? Woodford County (12-1, 5A #1)
vs.
? Owensboro (11-2, 5A #2)

? The Clash At Rash; #1 vs. #2 Meet For A Shot At State

As semifinals go, you can't do any better than the top two ranked teams in the class. 

Both offenses are firing on all cylinders. Owensboro is averaging 50 points per game during its current eleven game win streak, which is still not good enough to lead 5A. That distinction belongs to Wofo, who's topped forty points nine times this season and averages 44 a night overall.

Foxx Coons has emerged from the ether to lead Woodford. The junior laden Jackets boast a 3,000 yard passer, a thousand yard rusher, and four receivers with at least 600 yards, a “pick your poison" predicament for the opposition.

Owensboro counters with the power trio of Mr. Football candidate and Vanderbilt commit Evan Hampton, the live arm of DaMarcus Ganaway, and fleet feet of Kingston Dillard. They've run amok after shaking off O's horrific start. Top it off with one of the state's best pass rushes. Foxx Coons may have to live up to his namesake to get away from the Devils’ clutches.

This would be a modern program defining win for Wofo, who hasn't been to the state finals since 1978. They've held the #1 ranking for ten straight weeks, but Owensboro has drawn uncomfortably close.

I think the rumblings of Rash will be too much for the Yellow Jackets to overcome. Very few teams come into Rash in November and leave victorious. So, I'm going with the Red Devils to go shopping at Kroger.

 

What stands out for me in this one is the trenches. For me that is advantage Owensboro. Their Defensive front is really good and they don't wow you with stunts and twists up front they just beat you. Woodford has some really nice size up front on the Offensive side of the ball but to me 3 out of the five are a bit slow and a good D line is going to tee off. Woodfords QB isn't as accurate when he is pressured and off his mark and they have struggled against good running teams that keep the ball out of your hands and eat clock. This is a harder game than most to pick but I'm taking Owensboro here.

54 minutes ago, CoachStew said:

What stands out for me in this one is the trenches. For me that is advantage Owensboro. Their Defensive front is really good and they don't wow you with stunts and twists up front they just beat you. Woodford has some really nice size up front on the Offensive side of the ball but to me 3 out of the five are a bit slow and a good D line is going to tee off. Woodfords QB isn't as accurate when he is pressured and off his mark and they have struggled against good running teams that keep the ball out of your hands and eat clock. This is a harder game than most to pick but I'm taking Owensboro here.

Been watching Woodford tape this am and that’s how I feel. I believe O will have the best front 7 Wofo has seen. Wofo’s QB gets the ball out fast but he doesn’t seem very elusive or fast under pressure and that could mean trouble for the yellow jackets… On offense I wouldn’t say O is an eat the clock up type of team that’s because they usually score pretty fast.

Recent games will have you thinking this will be a high scoring shoot out but I think Wofo will be the team eating up clock in this one with short runs quick outs and slants keeping this Devils defense on the field but not sure they cash in on many drives. 
 
Give me the Devils 28-21

Current Poll Distribution

#2 ? - 17 votes 

#1 ? - 8 votes 

Interesting.... ? 

Woodford wins 21-14.

6 minutes ago, Hungover_in_Andover said:

Woodford wins 21-14.

I just have a hard time seeing Woodford holding that devil offense to 14. They haven't scored under 40 since the OCath game in September. 

6 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

 

1 hour ago, 83wildcatFB said:

I just have a hard time seeing Woodford holding that devil offense to 14. They haven't scored under 40 since the OCath game in September. 

Woodford has only one game with less than 30 points, and that was a shutout win. Both high scoring offenses. But you know how things slow down in the semi-finals. More rushing, more letting the clock run/time of possession.

1 hour ago, 83wildcatFB said:

I just have a hard time seeing Woodford holding that devil offense to 14. They haven't scored under 40 since the OCath game in September. 

This and I’m not sure Wofo’s defense is better than O’Caths or Greenwood’s. Collins score 24 or more in both games. I don’t see Collin’s offense being on the same level as the Red Devils… Something I haven’t seen mentioned yet is turnovers. That will play a big factor. 

1 hour ago, DevilMayCare said:

Current Poll Distribution

#2 ? - 17 votes 

#1 ? - 8 votes 

Interesting.... ? 

When you come to Rash and see the atmosphere we have built this year you’ll know why…

32 minutes ago, Hungover_in_Andover said:

Woodford has only one game with less than 30 points, and that was a shutout win. Both high scoring offenses. But you know how things slow down in the semi-finals. More rushing, more letting the clock run/time of possession.

Owensboros defense might be on par with Ballard with Pollum in the line up.

1 hour ago, Devils Fan said:

Owensboros defense might be on par with Ballard with Pollum in the line up.

Pullom, Clark and James off the edges……great speed and athleticism going to be coming at Wofo’s QB in a hurry.   Pullom was all Evansville -Metro last year and you can see why - he was so hungry to play.  That to me motivated the entire defense.  That said - WOFO is a great team, great line, back, QB.  Great offense.  I think O has the better defense, but WOFO should test that.  They remind of of a more athletic version of OCath (and that’s a big compliment)… big line, tough back, good QB.  Big Dennis Johnson fan - game will not be easy for either.  Glad it’s at RASH!  Secondary will be tested, but our LB crew is phenomenal.  I expect a great game and could go either way.   I’ll take Devils 35-28.

This is a very interesting matchup!  Both very good teams.

But I said in a prior thread that if my Purples fell that I would pull for the Red Devils and I'm coming out here to keep my word.

I would start the game with Hampton as a decoy and get it to Dillard as much as possible with Ganaway willing to run if needed.  But come back to Hampton after the game gets going.

I went to the Woodford vs South Oldham game and Woodford clobbered them.  If Owensboro can limit the run game of Woodford and make their offense predictable. I like the ghosts of Rash Stadium to rise up with a Red Devil win 28-24.

Good luck to both teams!