Who wins this first round matchup and why?

Ludlow playing there first home playoff game in a long time should be very pumped up about that. Looking over these two teams schedules this year no commen opponents who has the edge?

KCD could be a real handful for Ludlow. Score tons of points, but allow almost as many. If Ludlow's QB is healthy, I see the Panthers winning in a high scoring shootouts.

Will try to break this down by advantages

 

Home Field-- Ludlow

 

QB--Ludlow (Justin Blackburn is a tough, heady, football savvy young man who "does it all on the FB field)

 

RBs & Recievers--KCD (deep at both positions)

 

Line--Ludlow(looks to be size advantage here)

 

Defense--Ludlow(opponent points scored much lower than KCD this year..KCD has struggled defensively with teams that have a mobile, "tuck and run" QB)

 

Kicking Game--KCD (kickoffs especially)

 

Strength of Schedule--KCD (Ludlow played Beechwood & Paris, two powerhouse 1a teams.....KCD played Lexington Christian, Adair County, Washington Co, Bethlehem & Campbellsville, teams with .500 or better records in higher classifications or 1a teams with winning records)

 

Litkenhous Ratings--KCD(does anybody really believe in these at all, are they predictive at all?)

 

X Factors--Ludlow(Blackburn is the biggest difference maker in the game, can take it on his shoulders....and KCD is YOUNG, 9 Sophomore starters on Defense and 4 on Offense)

 

Rest and readiness--Ludlow (week off to prepare....KCD emotional final game with Senior week and death of player from 2014 season and huge comeback win vs Campbellsville has likely drained this team)

 

CONCLUSION--Wonderful matchup, advantages on both sides. LUDLOW BY A TD

I know absolutely nothing about KCD, so will refrain from a prediction. Great analysis above by generaldowns, completely agree on all points. I also really like the Martin kid at Ludlow, he runs as hard as any back I saw this year.

Who wins this first round matchup and why?

Ludlow playing there first home playoff game in a long time should be very pumped up about that. Looking over these two teams schedules this year no commen opponents who has the edge?

 

Ludlow 44 KCD 36

KCD by 14

I really believe this is a one TD game and favors Ludlow because of the Blackburn X factor....I wanna know how anybody held Ludlow to a TD or so, because that kid is relentless, quick and has a seemingly superior FB IQ.

I really believe this is a one TD game and favors Ludlow because of the Blackburn X factor....I wanna know how anybody held Ludlow to a TD or so, because that kid is relentless, quick and has a seemingly superior FB IQ.

 

Just watched the tape of Beechwood v Ludlow....and I think I can answer my own question. The way to slow, but not stop Blackburn is to have 11 studs that swarm and know their assigments, don't make mistakes and tackle well. In short, have the #1 team in the state. And even then, Blackburn had his share of nice runs in the first half...looks like he might have been hurt late in the 1st half as he doesn't return for the rest of the game. But he was back the next week v Bellevue.

If Ludlow can play any sort of defense, they'll win. KCD hasn't really stopped anyone consistently, and although they can score, I'm not sure they have all the tools to win a shootout.

I really believe this is a one TD game and favors Ludlow because of the Blackburn X factor....I wanna know how anybody held Ludlow to a TD or so, because that kid is relentless, quick and has a seemingly superior FB IQ.

 

Ludlows problem is they are completely one dimensional. Blackburn and Martin are good players, but not good enough to make up for the fact that the defense knows that one of them is getting the ball almost 100% of the time.

If ludlows line can give them time to throw then I will pick ludlow. Like stated above will be hard to beat anybody just running.

If Ludlow can play any sort of defense, they'll win. KCD hasn't really stopped anyone consistently, and although they can score, I'm not sure they have all the tools to win a shootout.

 

I have to agree with 90% of this statement, "snakes." There's one critical offensive tool that will stop KCD from making this a total scoring festival. Wonder if you caught it as you analyzed this game?

Don't know much about these two teams so I will take a NKY team. Go Ludlow!

Well after looking over countless teams schedules trying to piece together a common opponent I realized this KCD team will not be a walk in the park for the panthers they played a fairly tough schedule as did Ludlow. That being said I take the Panthers in this one in a close one, not only because I think they are the better team but because the home field advantage and the excitement around this team and community having the home playoff game lifts these guys enough to get the win!

 

Ludlow 28 KCD 14