Not much from the Cincy Enqurier other than the scoring:

 

Kentucky roundup

The local newspapers in Northern Ky stink at best.

very little about high school sports.

Refs are a Northern Ky bunch, I have been to Newport 4 times, and the bunch last night is about what you get when you go to Northern Ky. Several of us "old timers", were waiting on the crucial call that turned the game around. It makes you grateful for the Central Ky refs.

I would rather see the PLAYERS turn the game around than "waiting on the cruical call from a ref"

Let the players decide the game.

Ummm, No. not everyone's

who is your favorite to win it at this point in the season?

Congratulations to the Titans. Sounds to me like your team is the real deal and all this talk, and your number 1 ranking is justified.

Someone who watched this game give us the scoop ... Did Mercer dominate , both lines of scrimmage and tackle well ?

 

If Mercer didn't totally dominate physically ... Belfry - Red Army and or the Red Devils are preparing a lunch and plan to take the Scotties late into the fourth quarter ... someone give me the scoop ...

 

Mercer didnt dominate either side of the line but neither team dominated on the lines if you ask me they were about even.

 

They missed some tackles but overall I'd say they tackled pretty well.

It should have been a shutout. A costly Mercer penalty led to the touchdown. Mercer has alot to work on. Both teams will get alot of positives from this game.

 

I agree with you that both get a lot of positives from the game. But I dont agree it should have been a shut out. They very well could have scored 14 to 21 points but they hurt themselves along with some suspect play calling.

Refs are a Northern Ky bunch, I have been to Newport 4 times, and the bunch last night is about what you get when you go to Northern Ky. Several of us "old timers", were waiting on the crucial call that turned the game around. It makes you grateful for the Central Ky refs.

 

Mercer has a few things to work on , but Newport's D was really tough, not giving up the big play, until very late in the game.

 

Will #81, get to play in next game? He sure has to work on his "sportsmanship", it could cost Mercer later, it did allow Newport to keep a drive going for their only score. Coach Smith was really working on him, didn't look like it was doing much good.

 

Lewis and Buster really had a good game.

 

I was over on Mercer's sideline and boy did that #81 get a butt chewing. One of the coaches were going balistic on his butt. That kids got a bad attitude.

 

The ref's werent that bad, I thought they did a pretty good job except for a few calls here and their but nothing that would have caused either team to win or lose.

This series ended without a score because the man in the black and white stripes would not throw a flag, plain and simple. The receiver was mauled in the end zone. I'm not saying Newport would've come back and won, but I think it may have given them a little more determination and drive. But the refs blew that call.

 

Thats the only call that i was upset about tonight. They definently blew that. The Receiver was getting tackled in the air before the ball got there. Other than that call I was fine with the officiating.

What was the attendance? Did Mercer bring a big crowd?

 

Attendence was less than stellar not a big crowd at all. Mercer didnt bring the 3000 one poster was talking about. Heck they prolly only had a couple hundred. I understand it was a two hour drive but from what people were saying I expected a ton more fans from down there than actually showed up.

Very good defense on both sides. Defense was the difference. Newport could have capitalized when Mercer fumbled on the kickoff to start the second half with Mercer only leading 14-0. But as stated Newport couldn't move the ball. They did have a few good plays. Especially that first series when they looked really good til the turnover. Newport is a quality team. And I love their facilities. Very nice. I was impressed with their run defense. Very disciplined. This was a defensive battle like alot of people predicted. Mercer had a little over 300 total yards and Newport had a little over 200. Newport did a good job containing corey and holding him to around 70 yards. Brandon had just under 170. But he got 47 of those on a late td run. The people in Newport were very nice, and it was a wonderful place to watch a game. See you guys in round 2.

 

Glad you guys had fun and the people were nice to ya. See ya'll in about a month or so.

Thats the only call that i was upset about tonight. They definently blew that. The Receiver was getting tackled in the air before the ball got there. Other than that call I was fine with the officiating.

 

I agree, the other calls or no calls would not have changed the game. But that no call was one that could've made things interesting.

New turf at newport looks great! I think the Mercer performance was more typical of what should be expected. Longer sustained drives score once a quarter control the clock. We have been spoiled by quick scores by the backs but the offense is really designed for ball control. newprt D played good, mercer had a lot of missed blocking assignments. Saw the mercer backs slip MANY times cutting in the hole, prevented some big plays several times. Glad to hear the coaches took care of any attitude problems. Most likely the kid was frustrated because Newport was doing such a good job of blocking him. poor sportsmanship should not be tolerated! should be a fun playoff game to watch.

If Mercer did not dominate lines of scrimmage ... the 2a race is wide open ...

 

Russell has enough skill players to play with anyone at any level. Both Devil lines and backers and ends need to step up - more physical play before the playoffs.

 

This will continue to improve with experience ...

 

Based upon last year , and listening to the radio against Ashland , Belfry is power so both these teams will be able to take Mercer to the 4th ...

 

In the 4th , you have to know how to win .... Belfry has it , Devils learned it last year , Mercer has to get over this hump ... looking forward to the playoffs .. Bring back the Scottie ...

If Mercer did not dominate lines of scrimmage ... the 2a race is wide open ...

 

Russell has enough skill players to play with anyone at any level. Both Devil lines and backers and ends need to step up - more physical play before the playoffs.

 

This will continue to improve with experience ...

 

Based upon last year , and listening to the radio against Ashland , Belfry is power so both these teams will be able to take Mercer to the 4th ...

 

In the 4th , you have to know how to win .... Belfry has it , Devils learned it last year , Mercer has to get over this hump ... looking forward to the playoffs .. Bring back the Scottie ...

 

If you can match up with their skill positions you can beat them. They dont dominate you up front but they dont get dominated either. An offense that can score points and stop the run can take them.

Thanks NHS Daddy ... your evaluation is exactly what I was looking for ....

I am looking forward to seeing Mercer along with Belfry , Newport and other quality ....