MHSCardinal

If take this years CAL over this years Belfry team by a TD or 2. Of course we'll never know for sure. I'd have taken Belfry last year.

Hmm, I'd take CAL to beat Belfry this year..

Why not, Belfry beat them by about that many and CAL is likely better defensively than the Pirates are.. I don't expect NCC to score more than 7-10 points and I expect CAL to score at least 28 to 35, so, 3-4 scores looks pretty accurate, imo..

Odd # districts get home field this year, so, it should look like this barring any upsets: OB Catholic @ Mayfield CAL/Desales winner @ Walton Verona NCC @ Glasgow Leslie Co @ Danville/LCA

In some cases, the classification may not change.. A 2nd example would be OBoro Catholic.. They have roughly 200 boys, so, using that factor and counting them as 300 boys, they'd still be at the top end of 2a..

In Tn, the privates have the option to play in the public school division, but, have to use a 1.5 to 1 factor in there classification.. In other words, if a private school has 400 boys, they would have to play in the class with schools with 600 boys, whatever class that would put them in.. CAL, for example, has about 300 boys, so, if Ky had Tn rules, they'd play in 4a and based on 450 boys, they'd be in the lower to middle part of 4a..

Sometimes teams are just that much better and the scores get out of hand, even when the 2nd and 3rd teams come in.. Those kids want to do well, too and show the coaches they deserve more playing time. You can't tell those kids to just take a knee for 2 quarters. Noy fair to those kids either.

CC has played just good enough to win games this year.. That's because they have talent everywhere and simply outmanned teams over4 quarters.. In saying that, they don't seem to be in sync at all.. They seem to be just going through the motions right now.. Who knows why.. Some teams are like that, they either play up or down to the competition.. I know this, Owensboro and Graves aren't going to just roll over for them, so, they need to get a little fire in there bellies and start showing some heart to go along with all that talent or they could be in for an early out come playoff time..

I agree that CAL beat the best team in Elizabethtown, but, the way in which LCA manhandled a good Lex Catholic team was the most impressive, imo.. I think most people felt CAL would beat E'Town in a close, hard fought game and that's exactly what happened.. With the LCA game, I think more people leaned toward Lex Cath. or at the very least, felt it was a pick em game, so, winning as they did, has to be the most impressive.. I think most people expected the Danville and Mayfield games to turn out similar to what they did.. While both teams beat highly thought of programs handily, I think it's fair to say that both of there opponents are having down years for there typical standards.. Somerset's win was impressive, especially defensively, but, I don't think many folks are very surprised with that outcome..

I know nothing about the Kings team they just played, but, I'd think Ryle would probably be #1. Beechwood would be either 2 or 3.. I do think the Tigers are better than Lex Cath.

Very solid win for CAL. E'Town is a quality team that I think will be right in the thick of a 3A title run. That CAL/Desales game should be a dandy.

Outside of a bad 1st quarter against Caldwell Co, Graves has played some good ball this year.. They probably deserve to be in the Top 10 in 5A at this point of the season.. There backup played well in Mathis's absence, but, Mathis has a lot of games under his belt behind center and is there best player.. His experience and leadership on the field are intangibles that can't be understated.. Sounds like they have a stud WR, as well.. I expect this to be a competitive game and the Cards will have to play better than they did last week, but, I think they'll be fired up for there crosstown rivals and play more like they did the 1st 3 games and if they do, should have enough playmakers to handle what Graves will throw at them.. Mfd 41 GC 17

6A ... Trinity ... I don't think it's even close ... 5A ... B. Green ... Still the most talented team in the class ... 4A ... J. Cenral ... I don't think this will be all that close either ... 3A ... E'Town ... Finally getting over the Central hump ... 2A ... Desales ... Already holds 2 wins over ranked 6a teams... 1A ... Beechwood ... Have already beaten 2 teams better than any other in 1a ...

What's the status with Graves QB, Mathis? Is he still out or back playing?

Outside of St X, Trinity and Male and maybe Scott Co, who would you consider a 6a Big Boy? Because, I doubt you see anyone outside of those 3-4 winning a state title anytime in the near future.. IMO, those are the only big boys out there, but, that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of really good 6a teams out there and while I agree, the number put in front of the A gets overblown at times, at the same time, a school with 800-1100 boys pool vs one with a 200-250 pool typically means that the talent will also be better on the team with the bigger pool.. That doesn't mean they'll be the better team, just that the talent and depth itself will be better or at the very least, as good.. Would you agree?

After tonight's win, I'd give them the title of "Heavy Favorite" at the very least.. IMO, tonight's win is probably the best regular season win they've had in the last 7-8 years.. In saying that, it's just 1 game, and doesn't mean much in the big picture and what you see from teams now aren't always what you see 8 or 9 weeks down the road.. Some teams figure things out and get better while others hit a wall and regress.. You never know.. I will say Paintsville, Hazard and KCD all have enough talent and skill to beat the Tigers on any given night.. Outside of those, I don't think any other team on there best day could beat Beechwood on one of there worse ones..

