article 5A Notebook Week 4 (9/12/16)

[JDEaston]

There was only one matchup between 5A top ten teams this past week, as Bowling Green traveled to Owensboro to face the former 5A #2 Red Devils. This one ended in another lopsided win in favor of the Purples. The rest of the 5A top ten headed outside of their class to face off against the rest of the state. In general, the rest of the class had a pretty good weekend, with only Greenwood and Highlands taking losses, which were to ranked teams as well. This week should be interesting as well, as 6 of the 5A top ten teams take on ranked teams from several other classes throughout the state. It will be a challenge for the 5A teams to fair as well this week as they did last week though.

 

 

Games of the Week

 

 

Covington Catholic just keeps finding a way to win. After a season opening loss to 6A #7 Ryle, the Colonels have won their last three games by a combined total of 10 points. After letting Oak Hills, OH back in the game after having a huge lead the Colonels managed to hang on and win that one 56-48. The Following week the Colonels faced off against Sycamore, OH and were able to pull of what many would consider an upset, by winning 34-33 in overtime. Last week, the Colonels headed back to in state competition and won another close one 21-20 versus 3A #3 Lexington Catholic. This week Covington Catholic takes on 1A #2 Beechwood at home, which some think could be a trap game for the Colonels.

 

Another game of the week was Southwestern taking a road trip to 4A top ten Mercer County. The Warriors came out ahead in this one posting a 28-26 win, while playing on the road. Southwestern once again led a balanced attack on offense totaling 405 yards, with 234 coming through the air and 171 on the ground. This week Southwestern will face the red hot Redhounds of Corbin at home.

 

The only game of the week to end in a loss for a 5A team was the Greenwood versus 4A #4 Franklin-Simpson game. Greenwood with their run heavy offense was held to 186 yards on the ground and only produced 31 through the air. This was an excellent game with Greenwood coming back to take the lead in the fourth quarter. However, Franklin-Simpsons 415 total yards of offense was just too much for the Gators in this one.

 

 

Games to Watch

 

 

Christian County will once again have to prove that they are one of the top three teams in the class this week as they face a good Hopkinsville team on the road. Look for this one to be an air battle as both teams have excellent quarterbacks. While Christian County is the favorite, Hopkinsville could certainly pull off the upset at home.

 

Covington Catholic hosts 1A #2 Beechwood this week. If this game couldn’t have gotten any better for our NKY brethren, it just did, as it’s being played on a Friday night under the lights. After the season opening loss to 6A Ryle, the Colonels have been nothing but clutch when the time is right. Expect this game to be another close one for the Colonels. Can they hang on for the win once again?

 

Fern Creek is on the road this week as they make the short trip to DeSales. Despite losing 14-0 to Manual a couple of weeks ago, Fern Creek has looked like a well oiled machine. But so has DeSales, which has shut out every team they have played with the exception of 6A Ballard, which accounted for their only loss of the season. Expect this one to be a defensive battle.

 

Southwestern hosts 3A #2 Corbin this week. These two teams have a common opponent in Danville. Danville handed Southwestern their only loss of the season, winning by a single point. Corbin didn’t have any problem beating Danville however, posting a 28-7 win against the Admirals last week. Southwestern however is building momentum since the early season matchup against Danville. This one should tell us a lot about both teams going forward.

 

Pulaski County is at home versus 4A #8 Rockcastle County this week. To be honest, this could be the game of the week. Last week Pulaski had an easy win over 4A Russell County, but this week will be much tougher as Rockcastle is a solid team on a surge. Both teams have a similar balance on offense, while Rockcastle has a very good defense. This one could turn into a war.

 

Honorable Mention

 

Highlands travels to Louisville to face off against 6A #6 St. Xavier this week. Why is this game listed under honorable mention you ask? Because honestly Highlands is a Jekyll and Hyde team at the moment. After a solid win over a good Cooper team, the Bluebirds have dropped three straight. The loss to Campbell county was a bit confusing to be honest. Then the Bluebirds come out and look good even in a loss, to Scott County, whom held their own with Cincinnati Elder last week while Highlands took a beating from 6A Ryle. It’s hard to figure out the Bluebirds at this point, but anytime two historically great teams in this state face off against each other, it’s certainly worth a mention to go watch the game if your able. I wouldn’t necessarily expect a Highlands win in this one, but it would not surprise me if they kept it close like they did versus Scott County.