BluegrassPreps 2015 Western Kentucky Power Rankings – Week 7 Edition

Concerning the top story line for this week: OPEN is a BOLD customer! Unabashed to take on any and all comers. This week alone 14 Top 10 teams across the 6 Classes face OPEN this week. What are the Top 3 things teams need to focus on when facing OPEN:

3. Heal Your Players! You can’t win in the playoffs without the majority of your team near 100%. Strategize on getting those guys healthy and integrate them back in SLOWLY! It doesn’t help anyone to run back out there on the field only to get hurt again and be done for the season!

2. That August scrimmage seems like a far distant memory now! The season is a grind for sure. You are in the second most important season now – District Season – Focus short term and prepare to take down that local rival to set yourself up well for the post season!

1. If you want to be playing late in November & December, this week is your springboard – Mentally! Take time to rejuvenate and come back to practice with the resolve for long term success! Good Luck!

 

Popcorn N Coke Top 10 Version – Week 7:

All teams 1 through 15 (except #15 Franklin Simpson who lost 21-20) won or were OPEN last week and the rankings have not changed except for Franklin Simpson.

1. Bowling Green 5A (6-1): OPEN

2. South Warren 4A (7-0): Win 52-0 vs 4A Warren East

3. McCracken County 6A (7-1): Win 40-17 vs 6A Henderson County

4. Owensboro 5A (6-1): Win 50-7 vs 5A Marshall County

5. Mayfield 2A (6-1): OPEN

6. Caldwell County 3A (7-1): Win 43-7 at 3A Trigg County

7. Hopkinsville 4A (6-1): Win 42-8 vs 4A Logan County

8. Owensboro Catholic 2A (6-2): Win 48-7 vs 2A Hancock County

9. Elizabethtown (3A) (7-0): OPEN

10. Christian County 5A (5-2): Win 43-22 vs 5A Owensboro Apollo

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 6): Hart County 3A (5-2) 0 at Edmonson County 3A (4-3) 14. Well my Week 6 Lemonade was pretty sour. Hart County has sustained some significant injuries from the team that began the year 5 and 1. Edmonson is a decent team and it’s a tough place to play. Congrats Wildcats!

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 7): DISTRICT BUSTER: Elizabethtown 3A (7-0) at Adair County 3A (7-0). This is the Biggest Game in Adair County for as long as anyone can remember. Yes, Etown likely has more athletes and is the clear favorite. But I think Adair has a Puncher’s Chance if they get some breaks. Is Etown just too much? Can Adair compete? We shall see!

 

Honorable Mention: Monroe Co at Glasgow; Henderson Co at Daviess County; and Christian Co at Graves Co.

 

Meat N Potatoes Top 10 Version – Week 7:

10) Christian County (5A) – Preseason Rank (PR): 6 – Last Week (LW): 10 - 2015 Record 6-2; District Record 2-1] Week 7 Results: Win: 43-22 vs Owensboro Apollo 5A (2-5). I have very little information concerning this game. My take with not seeing any substantial info is that I would have probably thought Christian would have won by more points, but this could be from Apollo scoring late on the Colonel JV. But a win is a win. Week 8: at Graves County 5A (4-3). This is an important district game as the winner is almost a certain lock for the #2 District seed.

 

9) Elizabethtown (3A) – PR: Not Ranked – LW-9 - 2015 Record 7-0; District Record 2-0] Week 7 Results: OPEN The most anticipated game of the regular season has arrived as the Panthers gear up to go to Columbia lookin to scalp the Indians of Adair County in this Critical District Matchup. PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Game of the Week - Week 8: DISTRICT BUSTER: at 3A Adair County (7-0).

 

8) Owensboro Catholic (2A) – PR: 10 – LW: 8 - 2015 Record 6-2; District Record 3-0] Week 7 Results: Win: 48-7 vs 2A Hancock County (0-8) Ray Zuberer has another 11 for 18 game for 206 yards and 4 TDs. John Mark Boarman makes it look easy with another 23 tackle game. This team is the All-Nintendo team! Big stats everywhere. BUT, will this catch up with them when they meet the tough 2A west teams that are likely playing better competition? Regardless, The Aces will be a tough out come November! Week 8: at (2A) Todd County Central (2-5).

 

7) Hopkinsville (4A) – PR: 8 – LW: 7 - 2015 Record 6-1; District Record 2-0] Week 7 Results: Win 42-8 vs 4A Logan County (0-7). Neither team posted stats for this one either, but we don’t really need them here. The poor Cougars might have a chance in the game at the end of the year, but against the Tigers they had no real chance. District game for the Tigers – What are you gonna do? Stay focused and move on. Week 8: Vs (4A) Calloway County (4-3). The Lakers are coming on, but is it enough to hang on the road against the best team in the district?

