oldgrappler

I'll answer my own question. The stats have been posted. Nitavius Thomas did not play. Did that make a difference in the game? It's hard to say since his "backup", Azariah Israel, gained 301 yards on the ground. The question is, would Nitavius Thomas have gotten that crucial 1st down to keep the drive alive and away from Cooper or would he have scored more TDs than GRC managed in this game? I guess it really doesn't matter. This one is in the books. Congratulations Cooper Jaguars on a big win and congratulations Jeremiah Lee on a PHENOMENAL game!

Did Nitavius Thomas play for GRC? Someone suggested in the prediction thread that he may not play.

He accounted for 7 TDs?! That's insane.

But he's right. Every team in the playoffs is kind of a pointless system and I'm speaking as a fan of a team that's won 4 games in 4 years (prior to tonight's playoff game). I think a 3 team district is also pretty meaningless.

Looks like decent weather tonight for the game. I am assuming Henry Clay has turf so no mud to deal with. Field conditions shouldn't be a factor.

Okay, Henry Clay lost their QB but they still have a pretty good RB (#9). Against Cooper, #9 didn't really get underway except for a couple of runs around either end on the first drive. After that the sloppy conditions of Cooper's field helped to keep him in check. However, Witschey and Lee were able to run against the HC defense. Is there more in play here than sloppy field conditions? In other words, would Henry Clay have been able to be more effective on offense if they had played on turf? Would it have been enough to beat Cooper? How can Boone beat HC? @UNCLOVER or @Mr. Sixer or anyone else, give me some clue as to how Boone can beat Henry Clay and what are the chances of that happening? Henry Clay looks vulnerable to me.

No doubt, you are correct.

From a player's perspective, I would think it would be more meaningful to have coaches identify you as the top player in the state than sports writers. Coaches presumably know more about football.

I would be glad for the boys from Union to get the victory in this game. I think it will be an uphill battle for them. The only opponent they have in common, for comparison sake, is Boone County. Boone lost to both teams. Cooper won 7-6 and George Rogers Clark beat the Rebels 24-12. GRC has a size advantage at most positions. The line is huge and the RB is big and fast. In the game against Boone, the Cardinals got out to a fast start and looked unstoppable. They were up 21-0 by mid-second quarter. But Boone's defense started to shut them down. They gave up a field goal early in the 2nd half after a Boone fumble. But GRC could not score again. Boone could not run on the Cardinals. Boone RBs barely were able to get to the LOS before contact. In fact, they only tried 15 times in the game. But the Rebels were able to pass the ball. It was one of Boone's better passing games. Both scores came through the air. The bottom line for me is that GRC has the advantage. Nitavius Thomas is a Thoroughbred. If Cooper can slow him down, they do have a chance to win. It will be an upset but I can see the game going their way.

Could be in Indiana, but point is taken.

It's a simple matter of physics. Extended arms and hands do not have the same force as shoulder and torso. It makes the block less effective and there will be more failed blocks. It is safer for the would-be tackler. It is less safe for the ball carrier who will be more likely to get tackled from behind. I am not in favor of the change but I have already lost this argument. The rule is here and it ain't going away.

Those who are saying that the blocker must extend their arms and hands as the first contact are correct. Even if the blocker is able to hit the tackler in the front, square in the numbers. This rule was implemented last season. It is still hard for a player to execute.

Really glad to hear this. Great kid. Thankfully he is a junior and will have another chance next season.

That was the most embarrassing game I have been to. Boone had six or 7 fumbles. The first several occurred deep in Boone's territory giving at least 21 points (through fumbles) to Highlands in the 1st quarter. Granted, the Bluebirds had to score after getting the ball but they were provided a lot of opportunity. That was a really frustrating game to watch. Shout out to Freshman QB, Sam Brown, who plays with a lot of heart. He came in later in the game and did admirably.

Congratulations to the Cooper Jags.

Go Boone County!

Bocelli win?

Final.

@CollegefootballGuy69, you inadvertently left out England's yardage. Do you have that info?

Great to see that Farfsing is back in the lineup and apparently feeling well since he ran for 77 yards on that ankle.

I hope you are right @Mediocre Nachos. A 6'5" WR could give Boone fits. Of course, the rain may make passing a little more difficult. I look for CC to come out throwing from the start before the weather becomes a factor.

I have quit voting against Conner. I think the Cougars will win this one.

Don't waste any pity on us. There are a lot of things to complain about in a school system but playing on natural grass ain't one of them. It seems like it has rained every Friday for about 3 weeks or more. But this weather isn't bad at all. Compared to snow and ice this is down right balmy. We don't know what bad weather is in NKY.

This game is for bragging rights in the district. Simon Kenton has already won the district. Campbell County is 5-3 while Boone County is 2-6. Each lost to Simon Kenton. CC lost 7-27. Boone lost to SK 7-39. Each played Cooper and the games were decided by 1 point, a victory for Campbell County and a loss for Boone County. CC posted wins against Conner and Ryle, while Boone lost to both opponents. Will Boone rise to the occasion on Senior Night? The game is played at Owen Houck Stadium in Florence at 7 pm.

Paul Brown used to be the coach at Massillon. Pronounced Mass'-lun, btw. I went to a game there vs. Canton McKinley Bulldogs many, many moons ago and they had an actual immature tiger on a leash and they would get it to growl into a microphone. I cannot recall who won that game. You can tell what impressed me the most. I was just a youngin'.