Murray Stuns Owensboro Catholic, Take Aim at Mayfield

Trailing 26-0 in the First Half, it appeared as if the heavy underdog Murray Tigers were more likely to have a running clock rather than a potential shocking First-Round win. Murray never faltered in the face of adversity and just executed key drive after key drive, coupled with a Defensive effort that held the high-powered Aces' Offense to only one score as the Tigers rallied to outscore them 41-6. Owensboro Catholic failed to score in the Second Half.

 

Mark Thompson began the turn around with a pair of scores. Jaiden Jackson would take over with three scores of his own while also adding a pivotal fumble recovery in the Second Half as well. Owensboro Catholic will point to a pair of key turnovers and four critical 15-yard penalties as primary culprits for their impending demise.

 

With the win the Tigers will create a re-match with #1 ranked Mayfield for the Region Championship at War Memorial Stadium in Mayfield. The Cardinals won the first game 63-28 on a night where the balanced Mayfield Offense racked up over 500 total yards.

 

Mayfield had little resistance from McLean County as they jumped out to a running clock in the First Half with a 42-6 lead. The Cardinals would eventually win 55-20 paced once again by dynamic Kent Trey Matthews. Matthews ran the ball 7 times for just shy of 120 yards and three TD's.

 

Colts Have More Finishing Kick Than Thoroughbreds

Newport Central Catholic was not expected by many to be able to knock off the powerful DeSales Colts, but the Thoroughbreds put forth a gritty effort that fell just short in a Defense-Dominated game.

 

After both teams traded punts through the majority of the First Quarter, Newport Central Catholic converted a 4th and 20 to set up an early TD to take a 7-0 lead and set the tone that the Thoroughbreds were prepared to hang around for Four Quarters. The Colts would answer on the ensuing drive with a big conversion of their own on a 3rd and 9 to set the ball up First and Goal. Aaron Pfaadt would punch it in to tie the score at 7-7, both teams would fell to score on their last two possessions and take that tie game into the break.

 

Newport Central Catholic would miss a golden opportunity that they are sure to be kicking themselves for in hindsight. After recovering a muffed DeSales punt, Newport Central Catholic would find a First and Goal situation come up short at the 1-yard line. The Breds would eventually would still find a way to re-take the lead as Aubrey Posey would reel in a 50-yard score to go up 14-7 deep in the 3rd Quarter.

 

After the teams each changed possessions entering into the 4th Quarter, it was Aaron Pfaadt once again finding paydirt on a short QB keeper to cap off a drive aided by a pivotal Unsportmanlike Conduct penalty. The Colts' Defense would step up to the plate and eventually stall the ensuing NCC drive. With a 4th and 12 at Midfield upcoming with just 3 minutes and change left, everyone in the building knew a Punt was the sure thing.

 

Coach Lickert obviously disagreed and chose to roll the dice with a Fake Punt call. Demetri Scott would break the pass up and with it set the Colts up in prime real estate at Midfield. The Colts would have a chip shot Field Goal at the buzzer, but the Throughbreds would come up with a game saving block to force Overtime.

 

DeSales would take the ball first and take advantage of the opportunity. Aaron Pfaadt would find Sophomore Jayden Scroggins, son of former Central Coach Ty Scorggins, for the go ahead score. It was now up to the DeSales Defense and the Colts would get the job done. For the second time on the night DeSales would come up with a game changing stand to stuff the Bred running game on 4th and Short and secure the win.

 

DeSales will now set-up another much anticipated playoff tilt with rival Christian Academy of Louisville. The Centurions had little resistance from their NKY foe as they white-washed Lloyd Memorial 39-0.

 

Eagles Soar Into Regional Finals, Set Talons on Somerset

If there was ever a case study to be done on Strength of Schedule, the Lexington Christian Academy 43-0 victory over home standing Shelby Valley would certainly be used as evidence to support the claim that a stronger regular season schedule supersedes the confidence gained winning games over lesser competition.

 

LCA Jumped out on Shelby Valley early and never looked back as Shelby Valley could never adjust to the speed of the game. Jayden Barnhardt would toss three Touchdown passes and add 68 rushing yards to help pace the Eagle Offense. Xavier Brown averaged nearly 8 yard per carry on his 11 attempt and took a pair of those into the end-zone. Shelby Valley entered the game averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground, but the Wildcats were shut down by a much improved LCA Defense. The Wildcats could find no traction and would see several three-and-out's as this game was never in doubt.

 

The Eagles will now get the distinction of travelling to Somerset for the Regional Finals to take on a Briarjumper team that is looking every bit the part of a team determined to make anyone's night a battle. Somerset continues to play exemplary Defense as they outlasted a determined Danville squad 27-14. Somerset turned the Admirals over five times, with three of those coming early in the First Quarter to set Somerset up with a 14-0 lead.

 

Kishown Bartleson did everything he could to keep his Admirals in the game. The Senior was a force to be reckoned with on Defense and also broke a 41-yard Touchdown run in the 3rd Quarter to close the Admirals to a 20-14 margin. The Jumpers still had the winning plays they needed in their back pocket.

 

Cam Austin would turn a shovel pass into a score and set the eventual final margin. Treavor Brock has been one of the most consistent defenders in Class 2A all season, and he continued to make his case for post-season superlatives with a game clinching interception of Zach Thornton.

 

Glasgow and Walton-Verona Move Toward Huge Tilt

Only one region will actually see teams from two different districts face off for the right to advance to the Semi-Finals. Glasgow made an emphatic statement by dismantling Carroll County 51-8. Nick Mitchell continues to make his case for the Bluegrasspreps' All-Class 2A honors by inching just shy of the 2000 yard mark with a dominating 153 yards and 3 TD's on only 17 carries.

 

The Scotties won every phase of the game and improve their record to 11-1. Glasgow's Offense has really found their groove since their loss to 4A heavyweight Franklin-Simpson back in September. The Scotties have scored 40 points or more in every game except their win over 3A Elizabethtown (who is still playing for what it is worth). The Scotties could "only" muster 35 points in that win.

 

Walton-Verona kept a steady hand en route to a 35-6 win over Monroe County. The Bearcats will now host the Scotties after a long road trip to the fringe of the NKY metro area. This will be only the 2nd trip to the Regional Finals in the Bearcats' young existence. The Bearcats reached the Third Round in 2012 before succumbing to Newport Central Catholic.

 

The 2012 game was played at Newport, so this will be the first Regional Final game hosted by the Bearcats. It should be a raucous environment come Friday night. The key to the game will be whether the Bearcats are able to limit the amount of snaps and possessions that the lethal Glasgow Offense sees on the field. If Walton-Verona can lean on their ball control style and protect the football it may give them a shot at unseating the Scotties.

Good summary about the Murray upset over Ocath. Three of the four major penalties that cost them big time were what the referees called "foul language" that were never directed at anyone. One was even called on a player on the sidelines after the play was over. Bizarre 'look at me' officiating at the least in that game, and that's putting it nice. In the end the turnovers doomed the Aces second half and Murray took full advantage.

Good summary about the Murray upset over Ocath. Three of the four major penalties that cost them big time were what the referees called "foul language" that were never directed at anyone. One was even called on a player on the sidelines after the play was over. Bizarre 'look at me' officiating at the least in that game, and that's putting it nice. In the end the turnovers doomed the Aces second half and Murray took full advantage.

 

Nothing worst than a big ear ref....