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3A Notebook: Homecoming Week


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The 11 Types of People in High School

 

Its homecoming week here at the 3A Notebook and we're going to take a few minutes to reminisce. No, there no won't be special outfits to wear each day. There isn't going to be a parade. There will be games, but your team is assured of winning because you scheduled a cupcake so we can't focus on that.

 

No, for this year's homecoming we're going to think about the eleven types of people who went to high school. And we will put those descriptions on each of the ten members of last week's Bluegrasspreps.com Class 3A Top Ten. Let's go!

 

The Old Soul - #1 DeSales

You know the type. Down to earth, does all of their work, goes about their business, ends up extremely successful. DeSales has been methodical in their march to the top of 3A, overcoming difficulties in two early losses and winning easily the last three weeks. DeSales is far from flashy but the defense has kicked into a higher gear of late, allowing only fifteen points total in the last two weeks, including a 43-6 victory over Henry County on Friday.

 

The Social Butterfly - #2 Belfry

One of the first types of people you meet in school is the social butterfly. They have good relationships with everyone. Everyone else has only good things to say about them. Belfry fits that role in Class 3A. They're coached by a legend in Philip Haywood. They almost weekly dominate their opponent, including a 59-14 win over Magoffin County last week, but when the game is over you only hear positive comments from opponents about how they play the right way. And when it's over, the most popular kid in school is usually having the most success, as evidenced by the Pirates six state championships.

 

The Hipster - #3 Christian Academy of Louisville

Hipsters tend to avoid mainstream tendencies and instead follow their own independent thinking. CAL brings with it a new style (Coach Hunter Cantwell), new interests (winning a state championship in a different class), and a new outlook (remaining a power in a different level of football). For many, CAL's move from 2A to 3A, with two championship trophies in tow, was the hip new program. But just as style fades, so can teams. Look no further than CAL's three straight losses, including a 45-42 loss to Mercer County. What once was fashionable is now merely Tragically Hip.

 

The Jock - #4 Ashland

Although there are some stereotypical jocks with all muscle and no brain in every school, that isn't the type of jock we're talking about here. Ashland fits this bill because no matter the sport, they are good at all of them. 32 regional titles and 4 state championships in basketball. Three state championships in baseball. Over 700 victories and two state crowns in football. Yes, the Tomcats are talented at every level, especially on the gridiron in 2019. Even when they don't play, like during last week's open week, we're still impressed.

 

The Overachiever - #5 Bell County

How can a school that has steadily decreased in enrollment over the years and has two other schools within its county continue to field state championship caliber teams? Because like the classic overachiever, Bell County works hard and is motivated to stay on top. Coach Dudley Hilton's crew is balanced, rushing for 275 yards per game and passing for another 102. They're organized and prepared for everything, something they showed McCreary Central in last week's 56-6 drubbing. And when the season ends, they'll be right near the top of the heap once again.

 

The Organized - #6 Elizabethtown

This student is always prepared for class. They don't forget to complete their homework. Their locker and desk are neat and orderly. They are always ready to learn. Sounds like a Mark Brown coached team to me. Elizabethtown is always solid, always prepared, always ready to put a whipping on the next opponent, much like they did in beating Nelson County, 61-14, on Friday. Five different E'town players scored in the game, an organized and balanced attack that has become a hallmark of the Panther program.

 

The Joker - #7 Paducah Tilghman

This person is who makes time spent in class entertaining, and in many cases, bearable. They find humor in everything, and are never boring, as seen in their 63-21 win over Trigg County. You know what they're capable of, like scoring 43.2 points per game, but you always worry what they might do, like allowing 26.2 points per game. And like the Blue Tornado, who've lost four straight years in the second round, you appreciate their ability but can find them a bit of a nuisance when they fail to live up to expectations. But you love them, so maybe it will be this year!

 

The Troublemaker - #8 Glasgow

What would a class be without troublemakers? Glasgow doesn't care what's going on within the class, their goal is to bother everyone else in 3A, as we've seen in their torrid 5-1 start. They might be the type who learns more through life experiences, like blowing a lead and losing 21-20 to defending 5A state champs South Warren, than on paper in a classroom. The troublemaker may choose not to follow typical protocol and be their own person, and that "person" might just be capable of surprising and deep run in the Class 3A playoffs.

 

The Quiet One - #9 Russell

A good amount of people in high school usually enjoy their personal space and being by themselves. They don’t depend on a group of people throughout their day and instead exercise independence. Russell has for years existed almost alone in the northeastern reaches of Kentucky (they've been joined by Ashland and Greenup County this year) and went about their business of winning with little or no fanfare. While this bunch of Red Devils might be quiet in the rankings, they've been anything but on the field, winning five of six games, including a 55-7 pasting of Fleming County this week.

