One of the more interesting non-district matchups in the ever-more-formidable looking Class 4A takes place Friday night at the newly-remodeled Putnam Stadium in Ashland, as the Tigers make the 3 1/2 hour trek across the state to battle the Tomcats.

After falling in Week 1 to Cooper, the #10 Tigers (2-1) have worked out some kinks in convincing victories over Taylor County and 55-6 last night over Thomas Nelson. Senior QB/RB Amonti Marshall scored 4 TD’s in three different ways, reaching pay dirt twice on runs, once on an interception return, and once on a nifty strip-fumble return. Bardstown has started to develop a multi-pronged offensive approach, utilizing sophomore QB Carson Riley for longer throws to Senior wideout Riley Hatfield to complement short burst running by Marshall, Senior Kenyin Calhoun, and juniors Devin Newsome, Jayven Montgomery, and Sevyn Hamilton. The Tiger defense, led by Senior Caden Farrell, has been fairly stout vs. the run, but it remains unclear whether they can perform against good passing teams . . .

. . . which the #6 Tomcats (2-1) definitely have. Paced by Senior QB LaBryant Strader (who this author would suggest does not get nearly as much deserved BGP love as, say, Cooper’s Cam O’Hara), Ashland brings several 3-year starters to the table, an outstanding, well-coached, fundamentally sound defense, and a cadre of running backs led by Braxton Jennings, Cameron Davis, and Marcus Ashby to complement Strader’s pass attack. After cruising to victories over Raceland and West Jessamine, the Tomcats fell 26-10 last night to highly formidable Harvest Prep of Winchester, Ohio.

That game may provide some scouting for the Tigers, who will need it, as they seek revenge for last season’s 45-24 dismantling by Ashland in the Bourbon City in a game where Strader’s regular season was ended by a broken ankle.

Can the Bourbon City Bengals rise above travel lag and pull the upset at Putnam, or will the Tomcats have the bigger claws in this big cat competition?

It will be interesting! Prior to my post, I first off want to say Bardstown has a top notch, class program all the way around. My first experience with Bardstown came in 2021, calling a basketball game where I had the opportunity to meet Coach Brewer beforehand. He was first class, a great representative for the organization just like Coach Grundy is for the football team.

Amonti Marshall is such an impressive athlete and was a huge part of Bardstown's playoff run last season, a run where if just a couple of plays changed the team would have had the opportunity to see the state semifinal. Bardstown is only a couple of years removed from a state finals appearance when they were in 3A and will be a tough out.

Ashland showed some flashes against Harvest Prep, but I anticipate we will see some retooling with the offensive line and some of the schemes. In all three games, even the big win against West Jessamine, Ashland has struggled moving the ball up the middle. Defensively, they have struggled up front. A similar scenario happened two seasons ago and I anticipate that just like then, Coach Tackett will find a way to strategize and gather some momentum on that end. Athletically, Ashland is talented and if they can get their athletes some room then I like their chances in most games.

Bump.

I thought there might be a bit more chatter about this game.

Some Bardstownians are staying the night in Ashland after the game.  Anything going on up there to do on Saturday?

Archbishop Moeller is playing Mallard Creek at 1:00 right across the river at Ironton high school .Also Ironton is playing St. Francis New York at 7:00 . Both games are at Tank Memorial field. Its an excellent venue for high school football .

Any video of this game?

Yes I’m pretty sure both games will be broadcast on Hometown Tv . 

2 minutes ago, whootmon said:

Yes I’m pretty sure both games will be broadcast on Hometown Tv . 

There is this link but that may not give you the actual broadcast:

https://www.mytowntv.com/ashland-blazer-high-school.html

I’m sorry it’s Mt town tv . 

 

I'll take the Tomcats at home behind big nights from Strader and Jennings. Jennings is an all-purpose back that's a challenge to defend for four quarters. He lines up all over the place.

Strader hit Cam Davis in stride along the sideline for 6. Beautiful pitch and catch. 

7-0 Ashland 

Jennings broke a tackle and sprinted to paydirt from 22 yards out for another Ashland TD. XP is missed.

13-0 Tomcats 

2:30 1Q

Halftime

Ashland 21

Bardstown 0

Near the end of the half, Strader avoided a little pressure and found Sam Lyons for 6. Two point conversion was good.

Ashland scoops and scores off a bad Bardstown snap on the Tigers' opening possession of the 3Q. 

A bad night gets worse for the visitors after B-town's quarterback is flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone. Safety for the Tomcats.

30-0 Tomcats 

8:13 3Q