The Scribe

Will Russellville end their two-game losing streak and win this first round game?

The question here isn't whether Mayfield will win. Could Mayfield's JV team pull of the win in this one?

District races have just about been decided in each WKY district with the exception of the smallest and largest classes. Caldwell County and Owensboro Catholic (2A), Paducah Tilghman and South Warren (3A), Madisonville (4A), and Graves County (5A) have clinched regular season district titles barring tremendous upsets. Russellville travels to Mayfield to decide Class 1A, D-1, and Henderson County visits the new McCracken County High School to decide Class 6A, D-1. Running Wild Paducah Tilghman's Tre Coleman rushed for 224 yards on 20 carries and two scores to help Paducah Tilghman beat Trigg County 27-6. The Tornado moved to 4-0 all-time vs. Trigg and wrapped up home field advantage through the Class 3A playoffs. Nothing to Crider About Graves County's Cory Crider ran for 259 yards and two touchdowns to help the Eagles beat Christian County 38-21 and move one win away from the district title. Trojan Porous Playing without starting quarterback Jaylen Williams and running back Tristan Luke (injuries), Fort Campbell still beat Webster County 49-18. The Falcons had two picks returned for a touchdown, and Christian Berry ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Tigers Win The Tigers from Caldwell County beat the Tigers from Murray 42-13 behind who else? Elijah Sinedlar was 10-of-13 passing for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Eli Pepper caught three passes for 97 yards and two scores as Caldwell secured home field advantage throughout the Class 2A playoffs. Six is Good. I Like Six Sophomore quarterback Zyaire Hughes ran for three touchdowns and passed for three more to lead McCracken County to a 49-12 thumping of Daviess County. Jordan Troutman added 174 yards rushing for the Mustangs. Quarterback Comparison (Through Eight Games) Luke Guhy (Mayfield) – 101-of-146 (69.1%), 1,586 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INT, 12 rushes, (-38) yards, 1 TD Elijah Sindelar (Caldwell County) – 129-of-202 (63.8%), 2,029 yards, 28 TDs, 2 INT, 35 rushes, 314 yards, 5 TD Zyaire Hughes (McCracken County) – 126-of-206 (61.1%), 2,013 yards, 17 TDs,5 INTs, 76 rushes, 299 yards, 10 TDs Houston Hartz (Owensboro Catholic) - 190-of-336 (56.5%), 2,148 yards, 27 TDs, 5 INTs, 19 rushes, 32 yards Peyton Puckett (Graves County) – 90-of-153 (58.8%), 1,458yards, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 23 rushes, 24 yards, 1 TD Five Games to Watch Russellville at Mayfield -- The top two teams in the Bluegrasspreps 1A poll square off at War Memorial Stadium. Russellville is 8-0 for the first time since 1984. That Panther team lost to Paris in the state semifinals. The teams have combined to win their last four games 226-6 so neither has had a test leading up to this one. With Class 1A being the most geographically diverse in terms of travel, the winner gets a huge boost in hosting the playoffs through the first four rounds. PREDICTION - Mayfield 28 Russellville 14 Henderson County at McCracken County -- McCracken is two kicks away from possibly being 8-0 but will face a tough defense this week. Henderson County hasn't allowed more than 21 points in their eight games, while McCracken County is averaging 53.5 points over their last four games PREDICTION - McCracken County 34 Henderson County 31 Trigg County at Fort Campbell -- The Falcons have won six straight vs. Trigg and 10 of the last 11 in the series. This game has huge implications. Win and you stay home in the first round of the playoffs. Lose and likely make the three hour drive to Monroe County PREDICTION - Fort Campbell 41 Trigg County 30 Madisonville at Murray -- This game has no playoff implications but frankly, there just isn't a great slate of games to brag about in this end of the state this week. PREDICTION - Madisonville 20 Murray 16 Hopkinsville at Graves County -- Graves County can clinch the district outright with a win over a much improved Hopkinsville team that has allowed just seven points the past two weeks. PREDICTION - Graves County 49 Hopkinsville 21 Last Time: 3-2 Season: 25-10 Small School Rankings (Classes 1A-3A) 1. Mayfield 2. Paducah Tilghman (+1) 2. Caldwell County (-1) 4. Russellville 5. Fort Campbell 6. Murray 7. Owensboro Catholic 8. Union County 9. Trigg County (+1) 10. Ballard Memorial (-1) 11. Butler County 12. Hancock County 13. McLean County 14. Crittenden County 15. Webster County 16. Todd County Central 17. Fulton County 18. Fulton City Big School Rankings (Classes 4A-6A) 1. McCracken County (+1) 2. Henderson County (-1) 3. Graves County 4. Owensboro 5. Christian County 6. Hopkinsville 7. Madisonville 8. Daviess County 9. Muhlenberg County 10. Ohio County 11. Calloway County 12. Marshall County 13. Apollo 14. Logan County 15. Breckinridge County 16. Hopkins County Central

