their 0-6 overtime loss to Christian Academy of Louisville?

 

I'm not big on moral victories, but is this a moral victory for South Oldham? Is it just another loss? What does it tell us about South Oldham?

Not a moral victory. South Oldham is the fourth-winningest program in class 5A over the past four years, with 44 wins during that time, including two state semi-final finishes, losing to Pulaski County in the SFs three years ago and to eventual champ South Warren last year.

 

At this time, I just don't think head coach Jamie Reed is going to settle for claiming a "moral victory" with a team that is now expected each year to at least make it to the region finals.

 

My, how those expectations in Crestwood have changed over the past 9 seasons.

 

Like most teams, South takes away a mixed bag from the 6-0 overtime loss to CAL last Friday:

 

The Positives that jump out to me...

 

- the defense was remarkably solid, and showed tremendous resiliency when challenged by the state's preseason #1 team in class 3A. Of special note was the play of the linebacker corps, a unit that featured three brand-new starters after the Dragons graduated an exceptional group from that squad last year.

- The defense showed a passion for the ball, coming away with three interceptions, each made by a different defender. One of those picks was made by a linebacker, Austin Covington.

- J.T. Benson shone on defense, coming up from the secondary spot to make countless huge highlight hits, and also coming up with one of the picks.

- Senior Ethan Devasier stepped up and led the Dragons with 12 total tackles.

- On offense, Ethan Snider shone as the newcomer on an offense filled with star returnees at the skill positions. But it wasn't the vets who came up with the highlight plays, it was the junior Snider, who ran for only 32 yards - but on just 3 electrifying runs. He showed real promise as the wingback who will take over ownership of the wingback position vacated by Colton Bowlden, who graduated last year.

 

Areas of Growth:

- In nine years at South Oldham, Jamie Reed's teams have been held to fewer than 10 points only three times previously, and only once previously did the Dragons get shutout during that timeframe (27-0 to Meade County on 8/25/12). Even taking the talented CAL team into account, it was stunning to see South's inability to finish drives, particularly in light of the offensive talent returning. That said - I'm not sure I'd be too worried, Dragon fans - one of those three previous games under 10 points was last year's season opener, when South fell, 21-3, - to CAL. That South team finished as one of the top-scoring teams in Class 5A.

- The kicking game. Not sure too much can be gleaned from this game...South's kicker was pretty decent in the punting game, though the protection on the edge looked shaky on a couple of kicks. The Dragons tried only one FG, a 31 yarder, that was missed wildly to the left. But by the time the Dragons tried their FG attempt, the artificial turf was becoming extremely slippery, and a number of players were having traction problems. The CAL kicker later would miss a PAT when he slipped and fell on his butt on the attempt. Consider this - the kicking game - still an unknown for South.

 

Frankly, there are still a lot of unknowns. But the South defense made a statement, in my opinion, playing shutout ball for four quarters against the defending state champs on the road. But some other areas of play raise questions - did South fail to put points on the board simply because CAL was that impressive on defense? Or was it more the fault of the offense? In reality, as in most games, it was probably a little bit of both.

 

The Dragons take on Louisville Eastern this Friday. Eastern lost at Oldham County, 27-12, in week 1.

 

CM

No one in South Oldham believes in moral victories. The program under Jamie Reed has come too far for that. Clearly the next step is making it to the state finals and, hopefully, come out with a title!

Colonel Mike makes a lot of great points. The defense is solid—maybe the best in South Oldham history! With the addition of Tyrelle Love at DT they could be special. DE Luke Clarke played very well Friday night. Benson is the best athlete on the field most nights, Trey Garrison is outstanding at DB and the LB’s stepped up big time.

My concern this season is the passing game. Can they pass well enough to get respect from the opposing defenses against top competition. The running game will be fine. Dynamic play makers all over. There are play makers to make the passing game work—just needs to come together.

The OLine did pretty good for the first time playing together and will only get better. Very proud of those guys!

South Oldham as always should be a solid team. I can’t wait until they play my Colonels, should be an awesome game again this year as it has been the past two years. Hopefully OC pulls it out this time.

Some really good kids on South Oldham's roster.

 

Coach Reed has done a great job of building this program. I still think the defense will be ahead of the offense most of this season, so will have to find a way to score.

I think the takeaway is that South Oldham is very good again, but still not yet great. This was an opportunity to announce their arrival as a real player in 5A this year, and they came up just short. I really like the program that Coach Reed has built - they excel at the fundamentals and play with toughness and physicality week in and week out. But it appears they're still chasing the upper crust of this class.