 

6) Caldwell County (3A) – PR: 9: LW: 6 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 3-0] Week 7 Results: Win: 43-7 at 3A Local Rival Trigg County (2-6) Many don’t know this, but Caldwell and Trigg are big Rivals over in the Lakes Area. I’m sure Trigg was as up for this game as they could be, but Caldwell “Nipped All Upsets in the Bud” early with TDs on their opening 2 or 3 plays from scrimmage. I have sang these Tigers praises all year and if you are playing better than they are right now; then you are really doing something Partner! Shane Burns, Javonte Riley, Dee Cain All Terrific. If you’re a 3A Fan, this won’t be the last time you hear these names. Week 8: Vs 3A District foe Fort Campbell (2-5). Last District game, prior to the OPEN week and then a visit from the Mayfield Cardinals! CAN’T WAIT!

 

5) Mayfield (2A) – PR: 2 – LW -4 - 2015 Record 6-1; District Record 1-0] Week 7 Results: OPEN. The Cardinals should be raring to go with the week off! Will be interesting to see how Coach Morris integrates Trajon Bright and a couple others back into the lineup. Do they all start and play the whole game (won’t be necessary) against Ballard or just get them a couple series here and there so they can be sharp going into the post-season tune-up with Caldwell. We shall see Cardinal fans! Week 8: vs 2A District Foe Ballard Memorial (4-2). Our friend JCarter wants to see the outcome of this one! I think he just wants to wear a Bombers costume to his upcoming Halloween party, because I fear a running clock will be needed sooner than later in this one!

 

4) Owensboro (5A) – PR: 4 – LW: 4 - 2015 Record 6-1; District Record 2-0] Week 7 Results: Win: 50-7 vs Marshall County 5A (1-6). Red Devils have 325 yards on the ground and give up 82 total yards in the game. That pretty much sews it up! Just a good team beating a not very good team. Week 8: vs. 5A Cross-town “Rival” Owensboro Apollo (2-5). The Red Devils drive about 10 minutes across town to take on the Eagles of Owensboro Apollo. That’s about how long I see this game being competitive. Sorry Eagles, but maybe you can prove me wrong?

 

3) McCracken County (6A) – PR: 5 - LW – 3; 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 3-0] Week 7 Results: Win: 40-17 vs District Foe 6A Henderson County (3-5). Mustang faithful will say this one was not as close as the score indicates. McCracken was very balanced on the night with about 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. Cash Jones is a player (see below). Week 8: OPEN. Time to heal up Mustangs! Nice timing; then a trip to Muhlenberg County before tuning up for the playoffs with a trip east to BG to face the Purples at El Donaldson Stadium!

 

2) South Warren (4A) – PR: 3 – LW: 2 - 2015 Record 7-0; District Record 2-0] Week 7 Results: Win: 52-0 vs 4A District Foe Warren East. Nice to come off an OPEN week with a dominating win. No stats provided; no stats really needed. South just WAY WAY WAY too much for a REALLY struggling Warren East squad that played without their best player Willie Reynolds. Week 8: at 4A District Foe Allen County - Scottsville (4-4). The Patriots have played well this season, but I fear they are WAY out of their league on this one!

 

1) Bowling Green (5A) – PR: 1 – LW: 1 - 2015 Record 6-1; District Record 1-0] Week 7 Results: OPEN. BG comes off their Fall Break and looks to knock off the rust with what should be their easiest game for a while when the Barren County Trojans come to El Donaldson Stadium. Week 8: vs 5A Barren County (2-5). Make sure the JV are ready to go in this one! Greenwood in 2 weeks should be an interesting game as both teams should be undefeated in the district and then a good, but wild card McCracken County 6A team pays a visit to finish off the regular season.

 

 

Jayvon Quarles Week 7 Players of the Week: MANY did not post stats prior to post this week, but what I have is as follows:

1) Cash Jones – QB – McCracken County – 18 for 25 with 198 yards and 3 TDs vs Henderson County!

2) Jonathon Goodman - RB – Owensboro Catholic – 188 yards and 3 TDs vs Hancock County!

3) Ft Campbell – Senior Middle LB – Caleb Benefield with 12 tackles and SO DE Dayton Keeling with 11 tackles in the close loss to Union County!

 

Week 7 “Trending Down”

Todd County Central (2A) – Down – Lost 27-21 in Double Overtime vs McLean County. This marks the second Double Overtime loss of the season. One gut punch wasn’t enough; had to get 2 in. And with OCath coming to Elkton on Friday, things don’t look rosy for the Rebels. I will have to pull against them in their last regular season game too as they travel to Russellville to take on the Logan County Cougars who will still need a win to avoid going winless on the year.

 

Week 7 “Trending Chevron”

Franklin Simpson (4A) – Chevron – “Chevron” is a geologic term for a type of fold/fracture in rock that is jagged or up and down. Franklin Simpson is 4 and 4 on the year. They began the season with a win at Portland, TN and has alternated between wins and losses since that time. They almost are assured a win to keep this streak going next week when the struggling Warren East Raiders pay a visit. Senior night finds the 1A Russellville Panthers also paying a visit to Franklin. I think this is a 50-50 game. Franklin will have the emotion, but Russellville has played better ball this year to date IMO. Should be a good one!

