And then there were four teams left in 2A. This one is already being treated as the last perfunctory task Owensboro Catholic needs to complete to make it to the state championship tilt. However, the Briar Jumpers of Somerset aren’t going to just lay down and hand it to them. 

Brady Atwell spearheads the dynamic Ace offense that has put up incredible numbers this year in both yardage and scoring. 

Somerset is headlined by the fantastic trio of Bruner, Hughes and Cimala. Quarterback Josh Bruner also pitches in on defense where he has recorded an interception this year. Leading rusher Kris Hughes also is second on the team in receiving yards and has 2 interceptions on defense. Corban Cimala also has a pair of picks while leading in receiving yards on offense.

The Jumper defense also boasts Reynolds, Koger, Lawless, Bartley, Alsip and Gulock.

The Aces, beyond Atwell, have leading rusher Miles Edge, primary receivers Waryn Ebelhar and Dereon Crowe,  defensive powerhouse Vince Carrico, and interceptions leader Jude Cecil.

It will be hard for the Jumpers to keep pace in this one but crazier things have happened.

OC big again. 

Goodbye Jumpers.

So @Jumper_Dad, what does Somerset have to do to win  this or keep close?

Just now, Subway5024 said:

So @Jumper_Dad, what does Somerset have to do to win  this or keep close?

I am not @Jumper_Dad but no, not even close. 

If Somerset can play ball control, I think this game will be closer than most people think.

I'd love to see Somerset win as these playoffs in some classes have turned into a series of upsets.  However, I just don't see them matching up well with Catholic here and this will probably be Catholic by several scores.

24 minutes ago, Subway5024 said:

So @Jumper_Dad, what does Somerset have to do to win  this or keep close?

It's a steep hill to climb for sure. I'm never going to count my Jumpers out though, but again it's a steep hill to climb this week.

Someone brought up ball control. That’s the only way I see Somerset having a chance in this game. 
 

I just don’t see it though. Running clock before half. If Somerset keeps the ball then it will be in the 3rd qtr. 

OCath walking to the State Championship Somerset is a good team but it won't be enough to beat the Aces running clock in third quarter.

On 11/23/2024 at 2:45 PM, Cobraxx said:

if Somerset can play ball control, I think this game will be closer than most people think.

No, it will be just like last year. Even if Somerset succeeded at playing ball control, Owensboro Catholic will score enough in their limited time of possession to win easily. Somerset has done what was necessary to get to the state semifinals but this team isn't the quality of many of the past Jumper clubs.

1 hour ago, gchs_uk9 said:

No, it will be just like last year. Even if Somerset succeeded at playing ball control, Owensboro Catholic will score enough in their limited time of possession to win easily. Somerset has done what was necessary to get to the state semifinals but this team isn't the quality of many of the past Jumper clubs.

What is going on at Somerset? I do remember them beating Mayfield in state on the last play. 

17 minutes ago, TimeWillTell said:

What is going on at Somerset? I do remember them beating Mayfield in state on the last play. 

I don't think anything is going on.  They got a new coach last year and he is a very good coach.  I think they are just having rebuilding years like some schools go through.  Somerset will be fine IMO!

27 minutes ago, TimeWillTell said:

What is going on at Somerset? I do remember them beating Mayfield in state on the last play. 

They're a very good program with a very good coach. Honestly, my prediction of Somerset losing this week has much more to do with the quality of Owensboro Catholic than anything about Somerset.

Somerset has stacked Middle School classes (6th and 8th grade super strong) coming that will resemble more of the runs from the 2019 state title team.  They have benefited from the district and RPI regional format the past few seasons.  Sloppy game on Friday @ Prestonburg, so will definitely have to clean up hanging onto the football and not placing it on the turf.  There have been a multitude of upsets this postseason, so hopefully the Jumpers have the right mindset going into it.