#3 DeSales (11-2) @ #1 Mayfield (12-1)

 

Common Opponents: None

 

Record Against Ranked Teams:

Mayfield 6-1

DeSales 3-2

 

Wins Against Ranked Teams:

Mayfield- vs. 3A # 5 Caldwell County (25-24), vs. 2A # 4 Owensboro Catholic (24-13), vs. 3A # 7 Paducah Tilghman (37-14), vs. 3A #9 Corbin (28-14), vs. 2A #6 Murray (1-7)

 

Desales- vs. 2A #2 Christian Acad. Louisville (37-18), vs. 2A #10 Monroe County 42-14, vs. 1A #10 Lou. Holy Cross (32-0)

 

 

Losses Against Ranked Teams:

Mayfield- vs. 6A #10 McCracken County (31-37 OT)

DeSales- vs. 2A #2 Christian Acad. Louisville (0-16), vs. 5A #3 Fern Creek (0-14)

 

Number of Teams Scheduled Still Playing:

Mayfield- 1 (3A #9 Corbin, W 28-14)

DeSales- 1 (5A #3 Fern Creek, L 0-14)

 

Calpreps SOS:

Mayfield- 4.2

DeSales- 8.8

 

Analysis:

It was less than two days after the ink was dry on the 2015 Class Realignment and no single game was as talked about as this hypothetical matchup. Simply put, it is the battle of small school Old Money vs. New Money. No Kentucky small school comes close to the tradition of the Mayfield Cardinals. The Cards have 11 State Titles and a 2015 2A Title would give them an even six in 1A and six in 2A. DeSales has planted their flag as one of Kentucky's rapid rising powerhouses and are the defending back to back 2A State Champs.

 

Both teams rely upon stiff defenses that are well rounded and opportunistic. Offensively both teams try to maintain balance and have veteran leaders at QB. DeSales may have a slight edge in depth, but Mayfield makes up for it by having the edge in athleticism.

 

Expect this matchup to live up to the hype and for a raucous and well played game to take form. Defense will rule the night, but the slightest of edges goes to Mayfield with their big play capability. The tandem of Arnett to Kennemore has been outstanding and in a game where First Downs will come at a premium, the ability to change the scoreboard in a single play may be the difference.

 

 

Calpreps Prediction:

DeSales 21 Mayfield 20

 

Bluegrasspreps Prediction:

Mayfield 20 DeSales 14

 

 

 

 

 

#5 Danville (12-1) @ #7 Newport Central Catholic (8-5)

Common Opponents: None

 

Record Against Ranked Teams:

Danville 1-1

NewCath 2-4

 

Wins Against Ranked Teams:

Danville- 1 (vs. 3A #9 Corbin, 20-0)

NewCath- 2 (vs. 2A #8 Lloyd, 29-26 & 41-0)

 

Losses Against Ranked Teams:

Danville- 1 (vs. 3A #4 Boyle County, 42-20)

NewCath- 4 (vs. 6A #7 Cooper 0-35, vs. 3A #2 Belfry 10-28, vs. 1A #1 Beechwood 14-31, vs. 4A # 7 Scott 7-8)

 

Losses to Unranked Teams:

NewCath- 1 (vs. 6A Conner, 17-21)

 

Number of Teams Scheduled Still Playing:

Danville- 1 (3A #9 Corbin, W 20-0)

NewCath- 2 (3A #1 Belfry, L 10-28 & 1A #1 Beechwood, L 14-31)

 

Calpreps SOS:

Danville- (-2.4)

NewCath- 7.4

 

Analysis:

The phrase "Traditional 2A Powerhouses" doesn't even do this match-up justice. A combined 15 State Titles, 7 Titles since 2000, 15 State Finals Appearances since 2000: This is beyond tradition rich, these are cornerstone programs!

 

Do not be deceived by the records, NewCath has played a murders' row of difficult Non-District games that they took losses, but the Breds are playing in vintage November form. Most did not expect Danville to be here. Coach Clay Clevinger has brought the Ads back to a State Title contender in record pace.

 

There will be no shortage of playmakers on the field, but the best of the lot may be Jacob Smith of NewCath. Smith is closing in on the 1500 yard mark despite missing several games with injuries. The only time Danville saw a player of comparable skill was Josiah Robbins of Boyle who torched the Ads.

 

What this game will come down to is QB Patrick Henschen of Catholic. The tall gunslinger is the X-factor. His stat line entering the game is 1172 passing yards, 10 TD's, and 10 INT's. Those last two numbers will decide who moves on to Bowling Green. Henschen has had issues against better competition throwing Interceptions deep in opposing team's territory. With the Ads devoting a ton of attention to the Bred duo of Harris and Smith, Henschen will be asked to make plays with his arm.

 

Calpreps Prediction:

Danville 27 NewCath 17

 

Bluegrasspreps Prediction:

Danville 30 NewCath 20

Nice job!

Solid report.

While Cal Preps acknowledges the home team in its prediction, it only gives a "neutral" field score. Home field should work for 3 or 4 points to NCC and Mayfield, making NCC a 1 touchdown underdog, and Mayfield a field goal favorite.

I put the DS vs MF matchup in my smart pill machine and it came back with ToothPick's Looser, DeSales. It's still a thinkin on the Ads and Breds but I suspect the smart pill machine to be a water lover

90% chance of rain on Friday. Who will this hurt more, Danville or NCC?

I put the DS vs MF matchup in my smart pill machine and it came back with ToothPick's Looser, DeSales. It's still a thinkin on the Ads and Breds but I suspect the smart pill machine to be a water lover

 

Toothpick, I think you guys will win it all, I'm just glad as an Admirals fan to be back in the mix, this is fun.

90% chance of rain on Friday. Who will this hurt more, Danville or NCC?

 

Minimal effect IYAM

 

Neither are throwing it around every down and neither offense uses overly sophisticated ball handling and play fakes conducive to fumbles. Turf field.

90% chance of rain on Friday. Who will this hurt more, Danville or NCC?

 

Depends on how bad is Newport's field?

 

Is it in as bad a shape as it was back in '85 when I was there last? That was a wet, muddy, mess of a field that night.

Minimal effect IYAM

 

Neither are throwing it around every down and neither offense uses overly sophisticated ball handling and playfakes conducive to fumbesl. Turf field.

 

Wish I had read your post before posting mine. If it's turf, it should be ok for both. I just remember the Ads trip there in '85 and it was a horrible mess. Much more conducive that night to Newport's power game than the wishbone of the Ads with Baughman.

Wish I had read your post before posting mine. If it's turf, it should be ok for both. I just remember the Ads trip there in '85 and it was a horrible mess. Much more conducive that night to Newport's power game than the wishbone of the Ads with Baughman.

 

Don't feel bad after seeing all my typos I wish I would have read my post first as well

Wish I had read your post before posting mine. If it's turf, it should be ok for both. I just remember the Ads trip there in '85 and it was a horrible mess. Much more conducive that night to Newport's power game than the wishbone of the Ads with Baughman.

I was there also, that was a down pour most of the game, I think Danville had the best team on a dry field, I guess Dudley Hilton and Bourbon County really appreciated the rain, was it 1997?

CJ's Breakdown of 2A Playoffs

 

Breaking down Class 2-A playoffs | USA Today High School Sports | USA Today High School Sports

Newport's field has brand new turf this year so field conditions will be excellent. The stands and locker rooms are a different story, lol!

Newport's field has brand new turf this year so field conditions will be excellent. The stands and locker rooms are a different story, lol!

 

For an 80 year old stadium I think it is a great place to watch a game. Been to a lot worse places.