Tigers And Bears Try To Claw Their Way To Mayfield

Records: Butler County (8-2) | Murray (5-5)

Series History: Murray leads 1-0 dating back to 1998

Table Setter: After winning three games in four years from 2017-2020, Butler County has long since secured a second straight winning season. The Bears' two losses came to Hancock County in a turnover fest, and to BGP #3 Owensboro Catholic. The backfield tandem of Brody Hunt and Colton Dunnells have spearheaded the offense with a combined 1,772 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. The two pull double duty as defensive standouts, with Hunt snagging seven interceptions, tied for third in the state. Dunnells makes up one third of a productive linebacker trio with Carson Miller and Devin Poston that have a nose for the football. 

Murray began the season ranked 4th in the class, but repeatedly tripped over the schedule, with losses to unbeatens like Mayfield and Union County, but also rebuilding programs like Christian and Caldwell County. The ground heavy Tigers - averaging just shy of 300 ypg - don't put it in the air often, but when they do, nearly half of their completions go for six. Even with a win here, they seem destined for a disappointing season that began with high expectations.

Mayfield - sorry Todd County Central - awaits the winner.

Bump.

Hancock County being upset by Todd County Central altered the tiebreakers and might have given Butler County a home game instead of a road trip to Mayfield. Huge win there for the Bears! As the previous post said, it's been a disappointing season for Murray but I think the Tigers get the win in a close one at Butler County.

It looked like nobody in the 2nd district wanted to come in second.  Hancock Co beat Butler 28-0. At this point, they are in 2nd place. Then they lose to McClean 14-21 and Todd Co 14-16 and puff... no playoffs for the Hornets! I thought they were the 2nd best team in this district.

Butler beat McClean 27-12 and Todd Co 27-21.  The Bears are a run heavy team. #23 (Dunnells) is a big back that runs down hill. #2 (Grubbs) & #5 (Hunt) will be their outside threats. Their defense will have to hold a Murray offense that is also a smash mouth team.

Murray comes into the playoffs with a LOT of questions. The main one: which Tiger defense is going to show up? The offense has clicked all season, averaging 34.4 per game.  The only game they were held under 20 is Mayfield (10).  That's considering they've fumbled the ball 22 times, losing 12 of them ?‍♂️.  In their wins, the defense allowed 11.5 ppg. In their loses, on the other hand, 37.7 ?.  Growing pains has been the story all season.  Murray plays 3 (sometimes 4) freshman, 2 sophomores, 4 juniors, and only 2 seniors of defense.

Murray 28

Butler 14

21 -21 in the 3rd.