BluegrassPreps 2015 Western Kentucky Power Rankings – Week 8 Edition

 

Concerning the top story line for this week: Say goodbye to the Elizabethtown Panthers. Bert (provides the Louisville Area Power Rankings) and I noticed that we both had Etown on our power rankings. Since North Hardin, Central Hardin and John Hardin are all in the Louisville Area power rankings, we agreed that it made most sense to move Etown to the Louisville power rankings with their nearby Hardin County neighbors even though they would probably rather stay west to avoid the beasts of Jefferson County.

 

But before we send them off, I wanted to keep them around this week to salute them. Etown is the team I likely overlooked the most from the pre-season to now. Coach Brown is an excellent coach – No Doubt - and he is bringing the Panther Program along at a pace as he sees fit. I’ve got no problem with that. Good luck in the playoffs Panthers!

 

Popcorn N Coke Top 10 Version – Week 8*:

All teams 1 through 15 (except #12 Adair County who suffered their first lost 43-15 to Elizabethtown and #15 Daviess County who lost at home to district foe Henderson County 28-14) won or were OPEN last week and the rankings have not changed considerably with the exception of those two teams and Elizabethtown.

1. Bowling Green 5A (7-1): Win 48-7 vs 5A Barren County

2. South Warren 4A (8-0): Win 40-7 vs 4A Allen County-Scottsville

3. McCracken County 6A (7-1): OPEN

4. Owensboro 5A (7-1): Win 41-7 vs 5A Owensboro Apollo

5. Mayfield 2A (7-1): Win 49-12 vs 2A Ballard Memorial

6. Caldwell County 3A (8-1): Win 50-6 vs 3A Fort Campbell

7. Hopkinsville 4A (7-1): Win 37-0 vs 4A Calloway County

8. Owensboro Catholic 2A (7-2): Win 57-0 at 2A Todd County Central

9. Christian County 5A (7-2): Win 41-34 at 5A Graves County

10. Russellville 1A (7-1): Win 70-24 at 1A Fulton City

*Elizabethtown has moved to the Louisville Area Power Rankings as of the Week 8 Edition!

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 7): DISTRICT BUSTER: Elizabethtown 3A (8-0) 43 at Adair County 3A (7-1). It seemed Etown jumped on the Indians and just never let up. That’s what good teams do. But even after this game, it would seem to spotlight Adair County’s less than stout schedule more than “How good Etown” is. That is not to say Adair should have scheduled T, X and H. I’m just saying that at some point in a team’s season you’ll be tested to see if you can hang and maybe take a step or two deeper into the playoffs. This season is historic for Adair County and I’m a fan, but it would seem challenging a tough Union County team in Columbia in Week 1 of the playoffs would be the Indians ceiling this year. Etown, the ceiling is higher, but how much higher? Best of luck moving on!

 

PurpleHaze Game of the Week (Week 8): DISTRICT BUSTER: Russellville 1A (7-1) at Crittenden County 1A (6-2). Well this is the game everyone from Crittenden County has had circled on their calendar since they got the nod to move to 1A. Russellville appears to be the superior team on paper. But this will be Senior Night in Marion. I have seen many upsets by emotion alone. Will this be one?

 

Honorable Mention: Warren Central at South Warren; Bowling Green at Greenwood; and Owensboro at Graves County.

 

Meat N Potatoes Top 10 Version – Week 8:

10) Russellville (1A) – Preseason Rank (PR): Next 10 – Last Week (LW): 11 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 2-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 70-24 vs Fulton City 1A (1-8). Welcome Back Panthers! You have a weak district, but that is what it is. You now travel to the best team in your district that isn’t getting much respect. Crittenden has what I’m told is a “good” senior class. It’s “Senior” Night in Marion. Can emotion rule the day or will the Russellville Train roll on? We shall see! PurpleHaze Western Kentucky Game of the Week – DISTRICT BUSTER - Week 9: at 1A Crittenden County (6-2)!

