6A Notebook: Hardin County Battle

 

Normally when we think of a battle in Hardin County it involves tanks over at Fort Knox, but this past Friday it was at Central Hardin High School. The district 2 battle between North Hardin was every bit the close game we thought, but the defenses were the highlight in the North Hardin 7-0 win. The two high powered offenses were stymied with North Hardin’s defense edging out Central Hardin’s. There was rain during this game so that also may have been a factor that helped the defenses. North Hardin held Central Hardin to an eye popping 20 yards rushing and total yards of 145, which is impressive considering Central Hardin was averaging 46 points a game. Central Hardin had a good defensive showing, but just wasn’t enough to win with no help from the offense, but did hold a North Hardin offense that averaged 38 points a game to 7 points. The offensive player of the game was North Hardin’s RB LaVell Wright who rushed for 104 yards and had 33 receiving yards including the lone TD of the game on a reception from QB Manie Wimberly. North Hardin’s defensive player of the game was LB Darren Green who had 6 tackles with 5 of those solo and 4 tackles for a loss. The player of the game for Central Hardin was LB Clay Perry who had 11 tackles with 5 of those solo and 2 tackles for a loss. Both QB’s didn’t have good nights as each one threw 2 interceptions although North Hardin QB Manie Wimberly did throw the game winning TD. Central Hardin QB Chase Elmore was 10/19, 116 yds, 0 tds, and 2 interceptions with a QB rating of 82.86. North Hardin QB Manie Wimberly was 15/21, 125 yds, 1 td, and 2 interceptions with a QB rating of 118.10. These two teams will most likely meet again in the 2nd round of the playoffs. I expect that will be another good game and if no rain may have some better offense.

 

District Playoff Seeds:

 

District 1:

1. McCracken County

2. Henderson County

3. Daviess County

4. Apollo

Although this is not official until after Friday’s games, looking at tie breaker rules, McCracken County looks to have the most points even if Henderson County beats Owensboro.

 

District 2:

1. North Hardin

2. Central Hardin

3. Meade County

4. Barren County

 

District 3:

1. Manual

2. St. Xavier

3. Butler

4. Pleasure Ridge Park

 

District 4:

1. Male

2. Fern Creek

3. Bullitt East

4. Southern

 

District 5:

1. Trinity

2. Ballard

3. Eastern

4. Marshall County

 

District 6:

1. Simon Kenton

2. Ryle

3. Dixie Heights

4. Campbell County

 

District 7:

1. Tates Creek

2. Paul Dunbar

3. Lafayette

4. Henry Clay

 

District 8:

1. George Rogers Clark

2. Oldham County

3. Bryan Station

4. Madison Central

 

 

Games of the Week:

 

#1 Male (7-0) travels to #4 Manual (8-1) for the Old Rivalry that has been played since 1893. Male leads the all-time record 85-45-6. Male comes into this game averaging 44.3 points a game and Manual will counter with a defense yielding 13.6 points a game. Manual is averaging 33.1 points a game and Male’s defense is yielding 11.2 points a game. Male is outscoring opponents by 13 points per game more than Manual. Male defeated Manual 48-0 last year. Male will have the edge in this game with the better offense. It will take Male turning the ball over for Manual to counter the powerful Male offense. Regardless of the outcome it should be a good rivalry atmosphere and worth the price of admission.

 

#2 Trinity (7-2) at 5A #4 Bowling Green (6-2). Trinity comes into this game averaging 34.1 points per game while Bowling Green is yielding 8.6 points per game. Bowling Green is averaging 36.4 points per game while Trinity is yielding 10.2 points per game. Bowling Green’s Margin of victory is 4 points per game more than Trinity but when you factor in strength of schedule, Trinity is much stronger by having a rating of 33.4 compared to Bowling Green’s 4.7, according to Calpreps.com strength of schedule ratings. They have a common opponent in St. Xavier with Bowling Green losing to them 28-14 and Trinity defeating them 35-3. Trinity has a better defense than St. Xavier and should be able to hold Bowling Green to 7 points or less. Look for Trinity to get win in this one.

 

#5 St. Xavier (6-3) vs. St. Xavier (OH) (7-2). The Tigers come into this game averaging 27.9 points per game while the Bombers are yielding 19.6 points per game. The Bombers are averaging 31 points per game while the Tigers are yielding 17 points per game. The Bombers margin of victory is about 1 point better than the Tigers but once you factor strength of schedule, the Bombers are much stronger with a rating of 51 compared to the Tigers 22.3, according to Calpreps.com strength of schedule rating. One caveat, is that the Bombers have clinched home field in the Ohio playoffs and it is possible the Bombers may rest some key players, since this game is essentially meaningless for them other than pride. The Tigers are in an RPI battle with McCracken County and Henderson County, so the Tigers still have something to play for. Last year the Bombers defeated the Tigers 34-7 when they had to win to get into Ohio playoffs. I look for the Bombers to get the win here.

 

#6 Central Hardin (8-1) at 5A #6 South Oldham (8-1). Central Hardin will come into this game averaging 41.4 points per game while South Oldham is yielding a stingy 4.7 points per game. South Oldham is averaging 45.1 points per game while Central Hardin is yielding 14.4 points per game. South Oldham has a 13 point higher average margin of victory, but Central Hardin’s schedule is rated 12 points higher than South Oldham, according to Calpreps.com strength of schedule rating. They did not meet last year and don’t have any common opponents. This looks to be a close game and worth the price of admission.

 

RPI:

 

Districts 1-4 (West):

 

1. Male .709

2. North Hardin .690

3. Manual .653

4. Central Hardin .619

5. Fern Creek .598

6. St. Xavier .588

7. McCracken County .583

8. Henderson County .571

9. Bullitt East .547

10. Daviess County .516

11. Butler .493

12. Southern .464

13. Apollo .439

14. Barren County .439

15. Meade County .438

16. Pleasure Ridge Park .368

17. Marshall County .359

 

Districts 5-8 (East):

 

1. Trinity .624

2. Simon Kenton .547

3. Ballard .532

4. Tates Creek .526

5. Ryle .521

6. Oldham County .494

7. George Rogers Clark .480

8. Paul Dunbar .460

9. Dixie Heights .447

10. Eastern .423

11. Lafayette .403

12. Bryan Station .395

13. Campbell County .362

14. Madison central .351

15. Henry Clay .341

Class 6A

 

We will probably see North Hardin and Central Hardin meeting again, but the first game was a decision that made defensive minded folks very happy as North Hardin eeked out a victory by about as minimal of a margin as possible. Central Hardin doesn't have time to let that loss haunt them for Halloween, they still have an extremely dangerous South Oldham team to play. Manual has quietly positioned themselves as a threat most did not anticipate in Jefferson County. If they can shock rival Male they suddenly become a major Title threat. Simon Kenton and Henderson County are each welcomed back to the Top 10 after big time wins, but both will need wins this week to stay there.

 

1. Male at #4 Manual

2. Trinity at 5A #4 Bowling Green

3. North Hardin vs. Pleasure Ridge Park

4. Manual vs. #1 Male

5. St. Xavier vs. St. Xavier (OH)

6. Central Hardin at 5A #6 South Oldham

7. Fern Creek -- OPEN

8. Ballard at Henry Clay

9. Simon Kenton at Little Miami (OH)

10. Henderson County at 5A #7 Owensboro