BulldogFever

This could be one of the more exciting second round matchups in Class 4A if Fairdale decides to show up for an entire game. The Bulldogs are coming off a thrilling 20-17 victory of Marion County, the only team to beat Collins this season. Collins has won 8 straight since that loss and has won all eight by at least a three touchdown margin. Fairdale finally has a reliable running back in freshman Richard Deloney who has rushed for 817 yards in just 9 games and is averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Deloney had a 188 yard rushing game against Marion County. The Bulldogs passing attack has been dangerous at times this season behind the arm of sophomore Boo Crabtree who has thrown for 1747 yards this season. The Bulldogs have a trio of dependable receivers in Brent Weston, Demond Small, and Richard Rudolph. The Fairdale defense that is holding opponents to an average of just 212 total yards per game will have to step up to the plate against the strong Collins offense. Collins biggest rushing threat will be Darian Dugle who rushed for 590 yards in the first 10 games of the season. The pass-heavy Titans offense is led by quarterback Branden Cresap who has passed for 2862 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. The Collins receiving corp is led by the duo of Axline and Elzy who have combined for over 1800 yards this season. The Titans defense which is allowing over 190 rushing yards per game will certainly have their hands full with Deloney. The key to this game may be who has the ball last with the offenses averaging a combined 79 points per game. The forecast is showing temperatures in the low 50's with a 30% chance of rain. A rainy game would have to benefit the Bulldogs who have begun to develop their running game and don't rely as heavily on the passing game. The obvious favorite to win this game is Collins and according to the Massey ratings the score will be 49-19 Collins. Let's hear what you think!

Here are the matchups for Region 2 in the Class 4A playoffs... (1) Western (4) Larue County (2)North Bullitt (3) Valley (3) Marion County (2) Fairdale (4) Breckinridge County (1) Collins This should be an interesting region...The 1/4 games will both be blow outs with Western and Collins both winning by 4 or more TDs...The 2/3 games will be very interesting. Valley played within 14-7 of a very strong Western team and should challenge North Bullitt who has been on a tear as of late...Fairdale and Marion County might be one of the best first round playoff matchups in the state...The Bulldogs are 7-2 with their only loses coming to Western and Oldham County...Marion County looked strong to open the season but has dropped key district games to Bullitt East and North Bullitt. The second round matchups likely North Bullitt @ Western and Fairdale @ Collins should both be thrilling games but it looks as if Collins is the cream of the crop in this region and could challenge for a state title in their first year of football.

This was a TERRIBLE game for the Lady Chargers...To be ranked in the top 10 in the state Bullitt East is having a lot of trouble scoring lately. They have a few big wins this season but they really play to the level of their opponent which may hurt the Lady Chargers as they take on a surging Fairdale team that gave them a run a couple weeks ago.

Fairdale has played much better in the last couple weeks of the season despite a big loss to PRP which wasn't helped by terrible officiating. I feel that Fairdale two losses to Iroquois this season are enough to motivate them if they were to meet again...It is very hard to beat a team three times in one season. Valley is also playing very well and anytime that Central makes it to the post-season they are dangerous.

The Tigers get baptised and get their first actual win in almost four years! That is an inspirational happening! They should make a movie of this! Way to go Tigers!

Looks like a pretty even matchup to me. I don't know where all these blow-out upset predictions are coming from... WEIGHTS & MEASURES Here’s a look at how the “Probable Starting Lineups” for the Fairdale-Marion County game compare — by average height and weight ... Fairdale vs. Marion County Advantage (Ht.; Wt.) Off. Line (6-0, 243) Def. Line (6-0, 235) EVEN; FHS – 8 lbs. Receivers (6-1, 173) Def. Backs (5-11, 166) FHS – 2”; FHS – 7 lbs. Off. Backs (5-10, 160) Linebackers (5-10, 185) EVEN; MC – 25 lbs. Def. Line (6-0, 231) Off. Line (6-0, 251) EVEN; MC – 20 lbs. Def. Backs (5-11, 168) Receivers (6-0, 179) MC – 1”; MC – 11 lbs. Linebackers (5-10, 198) Off. Backs (5-11, 181) MC – 1”; FHS – 17 lbs. EXPERIENCE How experienced are the tentative starters? Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman Fairdale 10 11 1 0 Marion Co. 9 12 1 0 FAIRDALE OFFENSE MARION CO. DEFENSE 29.2 Points Per Game 18.1 55 Plays Per Game 50 342.5 Total Yards Per Game 225.7 149.1 Rushing Yards Per Game 100.4 193.4 Passing Yards Per Game 125.3 FAIRDALE DEFENSE MARION CO. OFFENSE 18.7 Points Per Game 29.1 50 Plays Per Game 51 232.2 Total Yards Per Game 333.6 168.3 Rushing Yards Per Game 262.3 63.9 Passing Yards Per Game 71.3

Where are this week's Bluegrass Preps rankings? They normally are updated on Tuesday or early Wednesday and I have yet to see the rankings for this week. Are they going to be released?

