South Oldham hosts rival Oldham County in the district opener for both this week.

 

The Dragons have won six straight over the Colonels, tying the longest winning streak by either team in the series (Oldham previously had a six game winning streak over South). Oldham County, however, still leads the overall series, 16-13.

 

This year's game may give us a strong sense of who is the district favorite. The Dragons are the defending district champs, and coming off a 12-2 season that saw them go all the way to the 5A semi-finals. South has had 7 consecutive winning seasons, and is well on their way to an 8th consecutive winning season at 3-1 this year. The South defense has pitched a shutout in 10 consecutive quarters, including back-to-back shutouts of North Oldham (49-0) and Boone County (51-0), both on the road. And South has already played two premier opponents, losing to defending state champion CAL in the opener before bouncing back to blitz #4 (at the time) Doss, 33-14, in week 2.

 

Oldham County, under new coach Mike Fox, has wobbled a little in the early going (see 20-14 OT loss to Henry County in the opener in come-from-ahead fashion) and they've squandered some chances (two TDs called back on penalties against Henry County and two TD passes dropped in the end zone on separate possessions against Collins), but the Oldham defense is starting to show more confidence on the field, forcing multiple turnovers in wins over North Oldham and Seneca. Ball-hawking safety Jacob Ratliff had three INT in those two games and returned two for TDs. The Oldham offense should be boosted if running back Daniel Calderon is able to go this week, and OC QB Erix Edwards is on pace for close to 1,500 yards in passing this year and has thrown just 2 picks (against 7 TDs) so far. Oldham has played one ranked opponent - Collins is #2 in class 4A - and the Colonels acquitted themselves well in a 28-21 loss that the OC coaches felt they might have given away.

 

Some notes:

 

- The Dragons are 6-1 against Oldham County under Jamie Reed and have scored over 40 points four times during that span. (they scored 35 points, 27 points, and 19 points - the only loss - during the other three games).

- during the current six game South winning streak, the Dragons have rushed for over 200 yards in all six games, including a 411 yard effort in 2015 and a 322 yard rushing game in 2012.

- Oldham will be trying to more assertive on the ground. The Colonels managed over 100 yards rushing last year, but was held to negative rushing yards in 2015 and just 14 yards total rushing in 2014.

- Fast starts: South won last year after scoring the first 21 points of the game, including an 89 yard kickoff return on the opening kickoff. The Dragons had big leads in the first halves of the preceding three matchups as well.

 

Both teams are playing good ball right now, with strong defensive play, good running - Lucas Jones of Oldham County had 104 yards rushing last week versus Seneca, and Keaton Martin has rushed for 368 yards to lead South - and dangerous passing. Both Drew Zaubi of South and Erix Edwards of Oldham are capable of big games through the air, and Zaubi is a capable runner. Both teams have quality receivers; Zaubi will spread the ball around to as many as 7 different receivers, and frequently utilizes his backs in the passing game. Ethan Bednarczyk is the home run threat for the Dragons. Edwards will throw mainly to his wideouts, but he has a strong stable to pick from, with veteran receivers Chase Samples, Zach Young, speedster Jaylen Moore, Jacob Ratliff, and Jackson Deckard to choose from.

 

Should be a dynamite game. Surprised nobody had a thread posted yet. What's the thoughts here? For the first time in a while, this game doesn't appear to have a heavy favorite, though South Oldham will enter the game as the prohibitive favorite....

 

What say ye?

 

Live video 7 pm 7-22-17 The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

CM

From my biased opinion, I will take Oldham in a very close game, 24-21 on a defensive score late in the 4th quarter to give the Colonels the win!!!!!

I will pick South Oldham 35-21 in this one. South Oldham made a believer out of me last week. They are a very disciplined team. The QB makes plays and the offensive and defensive lines are very physical. I saw good fundamentals in the game against Boone.

South is just starting to get it together offensively. Colton Bowlden is back at WB and besides his running ability he brings a lot to the passing game as he did last year. JT Benson at the other WB is probably the best overall athlete on the team and they are just starting to tap into his talent running and receiving. Drew Zaubi at QB and Keaton Martin at FB complete the running game and they are getting better each week as a group. The passing game is making huge strides -- just like last season about this point. Zaubi and his WR's and WB's are getting in sync better each week. The line play cannot be overlooked. The new faces are improving and there is depth. The offense is scoring at about the same clip as last season.

Biggest difference this season is the defense. More aggressive, disciplined and more athletic. I like the way they are playing right now and am looking forward to seeing how they do vs this Oldham County offense. They have playmakers and the defense will need to be on their toes.

Rivalry games bring out the best in each other.

Have to go with my Dragons 34-14.

South is scoring about 8 more a game than Oldham. Oldham is allowing about 8 more a game than South and being that this game is at South. I would have to say that South Oldham wins.

 

S. Oldham 42

Oldham 20