North Oldham 52 Henry County 21

[True blue (and gold)]

Final. Who has the story on this one?

[oldonetechnique]

Wow.

[Mustang Nation]

Simply put. Norths Program is at a different level than the rebuilding Henry County program.

Henry County fought hard but it looks like North opponents will see another year of well executed end arounds,counters and traps by quick, savvy slashing and seemingly endless smart ball carriers. As predicted the North OL and DL lines are very impressive.

The throwing game is still a work in progress that needs polishing. Junior TE Caleb La Grange showed up at TE and had a big game for the Mustangs.

 

The defense looked like a "first game of the season" defense. Very dominating against Henry County but a lot of work to be done to compete against the better 4A teams to come. That said, it appears this is a Billy Martin coached team is getting very close to filling in the missing links that have hindered them in the past. If that happens they could jump right in to be a serious player in the 4A ranks.

 

The Mustangs will get a real good measuring stick of the program next week against a good Oldham County High program that has always been the big kid on the Oldham County landscape. A win or tough showing by North could confirm the arrival of the program at a new level never seen at North Oldham. Stay tuned.

[oldonetechnique]

Its just a shame that Henry is in rebuilding mode, they had the ball rolling there, and its been on a decline since Engstrand left... No way North this much more talent.

[ColonelMike]

This year, there was a very decided difference in talent between the two teams, however, the difference was certainly made more evident by the fact Henry is playing for a new coach. North has a system in place; Henry is learning a new one.

 

After a year (2010) in which North was +31 in turnover margin, North couldn't hold onto the ball vs Henry...that will have to improve. And the defense is still giving up too much real estate, so Coach Martin has plenty to fuss over.

 

But North's new wing backs were very productive, and Zach Evans is simply too fast for most teams to contain. The offensive line was very impressive...and there's no senior on the line. North should win their district this year, their first in 4A.

 

Henry has potential and will undoubtedly improve exponentially as the season goes by and they learn the new coach's ways. Isaacs to Isaacs is a pretty lethal air combination, and they have other receivers who can do damage. VERY impressed with Johnson, who runs hard and has "swivel-hips". Hard guy to get your arms around.

 

Henry's biggest challenge looks to be the defense, which didn't have the speed to keep up with the North runners.

 

Good luck to both teams this year!!!

[Mustang Nation]

Its just a shame that Henry is in rebuilding mode, they had the ball rolling there, and its been on a decline since Engstrand left... No way North this much more talent.

 

Kid I certainly agree with you that it's a shame. The North vs Henry games each year are by far the rivalry games that I look forward to the most and have been hard , nasty great high school football the way you want it to be played.

I look forward to Henry County getting back to where these two teams can whoop on each other again. No doubt that will come in time.

[Navajo4life]

Is North Oldham not in the same district with Collins? If so, do you think that North wins that district over Collins?

[ColonelMike]

North is in the district with Collins, Waggener, Atherton, and Spencer County.

 

Waggener, Atherton, and Spencer appear to be down this year. Having seen Atherton in person, I don't have any doubt North will be a heavy favorite in that game.

 

Collins is a bit harder to handicap. They lost a lot to graduation, but have an excellent coach and some good new athletes. And they already have a SYSTEM as Lucas previously was the offensive coordinator at Shelby and has known these kids for a while. Collins' loss to a good 6A Meade County team in no way diminished their potential.

 

So which team should be favored in the district. I like North Oldham's chances because of their style of play and the fact they return so many veterans. But it should be a good matchup when those two collide...