Owensboro (8-4) at Atherton (11-1)

I had this Atherton write-up already ready to go (I thought they would be playing BG), so I’m going for it here!

The Red Devils HOT off an amazing win over South Warren travel east to Louisville to take on the upstart Ravens of Atherton.  This will be the first meeting between the 2 teams.  Atherton has not gotten a lot of publicity this year, but anytime you're still playing with an 11 and 1 record is doing something right.   Again, I didn’t know very much about Atherton and perhaps you don’t either.  Let’s change that.

Atherton Information

In 5A, only Highlands can match Atherton’s win total of 11 on the season.  Impressive.

The Ravens are led by Coach Anthony White, who is a true hidden gem for the great work he is doing at Atherton.  In his 5^th season since taking over in 2019, the Ravens have been steadily building, going:  5-6 in 2019; 1-5 in the dreadful Covid year of 2020; 6-6 in 2021; 7-5 in 2022 and now 10-1 in 2023!  That is a wonderful job at a place most don’t expect it.  These 11 wins this season is the most in school history.  This Regional Final game is the FIRST in school history.  AND they have earned the right to HOST that game.  That is a BIG deal to me.  Otherwise, they would have to travel to Owensboro’s Rash Stadium.  Ask South how hard it is to play there.  Again, just an outstanding job by Coach Smith, his staff and players.  Let’s get to the team and players!

The Ravens have rushed for just over twice as many yards as they have passed for (2,269 to 1,062).  Two QBs (both JRs) have played this season with QuaShawn Thompson having more luck and production with 646 yards and 8 TDs on 39 total completions.  JR RB Michael Curry has just over 750 yards and 14 TDs on the season.  At WR, SR Sincere Smith (Great Name!) leads the team with 24 catches nearly 400 yards and 3 TDs.  Atherton doesn’t have a lot of defensive stats, but regarding interceptions SR DB TraVon Willis leads the team with an impressive 4 INTs including 1 Pick 6.

The Ravens hang their hat on defense as seen by a complete 21-0 win last Friday vs Butler.  Only 2 teams ALL SEASON have scored 14 or more on Atherton (KCD the first game of the year and their only loss 31-20 and vs Oldham Co – a game they won 34-24).

Owensboro Information

The Red Devils shocked most in the State earning a convincing 53-22 home win vs stout South Warren.  Most wrote off Owensboro after a very tough road district loss to Madisonville on October 20, but give Coach Fallon, staff and players credit for circling the wagons and playing perhaps their best football of the year right now.  Most Owensboro insiders know this is a young team with talent, but inexperienced talent.  Well, those who played Friday night are already way yonder better than they were starting the season.  When you play Christian Academy of Louisville, Bowling Green, Owensboro Catholic in your non-district schedule, you are testing yourself early and giving yourself time to work through adversity.  The Red Devils have done just that.  And here they are again knockin on the Regional Championship Door.

Owensboro had 305 rushing yards vs South Warren!  I still can’t get over that stat with star RB Evan Hampton with over 200 himself with 3 TDs on the night.  He’s a special player.  QB Trevor Delacey continues to improve going 8 for 12 for 139 yards and 1 TD, but WAY more importantly ZERO INTs.  HUGE!  This was important, but equally so was the much-maligned Red Devil defense that easily gave their best performance of the season against a tough South opponent holding South Warren to only 22 points; their lowest of the season by a full TD. HUGE!

For Owensboro, their biggest challenge to me is overlooking this Atherton squad.  The coaches won’t but the players?  We’ll see.

Game Information

This game will be played at Atherton High School Football Field.  It is a neat campus with the stadium at the bottom of the hill from the school.  Really neat walking down to it.  Have taken lacrosse teams here in the past.  It is a grass surface.

Going to be an entertaining game!  Who wins and why?

Great write up. Definitely enjoy your build up and diagnosis of the two teams!!

Atherton is a great story. I think that story comes to an end this Friday.
 

Owensboro 35

Atherton-14. 

