Confidence is fine and dandy, but, execution is a bigger key in this one...

From what I gather a lot of the Graves folks think they have this game in the bag but I look to their opponents' record, none of them have a winning record this year. Sure they are good teams, but how good this year is the question. Graves played Ft. Campbell in a nailbiter and then Ft. Campbell gets drummed by Warren East, which I am gathering is improved but thats a pretty good beating. Then Graves barely pulls one out to Paducah Tilghman, now I compare Mayfield to Paducah Tilghman this year so this could be more like the Graves-Mayfield game this year. Graves was being beat by Marshall and from the sounds of it, Marshall just thought they had the game in the bag and quit playing and Graves never stopped, its very hard to come back from that in a HS football game when your starters are just going thru the motions.

"From what I gather a lot of the Graves folks think they have this game in the bag "

 

I have heard similar things this week...none of course from the players and coaches from Graves County...I have seen Graves County play two of their three games and have seen all three of their opponents and I feel IMHO that the Cardinals are the most complete team that Graves County has seen as both Ft. Campbell and Marshall County were very good offensively but not sound on defense...while Tilghman was very quick and solid on defense, but could not throw the ball and kicking game was not good that night which hurt them in the red zone with the game on the line.

 

I think that both teams will concentrate on stopping the run and the passing game could be the difference. Can Mayfield get pressure on Collins and not bite on the play-action fake; and can the Eagles contain Mayfield's speedy WR's, TE's, and RB's out of the backfield in the passing game. To me that is where the game will be decided if both teams bring their A-game and not turn the ball over six times like we did a year ago.

 

Should be a great game...if you can not get excited over this game then you need to check your pulse...lol.

 

GO CARDS :fight:

Yeah, this looks to be like one of the best Mayfield/Graves matchups in a while. These two teams don't come into this game undefeated very often. Both teams are solid. Im just hoping Graves will give up 41 points like they did against Ft. Campbell..........and I think they just might. I don't see Mayfield allowing more than 21 points tonight.

Yeah, this looks to be like one of the best Mayfield/Graves matchups in a while. These two teams don't come into this game undefeated very often. Both teams are solid. Im just hoping Graves will give up 41 points like they did against Ft. Campbell..........and I think they just might. I don't see Mayfield allowing more than 21 points tonight.

 

I know they did give up 41 pts to Ft C, but, 20 of those pts came in the last 7 minutes of the game and 2 of the 3 were setup by big special team plays by the Falcons.. I was at the game and IMO, Graves pretty much dominated for 3 1/2 qtrs and even when the Falcons took the lead in the final minute, Graves still managed to put together a quick drive to seal the win.. In addition, this one was played in 90-95 degree temperatures and I believe the big Eagle lineman got a little worn down, which is understandable.. 3 weeks later, I believe these guys are a little better conditioned now and the temperature cooling will also help. I know the temp was the same for both teams, but, I will admit, Ft C was a little better conditioned than Graves in week 1.

 

With this said, I don't believe Mayfield will score anywhere near 41 pts. I do think they have enough offensive firepower to score in the 20s, but, the question is, can the Cardinals keep Graves from scoring that many and IMO, it could go either way. Like others have said, Mayfield will have to contain the McManus big play capability and the DBs will have to play well and make sound tackles after the catch. If it comes down to both having to sustain 10-15 play drives to score, then I like Mayfield, cause that ball control style is how they play anyway. If it becomes a high scoring quick strike type game, I think Graves will take it...

With this said, I don't believe Mayfield will score anywhere near 41 pts. I do think they have enough offensive firepower to score in the 20s, but, the question is, can the Cardinals keep Graves from scoring that many and IMO, it could go either way. Like others have said, Mayfield will have to contain the McManus big play capability and the DBs will have to play well and make sound tackles after the catch. If it comes down to both having to sustain 10-15 play drives to score, then I like Mayfield, cause that ball control style is how they play anyway. If it becomes a high scoring quick strike type game, I think Graves will take it...

 

 

Most years I would agree with you on that part...but this year it seems as if the roles are reversed with the linemen. If it comes down to a grind it down style then Graves should have the advantage with the lineman's size on the line...if it gets into a shoot-em up affair I have to give Mayfield the edge...and both coaches have said the same thing...it will come down to Mayfield's quick strike ability compared to Graves County chewing up the clock and yards with their offense...I know Collins can throw and Graves can score with their passing game...but this year Mayfield has the quick strike offense with at least six people having the capability of going the distance on any given play. Graves has good speed of their own...but Mayfield's is just a little bit better from what I have seen in Mayfield's first two games and by watching Graves in person for their first two and seeing the Marshall game on film earlier this week.

