UK fball fan

Pulling for the Rams, but, awfully tired of seeing them lay an egg in the playoffs. Time to play up to there potential.. From a talent standpoint, Raceland can play with Paintsville and may even should beat them, but, they need to just go play hard and play with confidence and not turn a negative play into 3 or 4 and have that snowball effect.. Just play to your potential and you'll win this thing..

Paintsville will have the best player on the field.. Raceland will have the best collection of players on the field and that should prevail..

Even if CC is on par with some of their recent teams, 3-7 is still 3-7, no matter how you spin it. The competition level was great, however, in the majority of those, CC wasn't even competitive. A team being blown out for 4 weeks in a row comes in and dominates a supposedly strong Tiger team, doesn't set well with me. I thought the Ironton win was solid, but, they proved to be a Ky school whipping boy by the end of the year and like NCC, is definitely down from prior years.. I like Russellville because prior to the new alignment, they played up 2 classes and were very competitive in 3a and after the new alignment, they've had to face a Mayfield team on the road in the regional finals every year. They have to feel good to have that home field advantage and no Mayfield standing in their way.. I assure you they'll play expecting to win and their won't be any intimidation factor..

I like OB Catholic this next week against Murray.. I don't think the Tigers have quite enough offense to keep up with the Aces.. They'll try and play the same type game they did against Mayfield, keeping it between the tackles and running a lot of clock while on offense and I think that'll be somewhat successful, however, I think the Aces D is improved from past years and will get a few more stops than in previous years and their high octane offense is going to be tough to stop.. I think they prevail 31-21 over the Tigers, setting up an epic regional finals vs Mayfield..

I think a lot of folks will be shocked at how the 1a playoffs end up shaking out. I've read many, many topics concerning 1a football this year and have seen a lot of peoples selections for Bowling Green. The common consensus is that Paintsville will battle Beechwood in the title game the 1st weekend of December. I can certainly understand why as these 2 teams have been the most consistent all year long. In saying that, I do have some concerns about both teams.

Let's start with Beechwood. Typically, the NCC game at the end of the regular season will give you a pretty good indication of how each team will do in the playoffs. However, imo, this is really an off year for the Breds and they're as down as they've been in the last 10 years. I don't think that game shows us what we need to know about the Tigers. The last game they've played a team that could challenge them was the Cov Cath game and they were dominated in the trenches by them in a year most would consider one of the weakest in recent CC history.. That and the fact they would have to travel west in the semi's doesn't bode well for the Beechies, imo.

In regard to Paintsville. While the Tigers have been impressive throughout the year, this is not a team accustomed to play 14 or 15 games in a season and the lack of depth will show as they get deeper into the playoffs. They won an overtime game early in the year vs Pikeville, a team that led most of the game. I always favor the loser of the 1st game in a rematch game of fairly equal talented teams. Plus, they have one of the toughest roads to travel in the earlier playoff rounds.

Now that I've given you my reasons why neither of these teams make the title game, let me tell who I think will. From the east, I really like Pikeville to win a rematch vs Paintsville. I'm not completely counting Hazard out of the picture either. I think they could upset Pikeville in the Region title game and if they do, I think they would also knock off Paintsville..

From the west, I like Russellville. While their schedule has been questionable, I really don't see any team in Region 1 that can play with them, giving them a clear path to the semi's. Once their, they'll be at home with Beechwood having to make that 4 plus hour drive. I really like the way Russellville plays at home and Coach Myers is great at preparing his teams for one big game and that's what he'll do. Prior to that, the Panthers should cruise and be able to keep everyone healthy.

In the finals, I think Pikeville's offense will be a little too potent for Russellville.. While Rsv will clearly have the home field advantage, I think the Pikeville D is strong enough to get a few more stops than Russellville does.. Pikeville 34 Russellville 21

I really think Pikeville's going to win the 1a title.. They really outplayed Paintsville in the 1st game and I feel will win the rematch, turning the tide from last year.. I also feel Beechwood will get upset by Russellville in the semi's and Pikeville Panthers will take down the Russellville Panthers by 2 or 3 scores in BGreen.. Russellville may keep it a little closer because they'll definitely have the home field advantage in B. Green, but, I think Pikeville will have too much offense for them and enough D to keep the game out of reach.. Pikeville 34 Russellville 14 final..

Beechwood @ Pikeville

Mayfield @ Danville

Boyle Co @ Belfry

S.Warren @ Johnson Central

B.Green @ N.Laurel

Male @ S.Kenton

So, he's not a better qb than Ray Zuberer that's what.

Zuberer hasn't played BGs defense either. Doubt he'd do any better against the Purples secondary.. I think the kids good, his #s are great, however, OB Catholic's offensive philosophy is an air raid offense.. The last 5 OB Cath QBs put up great passing #s also, so, you have to wonder if he's not the benefactor of his schools offensive philosophy.. The schedule they play also doesn't give him too many opportunities to showcase his skills against top notch defenses..One or two decent opponents a year is weak and imo, why they get exposed in the playoffs every year..

I think both teams fans will root the other on in the playoffs, they just don't care for each other during their games with each other..

Who, in 6a, outside of St X, Male and Trinity deserve to be at the so-called, big boy table. Manual has lost to each of these teams every time they've played and, imo, just because they play them each year, doesn't get them there. If anything, they should have a better chance, because they play the Big 3 more times than anyone else. Let's face it, NKy, Lex area, W.Ky in 6a doesn't fare well against the Big 3.. In saying that, if you throw out the Big 3, the rest of Louisville is very average in 6a.. Eastern, J'Town, Seneca, Ballard, Butler, PRP, Manual are nothing to write home about.. 1/3 of all the states 6a teams are in Louisville, so, chances are, they're going to have some of the better teams, as they should, especially the 2 privates.. C.Hardin would have to get through Henderson, Daviess and McCracken, which all could compete with the 7 teams not names X, T, H.. Hendo and Davoess would be no worse than 3-3 against the 6 Louisville schools and McCracken would be no worse than 5-1, possibly 6-0.. I think they and Manual would be a tossup.. And, yes, I'm aware Manual beat McCracken last year in a game that was a tale of 2 halves, dominated by McCracken in the 1st half and dominated by Manual in the 2nd half..

I'm sorry, but, imo, Manual doesn't belong in the same conversation with the other Big 3, otherwise it'd be the Big 4.. Yeah, they're likely the next best team in Louisville, but, just because they're in a very tough district doesn't automatically make them better than teams from other areas.. Not sure that any of the power district teams will play any better teams than Region 1 and 2 will play..

If NCC, S.Valley or Monroe Co were to win this week, it'd be surprising. I think each of those 3 are clear underdogs.. I think the Murray-PT game is a toss up that could go either way. I expect CAL to beat Franklin Co, who's not played well the last several weeks. I think Caldwell is the best opponent of all the other 2a teams and they're playing at home, so, they should be a slight favorite or at worse a toss up vs Mayfield. I expect the 2a teams to go 2-4 with Mayfield and CAL winning. 3-3 would be best case scenario, imo, with Murray the likely 3rd winner..

Murray has the advantage in the trenches and is stronger overall on the defensive end and has the better running game.. Tilghman throws the ball better and has better WRs and has a little more depth and team speed.. Both QBs can run it well. IMO, just depends on which team controls the tempo.. Murray will want to establish long, time consuming drives and keep PTs offense off the field.. PT likes the uptempo game.. If PT gets ahead, I think it's a long night for Murray.. If Murray gets ahead and can stay within their game plan, I like them to win a close one.

This should be a dandy of a game.. I love McCrackens passing ability and their QB can throw it well and has some very good receivers that can go up and get it. Hughes is a legit threat to take it to the house every time he touches it, but, they have 2 -3 other WRs that are also explosive with great speed and break away ability.. The bigger question for the Mustangs is can there D get enough stops to keep them in the game.. I think they can, but, there D just isn't at an elite level right now, so, they'll have to win a shootout type game. MCC 42 BG 38 .. For those thinking this is a one sided game from a talent standpoint, obviously is looking thru tinted glasses.. These 2 teams match up very well from a sheer talent standpoint.. That doesn't mean much sometimes as that oblong ball can bounce some funny ways sometimes, but, if the penalties, turnovers and field position is relatively even, the game should be close either way.. .

