In a rematch of last years 5A semifinals the Broncos (6-1) travel this year to Owensboro to take on the Red Devils (11-0). Owensboro had a Covid no contest last week with Fairdale. The Broncos were taken to the very end in a muddy game at Southwestern winning 21-20 when they stopped the Warriors going for a two point conversion with under a minute to play.

Owensboro is lead by junior quarterback Gavin Wimsatt through 10 games has threw for over 1900 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has however threw 8 interceptions as well. Wimsatt's favorite targets are Treyvon Tinsley and Ben Flaherty. Tinsley 35 catches for 527 yards and 9 touchdowns. Flaherty has 22 catches for 459 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Red Devils are lead in rushing by Ethan Aveery who has almost 600 yards and 9 touchdowns. Owensboro has a very good place kicker as well in Andrew Lanz who has converted 59 PAT's in 60 attempts. The Red Devils lead all of 5A in both scoring at 49.3 points per game and also in scoring margin winning their games by a average of 37.1 per game. Douglass will be the best team that Owensboro has faced this season with only 3 teams on the Red Devil schedule had winning records.

The Broncos come into this game riding a 6 game winning streak dropping their opening game of the season to North Hardin. Douglass had another nice game Friday night by running back Darius Neal who rushed 120 yards in the mud. Neal leads the Broncos in rushing with just under 700 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a average of 7.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Samuel Cornett threw for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns Friday night. The Broncos have a very good wide-receiver tandem of their own in Dane Key and Dekel Crowdus. The duo has combined for 725 yards and 18 touchdowns.

These two teams I think are very evenly matched and will probably come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes, or whoever has the ball last. Both teams are every coached it should be one of the better semifinals in the state this weekend.

Frederick Douglass- 34

Owensboro- 28


 

I really want to see a Bowling Green VS. Owensboro state final, so I’m taking Owensboro 28-21.

I think Frederick Douglass wins this one but could be close.

Rematch of last year but at Rash.  Freddy D is the favorite to win the state title.  Key, Crowdus, Neal what an unbelievable trio.  Burton is dominant throwing anyone around who gets in his way.  Cornett is a solid QB and gives them a look they didn’t have last year.  Great offense and very good defense for FD.  Owensboro has speed everywhere too, although not Dekel fast.  Owensboro has a very nice O-line if everyone plays.  They were missing their LT last game and Center.  Both have to play for Owensboro to be effective.   Who can get turnovers?   I’m looking forward to the game.  O 34-28.

 

Good summary @16thBBall Fan.

The fast track at Rash should suit Douglass much better than the pig sty they played on last week. I look for a much better showing from FD offensively. Even still, Owensboro has the horses to win this game. There will be a treasure trove of talent on the field, and the Devils have their share of it.

Both teams appear more dynamic offensively, compared to last year. With two talented QBs and skill people all over the field, big plays could come in waves. 

At this semifinal stage in 5A, the cream has risen to the top. There's nothing but heavyweights left. Let's see who takes the best punch, because both sides could come out firing.

FD by 24

Cal preps says Freddie D 41-21.

Great summary @16thBBall Fan!

This should be a great game!  Only switching the venue.  Rash Stadium will be an advantage to Owensboro even if its slight.  But FD would likely do anything to get away from the Southwestern slop!

Both teams offense have speed and athletes all over the place!  On defense, it should be a bend but don't break mentality for both.  There will be big momentum swings in this game and the team that can keep as even a keel as they can should benefit from that as it could be a really long game of ups and downs.

I'm a Western KY guy, so I'm going with the Red Devils in a slugfest!

Owensboro 28

Fredrick Douglas - 27

This should be a blockbuster matchup, I think that the home field will come into play, I believe that Gavin will play lights out.

 

Owensboro: 30

Freddie D : 22

It is a bit early in the week to make a prediction but I expect this game to be a classic.  A wealth of talent, on a fast track in one of the most historic stadiums in Kentucky High School Football.  At this point, I just hope everyone can stay healthy so we can see it.  

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/owensboro-high-school-owensboro-ky/football

Let me say there is no way Owensboro should be receiving more votes in the poll.  Yes I homered and picked Owensboro (I thought I would be 1 of a handful).   Anything can happen when you have Wimsatt, but FD is a great program and team.  I know the Devils have the utmost respect for Freddie D and how good they are.  It will take each teams best effort Friday night and I hope it’s a good game.

16 hours ago, Brown said:

Let me say there is no way Owensboro should be receiving more votes in the poll.  Yes I homered and picked Owensboro (I thought I would be 1 of a handful).   Anything can happen when you have Wimsatt, but FD is a great program and team.  I know the Devils have the utmost respect for Freddie D and how good they are.  It will take each teams best effort Friday night and I hope it’s a good game.

I picked Owensboro because of just how hard it is to compete at Rash stadium. I'm not sure how many fans are being let in, but it's still a suffocating environment regardless of your talent. It's definitely going to take speed to beat this Freddie D squad, but Owensboro never has a problem with getting kids who can fly. I'm still riding with the Red Devils.

Something to watch for:

Owensboro has been run on by some good backs this year. Harold Patterson, Bryson Parm, and Clint McKee (×2) had strong outings against them. 

I anticipate Darius Neal, who's as good or better than any of those guys, giving Owensboro fits this Friday running behind Burton and the rest of that very good offensive line. He's played his best in FD's biggest games, averaging 145 yards per contest against North Hardin, LCA, Scott County, and Southwestern. 

It's a pick your poison situation for Owensboro. Crowd the box to slow down Neal, and get burned by Crowdus and Key, or play it straight and risk getting gashed by the run game. 

I stand by what I said before. Owensboro has the horses to win, but I have concerns about their ability to get stops. For the Red Devils to win, I think this game has to resemble a Big12 style shootout.