WHFootballFan

Western Hills offensive tackle Bubba Weber (6'4", 290 lbs) committed to play football for Pikeville College. Weber is a tough kid (tore his ACL in pre-season and delayed surgery until after the season - played all 12 games with a torn ACL in a brace) that should do well at the NAIA level for Pikeville.

Big win for Western Hills! After losing 4 seniors starters and 2 top reserves last season, Coach Welch has a young Hills team playing well. Riddle is a very good high school basketball player. He performs well at all aspect of the game and is averaging almost 30 ppg. Coach Welch has been using his bench a great deal and the "role" players been doing a great job.

Well said Pigskin!!! To say that Henry County is "much" faster than Hills is just wrong. Hills and Henry County matched up very well, so not a slight to Henry County. Hills was able to control the tempo of the game against Central and limit Central's opportunities for big plays, but still gave up 2 long TDs. Just about everything went as Hills had schemed, which is very difficult to accomplish and Central still able to pull out a win. Any small mistake, turnover, or penalty by Henry County can result in a Central TD - and as Pigskin said Henry County does NOT want to get into a shoot-out. Ledford can coach and scheme all day, but Central's speed is something that is difficult to prepare for and match - even busted plays go for 20 yard gains.

I saw that as well Pigskin! I know Hills had a few sacks for negative rushing yards, but not that many. Just sitting in the stands I thought JWright had 200 rushing yards by himself - with a few more yards from Curry and Pugh. Also thought Curry had closer to 150 passing yards. Not sure how Central came up with the 84 rushing yards - maybe just a misprint? If JWright gained 193+ yards in this game that gave him a great season stat line: over 1000 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and over 100 total tackles. Also think Curry had more than 2000 total yards (passing and rushing).

Central's speed is nothing like Henry County (or most other 3A schools) have faced. If Wales (#2) for Central gets to the corner he is VERY hard to stop. Not sure if Henry County can stop the option and sweep enough. Central can be run against, and Henry County has the ability to run the ball between the tackles. If Henry County can keep the ball for long drives and score points, then they could pull off the upset. I think that Western Hills played the game they needed to pull off the upset (a few mistakes by Hills, but still the type of game they needed) and still came up short. The Hills game was a wake up call for Central (that a county school can beat them), and Central comes out ready to play. If Central gets ahead by 2 TDs early, then a LONG night for Henry County. Central win 42-14.

It is not possible to replace a senior class like this for Western Hills, but the cupboard is far from bare. On offense Hills returns 4 of its top 5 receivers (with Chris Pugh, Logan Curry, and Bobby Clay all starters), as well as 2 linemen that saw signaficant time. The loss of Dylan Curry, J Wright, and Cody Hecker in the backfield will be huge; as well as losing Justen Perry, Bubba Weber, and Will Riddle on the line. Backup FB Quentin Martin should recover from a broken ankle by the spring. On defense Hills returns both interior linemen (Ken Holbrook and Gabe Lohman), but must replace Perry and Hecker at DE. At LB 3 starters return (including leading tackler Arie Slone), as well as the entire defensive backfield. The biggest concern will be the replacement of Curry at QB, Wright at FB, and the offensive linemen. I assume Slone will step in at QB. He has decent size (6'2" and 205 lbs) and a good arm, but not the speed and experience of Curry. Martin will get the opportunity at FB, while younger linemen will have to step up. As has been proven the last two years, Coach Miller and his staff can coach and will have Hills competative by next season.

Western Hills did everything they wanted to stay in the game and have an opportunity to win, but the Central able to make a big play at the end. The score was close all game, with neither team ahead by more than 7. Central scored with 6 seconds left in 1st half, then scored winning TD with 29 seconds left. JWright had a monster game on both sides of the ball. Hills able to run the ball inside all night and Central could not stop the run even with 9 in the box. Curry had a great night throwing the ball when Hills needed to passes. HUGE offensive facemask call on Hills with 2 minutes left with Western Hills driving for possible winning score (Wright's finger got caught in a defender's facemask that dove at his legs). Both teams only punted one time each. Central's RB (#2) is the real deal, very quick and difficult to tackle. The sign of a champion is they make plays when the game is on the line, and Central did that last night. GREAT effort by Western Hills when many were predicting them to get beaten by 3-4 TDs. Western Hills' senior class had a great night and season - and this game is a testament to their hard work.