 

9) Christian County (5A) – PR: 6 – Last Week LW: 10 - 2015 Record 7-2; District Record 3-1] Week 8 Results: Win: 43-22 vs Graves County 5A (4-4). Best game in the Top 10 last week. A back and forth affair for sure, but with Christian dictating the whole way. Admirable for Graves to be competing this well after a historic year last year, but Christian did what they had to do to take command of the #2 district spot. Week 9: OPEN. Colonels get the OPEN week to prepare for their trip up the Old Western Kentucky Parkway to visit the John Hardin Bulldogs to close out the season in a very good matchup for both teams!

 

8) Owensboro Catholic (2A) – PR: 10 – LW: 8 - 2015 Record 7-2; District Record 4-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 57-0 at 2A Todd County Central (2-6) Can you say Mis-match boys and girls! The Aces certainly took care of business in their final District game. Team Nintendo keeps on keeping on beating the entire Class 2 District 2 opponents 199-21! Week 9: OPEN. Maybe OCATH could trade Christian County some Old Hickory Barbeque for a bus ride to Hardin County on the 30th for their interesting meeting with the 6A North Hardin Trojans!

 

7) Hopkinsville (4A) – PR: 8 – LW: 7 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 3-0] Week 8 Results: Win 37-0 vs 4A Calloway County (4-4). Welcome back to reality Lakers! Hopkinsville simply keeps getting it done. Whether you think they aren’t that good due to a less than stout schedule or admire them for all the adversity they have been through this year, you will find they will be a very tough out in the playoffs. Week 9: at (4A) Hopkins County Central (4-3). Hopkins County Central is a district opponent, understand that, but the Tigers follow that up with their final regular season game vs a struggling Marshall County 5A squad. Other teams are testing themselves here. Will a weaker pre-playoff game backfire on Hopkinsville when tough playoff games arise?

 

6) Caldwell County (3A) – PR: 9: LW: 6 - 2015 Record 8-1; District Record 4-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 50-6 vs 3A Ft Campbell (2-6). The Tiger offense was very efficient. Dee Cain only had 4 carries, but he picked up 3 TDs in those limited carries. QB Shane Burns was 8 for 9 for 150 yards and 1 TD. The Tiger D was equally efficient giving up 6 measly points. Caldwell defeated the Class 3 District 1 teams by a combined 179 to 54! Week 9: OPEN. Tigers get to let Dee Cain and other injured players have a well-deserved rest. Then comes a Fantastic game to close out the regular season as the always tough Mayfield Cardinals come to Princeton! Go ahead and get all your honey-dos out of the way this week guys because you don’t want to miss this one!

 

5) Mayfield (2A) – PR: 2 – LW - 5 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 2-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 49-12 vs Ballard Memorial 2A (4-3). I’m thinking after this one that the Cardinal Fans will insist seeing JCarter in a Bomber Halloween suit based on this outcome! Thanks to Cardinal89 for letting me know Star Trajon Bright did not play last week. What do you think Cardinal Fans; does Mr. Bright play this week or just wait until the Caldwell game? I know Coach Morris knows what he’s doing; I’m just curious as to your thoughts here! Week 9: at 2A District Foe Webster County (1-7). I would think the playbook would be pretty bland this week with several Caldwell County reps in the stands. No need to open it up. Just run your main stuff and then get some youngsters in would seem to be in order for this mismatch! There is a little game on October 30 at Caldwell County that I’ve had circled from the start of the year. I’d bet Mr. Bright and former injured mates start in this game to get them set for the playoffs!

 

4) Owensboro (5A) – PR: 4 – LW: 4 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 3-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 41-7 vs Owensboro Apollo 5A (2-6). Red Devils just continue to play their game. RBs James and Boards total 221 yards and 4 TDs; QB Gross is efficient when team sell out to stop the run with 2 TD passes. O D comes up with 3 INTs on the night against an overmatched Eagle team. Week 9: at 5A Graves County (2-5). The Red Devils go from driving 10 minutes across town to their Week 8 game to driving about 3 hours on a bus to Mayfield. The Graves County game should be slightly closer on the scoreboard but that’s about it. The Red Devils close out the year with a visit from the Henderson County Colonels in an Audubon Parkway grudge match!

