This game is a mystery to me. I agree with those who think that senior leadership may be a deciding factor on this team. Mason sure didn't show much on their senior night, and they have this chance to prove that they haven't already moved on to basketball season. (Their fans apparently have, as there were more people on the visitor's side last week than the home, which is a great shame for these players). Ashland fans expected their Tomcats to bounce back strong from their loss at JCHS, only to see them outplayed at home by Boyd for most of that win that essentially came on the two punt plays. These excellent coaching staffs should have no problem motivating their teams to show that they are much better than the last two games of each's season indicates.

 

Normally I would say the edge goes to Ashland because it as at Putnam. But right now I think it will be decided by emotion and desire: which of these teams really wants a second shot at the Golden Eagles at JCHS more? My guess is that is Ashland, but Mason is very capable of proving me wrong. Here's hoping both teams play their very best in an injury free game! :thumb:

Good post Greyeagle. I will still take the tomcats at home. They seem to always pull it out someway at Putnam with the exception of Raceland. 24-17:ylsuper:

Why did they tinker with the line that had been playing so well?

A good question, FBALL. Usually, by this point in the season, the coaching staff has a pretty good grip on which combination of players is going to give them the best chance to win. It might be some combination of injuries, attitudes, and work ethic. It might also be a case of simply trying to reward kids that are working hard in practice with giving them an opportunity. Only the men on the sidelines can honestly answer that question.

 

Then again, we are talking about 16 - 18 year old young men, and we all know just how big a challenge it is to keep them focused on anything other than 16 -18 year old teenaged girls. :walk:

 

 

Frances

A good question, FBALL. Usually, by this point in the season, the coaching staff has a pretty good grip on which combination of players is going to give them the best chance to win. It might be some combination of injuries, attitudes, and work ethic. It might also be a case of simply trying to reward kids that are working hard in practice with giving them an opportunity. Only the men on the sidelines can honestly answer that question.

 

Then again, we are talking about 16 - 18 year old young men, and we all know just how big a challenge it is to keep them focused on anything other than 16 -18 year old teenaged girls. :walk:

 

 

Frances

Couldn't agree with you more Frances. :thumb:

This game is a mystery to me. I agree with those who think that senior leadership may be a deciding factor on this team. Mason sure didn't show much on their senior night, and they have this chance to prove that they haven't already moved on to basketball season. (Their fans apparently have, as there were more people on the visitor's side last week than the home, which is a great shame for these players). Ashland fans expected their Tomcats to bounce back strong from their loss at JCHS, only to see them outplayed at home by Boyd for most of that win that essentially came on the two punt plays. These excellent coaching staffs should have no problem motivating their teams to show that they are much better than the last two games of each's season indicates.

 

Normally I would say the edge goes to Ashland because it as at Putnam. But right now I think it will be decided by emotion and desire: which of these teams really wants a second shot at the Golden Eagles at JCHS more? My guess is that is Ashland, but Mason is very capable of proving me wrong. Here's hoping both teams play their very best in an injury free game! :thumb:

 

I think you are exactly right, Grayeagle. If the leaders of either of these teams decide that Friday night is worth fighting for, that team will play well. Both of these teams need to have someone step up and play to the level of their abilities. Both coaching staffs will leave no stone unturned, trying to give the players the best chance they can of winning.

 

It really is up to the kids now.

 

 

Frances

...Both coaching staffs will leave no stone unturned, trying to give the players the best chance they can of winning. It really is up to the kids now.

 

Regardless of how much work goes into preparing a game plan and getting the kids ready to compete....your last comment rings the truest. It’s simply up to the players now. From a spectator’s vantage point, it won’t take long or be difficult to see which group wants this win the most and has the desire to extend their season

Ashland win in a tight one, 21 - 14.

The stuff we post here are just opinions seen from a far, but I do know all of the big 5 personally, and from where I stand it looks like the coaching staff felt that they needed to do something before the JC game... not sure why!! but they did. So they singled out one guy.

They replaced him with a kid that was faster but that about it. (Not bigger, not stronger, not a better blocker) In my opinion they upset the whole line... these guys felt like they were a unit... then going into the most important game of the year they felt broken and they play like it. (11 yards in 24 minutes of football)

.