As Knute indicated, Western Hills has more speed than being given credit for. They can not match Central's speed overall (no 3A teams can), but Hills' size and quickness on the lines help with overall speed difference. Hills' LBs have a good mix to stop Central's running game. Wright has very good speed and size to play outside, Pugh is undersized at LB but can match some of Central's speed on the sweep, while Slone has excellent size to be a run stopper in the middle and is like having a coach on the field - and all tackle very well when they get to a play. Having a 6'6" and 245 lbs safety with speed will also help! Having the run/pass option with Wright and Curry could give Central more trouble than many think. If Western Hills gets a few stops early on defense, will give them more confidence and Central will be in for a fight.

Also, it is a testament to the job Coach Miller has done at Western Hills for anyone to even CONSIDER Western Hills beating Central. Two years ago while Central was on its way to a state title, Western Hills was 1-10. A great coaching job by the entire Hills' staff, as well as a the hard work and toughness of this year's senior class.

Western Hills has the type of team that COULD beat Central. They have the discipline and size on defense to limit Central's big plays. Hills LBs are all very sound and do not miss many tackles, while Curry at safety is a bonus to limit the big plays. Central will have big plays, Hills just has to keep them to a minimum. On offense Hills can run inside with Wright, as well as outside with the Jet and Curry; while also able to pass the ball well downfield. This will limit Central's ability to just stop one aspect of the offense with their great athletes. If Western Hills plays well and limits turnovers, they could beat Central - even more so if Central takes them lightly!

Allowing teams into the play offs with losing records is very important for the lower seeds. It allows the extra week of practice and gives the younger players a taste of what it takes to win in play offs. Most kids will tell you they would rather travel for 2 hours and get beated badly than not get an opportunity to compete at all. High school athletics are supposed to be about the kids and competition, so allow them the opportunity to compete. I know that Western Hills was not a good team 2 years ago (1-9) and got beaten badly in first round of the play offs, however this experience allowed a Sop. dominated team the opportunity to experience the play offs. That extra practice and experience helped in their development and their first play off win in school history this season.

Western Hills has been waiting a LONG time to host a play-off game, and this senior class has been on a mission all season. Shawnee gives up huge ammounts of rushing yards, with a large portion of this coming between the tackles - where Hills runs the ball best with JWright. Is Shawnee faster than Frankfot High? Western Hills was able to limit Frankfort's big play opportunites, and I think they can do the same against Shawnee. If Shawnee has to drive the ball for scores, they will not put up many points. Western Hills' ability to run to set up Curry throwing and running will allow Hills to win 28-12.

Henry Co wins going away. Moore does not throw the ball well at all, and Henry Co does a very good job of being physical and stopping the run. Saw Moore play against North Oldham early in the season, and Moore has a very elusive back with good vision and cut back ability; however North Oldham was able to be more physical than Moore - and Henry Co much more physical than NO. I think Henry Co wears out a thin Moore team and wins by 21 points.

Do not know if just caught or just ruled upon. That is a good point I had not thought of - waiting on a ruling. If that is the case, hurts Western Hills almost as much as Shawnee!

The time and energy to put together a detailed game plan for a play-off game is great for a high school coach, and to lose all of that is HUGE for a team like Western Hills. Hills has a talented team, but their week to week preparation has been a big beneft. Now instead of 4 practice/film days they only have 2 days. If Shawnee is a run first team, that would seem to make a change easier on the defensive side. I am still suprised that they just caught this illeliglble player for games a month ago.

Western Hills' staff had already gone over film and formulated a game plan. Team went over basics yesterday and watched game film of E-town, now all for nothing. I am assuming it will be today/tonight before Hills gets film of Shawnee. Would mean at least tomorrow before the team gets a game plan, which only leaves 2 real days of practice. This really puts Western Hills behind on preparation. Anyone have any idea about Shawnee's off./def. schemes? Hills had geared def. game plan for E-town's passing attack, which I am sure is much different from what Shawnee runs.

