2024 McCracken County Mustangs

[DevilMayCare]

2024 Schedule

Aug 9 vs. South Warren**
Aug 15 vs. Trigg County**
Aug 24 at Paducah Tilghman 
Aug 30 vs. Apollo
Sep 6 vs. Crittenden County 
Sep 13 vs. Mayfield 
Sep 20 at Caldwell County 
Sep 27 at Murray 
Oct 4 - BYE
Oct 11 vs. Henderson County*
Oct 18 at Christian County*
Oct 25 at Daviess County*
Nov 1 vs. Graves County 

**Scrimmage 

*District 

A porous defense led to a sub .500 regular season in 2023 before McCracken stunned district champion Henderson County in the playoffs. Coach Jonathan Smith stepped down to take an administrative position, opening the door for offensive coordinator Tyler Brooks to walk through. The first year head coach will be thrust into the fire with a loaded Tilghman club in Week 1. The good news? Maddox O'Neal is back behind center after a productive sophomore campaign, and he'll be throwing to his top two receivers from a season ago. Aside from the passing game, what else are we looking for from the Mustangs to help secure a successful season under a rookie coach?

[Joe Tracy]

6-7 wins possible, hopefully turning the corner.

[Purple88]

I'm interested in that Apollo game Week 2.  I look for McCracken to get blown out in Week 1.

How will they bounce back?  It will be interesting to see how.  

[theguru]

7 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

I'm interested in that Apollo game Week 2.  I look for McCracken to get blown out in Week 1.

How will they bounce back?  It will be interesting to see how.  

If last year is any indication Tilghman is going to put up some crazy point totals this year and McCracken will be the first victim. 

[GBR]

Just an observation, not a criticism. For the second year in a row they play every team in District 1 of class 2A. That has got to kill them in the RPI. 

[FB Head]

1 hour ago, GBR said:

Just an observation, not a criticism. For the second year in a row they play every team in District 1 of class 2A. That has got to kill them in the RPI. 

I think the Mustangs are still in the “rebuilding” phase for their program.  I believe they are looking for wins more than to compete in 6A, thus the “softer” schedule.   My understanding is that their young kids are solid.  Time will tell.  

[Joe Tracy]

Playing Paducah Tilghman 1st game of season is a tough way to start anyone's season, The crowd will be huge as usual then the PT faithful stay home unless it's Mayfield. 

[TimeWillTell]

On 7/27/2024 at 11:18 AM, Purple88 said:

I'm interested in that Apollo game Week 2.  I look for McCracken to get blown out in Week 1.

How will they bounce back?  It will be interesting to see how.  

I wouldn't say that Apollo game will be a "bounce back game". 

[EdgeRusher]

On 7/27/2024 at 9:19 PM, GBR said:

Just an observation, not a criticism. For the second year in a row they play every team in District 1 of class 2A. That has got to kill them in the RPI. 

All three of those 2A programs care good football teams, one being a state contender every year. Unless you are able to travel 3+ hours for a game, there isn’t much else to choose from. You do realize that they can’t change their schedule every year right? It’s a 2 year agreement at minimum, so even if they didn’t want to play the 2A schools they didn’t have a say so this year. But you are right, it hurts their RPI for sure. Not sure you worry about RPI when you are trying to rebuild a program back to legitimacy though.  Does no good to try and rebuild and go get your head bashed in every week, have to build some confidence too.  Their schedule has a good mix, with majority of schedule against programs with a history of success no matter the class. 
 

Opening the season with scrimmages against South Warren and Bullitt East this Thursday is a great start though. 

[snakesnot_2000]

27 minutes ago, EdgeRusher said:

All three of those 2A programs care good football teams, one being a state contender every year. Unless you are able to travel 3+ hours for a game, there isn’t much else to choose from. You do realize that they can’t change their schedule every year right? It’s a 2 year agreement at minimum, so even if they didn’t want to play the 2A schools they didn’t have a say so this year. But you are right, it hurts their RPI for sure. Not sure you worry about RPI when you are trying to rebuild a program back to legitimacy though.  Does no good to try and rebuild and go get your head bashed in every week, have to build some confidence too.  Their schedule has a good mix, with majority of schedule against programs with a history of success no matter the class. 
 

Opening the season with scrimmages against South Warren and Bullitt East this Thursday is a great start though. 

You are correct. 

[GBR]

You make some very valid points. Its why I dislike the RPI system. Playing those 2A teams is a negative for the Mustangs, but a positive for the smaller schools. And you are right, it makes scheduling more difficult.