This game is intriguing to me.

This game is intriguing! I picked ACS, but will the "current" team be good enough.

 

ACS got blasted at home 46-22 against a pretty darn good Bardstown team that's only lost at Louisville Central by 2 points.

 

Calloway got blased at home 53-12 by a gritty 5A Graves County team.

 

SO, who knows what will happen Friday night in Murray!

 

I think ACS has stayed with and competed with stronger teams than Calloway has and that's why I picked them. BUT Calloway has played very well this season and they don't have to make the long bus ride and likely aren't as injured as ACS is. I think getting on top early is critical for Calloway!

I'm on ACS because in spite of their issues with the #1 QB being out they play solid defense. I know that sounds nuts with Bardstown scoring 46 (KHSAA has it 46-22) on them. I'm guessing that Bardstown presented some serious matchup issues for the ACS defensive secondary. Likely issues that Calloway can't duplicate.

 

ACS did have some success running against Bardstown but had no success doing so against FS or SW. But those are two formidable run defenses. What ACS did do in the SW game was have success through the air...with the new QB.

 

When you watch a team line up on defense it becomes obvious they either know what they are supposed to do or not. ACS kids know their defensive assignments.

Bardstown had a few things going their way. For one, they had speed for days. Two, their passing game was very accurate and unlike many teams that have good QBs, their receivers actually make catches. I think there are more teams than someone would think with QBs that can throw a good ball, but a great many of those teams don't have receivers to reel them in. ACS just could not keep up with the passes, and that would open it up for the runs. Most of those guys, once they hit space, they were gone. Pats didn't help themselves offensively with two INTs. It was 25-0 at the half, ACS seemed like they might climb back in when they scored to make it 25-7, then came a 50 yd TD run, a pooch kickoff that the Tigers recovered, another TD on the short field, an INT (to give another short field), and a highlight reel quality TD run to gain the running clock. It was a complete blitz in an about 4 minute span.

 

Calloway isn't going to have those types of guys. They are not as good as their 7-3 record would indicate. But, ACS has so much going against them offensively, that they may have enough. I think more than anything, it comes down to whether the Patriots can do enough on offense to keep field position in check. I'm guessing they'll also remain down to their third string QB, who also happens to be their best WR. That doesn't help matters.

ACS will have to win with their defense. Keep Calloway backed up let them make the mistake in the shadow of their goalpost.

 

My freshman coach in college was Gene McEver. He was an All-American for Gen Neyland at Tennessee in the early thirties. We might punt on third down or even second down in order to maintain an advantage in field position. If you were going to score on us you had to drive the ball 85-90 yards.

 

Coach Hood may not go to that extreme but he will have a viable game plan.

I was at the SW-ACS game and ACS's 3rd string QB led a TD drive late in the game. I think SW still had its 1st string defense in and there wasn't enough time left for the Patriots to come back, but still they looked pretty good on that drive. I know nothing about Calloway except for looking at their scores, but I do think FS is looking at having to beat ACS again.