The Past:

Hazard will travel to Raceland for only the fourth time.  This will be the first time these two teams have met since 1990, to put that is perspective, I played in that game, and I'm not young anymore.  Raceland won the 1990 game, 21-12.  Hazard got their only win in the series in 1989, again, I was there and the only thing I remember from that game is - Anthony Sharpie, he was a beast of a running back.  Raceland got wins in 86, 87 and 88.  For a series record of 4-1 in Raceland's favor.  For the record, I played in 3 of the 5 and was 2-1 (Dang Sharpie). 

The Present:

When Hazard arrives at Ram Stadium, they will bring a 8-4 record with them.  They lost to a good Breathitt County (9-2) team, to an undefeated Bardstown team, to Pikeville (Number 1 in the class) and to Shelby Valley (10-2) by only one point.  

Hazard has a big win over Ashland (8-4) who is still alive in the Class 3A playoffs. 

Raceland comes into the game (11-1) with their only loss in a 10 point game against Highlands.  

Raceland probably gets more press for their offense, scoring over 40 points per game, but they may owe more to their defense, allowing 10 points per game and collecting 21 interceptions on the season.  

The Future:

Who will win and move on to the semi-finals in Class 1A?  

 

 

Common Opponent: 

Raceland 34 Ashland 7

Hazard 14 Ashland 7

Looking at the numbers:

Raceland's offense is powerful, balanced and the running game and the passing game is by committee.  Lundy has passed for over 2,000 yards and 32 TD with 7 interceptions and is 111 for 181.  He utilized four primary receives with three of them over the 500 yard receiving mark.  The running game is balanced with three running backs at 500 yards rushing on the season, with Lundy adding another 300 himself.  Making all this happen is a group of 7-8 offensive linemen that rotate and stay fresh.  

Hazard doesn't care to pass either, Pelfrey is 108 for 188 for 1,500 yards with 9 interceptions and 20 touchdowns.  He has three primary receivers that have around 500 receiving yards a piece. The running game is almost exclusively handled by Max Johnson who have 1,500 rushing yards. 

Stopping the numbers:

Raceland has allowed a stingy 10 points per games and has 21, "Twenty-One" interceptions, with only three fumble recoveries. 

Hazard is no stranger to the interception game, they have 15 of their own, with five fumble recoveries.  They are allowing around 21 points per game (quick read, didn't do the math). 

Hazard doesn’t have the horses to win this race.

Raceland 35

Hazard 14

This is a matchup I’ve been waiting to see since 2008 my cousins junior year.  14 years later it’s finally happening. Sure would of liked to seen it sooner.

1 hour ago, Bac2369 said:

This is a matchup I’ve been waiting to see since 2008 my cousins junior year.  14 years later it’s finally happening. Sure would of liked to seen it sooner.

It should have happened in 2008.  Raceland beat LCA in the regular season and shut Hayden down.  Then, they come back to Raceland for the playoff game, one the most physical games I remember seeing, and Raceland took their foot off the gas too early and let LCA back in the game after it was over and LCA wins and comes to Hazard and gets beat.  

Coach Rains called Coach Vanderhoof after they lost to Hazard and said his players were too beat up from the Raceland game.  But, I think our run defense was better than LCA's that year and would have matched up with Hazard better, but, it didn't happen. 

29 minutes ago, Ram said:

It should have happened in 2008.  Raceland beat LCA in the regular season and shut Hayden down.  Then, they come back to Raceland for the playoff game, one the most physical games I remember seeing, and Raceland took their foot off the gas too early and let LCA back in the game after it was over and LCA wins and comes to Hazard and gets beat.  

Coach Rains called Coach Vanderhoof after they lost to Hazard and said his players were too beat up from the Raceland game.  But, I think our run defense was better than LCA's that year and would have matched up with Hazard better, but, it didn't happen. 

Hazards big tight end left for LCA that year.. Lexington Christian also beat Hazard 49-7 the last game of the regular season. I feel better if doesn’t leave Hazard ( they may of beat Beechwood) in that title game.

I always felt Hazard/LCA from 2007-2009 was mirror images of one another.. my cousin quit his senior year because his best friend aged out by 5 days of August 1st deadline. The kid was promised 20-30 carries a game.. He hates his self to this day for it. I begged him to play, and even offered to pay him.  We listened to the playoff game against LCA when the young running who took his spot dropped the pass for a touchdown that would of brought them within 1 point of tying. They would of went for two tho and for the win.

Bump.

Hazard wins 28-21.

What’s Racelands injury status?

4 hours ago, Bac2369 said:

What’s Racelands injury status?

I asked them, they said they were completely against it. 

4 hours ago, Bac2369 said:

What’s Racelands injury status?

100%, as far as I know.

In the Bardstown game I was really impressed with the Johnson kid as a defender. Really flew to the ball. Offensively, Hazard really struggled to give him enough room to get rolling. Our DL dominated that night. If Raceland’s DL is physical and aggressive, they should advance comfortably.

15 hours ago, Hearsay said:

In the Bardstown game I was really impressed with the Johnson kid as a defender. Really flew to the ball. Offensively, Hazard really struggled to give him enough room to get rolling. Our DL dominated that night. If Raceland’s DL is physical and aggressive, they should advance comfortably.

Raceland's front 7 is pretty strong, plus they substitute several at the DL position and stay fresh. Ben Taylor leads the way up front and is getting college attention.  

Hoping to make this one, but depends on how long the job keeps me.. so my fingers are crossed for a good day.