They put them back together in the BC game, they won, but they were still shaken

At this point in the season a lot of how well you do is all in your head and some guys respond better with praise than criticism

 

The real problem is the offence needs to be able to adjust to a blitzing defense,

Calling plays that make the linebackers stay home. I loved the little play that BC ran twice in the last game, a little dump pass just in the flat... or a sideline pass that we did finely use some.

 

What ever happens Friday, Ashland has played hard and I’m proud of how they have never given up... they were still holding their ground in the JC game, giving Mahan plenty of time to try to pass their way out of the hole they were in. (although I did hear one of the kids say that the coach told them that pass blocking doesn’t count)

 

I don’t want the players to think I’m down on them I’m not, I think this group has a chance to go all the way; they need a pat on the back not a smack on the head.

 

They needed pumped up as a unit, instead of divided and beat down, grading everyone low and then breaking up the group by adding someone new. This team needs to feel strong!

Instead of broken.!!

 

Guess we’ll see

I still hope they can pull it off. I know they can do it !! If they just play as a unit

 

Trimmer

Trimmer -

 

Nice post, but I'll add a little something. The only way an offensive lineman (regardless of school) can ever pick up a blitzing linebacker is if he knows that the LB is coming. To do this, the offensive lineman must be able to look through his eyebrows at the feet of the LB's. I'm sure that the Ashland coaching staff will be addressing this very issue with the offensive linemen, after Boyd County was able to come (virtually untouched) through the A gap on more than a couple of occasions last Friday night.

 

Also, I thought the single most effective play that Evans called for Boyd last week was the middle screen. The Lions executed it to perfection several times, and at very crucial spots in the game.

 

 

Frances

Trimmer -

 

Nice post, but I'll add a little something. The only way an offensive lineman (regardless of school) can ever pick up a blitzing linebacker is if he knows that the LB is coming. To do this, the offensive lineman must be able to look through his eyebrows at the feet of the LB's. I'm sure that the Ashland coaching staff will be addressing this very issue with the offensive linemen, after Boyd County was able to come (virtually untouched) through the A gap on more than a couple of occasions last Friday night.

 

Also, I thought the single most effective play that Evans called for Boyd last week was the middle screen. The Lions executed it to perfection several times, and at very crucial spots in the game.

 

 

Frances

 

Im glad i read all the posts before i had to print what you just wrote Frances,you are exactly on the money.When the linemen see's the LB starting to stunt he must make a gap call for linemen to block down and others to block man on him accourding to d-fense .

We learned that in jr. high .:thumb:

The screens worked good middle and outside,the middle screen would be a good play for the Tomcats,plus some over the middle to tightend(imo).

 

The Tomcat players will decide this one,we have the talent but do we have the heart to get after these guys.Tomcats play with desire we win big ,if we don't sacafice our minds and body and get after somebody with bad intentions we could be in a fight for a win.

I beleave this team can step it up a notch and win.

HITTING WINS THIS GAME EVERYTIME.

Ashland 17

Mason 7

A good question, FBALL. Usually, by this point in the season, the coaching staff has a pretty good grip on which combination of players is going to give them the best chance to win. It might be some combination of injuries, attitudes, and work ethic. It might also be a case of simply trying to reward kids that are working hard in practice with giving them an opportunity. Only the men on the sidelines can honestly answer that question.

 

Then again, we are talking about 16 - 18 year old young men, and we all know just how big a challenge it is to keep them focused on anything other than 16 -18 year old teenaged girls. :walk:

 

 

Frances

:thumb: :thumb: Good post frances, the coaches see these kids day in and day out in practice and know what is going on with them and their attitudes, how hard they are working (or not working). It is easy for fans to sit in the stands and say this kid should play over the other but we do not see them day in and day out as the coaching staff's do. I personally would put my faith in the coaching staff rather than a bunch of has beens like us in the stands (and I do include myself in that group). One thing that I do know is that the players cetainly do not need to hear negative comments on the coaches decisions or on their ability to coach the team. Negativity breeds negativity and that will destroy a team faster than anything. Just my 2cents on the subject.

I like Mason Co. in this one:

 

20

14

 

I was suprised last Saturday how Ashland seemed to play with little emotion. Penalties nearly cost them, big plays saved them.

 

 

That seems to be a theme for this team? Along with unispired play? I hope they wake up friday!!!!!

Why did they tinker with the line that had been playing so well?

 

 

Good question Fball, I sure don't get that one, to ya.

...HITTING WINS THIS GAME EVERYTIME.

Listen to him - the man knows what he is talking about.

 

 

Frances