Mayfield jumped out so quickly on the them, scoring 3 quick TDs in the 1st 7-8 minutes, had them on there heels, then they settled down and found some things that were working while Mayfield seemed to take a nap for the rest of the half. Give McCracken credit, they came to play tonight and despite having a young team, still have plenty of talented kids on there team. Trailing 20-7 at the half. McCracken got a little more momentum, getting a key interception on Mayfield's opening drive, after a couple of quick Cardinal 1st downs.. They took the ball and drove it deep in Cardinal territory, but, got turned away as Mayfield returned the favor with a pick of there own, which resulted in a solid drive and score, going up 28-7 after converting the 2 point conversion. To me, that was the turning point of the game, but, give the Mustangs credit for once again fighting back, scoring 2 more TDs in the quarter, pulling within 28-21. To Mayfield's credit, they didn't panic and came back with another TD before the end of the quarter to keep there distance at 35-21. The Cards scored again early in the 4th quarter to go up 42-21 to make it especially tough on the Mustangs to make a comeback.. The 2 teams exchanged TDs later in the 4th for the final score.. The game ended with Mayfield inside the McCracken 10, taking a couple of knees to run out the clock.. The game was littered with penalties throughout and that had a lot to do with the flow of the game for both teams. With that said, it was a hard hitting game by both teams. For McCracken, give them credit, they came to play tonight. They have a solid QB who can spread you out and throws a very accurate ball. They have solid, hard running backs and a couple of nice receivers who came down with some nice receptions even when they had good coverage on them. On D, there secondary played well getting a couple of interceptions and staying with the Cards receivers most of the night. There Dline stunted a lot, which gave Mayfield a few problems, at times and there LBs were blitzing from all angles all night long. They're a young team, but, the future looks bright for them.. As for Mayfield, Coach Morris was pretty upset after the game, frustrated with all the penalties and too many arm tackles. He said for us to be a great team and win a state championship, those things have to improve. He did praise Halliburton, Hurt and Matthews for how hard they ran the ball and said Hurt had a terrific game from his LB position. After 3 pretty flawless games in a row, if you're a Mayfield fan, you have to be pretty happy with how they responded when they faced some adversity.. That last 74 yard drive and score was a thing of beauty as they simply took the ball and rammed it down the Mustangs throats and dominated the line of scrimmage, all the while eating clock and killing any hopes they may have had.. When you play any team, especially a rival like McCracken with 6A numbers, talent and depth, regardless how good you are, you're going to face some adversity and challenges and they answered the bell very well, in my opinion, taking control late and showing they can compete deep into games against big, strong opposition.. They were the stronger team late and typically, in this game, that hasn't been the case..

I agree, ATLCat.. The teams ranked 3rd thru 5th, in most years, would be a solid #1 with the wins they've put up.. Even the teams like Somerset, NCC, Glasgow, OB Cath and W. Verona could make a strong case for a Top 5 in most years.. While 2a is Top heavy with the Top 5, but, even the bottom 5 of the Top 10 are really good teams, maybe not great, but, very solid..

Belfry certainly has a shot at another championship, but, I wouldn't count Corbin out because of 1 game.. Losses happen when you play other good teams.. I'm sure they know they have things to clean up and improve upon to get to where they ultimately want to be.. Central, E'Town & Lex Catholic all took it on the chin this week, also, to some very good teams while Boyle took it on the chin last week to another very good team, but, I still wouldn't count any of them out to win a title.. All these games, including this one with the Tigers, will only make them better when it matters..

#1 CAL puts up an impressive performance by knocking off very tough 3a #3 E'Town 24-9.. #2 Danville makes a statement with a dominating performance over a solid 5a Pulaski Co 34-14.. #3 Desales was idle, but has some very impressive wins thus far in the season.. #4 Mayfield puts up an early onslaught on a solid 6a McCracken Co and hold them off with a 49-27 win.. #5 LCA, like Mayfield, gets out of the gate quickly and holds off a very good 3a rival Lexington Catholic 56-36, making a statement in the process.. In the bottom half of the Top 10: Glasgow gets its 1st taste of defeat to a much improved and undefeated Allen Co Scottsville in a 38-35 thriller... NCC takes it on the chin to a very strong 3a #2 Belfry 54-29.. Somerset, after a heartbreaking loss last week, bounces back with a statement 20-9 win over a tough 1a #2 Hazard.. OB Catholic bounces back after last weeks county rival loss upending a typically solid S.Spencer, In team.. W.Verona gets a big and much needed win over Covington Holy Cross.. What does all this mean? Well, in my opinion, the Top 5 teams have separated themselves from the pack while Somerset and W.Verona should move up the food chain.. Not sure what's in store for the Big 5 in the coming couple of weeks, but, it's sure going to be fun to see what happens.. Regardless, one things very clear, 2a football is alive and well in 2017 !! What's everyone's opinion of the state of 2a football right now and what's your thoughts on what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks?? Who'll be the 1st to taste defeat this year? Can't wait till next Friday already..

Final

Cards put together another long drive and eats the clock, taking a a couple of knees inside the 10 to run out the clock, Final 49-27

Another 1st down after a 10 yard run..

On 1st down. Matthews gets a big gain to McCrackens 46..

McCracken carries it to the cardinal 14 for another 1st down.. A completion of 4 yards on 1st doen to the 10, 2nd and 6 from the 10.. A sack and loss of 4 on 2nd down.. On 3rd and 10, another sack back to the 28 yard line, setting up 4th and 24.. On 4th down, Mayfield holds them to a 2 yard gain..