If both make it to the 3rd round then this is definitely a dangerous matchup for Mercer. Lou Western can match speed for speed as far as backfields. I'm not for sure how the rest of the matchups would play out. Anybody know enough about both teams to give their opinions and how they view this potential matchup playing out? It's very possible Russell or Belfry wont even see the Titans in the playoffs.

Louisville Western and Lou. Central are two very similar teams.... tons of speed and athleticism but very little football discipline and defensive consistency.

 

Western has a pair of stud running backs and Justin Collins is arguably the fastest running back in the state. The ONLY signature win Western has was against Breathitt County who themselves have subsequently beat no really solid teams thusfar. Western to me is the highest ranked mystery in the state. From the athletic standpoint across the board they are probably the most gifted team in the state,,,, but,,, as with the Lou. Central teams of the past against a very sound fundmental team (think Belfry/Russell) they can be exploited with assignment football and frustrated with systematic plays. Simply put, you contain their two backs and play physical,,, then you defeat Western.

 

IMO, Western is primed and ready to be upset once out of the district aspect of the playoffs. The biggest question that remains to me though lies in how physical Mercer County is. Newport kept the Titans in check and the Wildcats are nowhere near the same level as Russell, Belfry, Sheldon Clark, and Corbinin physicality.

Louisville Western and Lou. Central are two very similar teams.... tons of speed and athleticism but very little football discipline and defensive consistency.

 

Western has a pair of stud running backs and Justin Collins is arguably the fastest running back in the state. The ONLY signature win Western has was against Breathitt County who themselves have subsequently beat no really solid teams thusfar. Western to me is the highest ranked mystery in the state. From the athletic standpoint across the board they are probably the most gifted team in the state,,,, but,,, as with the Lou. Central teams of the past against a very sound fundmental team (think Belfry/Russell) they can be exploited with assignment football and frustrated with systematic plays. Simply put, you contain their two backs and play physical,,, then you defeat Western.

 

IMO, Western is primed and ready to be upset once out of the district aspect of the playoffs. The biggest question that remains to me though lies in how physical Mercer County is. Newport kept the Titans in check and the Wildcats are nowhere near the same level as Russell, Belfry, Sheldon Clark, and Corbinin physicality.

 

 

I wouldn't say that Newport kept Mercer in check. They made Mercer adjust. Mercer had to grind it out. I thought that was a postive since they had to finally sustain drives. That was a situation they hadn't been in. And they did well in putting long drives together. Give credit to Newport though. They are giving up less then 10 a game for a reason. They are a much better defensive unit this year.

Western and Mercer's speed are a wash. Mercer wins out with depth and size.

I agree that Western is a bit of a mystery. I'm convinced that they're one of the top four teams in 2A, but I'm not sure they're definitely anywhere above that.

I wouldn't say that Newport kept Mercer in check. They made Mercer adjust. Mercer had to grind it out. I thought that was a postive since they had to finally sustain drives. That was a situation they hadn't been in. And they did well in putting long drives together. Give credit to Newport though. They are giving up less then 10 a game for a reason. They are a much better defensive unit this year.

 

 

HAHA,, no offense but if I had to give a definitive example of what keeping in check meant then you would have just described it perfectly... :made them adjust", "had to grind it out", "finally sustain drives". :thumb:

 

Kudos to Mercer though on showing some grit and proving that they could still put a team away in a fairly tight game.

I guess Mercer is as much of a mystery as Western to some point. We wont find out till they get to the playoffs and play the teams that have been there. If the Titans get to that point. But I know Newport wants another shot at the Titans as well.

I agree that Western is a bit of a mystery. I'm convinced that they're one of the top four teams in 2A, but I'm not sure they're definitely anywhere above that.

Agreed.... as stated in the Lit Rating thread my top 4 would consist of:

1.Mercer

2.Russell

3.Belfry

4.Western

HAHA,, no offense but if I had to give a definitive example of what keeping in check meant then you would have just described it perfectly... :made them adjust", "had to grind it out", "finally sustain drives". :thumb:

 

Kudos to Mercer though on showing some grit and proving that they could still put a team away in a fairly tight game.

 

 

You know what? You are right. Just another case of me not thinking before I post. Thanks for keeping me in check!

I guess Mercer is as much of a mystery as Western to some point. We wont find out till they get to the playoffs and play the teams that have been there. If the Titans get to that point. But I know Newport wants another shot at the Titans as well.

In essence.... but at least Mercer has beat some schools with synonomous names... well sort of.

 

LCA- 1A semi-finalist...but.... season opener with brand new offensive style and personnel

 

South Laurel- Big school, high expectations...but.....horribly disappointing

 

Boyle County- Perennial powerhouse.....but.... WORLD OF TROUBLES THIS YEAR

 

Newport- Perennial bugaboo for Mercer...but.... track record this season of having an inept offense

 

 

Western on the other hand have beat up on homely low classification Lousivlle schools and a Breathitt team that has been untested aside from the blowout to Western.

 

In both cases a true read on these teams won't come until the afforementioned collision course

I wouldn't say that Newport kept Mercer in check. They made Mercer adjust. Mercer had to grind it out. I thought that was a postive since they had to finally sustain drives. That was a situation they hadn't been in. And they did well in putting long drives together. Give credit to Newport though. They are giving up less then 10 a game for a reason. They are a much better defensive unit this year.

 

 

I talked to an area sports guy last night and he told me that going into last week his impressions of Mercer were that they could be stopped if a team could make them drive the ball rather than break the big play. AFter Newport he told me, "Well, that was my theory but it didn't hold water at Newport."

 

He also told me that he was most impressed by Mercer's secondary as anything else he saw. They were a solid crew he felt.

The Casey County News doesn't think it will happen.

 

http://www.caseynews.net/z_2006-9-27/front/SportsTalk.asp

If both make it to the 3rd round then this is definitely a dangerous matchup for Mercer. Lou Western can match speed for speed as far as backfields. I'm not for sure how the rest of the matchups would play out. Anybody know enough about both teams to give their opinions and how they view this potential matchup playing out? It's very possible Russell or Belfry wont even see the Titans in the playoffs.

 

I could be badly mistaken, but I cannot see Western beating Mercer Co. if they meet up in the playoffs. I recall a couple of years ago when a 9-2 Western team that was led by Corey Goodson came to play Corbin in the playoffs and left with a 51-6 loss. Then last year DeSales beat Western(10-2 coming in) by a score of 55-8 in the regional championship game, the same DeSales team that barely got by a below average Corbin team the week before in 3 OT's.

 

I would not be surprised to see Larue Co. win that district this year.

The Casey County News doesn't think it will happen.

 

http://www.caseynews.net/z_2006-9-27/front/SportsTalk.asp

I'm sure the sportswriter from Casey Co. Ky. is imminently qualified to report on what it takes to win a State Championship.

Maybe 66-19 was not convincing enough.

Newsflash......Mercer has a passing game. If you would like to see it, all you have to do is one simple thing....stop the run.

I'm sure the sportswriter from Casey Co. Ky. is imminently qualified to report on what it takes to win a State Championship.

Maybe 66-19 was not convincing enough.

Newsflash......Mercer has a passing game. If you would like to see it, all you have to do is one simple thing....stop the run.

 

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: