have taken Barren County by storm beating both Glasgow and Barren County by a combined 7 points. District play starts this weeks as the Warren Central Dragons travel to Scottsville. Can the Patriots keep it going?

Union County (3A) – Up – After getting your doors blown off at Madisonville 1 week ago, the Braves traveled to Hart County and came away with a hard fought win. Keep building momentum Braves as you have a tough district that begins in 2 weeks.

 

“Broke Their Maiden” – In horse racing, when you break your maiden, you win your first race. Well this category is for teams that don’t get as much love, but did get their first victory of the season here and I think that’s significant: (After this week, only 6 more teams in the West are winless! Let’s root for them to get a win! MOST Critical this week is Logan County who visits Hopkins County Central. Go Cougars!)

Calloway County 4A (1-3) – Won 33-27 in OT vs 3A Trigg County (3-2) – Don’t tell me these kids don’t want to win. The Lakers were paced by QB Cole Stenson with almost 200 yards passing and 3 TDs.

Caverna 1A (1-4) – Won 40-26 vs 2A Clinton County (3-2) – You can’t stop them; you can only hope to contain them was what the Clinton County Bulldogs were saying after this one. Way to go Caverna!

Fort Campbell 3A (1-4) – Won 43-8 vs 1A Fort Knox (1-3) – After playing 4 very good teams, the Falcons saw the light at the end of the tunnel and blasted through it. Congratulations!

Great read

nice job

On a side note Christian County Jr WR Keyron Catlett became the schools all time leading receiver with 2,217 career yards and is 9 catches shy breaking most career receptions.

On a side note Christian County Jr WR Keyron Catlett became the schools all time leading receiver with 2,217 career yards and is 9 catches shy breaking most career receptions.

Wow! That's great! I think he is a D-1 receiver. Thanks for adding that Trap!:thumb:

Wow! That's great! I think he is a D-1 receiver. Thanks for adding that Trap!:thumb:

 

Your welcome both him and Sophmore Kenner will have some sort of college future.

As always P88 great job and read.

Your welcome both him and Sophmore Kenner will have some sort of college future.

 

Trap, you didn't add QB Langhi to that list. What do you think his prospects are?

 

Personally, I think he will be fine. I think he is in sort of a Freshman Flash, Sophomore Slump, but headed to break out next year. Just my opinion with Kenner back and Catlett a Senior.

Very nice post P88. This may help rejuvenate my attitude.

Langhi is having a solid year. He struggled the first two games due to the fact county had basically 4 new starters on the O-line. He threw the ball extremely well against Henderson, Hoptown and Fort Campbell. Didn't throw much against Fort Campbell they only had 4/5 in the box so his numbers are not eye candy like last season but he's winning games. He's running a lot better this season and dragging folks with him. 4 rushing TD's last two games. I think he's better this season than last season just he's doing it different ways. Time he's a senior he should be able to pick where he wants to go.

I HATE your choice for #1 , however I must concede that at this time they belong there but I hope those Purples give reason to end the season out up there!!!

 

Still leaves me irritated until then though.

You do such a good job with these! Always enjoy it!

Very nice work! I enjoy this every week!!! Two thumbs up my friend!!!

I HATE your choice for #1 , however I must concede that at this time they belong there but I hope those Purples give reason to end the season out up there!!!

 

Still leaves me irritated until then though.

Totally understand Tyler! I have to take my purple colored glasses of when I do these. But I do think BG has a schedule better than Souths. How does BG play this week and how do they play against McCracken County? Those two will determine the final rankings!

Why did Arnette only have 4 carries vs SW? Really that was the only decent game on SW schedule so it will be hard to tell how good they really are.