 

3) McCracken County (6A) – PR: 5 - LW – 3; 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 3-0] Week 8 Results: OPEN. The Mustangs can use this week to heal some wounds for sure! Cash Jones and Zaire Hughes have both been banged up some on the year. The Mustangs fine QB and D1 star won’t likely be needed for the battle next week, but the regular season close-out game with the Bowling Green Purples will require Mr. Jones and Mr. Hughes being at their best! Going to be a good one! But first things first: Battle of the Mustangs: Week 9: at Muhlenberg County 6A (4-4).

 

2) South Warren (4A) – PR: 3 – LW: 2 - 2015 Record 8-0; District Record 3-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 40-7 at 4A District Foe Allen County-Scottsville. I’m impressed with AC-Scottsville this season, but the score was 27-0 at the half with South having about 300 total yards to ACS’s 26. That’s about all you need to know. The South Warren defense had a pick 6 and did everything but park cars and sell popcorn. If you can’t score you can’t win and to beat South Warren this year that will be tough! I am curious of Andrew Houchens, who JCarter mentioned on the Update Thread this week. Just haven’t heard his name much, but saw he played a pretty solid game. Week 9: vs 4A District Foe Warren Central (4-4). The Dragons would love to pull the upset here and for a half anything can happen, but the Spartans are just too tough and at home in this one. This game will set the stage for the most unknown game of the season for South Warren as they will close out the regular season with a visit from the Pontiffs of Pope John Paul II of Hendersonville, TN!

 

1) Bowling Green (5A) – PR: 1 – LW: 1 - 2015 Record 7-1; District Record 2-0] Week 8 Results: Win: 48-7 vs 5A District Foe Barren County (2-6). Couple things: 1. Coach Wallace and Coach Griffith are friends and felt the play calling was pretty run heavy (24 rush attempts) compared to other recent games against similar type opponent (for example Grayson County – 11 rush attempts). 2. First game without SR OLine leader Jordan Meredith, which will take some time getting used to until he can return hopefully in 2 weeks. 3. First game in 15 days; takes a series or 2 to get the rust off. All that being said; you’re playing a team that hasn’t beaten you since the Reagan Administration and you put 48 points on the board vs only 7 for the hapless Trojans. Seems ok to me! Week 9: at 5A Greenwood (7-1). The Gators would cut off their right arm to beat the Purples. Don’t look for the guillotine to come out anytime soon, but I do look for a competitive game early, but just feel the BG D will be ready for this one. But let’s not short the Greenwood Gators. This is a team whose only loss on the season was at South Warren over a month ago. They are 2 and 0 in the district and have arguably their best team since the 2009 6A squad that lost a closer than the score indicated game to St. Xavier in the 4th round of the playoffs. Coach Seabolt is an excellent coach and know they will be ready. Bring It!

 

 

Jayvon Quarles Week 8 Players of the Week: MANY did not post stats prior to post this week, but what I have is as follows:

1) Greenwood Defense – 3 Tacklers with 10 or more tackles on the night – Malcolm Johnson – 14; Stone Bettersworth (Name of the Week!) 12; and Preston Fletcher 10 vs Grayson County!

2) Owensboro RBs – Anthony James and Landon Boards – 221 yards and 4 TDs vs Owensboro Apollo!

3) Joshua Bigbee – Russellville RB – 8 carries for 215 yards and 2 TDs vs Fulton City!

4) Jamale Carothers – Bowling Green RB – 13 carries for 105 yards and 4 TDs!

5) Dakota Dixon – Multiple positions Graves County – 19 carries for 119 yards and 3 TDs; 3 catches for 54 yards and 1 INT vs Christian County!

 

Week 8 “Trending Down”

Daviess County (6A) – Down – Lost 28-14 at home to district rival Henderson County. More disappointed than down really because, as Cols51 and ApolloFan98 mentioned on the game thread, this was Daviess County’s year to make some noise with the personnel they have, especially on offense. Not really sure I expected them to win this game, but it was tied at 14 with 10:55 to go in the 3rd Quarter. Looks like Henderson was more prepared late and secured the #2 District seed and a playoff home game. Good for them! But where does this leave Daviess? You tell me!

