Two teams with the Tiger mascot that earned hard-fought victories over rivals in Week 1 square off Saturday at 7 p.m. in Bardstown’s home opener.

Bardstown, sorting through the puzzle pieces after graduating 17 seniors, came from behind Friday night on the road to beat Elizabethtown 39-36. Behind a 150+ yard rushing effort from senior tailback Sevyn Hamilton, the Tigers, down 28-20 at halftime, scored two TD’s in 11 seconds in the 3rd, including a 26 yd. TD pass from junior QB Carson Riley to sophomore wideout Chi Poynter, followed by a strip-and-score TD on the ensuing kickoff by Xavier Thompson. Thompson is part of a much-heralded freshmen class that will be called upon to fill roles this year for a reloading Bardstown team in Class 3A.

The Class 6A Tigers, perhaps looking for some puzzle pieces themselves, prevailed in a defensive struggle 15-0 over Seneca, getting a defensive TD on a short fumble return. Fern Creek, who threw for over 2500 yards last year, graduated one QB and lost another in a transfer to rival Male, and start their own transfer, Javis Wallace from Moore, as the signal caller. Coach Josh Abell boasts an 85-man roster, however, which will be needed while the Tigers go on the road for the first half of the season while their home field is remodeled.

Who wins in this battle of the Tigers at Garnis Martin Field next Saturday?

I'll go with Bardstown. FC only scoring one TD against Seneca tells me Bardstown probably better.

I was wrong. The Fern Creek QB Friday night was returning senior Landon Breedlove. The Tigers got 124 yards rushing and a TD from senior James White. The Fern Creek defense held Seneca to -57 yards rushing, recorded 8 sacks and forced 3 Seneca fumbles, led by senior Cage Fannin who had 10 tackles and the scoop-and-score TD.

I wonder if Seneca is that bad on offense or if Fern Creek is that good? Will find that out some on Thursday night when Seneca plays JH. I think this one will likely be a good one but I got Bardstown. They have some young studs on that roster! 

Give me creek 21-14

I like Fern Creek in a close one.  

Bardstown ran for 329 yards against E-Town, 171 of those and 2 TD’s by Hamilton on 18 carries. Carson Riley was just 8-20 passing, but hit 2 TD’s and showed nice decision-making running for 61 yards and a score himself.

My guess is that Fern Creek stacks the box and brings the house and makes Riley complete some passes. Look for Bardstown’s Swiss Army Knife, Tylan Spalding, to potentially have a big night.

Bump.