Hoptown was down by 14 points twice in the game, the last time was with 6 min to go. Score was 35-34, both teams score within the last two minutes, but Mercer muffs the snap on the XPt and that allows Hoptown to tie it.

I believe Hoptown scored 20 points in the 4th quarter and never led until they score the winner in OT.

After a very long bus ride (Mercer Co did it last year), this was a good win for the Tigers.

Mercer must have a nice football team if they played Hoptown this close. I thought Hoptown had a nice team and if they had held on to the ball, could have won a couple of games that they lost. Did the Tigers do a better job against Mercer holding on to the ball?

I hope I'm wrong, but I think just the opposite. Boyle Co. will be a test for the Titans. The Rebels, IMO, are on their way to another state title and Coach French has them hitting on all cylinders. The Titans have a good team, but they will have to play GREAT to beat Boyle. "Good" won't cut it Friday night.

 

Good luck to both teams!:thumb:

 

Still a long season ahead maddog22.

Hoptown had zero turnovers. Mercer run defense was very good.

Stats from AM News: http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=44706&format=html

 

.......................H ........ MC

First Downs ......16 .........20

Rushes ..........27-88 ....53-392

Passing ...........263 ........20

Total Yards ......351 .......412

Comp-Att-Int 17-22-0 ...3-5-0

Fumbles - Lost ..1-0 .......7-1

Penalties .........3-25 ......8-57

 

 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

 

RUSHING—Hopkinsville, Joe Harris 9-33, DeShawn Johnson 9-26, Marshall Stewart 8-22, Victor Moulden 1-7 . Mercer, Jordan Yeast 39-298, Matthew McCloud 6-55, J.D. Gilliam 4-41, Nick Reed 1-3, Andrew Cornish 1-0, Austin Vaughn 1-minus 1, team 1-minus 4.

 

 

PASSING—Hopkinsville, Stewart 17-22-0-263. Mercer, Cornish 3-5-0-20.

 

 

RECEIVING— Hopkinsville Moulden 8-141, Dillard 4-89, Kirk Thomas 3-20, Johnson 1-7, Harris 1-6. Mercer, James Mayes 1-15, Yeast 1-4, McCloud 1-1.

Hey coldweatherfan... looking at these stats, its obvious Mercer's force of attack is the running game. Do you think they'll be able to rely on the running game alone to beat Boyle Friday night?

Hey coldweatherfan... looking at these stats, its obvious Mercer's force of attack is the running game. Do you think they'll be able to rely on the running game alone to beat Boyle Friday night?

 

They will definitely try to, that's Jaggers game. He will try to run, run, run, and then run some more. I think he's going to have to spread the ball around a bit more though to try and keep the defense honest.

 

McCloud needs more touches. He had 6 carries for 55 yards, and is probably the fastest player on the team.

 

Last night in OT, on the first two plays, Hopkinsville sent 3 players in whatever direction Yeast went and on both plays they got him for losses.

 

Sophmore, Andrew Cornish, did a fantastic job in his first start at QB. He had a little trouble with the pitch reads but other than that, he did great. Wish he had been there from day one. The Titans didn't seem to miss Short at all. They looked better on O than they have in any game this year.

I agree that Cornish looked really good, especially since he hasn't taken very many snaps until the past couple of weeks. If he had been quarterback from day one, having gained all of that gametime experience, then I think Mercer would have more of a passing game as he threw several pretty passes Friday night. But like I said earlier, I think Cornish's lack of gametime experience is going to hurt Friday night.

 

Yeh, whats up with McCloud not getting the ball more. Jordan is an awesome runner, but McCloud can make things happen too. Seems like his number of touches keep declining with each game.

I agree that Cornish looked really good, especially since he hasn't taken very many snaps until the past couple of weeks. If he had been quarterback from day one, having gained all of that gametime experience, then I think Mercer would have more of a passing game as he threw several pretty passes Friday night. But like I said earlier, I think Cornish's lack of gametime experience is going to hurt Friday night.

 

Yeh, whats up with McCloud not getting the ball more. Jordan is an awesome runner, but McCloud can make things happen too. Seems like his number of touches keep declining with each game.

 

I don't get the McCloud situation. He's a great kid, and he works his tail off in practice and in the game. Only thing I can figure is Jaggers is trying to get Yeast a scholarship, by showing how durable he is. He is extremely strong and durable, but I would like to have seen Yeast carry the ball 30 times instead of 39 and McCloud carry it 15 instead of 6. I think the offense would be more effective.