Yes, that's right Ashland got beat by a 'good, not great' 1A Raceland team. So there's no reason for anybody to worry about their Friday night game with the Tomcats this year.

Yes, that's right Ashland got beat by a 'good, not great' 1A Raceland team. So there's no reason for anybody to worry about their Friday night game with the Tomcats this year.

 

 

Even in a "down" year, Ashland is always tough. That says something about their program!!!:thumb:

Even in a "down" year, Ashland is always tough. That says something about their program!!!:thumb:

:thumb: Correct! And anyone familiar with their program and Tradition know that very well whether they will admit it or not.

Gotta hand it to you Din0....you have an uncanny knack for describing the obvious.

I don't think most people around the state would view an Ashland win on the road against JC as a major upset. In fact, if the game makes the Pick 10 list, I expect that many people have bought the weak schedule arguments and will pick the Tomcats to win on the road at Johnson Central.

 

The fact that the winner of the first Tomcat/JC matchup will play the rematch, assuming that there will be one, on its home field makes a sweep much more likely. I know that is obvious to Ashland and JC fans, but I am not sure that it is obvious to people less familiar with the two teams' schedules and playoff prospects.

 

Regardless of which team wins the regular season game at Johnson Central, I think a sweep of the two games is more likely than a split. It is very tough to lose a home game and then win a rematch on the road only a couple of weeks later.

The Tomcats have very little chance of upsetting Johnson Central and then upsetting either Rockcsastle or Bell for the regional title the following week.

I think Johnson Central will beat Ashland, but I'm not so sure I would be so quick to dismiss the Tomcats.

 

Yes, they lost to Raceland, but Ashland has also beaten two teams (Russell and Belfry) that are better and rated higher than anyone that Johnson Central, Rockcastle County and Bell County have beaten.

 

I think the regional race is a pretty good four-team battle. It's a shame the old playoff system was scrapped, denying us the opportunity to see some good cross-district matchups.

Johnson Central is the favorite until October 20th when we will find out for sure who is best. BTW, I think this year’s T-cats like the underdog role.

___________

 

This week Ashland needs to stay focused on Mason Co.

 

Play the games one at a time, no need to rush. We’ll get ready for JC in due time.

 

Savoring the season,

 

Graybeard

I've said it before and I'll say it again......it's very hard to beat a good team twice in the same season. JC better be on top of their game or it could be a long night!

I think Johnson Central will beat Ashland, but I'm not so sure I would be so quick to dismiss the Tomcats.

 

Yes, they lost to Raceland, but Ashland has also beaten two teams (Russell and Belfry) that are better and rated higher than anyone that Johnson Central, Rockcastle County and Bell County have beaten.

 

I think the regional race is a pretty good four-team battle. It's a shame the old playoff system was scrapped, denying us the opportunity to see some good cross-district matchups.

 

Agreed. Ashland/Bell, JC/Rockcastle or vice versa would have been much better.

Sell. A team that got manhandled by a good, not great, 1A Raceland team will not be making a deep run in the playoffs, IMO. That being said, Ashland is good enough to play the spoiler role for anybody who makes the mistake of taking a win against them for granted.

 

If the regional title game constitutes a "deep run" in the playoffs, then Ashland is one upset away from making a deep run. The Tomcats have very little chance of upsetting Johnson Central and then upsetting either Rockcsastle or Bell for the regional title the following week.

 

First of all getting beat your first game of the season does not mean nothing.Second of all Raceland is a good team getting beat by them is no shame.Ashland can compete with any three A school look for Ashland to go far in the playoffs.

If Ashland gets to the region final after winning the district, would they have home field this year agianst Rock, Bell?

Buy.

I don't think most people around the state would view an Ashland win on the road against JC as a major upset. In fact, if the game makes the Pick 10 list, I expect that many people have bought the weak schedule arguments and will pick the Tomcats to win on the road at Johnson Central.

 

The fact that the winner of the first Tomcat/JC matchup will play the rematch, assuming that there will be one, on its home field makes a sweep much more likely. I know that is obvious to Ashland and JC fans, but I am not sure that it is obvious to people less familiar with the two teams' schedules and playoff prospects.

 

Regardless of which team wins the regular season game at Johnson Central, I think a sweep of the two games is more likely than a split. It is very tough to lose a home game and then win a rematch on the road only a couple of weeks later.

 

I agree that a Tomcat victory on October 20th would not be a major upset but with all the hype around JC football, this game will garner much 3A interest. As for the “weak schedule” viewpoint…just because JC has steamrolled weaker opponents doesn’t necessarily mean they are incapable of soundly beating very good teams as well…they have to prove it on the field though.

 

The simple truth is, neither program will exactly know where they fit into the overall 3A picture until the season is over. Think back to last year when JC was supposed to revisit Putnam Stadium and avenge a painful loss by meeting Ashland in a playoff rematch. I was probably as surprised as the JC fans when the rematch didn’t take place due to the Eagle’s swift playoff exit.

 

Where we really differ in opinion Dino, is the winner of the regular season Ashland v JC contest will be hard pressed to duplicate the effort and sweep the other team. I believe there are far more instances to provide evidence of this than the contrary. However, should Ashland be victorious on October 20th, the bright side for JC fans is that they will probably get a chance to come back to Putnam Stadium and avenge not just one or two, but three consecutive losses to the Tomcats.

If Ashland gets to the region final after winning the district, would they have home field this year agianst Rock, Bell?

 

Yes.

Even in a "down" year, Ashland is always tough. That says something about their program!!!:thumb:

:thumb: :thumb: That says a lot about their program. Great post.

Johnson Central is the favorite until October 20th when we will find out for sure who is best. BTW, I think this year’s T-cats like the underdog role.

___________

 

This week Ashland needs to stay focused on Mason Co.

 

Play the games one at a time, no need to rush. We’ll get ready for JC in due time.

 

Savoring the season,

 

Graybeard

You are correct Graybeard. I certainly hope that the Tomcat players aren't talking all about JC and looking past anyone.