Western is in an odd position...Coming off a loss against Shawnee last week the Warriors will either come out fired up and fly past the Eagles in the opening minutes or come out with their tails tucked and never have a chance. I am going with North Bullitt 28-7. Cissell will run over the Warriors.

gchs could you send me all the information you have on Fairdale...I have quite a bit but it nevers hurts to see if someone has additional info...Also any information on Marion County would be helpful for this week's media guide between the two teams. EMAIL: Fairdaleathletics@yahoo.com

As I stated in another thread on this topic the key to this game will be how the Fairdale passing game looks on the opening drives of the game. Fairdale had good success in the second half last week stopping a very strong DeSales rushing attack. The Bulldogs have never lost under Coach Miller when leading after the 1st quarter so if Fairdale can get off to a good start they definetly will have confidence. This will hands down be the best first round game in Class 4A and the winner has a great shot of advancing to at least the Semi-finals. I also don't believe that you can call this an upset either way both teams are very talented. The weather looks as if it could play a factor. Rainy conditions on Friday night have to benefit the Knights. However, I am going with 24-21 Fairdale in overtime.

The other problem with these games are that some teams come into the playoffs on a roll with momentum...They plan their whole season on peaking in the playoffs. When a team has to play another team that doesn't belong on the field with them it hurts their momentum alot more than it helps it. A perfect example will be Bullitt East who had a huge win over Nelson County this week and appears to be peaking...They now have to take on an Atherton team that is one of the worst programs in Class 4A. This game puts a huge damper on keeping a team focused and ready for a tough second round matchup.

Yes it is about the kids...But coming from a player who was a #4 seed and had to travel to Boyle County my senior season it is one of my worst football memories being beaten by 40+ points after "making" the playoffs.

Moving to 2 teams per district would also help shorten a season that is becoming extremely too long. It would help some of the schools that are known for both football and basketball have their players on both the gridiron and hardwood. I mean there are teams that could compete in major holiday basketball tournaments that may not get their football players back until 1 week prior to the tournament. That makes planning very tough on coaches.

That is probably correct...I know for a fact that two 0-10 teams made the playoffs. I'm sorry but a 0-10 team should NOT make the state playoffs. Neither team will last long since they both play 10-0 teams in their opening game but the 6 class system has definetly watered down the playoffs in kentucky. Maybe the state should allow only the top 2 teams in each district to advance to playoffs, this would at least increase the competitiveness of all the games.

CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS REGION 1 at Calloway County (1) (8-2, 2-1D) Russell County (4) (4-6, 1-3D) at Franklin-Simpson (2) (7-3, 3-1D) Hopkins Central (3) (7-3, 2-1D) at Lone Oak (2) (9-1, 2-1D) Warren East (3) (4-6, 2-2D) at Allen County (1) (7-3, 4-0D) Muhlenberg North (4) (1-8, 0-3D) REGION 2 at Valley (1) (6-2, 3-1D) Larue County (4) (4-6, 0-3D) at North Bullitt (2) (6-4, 2-1D) Western (3) (3-8, 2-3D) at Fairdale (2) (6-4, 3-1D) Marion County (3) (8-2, 1-2D) at Bullitt East (1) (5-5, 3-0D) Atherton (4)(2-9, 2-3D) REGION 3 at Harrison County (1) (5-5, 3-0D) West Jessamine (4) (3-7, 0-3D) at Lexington Catholic (2) (6-4, 2-1D) Bourbon County (3) (3-7, 1-2D) at Franklin County (2) (5-5, 2-1D) East Jessamine (3) (4-6, 1-2D) at Boyle County (1) (10-0, 3-0D) Pendleton County (4) (0-10, 0-3D) REGION 4 at Bell County (1) (10-0, 4-0D) Lawrence County (4)(0-10, 0-3D) at Greenup County (2) (3-7, 2-1D) Rockcastle County (3) (7-3, 2-2D) at Knox Central (2) (7-3, 3-1D) Rowan County (3) (4-6, 1-2D) at Boyd County (1) (6-4, 3-0D) McCreary Central (4) (4-6, 1-3D) Make your picks...There are some great first round matchups!