Could someone please tell me what Franklin County players were talking trash about after halftime? When you are 1-8 and down to your rival by 20+ points, what could you possibly saying? Western Hills did a good job of taking advantage of opportunities to make plays, and limiting Franklin County to 27 total yards a 1 first down in the first half. Not sure why Franklin County would show such disrespect as to stomp on Hills' "W" or why the coaching staff would allow that to happen. The JV game between these teams was even worse on Sat. MANY unsportsmanlike penatlites on Franklin Co and ejections. - heard Timmons (sic) was ejected from this game.

Emotion can only take a team so far, and Western Hills will also be playing with a great deal of emotion and excitment since Senior Night for a very special group of seniors. How long can Franklin Co play on emotions? Hills will be playing on emotions to start the game as well, but have a great deal to play for besides just beating their rival (home play-off game, most wins in school history, etc.). If Hills scores early, then I think they can take the emotional high out of the Flyers. If Franklin Co. scores early, then Western Hills will have a much tougher game; however Hills has played from behind all season so do not think they panic if behind early.

Much will depend on the North Oldham team that shows up - the one that was badly beaten by Henry Co and Western Hills, or the one that beat Spencer Co handily. The field at EJ was in VERY bad shape 4 weeks ago and had rain each week since. Since both teams run the ball, not sure it will hurt one more than the other. Neither team is a power running team, so weather/field might limit fakes and motion. After seeing both teams, I think NO wins a close game - 14-12.

After what Western Hills' senior class has been through in their 4 years, do not think they will over look Franklin County. County will come out with emotion and effort, and if Western Hills allows them to hang aroung will be even more of a dog fight. Hills needs to execute early and put some points on the board to sap County's emotional high. ColonelMike what games have been an enigma for Hills other than the West Jessamine game? You always have good insight, so wondered what other games you had in mind. If Hills scores early 35-6; if Hills allows County to hang around - Hills 18-6.

It was in 2000 when Western Hills hosted Cov Cath. I did not look up the year to confirm, but had been told by a long-time Western Hills fan it had been 16 years. Still been a long time since Western Hills' only home play off game. This Hills team also has an opportunity to win its first ever play off game - if they can beat E-town (which took Western Hills to the wood shed in the 1st round last year) at home.

It was never said Western Hills would rather beat Frankfort and Franklin County than being district, regional or state champions; however beating your cross-town rivals is huge. Especially for Western Hills since they have not done so in a VERY long time. As your signature picture said when asked if he would rather win a National Title or beat Florida, said he would rather beat Florida because you interact with rivals all year. Hills would rather win a State Title; but having the opportunity to beat both cross-town rivals is important to the players, coaches, and fans of all three schools.

There might not be a "official" city championship in Frankfort, but it a term used by the State Journal and people around Frankfort. It is an accomplishment if Western Hills is able to beat both Frankfort and Franklin Co in a season, something they have not accomplished in many years. Since all the teams in Frankfort play each other, what is incorrect about the term "city champion"? This does nothing to alter the district seedings or anything, but is a source of pride for each school in Frankfort.

A big win for Western Hills in many ways. Offensive and defensive lines played well, and get Justen Perry back next week after missing game with injury. Curry had time to throw the ball and had a big night. Wright played very physical on both sides of the ball, leading the team in rushing and tackles. LBs did a great job of staying home and making tackles. North Oldham really only had one drive, which resulted in their lone TD. This victory allows Western Hills to host only its second play off game ever (first in 16 years), is the first back to back winning seasons in school history, and gives them an opportunity to win the Frankfort city championship if they defeat Franklin Co. next week.

Much will depend upon which Mustang team that shows up in Frankfort - the one that was beaten soundly by Henry Co or the one that shut out Spencer Co. Hills' defense played well last week at Henry Co and limited big plays. The offense was under pressure all evening, but made some plays to put them in position to win. Hills' LBs have to be more disciplined to stop North's running attack, while the offensive line must give Curry time to throw and open holes for Wright inside. A great deal on the line for both teams, but I think Western Hills' senior class playing at home finds a way to win. Hills, 28-14.