I think McCracken can matchup with Manual and maybe even St X, but, Trinity and Male may be a different story..

Russellville's a team capable of upsetting anyone on any given night. I think Beechwood likely beats them by 2-3 TDs, but, should they play, it would be at Russellville and they're always tough at home.. Hard to get a good gauge on the Panthers this year because their schedule hasn't been the greatest, but, they've won big for the most part and only loss to a very good Murray team who I'd put right up their with Beechwood, probably even favor them over Beechwood and since then, the Panthers have gotten a couple of key players back from injury, so, they should be hirring on all cylinders..

Bright was back for the Cards tonight and although it was just in a limited capacity, they sure seem to feed off his energy. Best the offense has looked in several weeks, granted, the competition wasn't the stiffest, but, they still seemed to come together tonight like they were early in the year. Defensive front played extremely well, also.

21-0 now..Another Bright run..

21-0 Paintsville

If Belfry turns the ball over like they have been against the better teams on their schedule, not sure they'd beat any of the other 7 teams on the list. They are fortunate to be on the opposite end of the bracket to 6 of the other 7 teams, so, while they may well make it to BG, that doesn't necessarily mean they're one of the Top 2 teams..

Corbin @ Central ... closer than expected, but, Central prevails 31-17

Caldwell Co @ Lex Catholic ... Lex Cath wins in a shootout 45-35

Pad Tilghman @ Boyle Co ... PTs D keeps them close, but, not enough O.. BC 28-10

E'Town @ Belfry ... E'Town pulls upset and does it impressively.. ETown 31-21

Lex Catholic @ Central ... Centrals speed makes the difference.. 35-28

E'Town @ Boyle Co ... E'Towns magic run comes to an end... BC takes it 38-31

Boyle @ Central ... Speed of Central and stellar D wins out in the finals .. C 21-14

1 - Central

2 - Boyle Co

3 - Belfry

4 - Lex Catholic

5 - Caldwell Co

6 - Elizabethtown

7 - Tilghman

8 - Corbin

9 - Bell Co

10 - Lawrence Co

For some reason, Murray and OB Catholic really worry me in the playoffs. 2 really good ball clubs capable of winning it all..

From what I saw, both teams defenses are a lot better than the others offense. I was a little surprised with how much pressure CALs smaller D-Line put on Desales. They were in the Colts backfield all night. The Colts best play was when the QB just took the ball outside the rush and he typically found good yardage. When he did have a little time to throw, he was able to hit on some passes, but, even when they did, someone from CAL was immediately there to make sure it didn't turn into a big play. Desales D was put in some bad spots, but, that was caused by good D from CAL. Interceptions are part of the game and they made a few more plays. Wouldn't surprise me to see the Colts take the rematch, if they protect the ball better. One thing that could really hurt CAL down the road is the fact that they bring it hard on D on every play and that over pursuit could cause some big plays with the screens, draws or just getting good blocks on the edges. A team like Mayfield, with their speed, could really exploit that. On the other hand, the Card line would have to play strong and give those plays time to develop before CALs D blows it up. That goes for both them or Desales.. Desales reminds me a lot of Murray, who depends on strong line play and wearing you out late in games. Their D is better than Murrays. I'd give Murray the edge offensively. CAL may be a more complete team than either.

Beechwood isn't near as dominant a front runner as Mayfield has been the past few years and I don't see anyone from the east side of the bracket as good as Williamsburg was last year. Beechwood had a much stronger team last year, imo. I think any of the 3, Raceland, Pikeville or Paintsville will be, at the very least, capable of hanging in their for 4 quarters with the Tigers. While Raceland has played a tough schedule, I still feel that Pikeville and Paintsville are a little stronger teams top to bottom.

In that scenario, Pikeville most likely goes to #1, since they've wrapped up their district and only had an overtime loss to Paintsville and a loss to a strong Belfry team. If Paintsville splits the 2 district games, they likely stay #2 at 9-1.If Raceland beats Paintsville and Fairview, they would move up to #3 and Beechwood #4. If Fairview beats Paintsville and Raceland, I think Beechwood would go to #3 and Fairview #4.