Ashland at Elizabethtown Predictions/Updates

[DevilMayCare]

Tomcats stray from home for 3A championship rematch

Records: Ashland (3-3), Elizabethtown (3-3)

BGP Ranking: Ashland (#5 in 3A), Elizabethtown (unranked in 3A)

Series History: Ashland leads 2-0 all-time

Table Setter: Let's throw back to December 19th of last year. Ashland and E'town were set to battle for a state title at Kroger Field. The Panthers came in averaging 45 points per game, while the Tomcats had allowed only 45 points the whole season up to that point. Defense won out that day, as Ashland shackled the potent Panthers to end a thirty year title drought.

Now let's fast forward about nine months. Both teams have had to rebuild after losing the overwhelming majority of their production. Following some early season growing pains, Ashland and E'town have gotten back to their winning ways the last two weeks, going a combined 4-0. The defending 3A champs have averaged 55 points per game against West Jessamine and Bourbon County. The backfield duo of Vinnie Palladino and Brett Mullins have combined for over 800 rushing yards to compliment sophomore quarterback Bailey Thacker's 854 passing yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Ricky Padron can provide big plays in all three phases of the game. 

Last year's runner-up has dialed up some defense following a three game skid, albeit against sub-par opposition. Quarterback Ryder Gregory and running back Greg Hall have stepped up to lead the offense, while Hall has also doubles as the team's leading tackler.

Both prior meetings between Ashland and Elizabethtown had state championships on the line. This week's contest obviously has much lower stakes, but both teams are trying to work their way back into the title picture this year. A win for either team is another rung on the ladder.

[Tkinslow]

Both teams are a shell of themselves from last year as they both lost a lot of talent but I think Elizabethtown lost a little more so I think the Tomcats get this game by a couple scores.

[Tigerpride94]

I'll go Ashland by 21.

[DevilMayCare]

E'town leads 7-0 on a long touchdown pass

9:34 in 1Q

[DevilMayCare]

Trey Durbin houses a 72 yarder on the first play of E'town's second possession. Durbin also caught the first score of the night.

14-0 E'town

[DevilMayCare]

"We (Ashland) haven't gotten off the bus yet." - Dicky Martin

This was a, roughly, three and a half hour trip for the Tomcats.

[DevilMayCare]

End of 1Q

E'town 14

Ashland 0

 

No offense to speak of so far for the Tomcats and the Panthers have popped a couple of big plays.

[DevilMayCare]

E'town was threatening to score again, but an Ashland interception in the endzone gives the Tomcats life.

[DevilMayCare]

E'town picks off Ashland and immediately capitalizes with another deep ball for 6. That's the second one play drive for the Panthers.

21-0 E'town 

[tomcat1984]

So far it’s the Ashland team we saw the first 2 weeks penalty wise. 

[DevilMayCare]

The Tomcats have clawed back into this one. They're threatening to score again. 

E'town 21

Ashland 14

3:30 in 3Q

[DevilMayCare]

We're all level at 21.

:21 in 3Q

[DevilMayCare]

It's 28-21 E'town with 7:00 left in 4Q.

[DevilMayCare]

Ricky Padron houses the ensuing kickoff.

Tied at 28

[DevilMayCare]

Ashland converts a Brett Mullins interception into 6. Vinnie Palladino scores from 18 yards out.

35-28 Ashland 

4:16 remaining