Lets not forget this same defense has been ABUSED two times this year, I think consistency is the key if they are going to compete with Spencer and Western Hills who will bring bigger talent that North to the table.

 

ABUSED is a bit strong but I see wear you are coming from.

Congrats to Henry County on a great defensive game.

 

North coach Billy Martin was concerned about the Wildcats' big play ability, and Henry got three big plays that staked them to a big halftime lead...

 

Second Henry possession...Jacorri Baldwin takes a bubble screen and goes 40 yards for the score with 5:52 to play in the first. 7-0 Henry.

 

On their next possession, Henry starts at their own 12, but a 75 yard dash around the right end by Lance Timberlake puts Henry in the North red zone. Moments later, with 1:18 to play in the first quarter, Luke Magness runs it in from the three. 14-0 Henry.

 

Late, late in the first half, North dominating the second period and driving...first and goal on the Henry three. False start penalty moves the ball back to the Henry 8. PLAY OF THE GAME: Two plays later, it's third down, and Austin Peterson is picked off in the end zone. Henry gets into hurry-up mode, and Baldwin scores on a 53 yard dash up the middle with 1:40 to play in the half. Inexplicably, Henry goes for two - and fails - but they lead, 20-0 at the break.

 

The Wildcats - mainly, the Wildcats' defense - dominate the second half, holding North to just two second-half first downs. Henry manages a final score with 5:41 to play in the 3Q on an Erick Butler 2-yard run. Magness runs in the 2-point conversion for a 28-0 lead.

 

North gets their lone score early in the fourth; Jarrett Link takes it over from the one, but the extra point is blocked.

 

Final: Henry County 28, North Oldham 6

 

Very impressed with the Henry defense. The battle between the North rushing game (top 5 in 3A) and the Henry run defense (top 5 in 3A) went to Henry, as North was held to (unofficially) 128 yards rushing, or 155 yards below their average of 183 per game. The Wildcats had four sacks, took the ball away three times (one pick and two fumble recoveries), and had 17 tackles for loss (all unofficial numbers).

 

Next week:

 

Henry County (1-0 district) vs. Western Hills (1-0 district)

North Oldham (0-1 district) vs. Spencer County (0-1 district) in Goshen

 

Noth did't dominate anything at any time.

Noth did't dominate anything at any time.

 

Spoken like an admirable fan - but not very accurately.

 

Statistically, yes, they did. They pushed Henry all over the field in the 2Q, but Henry got three big plays to "win the quarter". (two NO turnovers deep in HC territory, and the 53 yard TD run by Baldwin).

 

It had to be demoralizing quarter for North...they averaged 6 yards per play in the second, overwhelmingly controlled the time of possession that period - Henry's first two - of three - possessions ended quickly with punts, and frankly, the Wildcat defense looked very tired. But after the INT in the endzone, Henry got the ball with about 2 minutes to go in the half (up 14-0 at that time), and shortly afterward, Baldwin got loose for the 53 yard TD run that made it 20-0 at the half.

 

So, Henry actually "won" the quarter, 6-0, but yes, North dominated the period statistically on the field. But you have to wonder if the results of the futility of the 2Q wasn't weighing on the players' minds a little bit...Henry completely controlled the second half.

 

Make no mistake; the better team won the game.

I was suprised to see North try to pass the ball into the endzone on that drive.

Was suprised to see that NO only scored 6 points. Congrats to HC on the win.

Was suprised to see that NO only scored 6 points. Congrats to HC on the win.

 

Henry did a fantastic job of defending the run. North couldn't get the corner, and Price struggled to find holes between the tackles.

 

It certainly hurt NOHS that their top rusher was just coming back from illness and their #2 rusher - and best receiver - was out. But I don't know that it really would have mattered; Henry won the battle in the trenches. Very impressed with the Wildcats.

It's time to get ready for the next one. Good luck to Coach Martin and the Mustang's for the rest of the season. We still think a lot of him over here.