Fairdale (10-1) will host Atherton (7-4) after defeating North Bullitt 34-0. Atherton is coming off a 52-14 defeat of Doss.

Fairdale has been under the radar and has reeled off 10 straight wins after a season opening loss to Beechwood 36-0. Fairdale's best win is a 21-12 win over South Oldham. Atherton lost to South Oldham 38-17.
 

Atherton used to be thought of as a doormat but has turned the program around last few years and has an opportunity to go to the 3rd round of playoffs which they haven't done in a long time if at all. I still remember when they were in same district as St. X back in the 1990's which doesn't seem possible now days.

Does Fairdale roll into the 3rd round of 5A playoffs or can Atherton get the upset and propel the Ravens to new heights?

Atherton doesn't have that "it" factor yet. Seems like these kids don't know the school used to be lumped alongside Shawnee and Iroquois as the worst programs in the 502, so that is great to see this turnaround. 

But Fairdale has playoff experience and a significant athlete advantage over the Ravens. I see a high scoring affair,  Fairdale 54- 35 or something similar.

5 hours ago, Hungover_in_Andover said:

Atherton doesn't have that "it" factor yet. Seems like these kids don't know the school used to be lumped alongside Shawnee and Iroquois as the worst programs in the 502, so that is great to see this turnaround. 

But Fairdale has playoff experience and a significant athlete advantage over the Ravens. I see a high scoring affair,  Fairdale 54- 35 or something similar.

This is a very good post Hangover!  I'm just pulling for Atherton for the upset in this one.

4 hours ago, Purple88 said:

This is a very good post Hangover!  I'm just pulling for Atherton for the upset in this one.

It's a great story for Atherton's program for sure, but along the lines of playoff competition I like Fairdale much better. I'm not sure where the winner of this game goes due to RPI, but I like the Bullldogs chances much better against the WKY teams. 

The earlier Ravens loss to South Oldham definitely casts doubt on their chances against Fairdale anyway. But it is amazing to see them playing for a chance to advance to the 3rd round in football, and in 5A no less. 

@Hungover_in_AndoverI'm looking for the Feel-Good Story here!  I understand Fairdale is likely the better team but want Atherton to get a Cinderella moment.

As far as the Bulldogs chances against the WKY teams, if you mean BG, South Warren, Owensboro and Greenwood, that would be a really long day for Fairdale IMO.

19 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

@Hungover_in_AndoverI'm looking for the Feel-Good Story here!  I understand Fairdale is likely the better team but want Atherton to get a Cinderella moment.

As far as the Bulldogs chances against the WKY teams, if you mean BG, South Warren, Owensboro and Greenwood, that would be a really long day for Fairdale IMO.

Oh no doubt! But if that's a long day for Fairdale, then it's a nightmare for Atherton. And as a potential 4th round opponent, I want your 3rd round opponent to keep your starters in until 3rd or 4th quarter so I can get a good look at what you are made of.

It is a nightmare for them, but that's further than Atherton has gone in many, many years and something to build from.

The 3rd Round in this and recent playoff setups have been nearly as many cupcake games as Round 1.

While I would agree you'd like to keep your starters sharp for the semi-finals, the reality is you put your subs in so you don't run the score up too bad is the way its been for some time now.  Not every matchup, but most.

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On 11/6/2022 at 11:31 PM, Tigerpride94 said:

Fairdale has been under the radar and has reeled off 10 straight wins after a season opening loss to Beechwood 36-0. Fairdale's best win is a 21-12 win over South Oldham. Atherton lost to South Oldham 38-17.

The schedule since Week 2 hasn't done them any favors. They've outscored their opposition 411-36 during the win streak. That dominance should extend one more game, then it gets real.

3 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

The schedule since Week 2 hasn't done them any favors. They've outscored their opposition 411-36 during the win streak. That dominance should extend one more game, then it gets real.

Most likely they come to Rash in Owensboro - if BG and Owensboro win.

9 minutes ago, Brown said:

Most likely they come to Rash in Owensboro - if BG and Owensboro win.

Maybe; they were supposed to a couple years ago too.

8 minutes ago, Brown said:

Most likely they come to Rash in Owensboro - if BG and Owensboro win.

I'm sure they'd rather go to the swamp. Nobody wants road "Rash".

On 11/7/2022 at 11:53 AM, Purple88 said:

It is a nightmare for them, but that's further than Atherton has gone in many, many years and something to build from.

The 3rd Round in this and recent playoff setups have been nearly as many cupcake games as Round 1.

While I would agree you'd like to keep your starters sharp for the semi-finals, the reality is you put your subs in so you don't run the score up too bad is the way its been for some time now.  Not every matchup, but most.

I grew up on Atherton's campus. I always look to see if they won every Friday night. It’s great to see them being successful. I was on the sideline no bigger than knee high when they beat ST. X in “73”. They also beat Flaget and Male that same year finishing 9-1. 

36 minutes ago, tackle trap said:

I grew up on Atherton's campus. I always look to see if they won every Friday night. It’s great to see them being successful. I was on the sideline no bigger than knee high when they beat ST. X in “73”. They also beat Flaget and Male that same year finishing 9-1. 

My mom and uncle graduated from Atherton. Academically they are one of the better public schools. I hope they win.

Fairdale wins this one 22-0.