Final

Sloppy game for both teams, but a superb first game for both - provided both coaches with an opportunity to uncover things to work on.

 

Conner 0 13 0 10 - 23

Oldham 0 7 7 0 - 14

 

Conner struck early in the 2Q on an 8 yard pass from West to Boden, but pretty much had zero offense throughout the first half. (2 yards rushing, 66 yards passing total in the first half, unofficially).

 

Oldham tied it at 7 when Joel Hennings threw 15 yards over the middle to cap an 80 yard drive to Chase Hamby.

 

The Colonels had the ball with under 2 to play in the first half, but one of six Oldham County turnovers - a fumble - on their own 12 gave Conner the opportunity to get a cheapie before the break. West scored on a one yard plunge, but Stephens' extra point was blocked by Oldham's Dylan Simms.

 

Conner 13-6 at the half. Oldham had just 39 yards rushing on 19 carries; Conner 2 yards rushing on 11 carries. Oldham 119 yards total; Conner 68.

Oldham QB Joel Hennings, in his first start, was 9 for 9 passing at the half for one TD and 80 yards. Nick West of Conner 6 for 9 passing for 66 yards and a score.

 

Oldham had the upper hand in the third, adjusting their offense and finally getting the yards on the ground. Brett Leary had 42 yards on just three carries; Tyler Oldham had 50 yards on just three carries... Oldham threw a pick at the Conner one - Ryan Delph with a diving snag for the Cougars. But two plays later, West - throwing out of his EZ - was picked by Kiley Obradovich of OC at the Conner 25. Moments later, Dylan Simms' one yard run gave Oldham a 14-13 lead, which stood at the end of three.

 

Conner's decisive drive was a long drive that culminated in an Aaron Stephen's 34 yard FG to give the Cougars a 16-14 lead. The drive was key for another reason, however - several key Colonels sustained injuries on the drive.

 

Oldham followed the Conner FG with a long drive inside the Conner 40, but another turnover - a fumble - killed the drive, and Conner went 65+ yards for the insurance score, a 4 yard West run that made it 23-14. With key players on the sideline, Oldham just couldn't find the third down stops.

 

The Colonels - who had six turnovers on the night (4 fumbles and 2 INT) - coughed it up twice in the final four minutes, when Hennings threw a pick in Conner territory, and in the final minute, when he was sacked inside his own 5 and fumbled.

 

Conner took two knees to close out the game.

 

Surprises - West looked much better as a runner than as a passer. He finished (unofficial) 12 of 21 with 1 TD and two picks. He was more effective on the ground, running 21 times for 57 yards and two scores. He was sacked three times.

 

Hennings had a hot/cold debut as OC QB. His 9 for 9 performance in the first half was extraordinary, and included one of the finest passes I've ever seen a HS QB make - a 19 yard completion on a down-and-out pattern on 3rd and 18 that hit the WR (who was working against man coverage) right as he made his turn. But he was just 5 of 12 in the second half, with two interceptions. He also lost two fumbles. Thoughts: OC is going to be fine at QB. Hennings can make the throws, and made some excellent overall decisions.

 

Chase Hamby had four catches for 38 yards and a score in the first half for OC, but did not have a catch in the 2H...

 

Ryan Delph led Conner with four catches for 47 yards.

 

Both teams got multiple receivers involved; 7 Colonels caught passes and 5 Cougars caught at least one pass.

 

UNOFFICIAL stats: Oldham County Conner

First Downs 13 12

Rushing 33 - 124 31 - 78

Passing 14-21-2 1 TD 12-21-2 1 TD

Passing Yards 140 126

Total Offense 264 204

Fumbles Lost 4 0

 

Congrats to both teams on a competitive opening day game. It was fun for the crowd - and there was a big one in the stands. Both teams showed flashes of promise - but both have things to improve on if they wish to be top 10 squads this year. Not sure Conner can be top 10 if West has to do everything... (Pugh had only 11 yards on 7 carries) Defensively, Pugh was a monster for Conner... Oldham cannot prosper with 6 turnovers a game, but many of those may be reduced as Hennings settles in at QB.

Very nice recap ColonelMike. Thank you.

 

Your comments on West are the same as what I saw last week in the scrimmage against Beechwood - West impressed me more running the ball than throwing last week also. West did have a nice second half throwing last week but I agree, Conner needs to find a way to get Pugh effective offensively to balance things out.

Very nice recap ColonelMike. Thank you.

 

Your comments on West are the same as what I saw last week in the scrimmage against Beechwood - West impressed me more running the ball than throwing last week also. West did have a nice second half throwing last week but I agree, Conner needs to find a way to get Pugh effective offensively to balance things out.

 

Oldham County got some nice pressure at times tonight with a somewhat inexperienced DL...they got to West three times for sacks in the first half, and picked him off once in the first half when they forced him to roll to get away from the pressure and he threw a long pass short.

 

On the other hand, when he had time, he was brutally efficient. He didn't really display how strong his arm is, but he had plenty of arm for the throws he was trying.

 

His second pick came when he tried to hit a receiver on the sideline who was fighting man coverage, and West threw a little too long and the DB made a great play.

 

Boden on a slant was there most of the night, but they didn't always go to it...that's an awfully tough matchup for a slower LB, as Boden is a 6'3" 215 pound WR...

 

In the second half, Conner took advantage of Oldham's aggressiveness to run West with some QB draws and the like.

This Conner offense has alot of work to do and running the ball effectively is the number 1 issue IMO. If anyone has watched Conner's new offensive approach, it has never been advantageous to effectively run the football out of the tailback position. Not one top runner in the state of KY could be expected to have lavish numbers. By the time the football is given to them, they have come to a complete stop at the line of scrimmage. In most cases, the blocking has now broken down and you are surrounded by 3 or 4 defenders. Some quick pitches, counter plays or trap blocking plays must be instituted in this single back set.:confused:

 

Enough about the offense, Conner's defense looked great tonight. The front four had some difficulty getting pressure on the QB, but were supplemented well with the blitz packages. Ryan Delph and Eric Champ played very well in the secondary. Thomas Henessey had a great game and was in on several tackles. The linebacker core for the most part, looked good and flew to the ball well. They forced 2 of the 4 fumbles! Austin Pugh had 16 solo tackles, a tipped pass, a forced fumble and a sack. If this defense can continue to hold teams under 20 points, they will be successful as a team.:banana:

The Enquirer said West rushed for 105 yards.

The Enquirer said West rushed for 105 yards.

 

West is an outstanding runner/scrambler and poses some serious problems for defenses just from that aspect alone. Very good at eluding sacks.

West ran better than he threw vs Beechwood also. He may not have put up great rushing numbers but he did some tall escaping.