Atherton gets more than 14 scored on them again this season when the Red Devils come to town. One thing that should be pointed out. The Red Devils have a rough time playing on grass surfaces. Not to use that as an excuse but to point out their performance typically is subpar when not playing on turf.(Graves, Madisonville)… Don’t know much about Atherton other than they play a very weak schedule, beating a lot of the lower echelon teams of Louisville. The only team they beat all season with a winning record was Fairdale. I doubt they have seen any team with the fire power the Devils have on offense.

 

Devils 35

Atherton 14

Devils overlook Atherton in a close first half and pull away in the 2nd half

Kinda sucks for Atherton that they’re not a passing team. Owensboro has been pretty solid against the run this year and more susceptible to the pass

Just a great inspiring Courier Journal Article about Atherton SR LB Hai Shee, who was a Thailand Immigrant and now a star football player, who only started playing organized football as a freshman in high school.

 

KHSAA football: Atherton senior Hai Shee leads Ravens to best season (courier-journal.com)

 

@Purple88great point about Owensboro scheduling- to which you have been saying for years.  O scrimmaged Mayfield, Boyle and Central Hardin.  They played BG, CAL and Ocath.  That’s what prepared them for SW.   Atherton has had a phenomenal season.  I think they will compete early, especially with a very defense in rebuild mode and missing starters.  Atherton has good athletes.  I think they will be somewhat in shock by the power if the Owensboro offense though.  I’ll roll 35-21 Owensboro.

Owensboro 42-0... likely 35-0 at the end of the first half.

Nothing against Atherton and you have to love to see some of the non-bluebloods of JCPS having real success but this is the 3rd round and this is where the cream begins to rise to the top. Owensboro is one of the schools in KY that when they are on and clicking, it's a real problem for just about any team they face. 

2 hours ago, Brown said:

@Purple88great point about Owensboro scheduling- to which you have been saying for years.  O scrimmaged Mayfield, Boyle and Central Hardin.  They played BG, CAL and Ocath.  That’s what prepared them for SW.   Atherton has had a phenomenal season.  I think they will compete early, especially with a very defense in rebuild mode and missing starters.  Atherton has good athletes.  I think they will be somewhat in shock by the power if the Owensboro offense though.  I’ll roll 35-21 Owensboro.

THIS!  ALL This!  Owensboro has been making good changes over time.  This IMO is one of the biggest ones.  They scheduled St X.  Did they win?  No, but they got better and late in the playoffs it matters.  Look at the teams still playing for the most part, they have challenging schedules.  

O should win this game, but there is just something that has me thinking it will be close for awhile.  And I will say Atherton has a punchers chance in this game.  Of course turnovers will be huge.  

Not knowing much about Atherton outside their record/schedule. I decided to go watch their most recent game against Butler. First thing I noticed is Atherton has some athletes on defense so running east to west might be challenging against this squad. I’m not sure they’ve seen an offensive line and running back combo like Hampton, Winstead this season either.  Butler didn’t really pass that much in that game so I’m not entirely sure how good Atherton's secondary is but the DB’s are speedy and get to the ball. On offense Atherton seemed to be mostly run like @Purple88 described. The RB(curry) is fast if he gets to the second level he’s gone. Containing him will/should be the Devils main focus. They do pass but its not nearly as efficient as what the Devils are use to seeing this season which to me plays right into the Devils hands as our run defense is the strength of our defense.. Atherton will have a hard time sustaining drives which means alot of Owensboro possessions which unfortunately for Atherton means alot of points for the Red Devils. IMO If this game isn’t a running clock at some point then the Devils did not come prepared and ready to play at all. This team reminds me of another Fairdale. Good record, good athletes but something’s missing. This shouldn’t be a contest. I change my prediction 

Owensboro 50

Atherton 14

Great win this past Friday vs. South Warren. This one shouldn't be a problem. Owensboro by a lot. 

 

Does Atherton have grass or turf?

14 minutes ago, TimeWillTell said:

Does Atherton have grass or turf?

Grass field. 

We don't play well on grass, but I think we will be fine.

 

Owensboro has typically done well against Louisville teams who aren't the big 3. I think that continues this week.