 

But with that being said...it should be a fun one to watch...with all the talk about offense...you would think this is a precursor to Saturday's UK - UofL tilt at Commonwealth...lol.

Most years I would agree with you on that part...but this year it seems as if the roles are reversed with the linemen. If it comes down to a grind it down style then Graves should have the advantage with the lineman's size on the line...if it gets into a shoot-em up affair I have to give Mayfield the edge...and both coaches have said the same thing...it will come down to Mayfield's quick strike ability compared to Graves County chewing up the clock and yards with their offense...I know Collins can throw and Graves can score with their passing game...but this year Mayfield has the quick strike offense with at least six people having the capability of going the distance on any given play. Graves has good speed of their own...but Mayfield's is just a little bit better from what I have seen in Mayfield's first two games and by watching Graves in person for their first two and seeing the Marshall game on film earlier this week.

 

But with that being said...it should be a fun one to watch...with all the talk about offense...you would think this is a precursor to Saturday's UK - UofL tilt at Commonwealth...lol.

 

I admit, I've only seen Mayfield in 1 scrimmage this year mainly because I opted to go watch Graves/Marshall instead and had to work the week the Cards played Heath, but, I do know they have some weapons, but, I did see graves against MC and Ft C and they have alot of big play capability. IMO, they've got one of the better backs around in McManus, and that includes A.Williams of MC.. Not alot of difference in the 2, imo.. They also have a couple of other very solid backs who can break one at any time. They've also made some big plays with the receivers. I'm not sure what that 1 kids name is, but, he looks to be about 6-4 to 6'5 and can go get the ball and then do damage after the catch. IMO, the key for the Cards is to make Graves drive the ball in 10-15 play drives and avoid the big plays. This could cause some frustration on the Eagles part and having to continually make them earn 1st downs could be tough to do against a solid defense. If Mayfield is more a quick strike team, great, but, I think they'll need to play a little ball control and give the defense some breathers throughout, to not get absolutely spent in the late stages..

IMO, they've got one of the better backs around in McManus, and that includes A.Williams of MC.. Not alot of difference in the 2, imo..

I doubt there is a coach in western Kentucky that wouldn't take Williams over McManus.

I'm not sure what that 1 kids name is, but, he looks to be about 6-4 to 6'5 and can go get the ball and then do damage after the catch.

His name is Ryan Williams.

I doubt there is a coach in western Kentucky that wouldn't take Williams over McManus.

 

I agree.

I'm not saying he's better than Williams, just that he's an underrated RB and theres not a great difference between him and Williams.. He has either set the schools alltime rusher for yards or is getting very close. I just think the kids very, very good and doesn't get alot of accolades that he deserves.. If you watch them both, they are very similar in size, speed and ability to break tackles..Williams may be a har quicker...

I'm not saying he's better than Williams, just that he's an underrated RB and theres not a great difference between him and Williams.. He has either set the schools alltime rusher for yards or is getting very close. I just think the kids very, very good and doesn't get alot of accolades that he deserves.. If you watch them both, they are very similar in size, speed and ability to break tackles..Williams may be a har quicker...

Williams is clearly the better back, plus he's much more versatile ... he's a great receiver and Graves and Mayfield know firsthand what a great kickoff and punt return man he is.

Williams is clearly the better back, plus he's much more versatile ... he's a great receiver and Graves and Mayfield know firsthand what a great kickoff and punt return man he is.

 

Better, maybe, clearly, I don't think so...They're both very solid..McManus has 2 TDs this year on kickoff returns, so, I'm not sold on the verstility issue either.. I'll give you that Williams is a better receiver out of the backfield, but, Mcmanus can do the same when given the opportunity, but, it seems Graves has more versatility in there attack than Marshall does.. If everything in Graves offense were geared around him like Marshalls is Williams, I think you would have very similar #s, which, they aren't too far off as it is...

I'll let others weigh in on that issue ... I've made my case.

I'll let others weigh in on that issue ... I've made my case.

 

Have you seen McManus play this year?

Whats interesting is that Mayfield has more backs than either Marshall or Graves. If Mayfield was to key the offense around one of our backs, I believe they could put up numbers just like either one of these two, but thats what I like about this years Mayfield team, way too many backs to key on, .