The Dragons travel to Nelson County to open the season after having an open week to begin the year. The Dragons look to open the year as they did last year with a dominant win over Nelson. 

Nelson comes in at 1-0, after their own dominant win over Washington County. Nelson looks to improve to 2-0, and upset the Dragons. 

Who wins and why? 
 

Dragons by as many as they want.  Dragon offense looks to be improved 50%. As long as everyone is healthy they shouldn't have any problems. They couldn't stop the running attack last year in the 40 to 0 loss to the dragons. Seymour had close to 200 yards on the ground. Defensively I think they will do great. There fast backfield should be able to keep there offense in check. Staying healthy will be the key for Green.

This game has me interested. Coach Stockdale is in year 3 at Nelson County and he appears to be making nice progress in that program. The margin of their win over Washington County in their opener was a surprise. I do not see a Nelson County upset but I am interested in how this game goes. It will be a good measuring stick for both teams.

3 hours ago, GC-Dragons said:

The Dragons travel to Nelson County to open the season after having an open week to begin the year. The Dragons look to open the year as they did last year with a dominant win over Nelson. 

Nelson comes in at 1-0, after their own dominant win over Washington County. Nelson looks to improve to 2-0, and upset the Dragons. 

Who wins and why? 
 

With the caveat that I know very little about Green County, the Dragons would be foolhardy to overlook Nelson based upon last year's score.

In the offseason, Nelson County Head Coach Philip Stockdale demanded that his lineman commit to wrestling, and told them he would give starting preference to those who wrestled.  8 offensive/defensive lineman, and a spate of other Nelson football players including QB Paul Briney, chose to wrestle.  The practices for the starting slot at heavyweight every week were apparently highly competetive and spirited.

The results were apparent last week.  Nelson County dominated Washington County on the offensive and defensive lines.  Washington is not a juggernaut, but they beat Nelson County last year.

The Cardinals have some big and mobile lineman, including Aaron Goff, Carson Mattingly, and noseguard Cameron Turner, who recently accepted a football scholarship to Kentucky State.  This is NOT the same Cardinal team that has been kicked around for the last several years.

This is an interesting game.  I think the skill spots lean Green, while the lines likely lean Nelson.

I think Nelson having a game under their belt is a big advantage and playing at home is likely one too here.

I want to pick Nelson in an upset, but I'll go 

Green County 21

Nelson County 20

That's great as track and wrestling are great sports to feed the need and conditioning of players. You guys had a great turn around from a 42 to 35 loss a year ago.  Only allowing 93 yards rushing is impressive.  I hope your right and this game is competitive. I still gonna have to take the Dragons in this one.  

Both QB’s are guys that I’ve worked with. Solid young men that work. Excellent leaders for their teams. Effective QB’s that get the job done for their teams. 
 

Both coaches have their teams/programs improving.  
 

Regardless of the outcome, both teams have bright futures.

 

Hope the guys all play well & come out healthy. 

10 hours ago, Hearsay said:

With the caveat that I know very little about Green County, the Dragons would be foolhardy to overlook Nelson based upon last year's score.

In the offseason, Nelson County Head Coach Philip Stockdale demanded that his lineman commit to wrestling, and told them he would give starting preference to those who wrestled.  8 offensive/defensive lineman, and a spate of other Nelson football players including QB Paul Briney, chose to wrestle.  The practices for the starting slot at heavyweight every week were apparently highly competetive and spirited.

The results were apparent last week.  Nelson County dominated Washington County on the offensive and defensive lines.  Washington is not a juggernaut, but they beat Nelson County last year.

The Cardinals have some big and mobile lineman, including Aaron Goff, Carson Mattingly, and noseguard Cameron Turner, who recently accepted a football scholarship to Kentucky State.  This is NOT the same Cardinal team that has been kicked around for the last several years.

I’m glad to hear it, Nelson had some rough years. As a Dragon fan, I can feel the same pain, as the Dragons had some rough years as well. I always can support teams building from the ground up and making a name for themselves. 

The Dragons return 4 guys who rushed for over 700 yards a piece, to include 1300 plus for Houchens and 1100 plus for Seymour. They also return every receiver besides one, and 4 of 5 offensive linemen. They are going to be very tough to handle offensively most nights. 
Where I think we could see a drop off is defense, and I think it’s going to take some time for those guys to gel like last years unit. They are talented and are much more athletic across the entire field compared to last year, and we return some very good players, but are missing three big members of the defense from last year, and those guys will be tough to replace early in the year. 
 

I plan to make the trip over to see this one, and I’ll take the Dragons 42-21.

4 hours ago, ChiefSmoke said:

Both QB’s are guys that I’ve worked with. Solid young men that work. Excellent leaders for their teams. Effective QB’s that get the job done for their teams. 
 

Both coaches have their teams/programs improving.  
 

Regardless of the outcome, both teams have bright futures.

 

Hope the guys all play well & come out healthy. 

You have done a great job around the state. What you teach is something a lot of staffs needs. Keep up the great work and keep inspiring these awesome athletes.

27 minutes ago, GC-Dragons said:

I’m glad to hear it, Nelson had some rough years. As a Dragon fan, I can feel the same pain, as the Dragons had some rough years as well. I always can support teams building from the ground up and making a name for themselves. 

The Dragons return 4 guys who rushed for over 700 yards a piece, to include 1300 plus for Houchens and 1100 plus for Seymour. They also return every receiver besides one, and 4 of 5 offensive linemen. They are going to be very tough to handle offensively most nights. 
Where I think we could see a drop off is defense, and I think it’s going to take some time for those guys to gel like last years unit. They are talented and are much more athletic across the entire field compared to last year, and we return some very good players, but are missing three big members of the defense from last year, and those guys will be tough to replace early in the year. 
 

I plan to make the trip over to see this one, and I’ll take the Dragons 42-21.

Thanks for all of that and I am loving the new avatar!

9 minutes ago, theguru said:

Thanks for all of that and I am loving the new avatar!

Thank you. It’s always been my favorite Dragons logo, so couldn’t resist a chance to use it. 

I posted this sentiment in another thread, but it's relevant here too...

Beware a team like Nelson County that's hungry and also has a game under its belt. A lot of little mistakes get ironed out between Weeks 1 and 2. And the Cardinals will come in confident after playing well last week.

As for a winner, I think GC's combination of experience and volume of quality athletes will win out. 

I would think Green Co would be a big step-up from playing Washington Co.  Green Co. should win fairly easy.