 

Week 7 “Trending Up”

Calloway County (4A) – Up – After a 0 and 3 start to the season, some teams would have packed it in for the year, but not the Lakers of Calloway County. They have regrouped and reeled of 4 straight wins (granted those aren’t against T, X, H and Scott County, but wins none-the-less). They travel to Hopkinsville with a date with the Tigers and first place in the district on the line. Underdogs… no doubt, but let’s see if these Lakers can pull out a little “Magic” and upset the favored Tigers!

Allen County-Scottsville (4A) – Up – Another 0 and 3 team that’s gone on to win 4 of its next 5, which is saying something for a team that won a total of 4 games last year. ACS is in the “log jam” behind South Warren and “could” move up to the #2 seed in the district depending on how things play out. I don’t expect them to beat South Warren this week, but I’d like to see if they can get 2 scores on them; I think that’s an achievement seeing only John Hardin has been able to accomplish that this year. I do look for them to beat Bardstown at the end of the year, but it’s no slam dunk by any means. Go Patriots!

 

“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!

 

The motor is still killed! We may need Jimmy Johnson to come try to drive these guys to a victory! Here’s the situation this week:

1. Logan County at Madisonville NH – Chance to break maiden – 1%

2. Hancock County OPEN – Oct 23 vs McLean Co (3-4) Chance to break maiden – 45%

3. Fulton County vs Crittenden Co – Chance to break maiden – 5%.

 

11 Through 15 – Thought we dabble a little down here this week:

11) Russellville 1A (6-1) – Comes off OPEN week; ready for a cupcake at Fulton City!

12) Adair County 3A (7-0) – Biggest week in Indians history? Absolutely!

13) Paducah Tilghman 3A (4-3) – Comes off OPEN week hosting a deceptive Union Co squad hungry for the #2 seed in the district. Can Union rise to the occasion here?

14) Murray 2A (4-3) – Broken record – Comes off OPEN week (I told you OPEN was tough!) with 2 district flavored cupcakes in the lunch box before a good pre-playoff test at Paducah Tilghman!

15) Tie – Daviess County 6A (5-2) – Nice home district win against lukewarm Muhlenberg Co. Big District Tilt next week as the Henderson County Colonels come calling with the #2 district seed on the line.

Monroe County 2A (4-3) – I’m not sure how many 2A schools schedule 1 6A school, 2 5A schools, and 4 4A schools to go with their district schedule. To me that takes guts (and maybe a good “shot a courage”) to play that hand. It’s district time and the Falcons should be favored in their last 2 matchups before a trip to Monticello to meet the Wayne County Cardinals.

Shane Burns 9-9 254 yds 4 TDs

Homerun 88!

Great article

No arguments here good job P88

Good work P88.. Sophomore RB Ziyon Kenner for Christian had 15 carries for 226 yards and 2 TD's..

Look forward to this every week!!

I don't think Catholic's schedule will hurt them.

1. They had OHS down 14-0, but "let'em off the hook" with their poor special teams kicking. I think that's done now, that he is getting it in the endzone.

2. They play a North Hardin team that is very athletic and bigger then OC. North is down, but it will be a good game for them to prepare for Murray High.

3. Drops..You don't see them dropping the ball since the Daviess County game. They had about 12 drops that game alone. Then the next week vs. Owensboro they only had 2.

4. IF their young OL/DL continue to improve they will be a handful for teams.

 

I just wouldn't count them out. They have the capability to get to Bowling Green, but they also could "flop" and get beat by Murray.

 

2A West is just wide open.

Great job... I believe 2a is going to get shook up in the next three weeks. In five weeks all the planets will start aligning and we will be able to see the shining of those who are deserving. It's been a fun season so far!!!! Just sad it is almost half over.

Shane Burns 9-9 254 yds 4 TDs

 

Dream, thanks for this! I have featured Mr. Burns a number of times already!

 

But if I had to pick a Player of the Year in the West at this very point, I would pick Shane Burns.

 

Pretty much everyone said Caldwell would be down because Mr. Sindelar moved on to Purdue. I'm not so sure your not better right now. Now to be fair, alot of that has to do with the progression of the Tiger D, which has played Really well also!

Thanks 88

Good work P88.. Sophomore RB Ziyon Kenner for Christian had 15 carries for 226 yards and 2 TD's..

 

Trap,

Thanks for posting this! Kenner is a really good back! Do you lookfor him to improve much next year? Seems to be pretty darn good now?

Kenner will be one of the best backs to ever played for county. Right now he's still a pup. When the year started he was playing mostly receiver the position he started as a freshmen. But during the Caldwell game he started to show that he's versatile enough to play both. He had around 150 yards yards before bumping he's knee early in the 3rd quarter.

Kenner is just a natural runner with vision and break away speed. Not many times you have a back who can also play slot and run great routs and catches everything. He still growing and has to body frame to add 20 more pounds or so. When you bite this much as a pup no telling what he's going to do when he's a dog.

After the OHS v. Christian County score... I would think you would move Owensboro Catholic ahead of Hopkinsville. Seems odd as well that you still have Hopkinsville ranked higher than Christian County as well as Caldwell when they beat both head to head.

If Caldwell had started and stayed with Burns, County would have lost that game