BluegrassPreps 2015 Western Kentucky Power Rankings – Week 5 Edition

 

Concerning the top story line for this week: Rain, Rain go away! After a beautiful fall week last week, mother-nature decided to dump buckets of rain on most Kentucky football fields this past Friday night. Some teams turned the ball over significantly more than usual, but some teams handled the rain like ducks. Also, District play started for some with Huge games already complete. Everyone will be in District play by this week’s games!

 

Popcorn N Coke Top 10 Version – Week 5:

1. Bowling Green 5A (5-1): Win 42-6 at 6A Central Hardin

2. South Warren 4A (6-0): Win 27-0 vs 4A Franklin Simpson

3. McCracken County 6A (5-1): Win 50-22 vs 6A Daviess County

4. Mayfield 2A (5-1): Win 28-14 vs 3A Corbin

5. Owensboro 5A (4-1): OPEN

6. Christian County 5A (5-1): Win 46-7 vs 5A Marshall County

7. Caldwell County 3A (5-1): Win 48-27 vs 3A Paducah Tilghman

8. Hopkinsville 4A (4-1): OPEN

9. Owensboro Catholic 2A (4-2): Win 53-14 vs 2A Butler County

10. Elizabethtown (3A): Win 33-8 vs 3A Edmonson County

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 4): DISTRICT BUSTER: Caldwell County 3A (5-1) 48 vs Paducah Tilghman (3A) (3-3) 27. Great game early with both teams making big plays. Paducah QB Dunigan goes out with an injury in the second quarter and the Blue Tornados aren’t the same after. Caldwell County pulls away in the second half, but gets the biggest scare of the season when star Dee Cain goes down and has to be taken off the field in an ambulance. Recent reports say this was a precautionary measure and Cain suffered from a concussion. But a HUGE district win was earned!

 

PurpleHaze Games of the Week (Week 5): I couldn’t pick one so I have 2 games this week! Murray (2A) at Mayfield (2A): This is a big one in the Purchase Area! If Murray couldn’t have beaten Russellville on the road last week, I would not have elevated this game here this week or this year. But I think Murray might be healthy again and able to give Mayfield a game. We’ll see!

Christian County (5A) at Owensboro (5A): Some Colonels fans are feeling Froggy about this matchup. Playing in Rash Stadium is a tough task for any team. I believe the district title will be on the line this Friday, which is HUGE because the winner likely hosts BG Week 3 of the playoffs and the loser likely visits BG Week 2 of the playoffs!

 

Honorable Mention: Hart County (3A) at Elizabethtown (3A) and Madisonville NH (4A) vs Hopkinsville (4A)

 

Meat N Potatoes Top 10 Version – Week 5:

10) Elizabethtown (3A) – Preseason Rank (PR): Not Ranked – Last Week (LW): Next 10 - 2015 Record 6-0; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 33-8 at 3A Edmonson County (4-2). Welcome to the Top 10 Panthers! I think you’re a good squad! But how good? With your schedule, I simply can’t tell. Not a knock, just a fact. Although the best 2 teams in your district are coming up, so let’s see what you got! DISTRICT BUSTER: Week 6: vs 3A Hart County (5-1).

 

9) Owensboro Catholic (2A) – PR: 10 – LW: Next 10 - 2015 Record 4-2; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 53-14 vs 2A Butler County (4-2) You can only hold Ray Zuberer back for so long. With a stat line of 19 for 25 with 337 yards and 6 TDs, I believe the West has their Mr. Football candidate right here. The thing about OCath this year though is the improved defense. In years gone by, this would have likely been a 53-48 kind of game. Not this year. The playoffs look bright for the Aces! Week 6: at (2A) McLean County (2-3).

 

8) Hopkinsville (4A) – PR: 8 – LW: 9 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 5 Results: OPEN With a week off to mend some wounds (both mentally and physically), the Tigers should be ready to get back on the field in this very important district matchup with the rebuilding Maroons. Even though the Maroons record isn’t great, District play is a new season. Week 6: DISTRICT BUSTER vs (4A) Madisonville NH (1-4). These are the best 2 teams in this district, so emotions should be high!

