Apollo travels to Graves County looking to bounce back after the loss to Owensboro and regain momentum late in the season. Graves County lost a home game to Madisonville and will look to bounce back as well. Graves will test the Eagles physically, but Apollo's WRs are very athletic and Ross Milburn is a tough runner.

Apollo travels to Graves County looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Owensboro and regain some momentum headed into more of their district matchups. Graves County is coming off a 32-28 home loss to Madisonville-North Hopkins, so both teams enter this one needing a response.

Graves is exactly what you expect them to be: physical, tough in the box, and willing to make you earn everything.

I also would not let the Owensboro loss define Apollo. Defensively, the Eagles did some good things against the run and forced Owensboro to find other ways to move the football. There are pieces there to build from, but they need to mentally move on from that matchup and figure out how they can come 2nd in a very tough district.

Offensively, this matchup comes down to one word: TIME.

Apollo has athletes on the perimeter, Ross Milburn is a physical runner, and Max Johnson has enough weapons around him to stress Graves' secondary. But none of that matters if the quarterback is constantly under pressure. This needs to be a statement game for Apollo's offensive line. Protect Max, stay ahead of the chains, and give those receivers enough time to win downfield.

Graves will try to make this a physical football game. Apollo needs to answer that physicality while using its speed and athleticism to create mismatches.

The road trip is the one thing that concerns me. Apollo has to handle the travel, come out with energy, and avoid a slow start. If the Eagles settle in early and Max has time in the pocket, I think Apollo can create a lot of problems for Graves defensively.

Key to the game: Apollo's offensive line. If they control the front and give Max Johnson a clean pocket, the Eagles should have chances to make explosive plays.

Apollo will be able to throw in this one. Graves doesn't have the pass rush Owensboro has. Apollo is pretty balanced offensively with a tough rushing attack. They will be extremely tough for Graves to slow down.

Graves might be able to score a few on Apollo but I doubt they'll be able to keep pace. Apollo wins this by a few scores.

Eagles 42

Eagles 21