 

Adair County (3A) – Down – Am I being too harsh here Indian fans? I wanted you to pull it out, but it just wasn’t meant to be. A lot of the momentum in the Adair County balloon has now burst, but never fear Indians fans as few if any Adair County teams have ever been this good this late in the season with so much left to play for. Yes, I put your ceiling at the first round playoff game against a gritty Union County team. But so what, you will be playing at home and your fans will be there in spades. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off – plenty to play for!

 

Week 8 “Trending Up”

Christian County (5A) – Up – Earlier in the year, I think the Colonels might have lost a tough one like they won last Friday night after a long bus ride facing a formidable Graves County squad. Some of the best skill guys in the west play here! Just feels like they are continuing to gain confidence and inch forward. Think they are a solid #3 in West 5A!

 

Paducah Tilghman (3A) – Up – With losses to 6A Central Hardin, 2A Power Mayfield and 3A Stout District Rival Caldwell County coupled with wins against 6A McCracken County, Gritty 5A Graves County and upset minded Union County, the Blue Tornados are trending up. A lock for the #2 District seed and a home playoff game. Probably the best skill guys you have never heard of. And they’ve been winning of late without their best player QB Jesse Dunigan, who I “think” is due back off the injured list soon. Never count out Paducah Tilghman!

 

“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 boys, I went to Woolworth and bought 3 cases of smelling salts to try and get these fighters up off the mat here late in the 8th Round! It’s getting do or die! Here’s the situation this week:

1. Logan County vs Calloway County – Chance to break maiden – 5%

2. Hancock County vs McLean Co (3-4) – This is IT! It’s Doable!

Chance to break maiden – 45%

3. Fulton County vs Halls, TN – Mercy sakes it’s Senior Night! Let’s Go Pilots! Halls is 0 and 3 on the Road! Chance to break maiden – 25%.

 

11 Through 15 – Tougher call down here, but probably more fun to argue about as well:

11) Paducah Tilghman 3A (5-3) – At district foe Ft Campbell – No problem for the Blue Tornados!

12) Murray 2A (5-3) – At Ballard Memorial – No problem here! Ranked too low? Maybe….

13) Greenwood 5A (7-1) – Next: vs Bowling Green. Gators look to take down BG for the first time ever. Is this the year they’ll remember in Gatorland for a LONG time? Or just another year?

14) Monroe County 2A (5-3) – Beat a pesky Glasgow squad in a slugfest! Next: vs struggling Green County.

15) Tie: Butler County 2A (6-2) – Left for dead after the loss to OCath! QB Rex Henderson is a hidden gem! Solid #2 behind OCath and could win a playoff game.

Henderson County 6A (4-5) – No, the record isn’t pretty, but you’ve got to give it to the Colonels who play top competition North of the Ohio River and then go down the Audubon Parkway and get it done when they needed it last week! Damion Carter is a Player!

North Hardin vs. Owensboro Catholic is a home game for the Aces.

Sorry for the error, but with 7 home games and a weak district maybe it should be away.

You said Butler Co is a solid #2.

 

The district is khsaa doing. It is what it is, but I remember a few years ago BG had some cakes in that district.

Another good performance came from Christian Co Sophomore Ziyon Kenner. 121 yds on the ground, 66 receiving and an 80 yd Kickoff return for a score.

You said Butler Co is a solid #2.

 

The district is khsaa doing. It is what it is, but I remember a few years ago BG had some cakes in that district.

Rambo, Butler is a solid #2 and I put them in at 15 this week because I think they have a decent squad. But they are mostly a "solid" #2 because they got their doors blown off 53-14 at OCath and the rest of the district is not good (3-6 McLean, 2-6 Todd County Central and 0-8 Hancock County).

I'm not anti-OCath; quite the opposite actually, but I call it like I see it. A road game at N Hardin would help them more than their 7th home game. A big challenge IMO is what they need; not an easy win against a soft 6A squad. I can pour you punch and give you cookies now, but that's not going to help when Murray or Mayfield come to town.

