The Oldham County Colonels renew an old, old rivalry against the Rockets of Shelby County on Friday in Buckner at Bell Field.

 

6A Oldham County comes in at 2-0 on the season with wins over Eastern and North Oldham, two games they were expected to win. Shelby comes in 1-1 on the year after opening with loss to highly-ranked Wayne County and rebounding last week to defeat cross-town rival Collins, 23-9.

 

Mike Fox (third season, 18-7) has turned around the Oldham program, going 6-5 his first year and 10-2 last season. He goes up against one of the veterans of high school football in the metro Louisville area: Todd Shipley is in his 20th season at Shelby County, a school with a long, long tradition of football excellence.

 

In keeping with that tradition, Oldham will face the traditional Shelby County offense. Since at least the 1970s, Shelby has been known for a powerful triple-option attack, and that will be no different this year. QB Zachary Miracle is in his second year at the helm of the Rocket attack; he's only thrown 18 passes in two games, but he leads the team in rushing with 161 yards and three TDs. Jaylin Farris has 159 yards rushing for Shelby, and Dominic Harris 99 yards, as Shelby will try to keep the Colonels guessing as to who will get the ball.

 

Defensively, Miracle has made his mark in the defensive backfield, where he already has two picks and 103 INT return yardage.

 

Shelby's big concern is depth; the Rockets have just 41 roster players and play a lot of guys both ways.

 

Oldham's strength, on the other hand, may be their depth. Fox's 2019 team features one of the largest rosters in recent years in Buckner, with about 90 players. This will give Fox the opportunity to platoon if he so desires.

 

Juan Tapia leads the Colonels on the ground, averaging 185 yards per game. He's found the end zone 5 times. Oldham would love to win this game on the ground - but the Colonels have been very efficient through the air. Sam Young is 18 of 21 on the season for 275 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INT....backup Jacob Davis is 2 for 2 for 39 yards, 0 TD / 0 INT. The Colonels passing game is augmented by an extremely deep group of capable receivers - seven different players are capable of leading Oldham in receiving.

 

Oldham is probably the slight favorite, but this should be one of the best games in metro Louisville Friday.

 

Live video coverage begins at 7 pm on The Pegasus Sports Network - PSN

 

CM

I like Oldham County, very well coached team. I will take them by 10.

While they have not played every year, Shelby has owned this contest. Oldham's last win over the Rockets dates back to 2011.

 

Numbers and depth could be an issue and Oldham has two wins to start the season.

 

I am rolling with the Rockets in this one, I watched this team make some adjustments and grow up last week verse Collins despite giving up some big plays early.

 

The Rockets ride the back of Miracle this week who had two picks last week on top of his offensive performance. Rockets by 14!

 

SC- 35

OC- 21

Miracle has been amazing this year; I'm looking forward to seeing him play. Didn't get to see him last year. Always enjoy broadcasting this game; Pegasus has a lot of viewers in Shelby County. I actually was the Voice of the Rockets for 2 years back in the late 1990s on the old "Thunder 101.7 FM". :ylsuper:

 

My favorite matchup was in 1984, when Shelby County came into the game ranked #1 in the state and Oldham County was ranked #2. The storylines abounded; Shelby was averaging over 30+ points per game; Oldham had shutout six opponents and was giving up only a little over 3 points per game (unstoppable force vs. immovable object)....both teams were 10-0 on the season YTD...playing together in a three-team district, this was the final game of the year, and only the winner - who would claim the district title - would advance to the playoffs. The loser would stay home, ranked highly and with just one loss(!!) And, oh yeah, there was this little "rivalry" thing going on.... Played in Shelbyville, the place was packed - SCHS had to bring in portable bleachers for both end zones, creating a "bowl" look. They were needed; an estimated 10,000+ attended the game. I broadcast the contest on both the cable system in Oldham County and the cable system in Shelby County. Lonnie Oldham, the Oldham County MLB, was the undisputed leader of the Colonels' powerful wide-tackle six defense....(Lee?) Tinsley was the talented Shelby QB who drove the Rocket option attack. Quite a game.

 

Oldham ultimately won the game, 10-7, and advanced deep into the playoffs before finishing the season 13-1, losing 6-0 to eventual state champion Christian County.

 

However, your statement that Shelby has "owned" this contest is a bit of an overstatement. Yes, the Rockets currently hold a winning streak in the rivalry - but only two games. You mentioned the last Oldham win was 2011, which is correct (Oldham prevailed, 48-14, that year), but there hasn't really been many games since. The Rockets and Colonels have only met twice since 2011, with Shelby winning, 43-7 in 2015 and by almost an identical score (45-6) the next year, 2016. No games in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, or 2018.

 

Since the 1999 match, the two teams have met 15 times, with Oldham County winning 8 and Shelby 7. The longest winning streak for either team has been 3 games during that stretch. It's been a good rivalry.

 

As for your prediction - while I'm picking the other way, I could very easily see the Rockets winning by a couple of touchdowns. The triple option, run well, can be every defensive coordinator's nightmare. If Oldham plays disciplined, responsibility defense, I think they win...if not....they may be watching the backside of Miracle's jersey as he dashes for the end zone.

 

I really like the coaching matchup in this one, too. Todd Shipley is one of guys I am proud to call a good friend; I've known him since he took over the Rockets' reins 20 years ago. On the other side is one of the bright new minds in local HS football in Mike Fox. I've quickly come to like this young man who has a tremendous future in KY HS football if that's what he wants. He's already made a big mark in Oldham County in just 2+ seasons, and could probably run for elected office and win if he wanted to. The resurgent OC crowds tell the tale.

 

Great game on hand...like I said, I think this will be one of the best games in Metro Louisville on Friday.

 

CM