 

7) Caldwell County (3A) – PR: 9: LW: 7 - 2015 Record 5-1; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 48-27 vs 3A Paducah Tilghman (1-4) See above. Will Dee Cain be back this week or not? This week’s game is at Union County, likely the most underrated team in the district. Union has a great young coach, but doesn’t have the horse to run with Caldwell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a little closer than most think especially if Cain sits out this week coming off an emotional game last week. Week 6: vs 3A District foe Union County (4-1).

 

6) Christian County (5A) – PR: 6 – LW: 6 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 46-7 vs Marshall County 5A (1-4). Solid win, but 3 special teams TDs, 197 rushing and passing yards vs 147 for Marshall County makes me concerned for the Colonels going to Rash Stadium. BUT the thing I love about High School athletics is that teams can fire up quickly. I think the Colonels need to do that when they travel to Rash Stadium this week. Purplehaze Western Kentucky Co-Game of the Week – DISTRICT BUSTER: Week 6: at Owensboro 5A (4-1). BIG District and playoff implications on the line this Friday!

 

5) Owensboro (5A) – PR: 4 – LW: 5 - 2015 Record 4-1; District Record 0-0] Week 5 Results: OPEN. I’m sure the off week provided a good time to rest those players that are banged up a bit. They will be needed because the biggest District test comes this Friday night when the Christian County Colonels come calling. Christian County is young, but they have a QB and skill players capable of giving the Red Devils problems. But ultimately can Kolbi Langhi make enough plays to keep Christian County in the game? Can the Colonels DLine hold up for 4 quarters against a very good Red Devil OLine that will likely try to ground and pound them. We shall see. PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Co-Game of the Week: DISTRICT BUSTER - Week 6: vs. 5A Christian County (5-1).

 

4) Mayfield (2A) – PR: 2 – LW -4 - 2015 Record 5-1; District Record 0-0] Week 5 Results: Win 28-14 vs 3A Corbin (3-3). Anytime you travel 4 hours on a bus, get out in the rain, deal with the loss of injured players and still find a way to win; it is a good win. Yes, focused Cardinal fans will say too many penalties and missed opportunities were common this game. But your offensive line continues to improve maybe significantly. To me, this is the biggest thing because your coaching staff is one of the best in the state and you can clean up penalties and missed opportunities more easily than a porous OLine. Bragging rights are on the line and there is no one Murray wants to beat more than Mayfield. PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Co-Game of the Week: DISTRICT BUSTER & Local Rival: Week 6: vs 2A Murray (3-2)!

 

3) McCracken County (6A) – PR: 5 - LW – 3; 2015 Record 5-1; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 50-22 vs District Rival 6A Daviess County (4-2). 282 yards rushing; 248 yards passing – Well balanced offense. Only gave up 48 yards on the ground to a good Daviess County team. Other than the disappointing loss to Tilghman and the tight OT game against Mayfield, the Mustangs have been putting up 50 points a game and giving up 20 per game. This was their toughest district game by far. Look for scores in the 65 to 14 range until the Mustangs travel to BG for a Halloween treat! Week 6: vs. District foe 6A Ohio County (4-2).

 

2) South Warren (4A) – PR: 3 – LW: 1 - 2015 Record 6-0; District Record 1-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 27-0 vs District Foe 4A Franklin-Simpson (3-3). South’s defense has improved since their opening game against John Hardin and has pitched 2 shutouts in a row and besides the John Hardin game (12 points) has only given up 1 score per game this season. South’s offense was clicking the opening game through the Greenwood game (3rd game of season) with an average of 40 points per game. The Central Hardin game resulted in injuries to several South players, but most notably QB Ryder Litton, who went down with a banged up ankle. Frankly he isn’t back yet. He isn’t running the ball unless it’s a broken play and that has caused clear and marked lower production from this offensive unit. I bring this info to the South fans as the reason South is not on the 1 line. They are simply not playing as well offensively at the moment. Still should go undefeated and hopefully bring a 4A title home. But the trainer is your best friend right now until Mr. Litton’s ankle is back to normal. Week 6: OPEN On que, as this should be a welcomed open date for the Spartans to try and get fully healthy.