Another good performance came from Christian Co Sophomore Ziyon Kenner. 121 yds on the ground, 66 receiving and an 80 yd Kickoff return for a score.

 

Map, thanks for adding this. Kenner is a really good player!

Rambo, Butler is a solid #2 and I put them in at 15 this week because I think they have a decent squad. But they are mostly a "solid" #2 because they got their doors blown off 53-14 at OCath and the rest of the district is not good (3-6 McLean, 2-6 Todd County Central and 0-8 Hancock County).

I'm not anti-OCath; quite the opposite actually, but I call it like I see it. A road game at N Hardin would help them more than their 7th home game. A big challenge IMO is what they need; not an easy win against a soft 6A squad. I can pour you punch and give you cookies now, but that's not going to help when Murray or Mayfield come to town.

 

Well I agree with you totally. Problem is the only schools willing to play them are BG and Highlands. OCath is paying a stipend for North to come down and play them. I find it odd they have to pay people. As for their schedule. I think it was TOP heavy with a bad loss to Daviess Co. I look at their sats and 14 drops and turnovers will never win you games. It was amazing how they were in OT. A team like Mayfield or Murray would of beat them by 100. I think your assessments are right on. OCath would love to play other schools hell they have asked Hoptown every year, but being locked in with their district which use to be 6 teams and 3 city schools Owensboro is NOT alot of wiggle room.

P88

 

Andrew Houchens # 23 is a SR RB for South. Against Warren East 2 weeks ago he had 3 touches in the backfield for 100 yards and 2 TD's.

 

In ACS game Litten got him the ball and he took it 47 yards to ACS 10 Yard line.

 

Year to date stats minus the ACS Stats has him with 24 carries for 214 yards and 3 TD's.

 

He's stepped things up over the last couple of weeks and honestly reminds me of Hunter Neveras of BG from 2011 and 2012. He was a backup RB on the BG teams that won the state and had great speed once he got through the hole. Houchens is doing the same thing once he gets through he has great speed and determination.

 

Hope this helps you a little bit.

Well I agree with you totally. Problem is the only schools willing to play them are BG and Highlands. OCath is paying a stipend for North to come down and play them. I find it odd they have to pay people. As for their schedule. I think it was TOP heavy with a bad loss to Daviess Co. I look at their sats and 14 drops and turnovers will never win you games. It was amazing how they were in OT. A team like Mayfield or Murray would of beat them by 100. I think your assessments are right on. OCath would love to play other schools hell they have asked Hoptown every year, but being locked in with their district which use to be 6 teams and 3 city schools Owensboro is NOT alot of wiggle room.

Are you kidding me?!!!! :eyeonyou: I didn't realize N Hardin was a "pay to play" school. I wasn't much of a N Hardin fan, but this pretty much seals the deal for me. Come on Man!!!!! :no:

No wonder you have 7 home games!!!! If I'm paying you, you're gonna ride to my place so I can at least collect the gate and concessions!!!!

 

Also didn't realize (but maybe I should have) that OCath has such difficulty finding schools to play. I don't really fault the Aces for the Daviess County game as Daviess was as up for that game as they could be and you can't play your best every game. It happens and it's a good learning experience. You're right Rambo, they really only have 3 games they can play with.

Regardless, I think the Aces have a pretty special team this year and will challenge in the playoffs. Best of luck!!! :thumb:

Map, thanks for adding this. Kenner is a really good player!

 

Hard working kid who had some injuries earlier in the season (did not play against BG) and continues to get better each week, only a sophomore.

Christian Co tried to schedule O Cath but they would not play, wonder why if they have had so much trouble finding teams to play and since they wanted to play Hopkinsville?

Christian did? Didn't know that. Did they want to play week 10? or during a district week.

Hochens has done that with a darn hardwood store in his ankle .He got hurt his freshman year and had to have surgery on his ankle

Edited October 19, 201510 yr by Spinstopshere
Spell check

Christian did? Didn't know that. Did they want to play week 10? or during a district week.

 

Pretty sure it was during week 10 but not 100% positive, just know there was discussion. I know it was not during district.