North Oldham hosts Spencer County this week in the district opener for North. Both teams need this win to feel comfortable about a playoff appearance.

 

North is 1-4 overall and playing their first district game after a bye this past Friday. Spencer is 2-4 and 0-1 in the district after a 38-0 loss to Collins this past Friday.

 

North is trying to build on their last game, a 16-13 come-from-behind overtime win over previously undefeated 5A Bullitt Central on the road in Shepherdsville. A long TD pass from Tanner McCoy to Brandon Rose pulled North to within 13-10 in the second half, and the 'Stangs won in on the leg of Adam Berry, who hit two FGs to tie and win it.

 

Spencer County also played Bullitt Central, and lost 38-13. The Bears gave up 346 yards rushing and - while they rushed for 191 yards themselves - it was not up to their normal average of nearly 260 yards rushing a game, and Spencer was able to complete just one pass in that game for 6 yards.

 

Everyone likes to compare scores, but projecting the winner of this game probably isn't nearly so simple. North is a smaller, quicker team facing a Spencer team that likes to pound the ball on the ground with star RB Kadin Smith, who averages about 10 yards a carry(!). If North can force Spencer to the air, you have to like the Mustangs' chances. But if Spencer can get that powerful running game going, then the Bears' chances look very good.

 

The winner of the game gets a crucial district win in a district where victories won't come easy against the likes of Franklin County, Collins, and Shelby County.

 

Kickoff at 7:30 pm in Goshen, KY.

 

The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

CM

Would love to hear from the Taylorsville folks. What's happening at Spencer County HS?

Not a knock, but the loser has a tough road making it to the playoffs.

 

I think North starts a winning streak this week.

The Bears have been up and down, Collins was just too much for them. After their opening win versus Bardstown they lost back to back games versus BC and BE. Then came back and probably played their best two games versus Henry County and Woodford County, thought they really out played Henry but gave up two special teams touchdowns that doomed them.

 

Collins was just the far superior team on Friday, Spencer really struggled to move the ball. I expect they will bounce back and play well on Friday, I think the district is pretty balanced outside of Collins. Look forward to an exciting game.

This game does NOT show it (because of North Oldham's record), but this matchup is very intriguing.

 

I'm NOT sure, even with better record and D-I SmIth, that Spencer is a heavy favorite.

Going with N. Oldham. They are at home and have the monkey off their back.

Winner moves into playoffs and loser stays home.

Lot riding on this one. Winner should be in the playoffs (barring a possible, but unlikely, turn of events). Loser will be facing long odds to make the playoffs.

 

If Spencer loses, they will be 0-2 in the district with games against Franklin County and Shelby County left. They would be underdogs in both.

 

If North loses, they will only be 0-1 in the district, but games against Collins, Franklin County, and Shelby County would mean three games against teams ranked in the top 10 or who have been ranked. Tough row to hoe.

 

I like North's chances if they can protect McCoy and get the passing game going, but the Mustang defense will have to show it can do a better job of run defense against Purdue-bound Kadin Smith of Spencer County, who averaged over 14 yards per carry in 2016.

 

CM

Game kicks off at 7:30 pm at North Oldham HS in Goshen, KY, on highway 42.

 

Internet video coverage begins at 7 pm on The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

I will be sending out updates on bluegrasspreps.com from the game.

 

CM

I got to meet one of North's coaches this weekend at the UGA game. I hope they can make it two in a row after talking to him.

Taking Spencer in this one 21-7 to much Smith for the mustangs