 

The Argumentative One - #10 Bardstown

It took forever for them to make it into the Top Ten. They're beating opponents by 29 points per game. They've allowed the third fewest points in the class. Their only loss was to the best team in Class 1A. They routed Larue County on Friday, 42-0. They have four state championship trophies sitting in the display case. No matter what fact you present to them, they've got a rebuttal that is even better. As it looks this season, the argumentative one may just be correct.

 

The Party Crasher - Mercer County

Everything was going swimmingly. Teams were having a good time, relaxing, feeling comfortable in their location. Then someone new shows up. Mercer County, unranked last week, went to Louisville and beat CAL, 45-42. The win keeps Mercer in position to win the district and pushes CAL to a potential first round road playoff game. And now we have to find room for the new guy in the group.

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Break on Through

 

Four teams in Class 3A remain winless through the first half of the season. All have begun district play and are not only scratching for their first win, but also a potential playoff bid. This week we will take a look at each team and try to determine their most likely first victory.

 

Lewis County (0-6)

The Good: Offense has struggled to put points on the board but has been in double figures each of the last three weeks.

 

The Bad: Defense is allowing 42.7 points per game.

 

The Win: There are two possible wins, but will be challenges. First is Pendleton County at home this week, although the Lions will be a heavy underdog. Pendleton has lost two in a row after a 3-0 start. The best shot could be the season finale at 2-3 Fairview. Will a long season be rewarded at the finish line?

 

McCreary Central (0-5)

The Good: Raiders have been close already, losing by 14 to Pineville and a mere 4 to Jellico (TN).

 

The Bad: All five games this season have been home games, meaning four of their next five are on the road.

 

The Win: At Jackson County on October 25. Jackson is much improved and a road win for McCreary Central would be impressive, but with the likes of Garrard County, Estill County, Rockcastle County, and Lynn Camp filling the back half of the schedule, a victorious trip to McKee might be the only hope.

 

Nelson County (0-5)

The Good: After three shutouts to open the season, Nelson County has scored 6, 20, and 14 over the last three games. The Cardinals are also averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the season.

 

The Bad: The defense has been brutal, allowing 308 points on the season, almost a full touchdown more than the next highest in Class 3A.

 

The Win: At Thomas Nelson on October 25. A county matchup that could pit winless teams against each other, the winner will likely be the fourth seed in District 3. Beating their neighbors for the first time in four years would be a nice reward to end the season.

 

Thomas Nelson (0-6)

The Good: The schedule has been tough, with opponents posting a combined 21-14 record. Single score losses to Henry County and Marion County show this team is probably slightly better than their winless record.

 

The Bad: The schedule doesn't get any easier as the Generals travel to Larue County and Bardstown in their next two games.

 

The Win: Hosting Nelson County on October 25. See above, only remember that Thomas Nelson has outscored Nelson County 125-32 over the last three seasons.

 

Extra Points

 

Taylor County (5-1) rushed for 601 yards as a team in their 49-7 win over Casey County. Wes Oliver ran for a school record 369 yards and four touchdowns.

 

Pike County Central (4-1) won a close one for the second consecutive week, holding off Floyd Central, 19-12. Quarterback Tyler Hunt had two rushing touchdowns in the victory.

 

Powell County (1-5) finally cracked the win column after five losses to start the season, beating Lewis County, 39-18. Josh Ledford ran for 152 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

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Three to See

(Each week the 3A Notebook will preview the three best games featuring Class 3A teams for the coming week)

 

1. DeSales at Paducah Tilghman. A rare late-season intersectional matchup between Louisville and far western Kentucky sees top-ranked DeSales travel to Paducah Tilghman to face a Blue Tornado team looking to make a move up the rankings. This is the farthest regular season road game for DeSales since a trip to Warren Central in 2013.

 

2. Raceland at Ashland. Two northeastern Kentucky powerhouses square off at Putnam Stadium. Both defenses are terrific with Ashland allowing 16 points per game and Raceland 17.8. Ashland has won two straight and nine of the last ten in the series.

 

3. Rockcastle County at Bell County. It isn't at the fever pitch of some past Rock/Bell games but this weekend renews a rivalry that has been dormant for several seasons. Bell County has cruised to five wins to start the season but the schedule has been soft. Rockcastle is 3-2 but has lost both times they've faced a superior opponent. Can the Rockets pull an upset on Log Mountain?

 

Just One More

(Tired of the same teams every week? Want to go off the beaten path for a 3A game this Friday night? Each week we'll look at an under-the-radar matchup to watch in Class 3A)

 

Trigg County at Crittenden County. Two old rivals step out of class to square off on Friday. Crittenden has been in the Class 1A Top Ten all season but has lost their last two games. Trigg County has allowed 64 and 63 points, respectively, in their last two outings and will need to find a defense to complement their explosive offense.

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I predict that Nelson County will upset Thomas Nelson in the Marshmallow Bowl on October 25. The best player on the field is Nelson County QB Jayren Tonge, a former Bardstown player, just slightly ahead of Thomas Nelson running back Will Ulery. Its a bold prediction, but both teams are historically bad.

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