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!

Marion County at Fairdale should be quite a game!

Western will be the 3 seed and travel to North Bullitt...Atherton is the 4 seed and will travel to Bullitt East

From what I have heard a great deal of Western's athletic budget comes directly from the school budget that is normally used for items such as books. Therefore this isn't much of an issue. If this was an issue they would have made sure to schedule the Atherton game which was scheduled to be at Western. I would really hope that this is not true but I have heard this from more than one individual associated with the Western High School Athletic Programs.

Like I said before apparently we need to beef up the transfer procedures and possibly just eliminate JCPS from the loop...All ruling must be made by the KHSAA anyways so I don't know why the players were played without state approval. Coach Boyd knew the players played for him at Shawnee and should have information the Athletic Director so the players would not be played until they had been properly approved.

There are two common methods of dividing the proceeds of the playoff games. 1) The first and more commonly used method is to simply split the gate receipts after the payment of the trophy bill and the cost of officials. In addition, for the fourth round, many schools agree to allow a fixed rate mileage allowance prior to making this division of the gate. This encourages the visiting team to minimize the travel 2008 Football Playoff Instructions – Rounds 1 through 4 - 9 expenses and the home team to control game costs and eliminates the perception of inflated costs by either the traveling team or home management. 2) The second method is a split of the gate after agreed expenses, which would involve: • Allow for the cost of the trophies and the game officials’ • Determine and agree in advance on the expenses of the home team for staging the game including charges for police and security, ticket sellers and takers, P.A. announcer, dressing room attendants, parking, ushers, statistics, etc.; • Determine and agree in advance on the expense allowance for the visiting team for mileage, meals and lodging if applicable. If no other agreement can be reached, using the state expense allowance is recommended; • Split the balance between the two teams after payment for the three items listed above

Yes but that would be very hard to do at some of the lower income schools in bigger district like Jefferson County. It is hard to get each player to raise $40 for a spirit pack at some of these schools. It would be next to impossible to get $150 for a jersey. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS IDEA AND HOPE TO SEE IF CARRIED OVER INTO MANY OTHER SPORTS THIS YEAR! I love the field too it looks great...Did they raise the full $5000?

From top to bottom this has to be some of the top talent in the state with the exception of the University of Scott County of course. The sixth region might finally be back to the level it had once achieved. Could make for some very fun games throughout the season.

Thank you ThrowItDeep! That is my main point...Rules are made to be followed. I realize that the kids should not be punished as they did nothing wrong. In fact the transfers did everything right, they even moved into Western's district. However, if the school is not going to hold it's administration responsible for their actions, like a second straight season of having to forfeit football games due to playing an ineligible player, then what message is the school sending. Players have to start taking these things into account when "choosing" the school they will attend. I totally agree with Shawnee as they continually have their best athletes taken from them by other schools (e.g. I believe the kids name was Brooks that transfered to Doss for Basketball). The problem was the Western jumped the gun by allowing the kids to play. They should have had KHSAA approval before playing the players. I know Jerry Wyman is in charge of JCPS Athletics but the ultimate ruling on player eligibility comes from the KHSAA not JCPS or the courts as was the case with Highlands in 2004. Maybe the transfer process needs to be beefed up so we look further into the background of each player that is transfering to prevent something like this from happening. My question is why didn't Coach Boyd or the players speak up about them attending Shawnee so that this never happened? That is the part that is rather questionable. When are the adults in this situation going to be held accountable?

Two of the traditional South Louisville powers battle again. Both teams will host a playoff game next week. Fairdale (6-3, 3-1) vs. DeSales (7-2, 3-0) November 7th, 2009 SERIES NOTES • Fairdale and DeSales will meet for the 24th time with Fairdale holding a slight 13-10 advantage in the series. • This is the eighth time in the history of the series that the teams have met on the final week of the regular-season. Fairdale has won 4 of the previous 7 meetings on the final week of the season. • Last season marked the first meeting between the Bulldogs and Colts since 1998. • Fairdale has won back-to-back games against the Colts on eight different occasions including two winning streaks of four games or more. • Of the 23 previous meetings between the two teams, 13 have been decided by seven points or less. GAME NOTES • DeSales is the only non-public school opponent on Fairdale’s schedule this season. • Both teams come into their final regular-season game averaging just over 30 points per game. Fairdale is averaging 30.9 points per game and has topped the 30 point mark five times this season. The Colts are averaging 30.5 points per game and have scored 30+ points in six straight games. • Fairdale is 10-5 all-time in the final week of the regular-season in election years. The Dogs have won 7 of the last 8 regular-season finales in election years. Fairdale is 4-4 in the regular-season finales in years that a democrat won the election. • No current Bulldog scored in last season’s matchup. DeSales quarterback Ryan Johnson scored three times against the Dogs kicking a 44 yard field goal and passing for two touchdowns. • Fairdale is 3-1 in the month of November under Coach Jonathan Miller. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in regular-season play in the month of November in the last 10 seasons. This is the first time the Bulldogs will play a regular-season game in the month of November on the road. The Dogs are 5-6 overall in the month of November in the last 10 seasons. They are 2-3 away from home during this span. • DeSales coach Mark Sander is one win from breaking the 50-win mark. Only one other Colts’ coach, Harold Joyce, has reached the 50-win mark at DeSales. Coach Sander would become the 49th coach in the history of Jefferson County football to reach the 50-win mark. • Fairdale coach Jonathan Miller is seeking his 20th career win as a head coach. Miller will be coaching his 33rd game as the coach of the Dogs on Friday and could become the fastest Fairdale coach to reach 20 wins. Only six of the 12 previous Fairdale coaches reached the 20 win mark. • DeSales has outscored their last six opponents by an average of more than 28 points. The Colts have averaged 41.5 points to their opponents 12.8 points per game. Fairdale has outscored their last five opponents by only 8.4 points per game and is giving up 24 points per game to their last five opponents. • Fairdale will be making their first trip to Manual Stadium since 2000 when they played 2 games there losing 52-10 to St. X and then falling 37-7 to Manual two weeks later. The Dogs two visits in 2000 are their only visits to the stadium in the last 10 seasons. The Colts are 9-3 over the past two seasons at Manual Stadium since using the stadium for all home games. Any thoughts on this game?

Definetly a class act and something that should be done by every school in the state...Breast Cancer is a great cause that has touched everyone's life in some way...The only problem most schools would run into is the money required to purchase the jerseys.