Paducah Tilghman 2-0 / Mayfield 2-0

The 2nd oldest rivalry in the state of Kentucky is back for game number 113. Mayfield leads the all-time series 53-49-10. Tilghman has won the last 3 in a row after breaking that forever long 17 game winning streak (2006-2022) the Cardinals piled up on PT. I know it's always brought up about a small discrepancy in some of these overall series wins, but this is the one I've used all my life, so I've just stuck with it for the sake of consistency.

Tilghman through 2 weeks is averaging 53 ppg while allowing an even 21 on defense. Mayfield is averaging 40 ppg while giving up 23.5 ppg on defense. Mayfield and Tilghman have the one common opponent in Graves County. Mayfield beat them 31-15, Tilghman beat them 42-6.

 I will add the PT stats as they are available for comparative purposes as they both played Graves back to back weeks and that's the best you can go off of this early in the year. 

This is the game to be at if you are contemplating where to go next Friday night. Can Tilghman go to Mayfield and get another win on their home turf? That's been a tall task for anyone throughout the history of that program. Mayfield is as good as there is at defending home field. One thing you've seen from the Cardinals over the years is they punish you for mistakes. Graves had a couple turnovers in the 2nd qtr. of that first game last week and Mayfield made them pay by scoring off both of them. They'll look to win that battle against Tilghman.

What are your keys to each team winning this coveted rivalry game? Tilghman's wide receivers against the Mayfield secondary seem obvious, but that's a big matchup. Graves was able to create some separation there in that game but weren't able to capitalize on hardly anything through the air. I'm sure PT will test them early and often. PT's secondary had their work cut out for them against McCracken and struggled, especially in that first half. I'd look for Mayfield to test them too. Mayfield has a strong running game; PT has a pretty stout run defense for the most part. Another big matchup there with the studs Mayfield has running the ball. Those guys are really good.

This is always a week full of events, pep rallies and odd quirks brought about over the years for both schools, the bike rides back and forth between Paducah and Mayfield have always been a big talking point. Really cool stuff! There have been some really neat things happen between these schools leading up to the game over the years.

This is always an active post, and I look forward to talking not only about this game, but all the memories always brought up about this amazing rivalry.

For what it's worth, I will be landing in Denver shortly before this game kicks off. By the time I get off the plane and get the rental car, I'll be cutting it close on getting the stream pulled up. I'll certainly do my best. As we all know, just because you're taking some time away, this is on the exceptions list that you aren't allowed to miss, so this just overrides plans you had made previously. I know we all understand that, that's what makes this all so fun. Just a part of it. Hate to miss in person, but whether it's a video stream, radio broadcast, calling a family member or friend for play-by-play, we just have to get it done when it's our turn. I know most of us have been there at some point.

Both of these teams I feel like are being looked at as being slightly down a little more than recent years (Mayfield ranked 4th in 2A and PT 6th in 4A in this weeks BGP rankings) in their respective class, but at the end of the year, both will likely still be causing some trouble for someone, and like I've said many times, you'd be surprised how many PT fans cheer Mayfield on and vice versa after this game. I've seen it many times. Good luck to you both!

Great write up, my friend, as usual. Go Big Red! 😁

I was a freshman at Mayfield, and I was one of the guys who helped run the football from Paducah to Mayfield (26 miles), and we met the bicycle riders on a straight stretch of road on old 45. They made a huge circle in the road blocking both lanes, and we threw the football around to each other for awhile while shouting beat Tilghman. It seems quite foolish today, but as a young kid caught up in the rivalry, it was a blast! Yes, we beat the big blue that year, GBR!

1 hour ago, GBR said:

I was a freshman at Mayfield, and I was one of the guys who helped run the football from Paducah to Mayfield (26 miles), and we met the bicycle riders on a straight stretch of road on old 45. They made a huge circle in the road blocking both lanes, and we threw the football around to each other for awhile while shouting beat Tilghman. It seems quite foolish today, but as a young kid caught up in the rivalry, it was a blast! Yes, we beat the big blue that year, GBR!

That is awesome! Heck, let's go recreate this! These are the types of things I love hearing about.

Another thing to consider this week is it looks like we may be in the middle of high 90's temperatures for roughly a week and a half or so. I know they all played their last scrimmages in the heat, but it definitely takes it toll on you day after day.

I watched the play where PT's O Lineman got ejected in the 2nd quarter of the Graves game. It was a screen, and I think he was trying to push the DL through the line by hitting him on his back/shoulder. His hands were too high and he ended up hitting him hard in the back of the helmet.

What is the rule on an ejection in the 1st half? Will he have to sit out the Mayfield game too?

8 minutes ago, PTown Dad said:

I watched the play where PT's O Lineman got ejected in the 2nd quarter of the Graves game. It was a screen, and I think he was trying to push the DL through the line by hitting him on his back/shoulder. His hands were too high and he ended up hitting him hard in the back of the helmet.

What is the rule on an ejection in the 1st half? Will he have to sit out the Mayfield game too?

Yes. Ejected the rest of that game and the next game.

Big loss for PT - this is their left tackle and he's huge. Will really hurt them in pass protection.

What was the first unsportsmanlike penalty for against him?

I believe it was a straight ejection. I don't know the rules - it wasn't like he was fighting and threw a punch. But if you look at the YouTube- he definitely hit the guy in the head pretty hard. I believe it was accidental - I don't think he intended to strike the helmet.

I believe it is a little less than 2 hours into the YouTube. At around 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. 5:56 to be exact

Over a century's worth of history and they're separated by 0.1 points per game.

2 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Over a century's worth of history and they're separated by 0.1 points per game.

Reminds you of the North Carolina/Duke basketball rivalry. Every season as they post the historical stats, it's just like what you posted. Nearly identical in basically everything.

As a newbie to the Western Kentucky area, I am excited to go to my first Kentucky Rivalry game. I do not have enough history or understanding of the rivalry or recent games, but I come from Long Island and played high school football there. Plenty of longtime rivalries as well. I will look to share updates from the game.

26 minutes ago, EmptyTigersMedia said:

As a newbie to the Western Kentucky area, I am excited to go to my first Kentucky Rivalry game. I do not have enough history or understanding of the rivalry or recent games, but I come from Long Island and played high school football there. Plenty of longtime rivalries as well. I will look to share updates from the game.

You picked a great game to attend @EmptyTigersMedia!