As per WLEX.

Probably closer than expected as Central found ways to hang tough tonight despite a plethora of offensive troubles. Henry Clay rolled up the yardage all night long, but often found trouble at the goal line as they turned it over on downs two or three times and also threw an interception to go along with one or two fumbles. Sloppy start by both teams that saw the above mentioned problems for Henry Clay and Central just didn't move the ball at all for a while. Central jumped on the board first midway through the second with a 96 yard bomb to Albert Thompson who outran the defense and the score was 6-0. That appeared to wake up the Devils as they promptly scored in 3-4 plays highlighted by a 40 yard run by the QB. They also missed their PAT and the score was 6-6 at the half. In the second Henry Clay turned it on after failing to score on their first posession of the half, scoring on their next three in drives of 1, 2, and 3 plays. Meanwhile the Dragons could do nothing right offensively as they were crippled by penalties and bad field position, and the score was 25-6 midway through the 4th. Central got going again with a long touchdown run by Boards and after stopping Henry Clay they scored again on a drive highlighted by a 40-50 yard pass by Smith to Adamson. The score was 25-19 and Central onside kicked it but Henry Clay recovered and several plays later took it in for the final score of the game.

 

I was impressed with Central's defense most of the night, especially their ability to make goal line stands and keep the game tight. They got a few turnovers, some more forced than others, and just did enough most of the night to stay in there. But eventually it appeared that superior conditioning took over as Central players suffered from numerous cramps and just appeared to be tiring as the day went along. Offensively Central looked better, but they still have a long way to go. Most positive is that their wideouts caught many more passes this time whereas they had struggled badly in the scrimmages with that.

 

All in all, I think Central is a little better than what some thought, and perhaps Henry Clay is not quite as good. Or maybe it's just that it's the first game for the Devils. The potential is certainly there and they have the look of a team that can really do things.

A bright note for the Dragons: the TD pass from junior QB Quenton Smith to senior WR Albert Thompson went for 96 yards. It is a new bowl record by seven yards!

 

Henry Clay had several other opportunities where they really could have put Central away, but either shot themselves in the foot or Central really stepped up and kept the Blue Devils out of the end zone. The Dragons consistently had horrible field position and the Blue Devils consistently were starting drives in Dragon territory. Better luck to the Dragons next week as they face North Hardin, and continued success to the Blue Devils, as they face Boyle County!

Henry Clay moved the ball at will (over 500 total yards), but must work on their red-zone offense as they were unable to put points on the board several times deep in Warren Central territory.

 

Defensively, some changes need to be made in their pass defense. Awful!

Warren Central suffered from poor field position almost all game. While Henry Clay was almost always starting in Central territory. This game was a really great playing game by both teams.....I was really impressed by the young man for Henry Clay named Dontey Gay. He is an outstanding player and I dare say he will be the spot light of Henry Clay this year. The Boyd kid did not see nearly enough touches of the football IMO. He seems to also be one outstanding players as well.

 

Central? All I can say is that they looked much better than what I anticipated! Great game these two teams played last night....especially with the heat!!!

 

Good luck to ALL teams this year. Play to have fun and to build memories!!!

Central will come on strong , next game. Teams played well in he heat.

I think that, if Central has better luck with field position, this team will give other teams fits! I think that they did very well having to have replaced all of the stars that graduated from last year's team. Central is still Central...they still have the penchant for the big play, as Henry Clay found out on two huge offensive plays!

 

Congratulations to Henry Clay's Dontey Gay for being named Offensive Player of the Game and to Central's Taj Jackson for being named Defensive Player of the Game!

Since I know you keep some of the records 'Haze, I will correct you that it is Caj Jackson (paper got it wrong).

 

Part of the field position was that Henry Clay was turning the ball over either on downs or the old fashioned way (INT or fumble) deep in Central territory. I think both times they turned it over on downs it was inside the 15. The other component of field position is that the offense has to move the ball well enough to get some breathing room. When you go three and out from the 20 you are already at a disadvantage. And of course, the penalties didn't help....

Your correction is noted and very much appreciated, 'Fire! Thanx for watching my six!:thumb: By the way...LOVE the new avatar! Is that from their first season in Atlanta (1966)? I got to see four in person in my day! My brother was at the game when he hit #715!