Dan Haley, who led Bowling Green to the 1995 state football title, has died. He was 73. He also coached Paducah Tilghman to the 1973 state title. Haley was 253-79-3 in 29 seasons as head coach at Bowling Green, Paducah Tilghman, and Bryan Station

Class 3A west will run through Paducah in the postseason. Tre Coleman rushed for 227 yards on 20 carries and scored twice Trigg County couldn't score on a 12-play drive and a 14-play drive and fumbled two punt returns that led to Tilghman scores. Tilghman RB D.J. Sherrill did not play Trigg County and Fort Campbell play next week, with the loser to go to Monroe County in the first round of the playoffs

I understand Houston Hartz had a big night

This may be the best game in WKY behind Caldwell/Murray this week. The winner is the likely district champ and stays away from Caldwell County in the second round of the playoffs. A very interesting matchup.

Trigg County has been playing better of late, but so has Tilghman, Trigg has never beaten PT in three career meetings

This one is for the district title and home field throughout the playoffs. Christian County has been playing better of late.

Both teams headed south, but the winner gets the #2 seed in the district

I think Bell County is better than their ranking

Williamsburg should be a couple of slots higher

Tilghman has played a tough schedule and has made it through unscathed. They should win their district, which in turn, gives them home field advantage through the playoffs. Every talks about Central's schedule but they still have the Doss loss. That one is hard to explain. South Warren still remains the mystery. Their loss to Daviess County equates Central's Doss loss. Wayne County and Bourbon County have done what they are supposed to with the schedule before them. I'm amazed no one is talking about Corbin. I never would have thought Corbin could fly under anyone's football radar, but it appears to be happening in 2013.

I don't see anyone topping Male's 149 points vs. Tharp in 1913 or Owensboro's 20 touchdowns scored in a game in 1917

Should never have said directive and then called it a recommendation

First, I understand why the KHSAA is doing what they are doing. There has long been a question on who has post-game jurisdiction -- the schools, the refs, or the KHSAA. The KHSAA wanted to make it clear that it is up to the schools to police what goes on after the game, and in most cases, the schools do this. If the KHSAA tells schools to police what happens after the game and that they aren't liable, they are hoping to not be included on the defendant line of a lawsuit when a player gets injured in a fight or when the ACLU sues for a postgame prayer. That part I understand. But don't put out a poorly worded statement that 'directs' schools to no longer have postgame handshakes and when the firestorm comes down, blame social media and regular media for jumping to conclusions over your poorly worded statement. In my world, when my superior issues me a directive, I do it. There aren't any exceptions, unless I want to be sanctioned later. A directive is an instruction or guideline that indicates how to perform an action or reach a goal. When the KHSAA issues a 'directive', I'm thinking he wants you to do it. But don't call out media members on Twitter because they aren't reporting the message the way you intended. Don't tell a state lawmaker that your definition of 'directive' means 'prescription', because people called you out on your statement -- "directive" meaning "prescription" as in fixing problem. If they don't have people to supervise, prescription is don't do it. -- Julian Tackett in a tweet to Rep. Jeff Hoover. I think the hastily worded "directive" was put into place in order to precede the district and region soccer tournaments that begin next week. Again, I understand why this was done. But to use a sports analogy, it was poorly executed. And now that people have come out questioning it, the finger-pointing has begun. Just step up and say "This is what should have been said and here is why." And don't give us the "If you had bothered to read the whole thing" disclaimer when you change the link to the updated statement. In essence, I wasn't wrong. The KHSAA did ban postgame handshakes. But they said the schools can opt to have them. So in my eyes, it's the schools that choose to have postgame handshakes because the KHSAA has said not to have them.

Not every incident is reported to the KHSAA -- coaches yelling at each other, pushing, shoving, coaches having to seperate players, etc. Most times, coaches step in and send their teams to different ends of the field.

^ Those are just the reported incidents. There are all kinds of incidents that are never reported to the KHSAA because you simply dont know how they will rule

In other words, Julian's meaning of the word "directive" is like a rolling stop at an intersection. You kinda stopped, maybe just slowed down, but an effort was made. The first statement wasn't the best-worded article to come from the KHSAA and it appeared rushed so it could be released before the soccer postseason begins next week.

Here is the link to the directive http://khsaa.org/10082013-commissioners-directive-on-postgame-activity/

Per Julian Tackett, teams have been directed by the KHSAA to no longer engage in a postgame handshake line in all sports and game officials/refs are to leave the field as quickly as possible when the game is over. This is the result of recent incidents involving Postgame altercations.

Anyone wonder why Russellville has gotten really, really good in recent years. This thread may explain some of it.

You realize that throwing an incomplete pass with a running clock actually uses more time than a running play? Pass is incomplete. Side judge either gets the thrown ball or another one from the sideline. Tosses it to the ref to re-spot the football, which in a running clock situation means 5 to 10 seconds because refs usually want to take their time and get the spot right when there is a running clock involved. Then, they start the play clock. On a running play, the kid gets tackled, the ref gets the ball, takes 5-10 seconds to make sure the spot is right, and then starts the play clock. I have no problem throwing the football with a running clock.

Five Games to Watch Murray (2-3) at Ballard Memorial (5-1) – The winner of this district battle most likely gets a first round home game in the playoffs. Murray had last week off to prepare for the Bombers, who were hammered 63-28 by Caldwell County for their first loss of the season. The key for Ballard is to contain the Murray ground game and get them off the field on third down. For Murray, they have to limit Ballard Memorial’s big play potential. PREDICTION – Murray 28 Ballard Memorial 20 McCracken County (3-2) at Graves County (4-1) – Two of the better quarterbacks in western Kentucky meet in Mayfield. McCracken sophomore Zyaire Hughes was brilliant in the Mustangs’ 53-17 thumping of Fort Campbell last week – 22-of-34 passing for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Troutman had another strong game with 181 yards and a score. Graves County was able to rest some regulars in their 60-14 district win over Apollo. Eagle quarterback Peyton Puckett goes against a McCracken secondary that picked off five passes last week. PREDICTION – McCracken County 38 Graves County 27 Paducah Tilghman (1-5) at Madisonville (2-3) – There is little doubt that Paducah Tilghman is the best 1-5 team in the state – their opponents are a combined 28-5. Madisonville has had trouble stopping the run in recent weeks, which bodes well for Tilghman back Tre Coleman. The Maroons have stumbled of late and were dealt a tough blow last week when junior quarterback T.J. Paup broke a bone in his leg and will be done for the season. PREDICTION – Paducah Tilghman 33 Madisonville 14 Butler County (3-2) at Union County (4-1) – Butler County appeared on their way to a road upset win at Owensboro Catholic last week, but the Aces finished the game with a 20-6 run, including the clincher with 47 seconds left. Bear quarterback Bryce Shanklin left last week’s game with an injury, but Jimmy Burns came in and completed 18-of-23 passes for 159 yards and two scores. Aces QB Houston Hartz threw for 371 yards and six touchdowns in the win. Meanwhile, Union County’s novacane approach worked again in a 43-13 district win over Hancock County. The Braves limited Hancock to 132 total yards. On offense, three Braves rushed for 53 yards or more. The school from Morgantown has to travel 109 miles for their district game in Morganfield. PREDICTION – Union County 28 Butler County 27 (overtime) Warren Central (3-3) at Owensboro (5-1) – After three straight losses to start the season, the Dragons have righted the ship somewhat with three wins, holding their opponents to 20 points. Rondell Green and quarterback Chris Porter-Bunton give Warren Central a nice 1-2 combo in the backfield, combining for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns. Porter-Bunton has thrown for 680 yards and six scores. Meanwhile, Owensboro has so many weapons at the disposal of coach Joe Prince. Airius Phillips leads the Red Devils with 355 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while Anthony James adds 322 yards. Four backs have over 100 rushing yards. Warren Central leads the all-time series with Owensboro 7-5. PREDICTION – Owensboro 34 Warren Central 20 Last Week – 3-2 (correctly picked 24-21 score in Hoptown/Christian County game – just got the winner wrong Season – 22-8 Quarterback Comparison (Through Five Games) Luke Guhy (Mayfield) – 95-of-138 (68.8%), 1,388 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INT, 15 rushes, (-41) yards Elijah Sindelar (Caldwell County) – 98-of-158 (62.0%), 1,414 yards, 21 TDs, 2 INT, 29 rushes, 299 yards, 5 TD Zyaire Hughes (McCracken County) – 90-of-144 (62.5%), 1,344 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs, 55 rushes, 169 yards, 6 TDs Peyton Puckett (Graves County) – 67-of-109 (61.4%), 1,076 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs, 14 rushes, 42 yards, 1 TD Small School Rankings (Classes 1A-3A) 1. Mayfield 2. Caldwell County 3. Paducah Tilghman 4. Russellville 5. Fort Campbell 6. Murray (+1) 7. Owensboro Catholic (-1) 8. Union County 9. Ballard Memorial 10. Trigg County 11. Butler County 12. Hancock County 13. McLean County 14. Crittenden County 15. Webster County 16. Todd County Central 17. Fulton County 18. Fulton City Big School Rankings (Classes 4A-6A) 1. Henderson County 2. McCracken County 3. Graves County 4. Owensboro 5. Christian County 6. Hopkinsville 7. Madisonville 8. Daviess County 9. Muhlenberg County 10. Ohio County 11. Calloway County 12. Marshall County 13. Apollo 14. Logan County 15. Breckinridge County 16. Hopkins County Central

I heard they honored Manti Teo's girlfriend and Milli Vanilli at halftime....