The first 3 quarters were run as game situation with starters. Mason outscores Ashland 26 to 14.

1st Q - Mason-13, Ashland-0

2nd Q - Mason-6, Ashland-14

3rd Q - Mason-7, Ashland-0

 

Mason County also had about a 30 yard TD run called back in 3rd Q for holding penalty.

 

Let's here some comments on scrimmage or what each team needs to improve on before their openers?????:thumb:

2nd quarter score was Ashland 13, Mason County 7 as one of the Tomcats' PATs was unsuccessful. I thought that the "game format" went into the 4th quarter with Ashland scoring on the first possession, then going to the "10-play format" but I may be mistaken. Even so, I was mildly and pleasantly surprised by the Royals' showing after looking lackluster on offense the previous week against Montgomery County.

 

I was very impressed with Mason County's 1st unit when playing Ashland's 1st unit. They seemed much improved from the previous week against Montgomery County, but I think part of that comes from the "real game format" as opposed to the "10 play format".

 

Positives: Richie Cox finding the tight end and RBs underneath on pass plays, Daniel Reed being able to work free (the Royals desperately need a deep threat), hard running by Thompson, Pollitt, etc.; Cox's patience at QB (he hung onto the ball until the last minute and found receivers on a couple of occasions when last year he probably would have run the ball); the freshman squad looks really good (and I hear that they are even better on the hardwood), especially at the skill positions. The pass to Woods on the fake punt worked to perfection. The onside kick to start the first half also was successful, even though the Royals were clearly offsides. Negatives: playing a little flat after scoring the first two TDs; two missed PATs, depth of kickoffs, defense against misdirection plays, need more pressure on the QB.

 

Not knowing much about Ashland's team, I would still venture to say that this may be a bit of a rebuilding year for them. They have a nice RB (Carter?), an athletic QB, good size. Perhaps the following are areas of concern: overall team speed, lack of a consistent passing game, and kicking game protection.

 

Lots of Raceland folks in attendance to scout the game but I'm guessing mum's the word.

2nd quarter score was Ashland 13, Mason County 7 as one of the Tomcats' PATs was unsuccessful. I thought that the "game format" went into the 4th quarter with Ashland scoring on the first possession, then going to the "10-play format" but I may be mistaken. Even so, I was mildly and pleasantly surprised by the Royals' showing after looking lackluster on offense the previous week against Montgomery County.

 

I was very impressed with Mason County's 1st unit when playing Ashland's 1st unit. They seemed much improved from the previous week against Montgomery County, but I think part of that comes from the "real game format" as opposed to the "10 play format".

 

Positives: Richie Cox finding the tight end and RBs underneath on pass plays, Daniel Reed being able to work free (the Royals desperately need a deep threat), hard running by Thompson, Pollitt, etc.; Cox's patience at QB (he hung onto the ball until the last minute and found receivers on a couple of occasions when last year he probably would have run the ball); the freshman squad looks really good (and I hear that they are even better on the hardwood), especially at the skill positions. The pass to Woods on the fake punt worked to perfection. The onside kick to start the first half also was successful, even though the Royals were clearly offsides. Negatives: playing a little flat after scoring the first two TDs; two missed PATs, depth of kickoffs, defense against misdirection plays, need more pressure on the QB.

 

Not knowing much about Ashland's team, I would still venture to say that this may be a bit of a rebuilding year for them. They have a nice RB (Carter?), an athletic QB, good size. Perhaps the following are areas of concern: overall team speed, lack of a consistent passing game, and kicking game protection.

 

Lots of Raceland folks in attendance to scout the game but I'm guessing mum's the word.

 

Scout? We don't scout. What are you talking about?

2nd quarter score was Ashland 13, Mason County 7 as one of the Tomcats' PATs was unsuccessful. I thought that the "game format" went into the 4th quarter with Ashland scoring on the first possession, then going to the "10-play format" but I may be mistaken. Even so, I was mildly and pleasantly surprised by the Royals' showing after looking lackluster on offense the previous week against Montgomery County.

 

I was very impressed with Mason County's 1st unit when playing Ashland's 1st unit. They seemed much improved from the previous week against Montgomery County, but I think part of that comes from the "real game format" as opposed to the "10 play format".

 

Positives: Richie Cox finding the tight end and RBs underneath on pass plays, Daniel Reed being able to work free (the Royals desperately need a deep threat), hard running by Thompson, Pollitt, etc.; Cox's patience at QB (he hung onto the ball until the last minute and found receivers on a couple of occasions when last year he probably would have run the ball); the freshman squad looks really good (and I hear that they are even better on the hardwood), especially at the skill positions. The pass to Woods on the fake punt worked to perfection. The onside kick to start the first half also was successful, even though the Royals were clearly offsides. Negatives: playing a little flat after scoring the first two TDs; two missed PATs, depth of kickoffs, defense against misdirection plays, need more pressure on the QB.

 

Not knowing much about Ashland's team, I would still venture to say that this may be a bit of a rebuilding year for them. They have a nice RB (Carter?), an athletic QB, good size. Perhaps the following are areas of concern: overall team speed, lack of a consistent passing game, and kicking game protection.

 

Lots of Raceland folks in attendance to scout the game but I'm guessing mum's the word.

 

I agree with the part about playing flat. Last year that seemed to be one of the factors that hurt this team. We would come out firing on all cylinders then coast. EX: Last year we led Ashland 13 - 6 at halftime and came out of halftime like we needed a coffin. There were times that I thought our play selection became a little more conservative last year. If you have a corvette you need to open it wide open and let it run.(Not that last year's O was a corvette) But you understand what I am saying. I was glad to see that after halftime we came out on all cylinders and dominated. That shows me that we have some leadership, character, and it feels like this year Mason plays together like a TEAM. Thanks for the score fix!!!:thumb:

Mason looked REALLY good at times last night. Going to have to take care of the mental mistakes tho. The botched exchange between Cox and one of the backs last night hurt. (Not assigning blame to either player there), the holding penalty that called the TD back and others. Still not sure on that chop block on defense. It was an infraction but Ashland got the penalty plus the result of the play. :creepy: Maybe one of our more knowlegeable rules folks can explain that one to me. Not griping because if the Royals learned from the mistake then it is all good. There is still a lot to work on if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs.

 

Ashland is a skill player away from being dangerous. I was impressed by Carter at RB. He makes people miss and has nice speed. Thomas will be a monster at QB but needs to establish the passing game. McDavid is a pure athlete that is going to cause problems for other teams.

 

The Tomcats line play is going to be a strength on both sides of the ball.

Plus Coach Hart will have them ready.

I was really impressed with Carter at running back, and really the whole Ashland backfield was better than I expected it to be. However, Thomas really needs to get comfortable being in the pocket, then he will be a dangerous passing threat because he has a good arm.

 

The o-line really needs some work. I saw several missed assignments, they got better as the game went on but you just can't have that "warm-up" time against some of the good teams that they'll face this year.

 

The defense kind of disappointed me... They just looked slow. There's really no other word for it... imo. Coach Love has done a good job of getting them ready to play but they just need to play on instinct and not think so much, because all that time spent thinking really slows you down... if they can speed it up then they will be hard to get through.

Sorry I haven’t posted sooner – busy weekend.

 

I thought Mason Co. looked good – especially their passing game. Congratulations!

 

Ashland looked green (inexperienced), because that’s what they are. They will get better, but may take a few on the chin early. The Tomcat pass defense needs work, IMO.

 

I saw a lot of Raceland orange in the stands; I guess we’ll see them again this Friday. :thumb: