This was an unbelievable game both positively and negatively. The difference was in the preparation of this game. Hats off top Coach Hines and the Maroons!! The PC boys knew where the weaknesses of the Somerset defense were. They attacked the corners and secondary by going wide all night long. Chris Muse had a career night going wide, making one or two quick moves then it was off to the races. The Somerset defense looked OK up the middle but when you play a 3-4 scheme you better have aggressive outside play from the corners, linebackers and your safety has to be a stopper. None of that happened. Hines had a monster night as well going wide, but Muse made that happen with his decision making on pitches.

 

PC's defense did a great job on Cole but Somerset's QB tried to hard to get him the ball. They had other weapons and used them to put up 50 points. The final was 62-50.

Does anyone know how many all-purpose yards Hines had?

I think Johnny Hines will be pleased with his team's determination and aggressiveness. It was obvious who wanted the game more. Both teams showed some things that their coaches can build on but plenty more to work on.

Positives for Pulaski

Pulaski has several players with good speed; Winston Hines, Chris Muse, and Ronnie Claiborne are probably around 4.5 with Brian Barnett, Alex Abner, and R.C. White not far behind. Hines is a strong runner for his size and is a hard hitter offensively and defensively. Muse is elusive especially when he hits open field. Muse has good strength and accuracy in his arm for a sophomore and is loaded with potential as he gains experience.

Positives for Somerset

John Cole is the real deal. Even though he had problems tonight and I don't believe he came back out after the lightning delay, he showed that he has good speed and runs really crisp patterns for a high school player. He has good hands and a real knack for getting to the ball. Several times last night, he was thrown the ball when he was decently covered and he just outmanned the defender for the ball.

Hughes was able to run over Pulaski with brute strength. He appears to have only average speed but is not going to be brought down very quickly unless you stay low.

Pulaski negatives

Strength. Somerset was able to get a lot of time unless Pulaski blitzed. Also they had trouble standing up Somerset's big backs until they were already in the secondary.

Run defense. Maybe part of this was because of their awareness of Cole, but the linebackers must fill the gaps. Also their recognition of blocking schemes on running plays seemed nonexistant.

Somerset weaknesses.

There were not many bright spots in their defense as might be expected when you give up 62 points. Also Somerset seemed slow. Pulaski beat them to the corner numerous times.

Somerset had trouble containing anything other than a standard 4-man rush. They did burn Pulaski several times with screens and draws, especially in the second half.

Another thing that cannot be overlooked in all of the games played in the area last night is the effect of the heat. It seemed that play was stopped after every play in the second half because of cramps. It is extremely hard for a player who is in class all day to be adequately hydrated to withstand the extreme temperature they faced last night.

Hopefully both of these teams will continue to improve throughout the year and provide their fans with many memorable moments. Best of luck to all of the teams that participated in the Ray Correll Bowl.

Congratulations PC. At least now maybe we can be spared the arrogance and gloating from the purple and gold at least for the rest of this season. As a poster on one thread stated that they predict Somerset would still go 7-3 and Pulaski 3-7, Schedule? Schedule? Schedule?

Its odd Somerset has a lot of the teams PC played last year on there schedule now and I wonder who will win those... HMMM.....

Congratulations PC. At least now maybe we can be spared the arrogance and gloating from the purple and gold at least for the rest of this season. As a poster on one thread stated that they predict Somerset would still go 7-3 and Pulaski 3-7, Schedule? Schedule? Schedule?

I couldn't keep track of how many touchdowns Muse had, but he was impressive. Their whole line did a good job blocking for him. Looks like a good season for the Maroons.

Muse finished with 6 rushing TDs & 1 Passing, 7 total for the Maroons. Hines was the best player on the field last night, playing fantastic offense, defense, & special teams (He set the tone w/ the hit on Cole on the 1st drive of the game). Somerset just wasn't ready for what they saw in PC's team speed & game plan. Somerset seemed to be out of gas by midway thru the 3rd Qtr, but just would not go away. It looked like PC was in better condition as the game wore on, as it was a M.A.S.H. unit on SHS sideline late 3rd on. Has to be one of the alltime fun games to watch. Not pretty, but fun to watch. Congrats to PC.

PC has a thing for high scoring fun games. ie PC vs Waggner in the playoffs a few years ago.

I am a Rock fan, but I was there till 2:30 this morning and PCHS deserved to win this game. The cramping situation may just comr=e down to pure toughness. SHS had 12-14 players laying on the field after each possession offensively to PCHS'S 0. It was hot and humid for everone. Did SHS not have the proper conditionind or hydration? Point your finger at whatever you want Rock and PCHS came to play the other teams did not. Everyone and their brother knew that it was going to be ridiculously hot and only the 2 winners seemed prepared.

FYI: Who cares how many points were given up as long as your team has the most!!!

I am a Rock fan, but I was there till 2:30 this morning and PCHS deserved to win this game. The cramping situation may just comr=e down to pure toughness. SHS had 12-14 players laying on the field after each possession offensively to PCHS'S 0. It was hot and humid for everone. Did SHS not have the proper conditionind or hydration? Point your finger at whatever you want Rock and PCHS came to play the other teams did not. Everyone and their brother knew that it was going to be ridiculously hot and only the 2 winners seemed prepared.

...I beg your pardon sir, the Warriors did come to play and were 21-21 when we lost our srarting QB with a concussion. We lost the wind in our sail at that point both offensively and defensively. TT is a leader on the SWHS team. To say we did not come to play is flat wrong...

Took the words out of my mouth Keemo...

How do you think John Coomer played last night?

Welcome aboard Stumpjumper make sure you make it into the new member forum and take a look at all the rules and stuff. What position does he play?

If the secondary and the contain guys on special teams come to play for Somerset, this game is a blowout IMO. The linebacker/d-line play for Somerset was good enough to prevent the big play (still, giving up 5-8 yards/carry isn't good) but the corners on the outside are a BIG question mark. I had a great seat on the Jumper side last night. The corners simply let ball carriers run by them with no attempts at a tackle and the safeties were getting abused over the top. When the corners finally got in positions to make plays, mostly luckily, they got ran over. Pulaski County really surprised me and has a lot of talent. They really wanted this one and they took it. You would think that the safeties for Somerset would realize that if nothing else to start bailing out immediately if they're getting beat over the top on every pass play. I just don't understand.

 

Offensively, I think this Somerset team has the potential to be one of the most balanced teams in recent years. Even more so than Deaton, Newell, Norman, Salmons, Cole, Hinton and Co. Chase, you have good receivers--utilize them. When Somerset brought the region home in 2005, teams were very well aware of who John Cole was. I know Chase is shaking off some rust after sitting out a year, but you can't make 80% of your passes in attempt to hit Cole over the top. Every team in this state, Somerset opponent or not, knows who that kid is. When the ball was spread to Hughes and Coomer, they were able to make big plays. Coomer scored unmolested on his TD catch. Running the ball, Hughes is a bruiser and Shoemaker will be good when he too shakes off the rust from sitting out two years. I hope this team can reach their potential. They scored 50 points on a poor defensive effort. If they mold as a unit, they can hang 50 on almost anyone. Also, some conditioning needs to be implemented into the practice schedule. This is one of the worst conditioned football teams I've seen in some time on Clark Field. I've been to their practices and I knew it would be a huge factor in the game. It was.

 

One more side note: I have heard from multiple sources, students and parents, that the the QB has some animosity towards "the" WR for who gets the most "credit", much like he did towards "the QB" in 2005 and 2006. I hope you guys are better than that. It's high school football, have some dang fun. This team SHOULD be good at the end of the year.

 

Good win for Pulaski...LOADS of talent on the team. I knew Hines and Muse lacked just one year before they'd be good players. I've watched Winston on the court and on the field for awhile and he's really come into his own. Good luck Maroons on the rest of your season. Both teams have got a long way to go, particularly my Jumpers. I'd hate to be at a football practice anywhere in Pulaski County on Monday.