 

1) Bowling Green (5A) – PR: 1 – LW: 2 - 2015 Record 5-1; District Record 0-0] Week 5 Results: Win: 42-6 at 6A Central Hardin (3-3). The Central Hardin game was simply the best the Purples have played this year. They came out of the locker room fired up and put a running clock on Central Hardin with about 2 minutes to go in the FIRST HALF! Jacob Yates (RB/Wingback) played great with 8 carries 119 yards and 2 TDs. QB Clark Payne was workman like going 12 for 18 for 147 yards and TDs and 1 hail-mary first half heave INT. The defense gives up 52 yards on the ground and approximately 1/3 of that was when the JV team got in in the 4th. Week 6: vs. District Foe 5A Grayson County (3-2). This game will be played on Thursday October 1 due to Fall Break.

 

 

Jayvon Quarles Week 4 Players of the Week:

1) Cash Jones – QB McCracken County – 9-14 185 yards and 2 TDs and 1 rushing TD in 1 HALF vs Daviess County!

2) Caldwell County – dual backs – Dee Cain 10 rushes for 112 yards, 2 TDs, and Javonte Riley 20 carries 154 yards, 2 TDs!

3) Greenwood – dual backs – Noah Pillow 120 yards and 1 TD and Jackson Adams 147 yards and 2 TDs!

4) Keyron Namvong – RB South Warren – 20 carries for 197 yards and 3 TDs vs Franklin Simpson!

 

School Records:

1) Shane Burns – QB – Caldwell County – Last week vs Henderson County completed 14 straight passes for a Tiger record and had 34 total completions on that night for another record. Two weeks ago vs Crittenden County had the longest pass completion in Caldwell Co history a 90 yard TD completion to Josh Young!

2) Keyron Catlett – WR – Christian County – achieved the Christian Co record for receiving yards with 2,281. He is very close to the reception record as well. This Friday vs Marshall County he “hits for the cycle” 1. 10 yard TD run. 2. 50 yard TD reception. 3. 75 yard punt return. 4. 97 yard kickoff return. Congratulations!

 

Week 4 “Trending Down”

Russellville (1A) – Down – Tough game vs Murray last week. Missed opportunity to continue your upswing. But 5 fumbles and an intersection in not the way to play against a solid 2A club. Time to go back to work on the fundamentals!

Paducah Tilghman (3A) – Down – Tough when your leader gets hurt on the road in your first district match and most important district match. Would appear to be playing for 2nd in the district now and a road game in Week 2 of the playoffs.

 

Week 4 “Trending Up”

Fort Campbell (3A) – Up – After winning your first game of the year last week vs Fort Knox, the Falcons back it up with a DISTRIC win at Trigg County.

Murray (2A) – Up – After 2 disheartening losses in the middle of their season, the Tigers have put back to back wins together and appear to be fairly healthy for the first time since Week 2. Complete focus will be required to have a chance vs the Cardinals this week?

 

“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 3 more teams in the West are winless! Let’s root for them to get a win!

 

Well, we took a big hit here this week in trying to get every Western Kentucky team with at least 1 win, as the Hopkins County Storm had one more pillow than Logan County and beat the Cougars 13-12. Only remaining winnable game on Logan Co schedule is Oct 30 vs Todd Co Central. Hancock County (0-6) only winnable games are last 2 games of the year vs McLean County and Breckinridge Co. Finally, Fulton County (0-6) would appear only to have the rematch – cage-match with Fulton City left who beat them 38-28 earlier this year.

 

Warren East – 4A – (1-6) – Congratulations to Coach Chaffin and staff and Raiders on your first win of the season over Barren County 31-21!

Webster County – 2A – (1-5) – The Trojans marched to Fulton County and picked up their first win against still winless Fulton County! A win is a win!

Metcalfe County – 2A – (1-5) – The Hornets finally found their stinger and gave Clinton County a spanking 48-0. Way to go!

Great post

As always, great job!

Great job P88.

I always love your Threads, but didn't you say before that teams don't move down with a win? South Warren won, yet you moved them from #1 to #2 . May I ask why?

I always love your Threads, but didn't you say before that teams don't move down with a win? South Warren won, yet you moved them from #1 to #2 . May I ask why?

I've been wondering where you've been this week. You always have something of substance to add. My comment I believe you are referring to is "in this poll if you lose, you drop" (remember when BG lost to St X, I dropped BG from 1 to 4). I am 99% sure I have never stated that you won't or can't move down with a win. But I stand corrected if you find such a statement, but I don't believe there is one.

 

You have every right to ask why I moved South down, but I am somewhat confused because the entire South Warren dialogue was intended to provide South fans with the reason I moved them from #1 to #2 . It is in NO way a reflection of thinking they are a bad team or not worthy of being in the top group of this ranking. And as I mentioned, I do feel the South defense has improved this year with 2 shutouts in a row to prove it and one of the best units in the State. However, there is NO denying that the South offense has not been the same since Mr. Litton became injured. With Litton in the lineup South was scoring 43 points a game. Since Litton has been injured they are scoring 24 points a game. Hey, a win's a win! I'm not knocking their win/lose record or anything else, but when you compare directly with where South is and where BG is - I give BG the nod.

Further information used in this decision is directly related to the Central Hardin games. Yes, Centrals top 2 backs were out for the BG game, but against South they had a combined 7 carries for 14 yards (i.e. little to no significance and 1 of those guys was injured as well). I'm not saying those 2 guys wouldn't have made a difference, but the difference it would have made would have been overshadowed by a dry field IMO, which South had when they played Central. You do realize that BG put a running clock on Central with over 4 minutes to go in the second quarter (I went back and looked at the time) and BG's defense yielded less rushing yards than South and Centrals only TD on BG was in the 4th Q when many JV guys were in the game. Also, South's game (AT Home) scored 24 points on Central. 2 of those TDs were thanks to special teams. Not knocking, just supporting my statement that the South Offense isn't where it was from the Central Hardin game forward. Still very good; Still #1 in 4A IMO, but not #1 in the entire West.

The one consistent thing about these Western Kentucky Power Rankings is Purple88. He has went out of his way to be fair. He calls them like he sees them. Some Purple fans, including me, were shocked when he dropped Bowling Green to #4 after the St. X game, but he was right. He has been spot on every week. I look forward to seeing his take on western kentucky football every week. Keep up the good work, sir.

I will agree with purple 88 that they aren't the same without Litten but they pretty much played the central game without him if you are comparing scores but what if SWpitches 3-4 more shut outs in a row and litten is back at full strength and SW gets back to 45-50 pts agame just interested in your thoughts but I agree as of today BG should be #1

Excellent post Purple88! I love reading these every week.

Homecoming??

Very good post! Great to see Purples at #1 however I would prefer them to be there without question or needing the help of SW injuries. That says alot about SW! BG/Warren County holding down the top. It's beautiful.

I will agree with purple 88 that they aren't the same without Litten but they pretty much played the central game without him if you are comparing scores but what if SWpitches 3-4 more shut outs in a row and litten is back at full strength and SW gets back to 45-50 pts agame just interested in your thoughts but I agree as of today BG should be #1

Spin,

First, I appreciate your agreement and your voice as we need different opinions on here. It makes the site much better.

Second, I am primarily comparing South's scores in my reasoning for their move because the Central Hardin game comparisons aren't in South's favor, but every game is different.

Third, I'm not sure I'm reaching you when you say "but they pretty much played the central game without him" as that's precisely my point in why I have dropped them.

Fourth, I typically take each week and look at whats taken place, who teams play, how they play and how much they win or lose by. So I can't tell you right now how the rest of the season will play out.

But Fifth and my final point is I'm not sure if you were tuned in during the Pre-season of this ranking or not, but South Warren was the #3 team. After the first week of games, where South handled John Hardin, and in the first Power Ranking of the season, I moved South Warren to the #1 spot. I took some heat for this as BG and Mayfield also won handily, but it was my opinion (still is) that the John Hardin win was a better win than the Monroe County or Fort Campbell win, respectively. So I don't take as much of who "could" beat who, I take more of a who "did" beat who philosophy. If I did it the other way, I'm afraid my Purple glasses would go back on and the Purples would never leave the #1 spot, which I honestly don't think is fair or accurate. Bottom line: you gotta earn it, especially when splitting hairs like we are here!

Homecoming??

:laugh::laugh::laugh: