Who wins this first round playoff matchup? Central Hardin comes in at 8-2 on the season. Meade County comes in at 4-6 on the season.

Meade County had RB Austin Oppel and QB Trent Mofield on the field together for the first time all season last week against DeSales and pulled off an improbable upset of the Class 3A # 2 team. With the strength of their team being the defensive line and linebackers, and the running game that Oppel brings to the offense, Meade County should keep this one close.

Central Hardin will be without LB Trent Hill for the rest of the season due to a foot injury. They were hoping to get him back for the playoffs but instead will have to replace a linebacker who accounted for 45 total tackles. RB Deonco Wilkerson sustained a severe ankle sprain against Barren County game and hasn’t been the same as he battles to get healthy and still contribute to the team. With a lack of recovery time, I doubt he will be fully healthy for the rest of this season.

What adjustments will Meade County make to their defensive game plan and limiting the big play ability of Gavin George who torched them for 285 yards in the first matchup will be the key to the game. There is no doubt that this game will be a dogfight with Central Hardin pulling out a narrow victory.

My Prediction.

Central Hardin 28

Meade County 21

Meade County is healthy and is starting to play closer to what I thought they would at the beginning of the season. Meade has held 4 of their last 5 opponents to under 100 yards rushing and just got back its starting QB and RB. Meade played much better defensively against the pass vs Desales, intercepting 3 passes (2 by Richardson) and holding Desales to 80 yards thru the air. In their 1st meeting Meade decided to single cover Gavin George the whole game and was shredded by Elmore/George. If Meade can win the turnover battle they can pull off the upset.

Central by 10.

End of 1st Qtr

 

Central Hardin 0

 

Meade County 0

You have to pay but this game is on video:

 

NFHS Network

2nd qtr

 

Meade Co 6

 

Central Hardin 0

2nd qtr

 

Meade Co 6

 

Central Hardin 7

2nd qtr

 

Meade Co 6

 

Central Hardin 14

Meade Co fumbles leading to Central’s 2nd TD.

 

Meade fumbles again down 14-6

2nd qtr

 

Meade Co 6

 

Central Hardin 21

Back to back fumbles deep in their own territory. Meade Co has done this all year.

Meade driving....

Meade scores.

 

Central Hardin 21

 

Meade Co 14

Central Hardin 28

 

Meade Co 14