oldgrappler

Is that what they call "blue grass?" I heard it grows down there.

You are on top of it @C_W_B!!!!

I think it has more to do with preserving the field, if we're talking about grass fields. Male and female soccer games, band halftime show, varsity football, freshman football, jv football. That can be a lot of wear and tear during a rainy week. If you are talking turf, there doesn't seem to be a good reason to cancel a game unless there is lightning.

That is good news! It looked bad when it happened but kids heal fast.

Sorry, @theguru, I didn't have opportunity to post the recap until now, but here it is. Prior to the game I thought this was a very winnable game for Boone. I picked the Rebels in the poll. I believe the two teams to be very evenly matched. But if you noticed, just before kickoff on Friday night, I posted a video of Hee Haw’s “Gloom, Despair, Agony on Me” in the prediction thread. I knew that Boone’s QB was not going to play on Friday and, to me, that meant that their chances for victory dropped significantly. The leading rusher was out, and now the QB. That meant Boone would have to rely on their senior FB more than they normally do (with the exception of the Dixie game). The running game works better when Shutt and Vastine are both running because the defense can’t key on either. Plus the FB clears a path for Vastine. In addition, with QB Grau out of the game, Freeman was moved to QB. That takes a valuable lead blocker out of the run game, except to hand-off the ball. Of course, Freeman is able to run from the QB spot. At any rate, it seemed like bad luck for Boone going into Friday’s game. Talking to several Cooper parents before kick-off, the Jaguars were at full strength. Another fact that didn’t bode well for my Rebels. I enjoy this match up because so many of the boys played on the Knights in BCPWFL and several others were on the several other teams from that league. Looking at the senior Jag’s posters on the fence, I could name at least half of them. I always enjoy connecting with the Jag parents, whom I consider to be friends. On to the game. The Cooper Jags fielded the kick-off and took over on their own 42-yard line. The rain arrived in early evening and would continue throughout the game turning the grass field into a slippery surface. On first down, Jeremiah Lee kept the ball and ran around his right end for 15 yards. Boone was flagged for a face mask so the Jags lined up at the Rebel 38 yard line for their second offensive play. A pass to Mikey Armour went for a first down to the 22. Joe Poage ran down to about the 13 yard line. Lee ran around the right side again and took a shot just inside the goal line that popped his helmet off. He jumped up happy as he scored the first TD of the game. The extra point was good. Cooper’s offense appears to be able to do this all night. They really didn’t have much resistance. Cooper 7 Boone 0 Boone County fielded the kick-off and would start their first offensive series at their 22 yard line. With Freeman under center, Boone lined up in the Power I. FB Nate Courtney, Power Back David Bodenbender, and John Mark Shutt at TB. Shutt took the first handoff for about 2 yards. His number was called on 2nd down and he found some room off tackle and was tripped up after a 12 yard gain and a first down. Bodenbender got the call next and he went around left end. Cooper’s linebackers and DBs came up hard like they were expecting a run between tackles. The call caught them off guard and Bodenbender had room to run and made it all the way to the Cooper 16 yard line. Boone was called for a 5-yard penalty on first down and so they repeated 1st down from the 21. A sweep right to Shutt went for no gain. Bodie went off left tackle for 3 yards. On third and 11, Shutt started around the right side, saw an opening and cut up inside to the Cooper 13 yard line. It’s 4th down and 7 yards to go for a 1st down. There is no thought to do anything but go for it. Freeman takes the snap and hands off to the senior RB. Cooper’s defense again crashes inside exposing the left so Shutt veers around the left side and runs untouched to the end zone where a DB makes an attempt at a tackle but the RB is already in the end zone. Boone lines up for the kick. Cooper jumps offside and the LOS moves closer to the Cooper goal line. This is all the encouragement the Boone coaching staff needs to send the offense out to attempt the 2-point conversion. It seems like a good call. Shutt gets the call up the gut but Connor Bridges comes from the edge and the Rebels come up short. No worries, right? Boone has over 3 quarters to make the unsuccessful attempt irrelevant. Cooper 7 Boone 6 In the next series Cooper manages a couple of first downs but a big penalty killed the drive and Cooper had to punt. Boone took over the ball on their own 31 yard line. They mounted a methodical drive that took them all the way down to the Cooper 15 yard line. A five yard penalty put them back to the 20. On the 19th play of this drive (granted some of them were penalties), Boone attempts their first pass of the game. Backup QB, pouring down rain, the ball slips out of his hand and it is an easy pick for Cooper. They take over on th 1 yard line. I can summarize the remainder of the game as the Boone defense contains Lee and shuts down everything else. The Cooper defense from then on stopped Boone’s run game. The Boone backs rarely made it past the LOS without being hit. The rain continued and Cooper’s field became muddier and muddier. The backs began to tiptoe a bit and no one could sustain a drive. This game was dominated by defense the rest of the game. It ended with the score the same as it was after each team completed their very first offensive drive. Final Cooper 7 Boone 6

So that's where Peak went. He played QB for Boone's Frosh team last year when he was an 8th grader.

^ good reminder. I have often been guilty of seeing better from the top of the stands than the guy on the pitch. Losing in PKs is one of the most bitter ways to lose an "overtime" game in sports. And, no, I haven't thought of a better way to do it.

Conner has trouble with power runners. Either England or Saladin could do well against them. The question is if Ryle can contain Christian Webster and Hicks. Hicks not only gives Conner a passing option, he can run the ball well, also. I picked Ryle in this one but I always seem to underestimate Conner. They win games I don't think they should win. Evidentally, Trosper and his staff are good at preparing their teams and making game time adjustments. In my mind, this game is as close to a toss up as you can get.

That's fantastic! Congratulations to the young Mr. Casey.

This game is being played at Cooper on Friday, October 12 at 7:30 pm.

These two teams know one another well as both friends and foes. This Friday they are foes, at least until the clock says it's over. Cooper, 2-5, is coming off a loss to Ryle that probably sticks in their craw. They will want a win against a cross-county rival. If RB Anthony Witschey does not play more of the offensive production will fall on Sophomore Jeremiah Lee. Boone will also have to find a way to cover the athletic WR Mikey Armour, if indeed that is the role he will have. With wins against NCC and Dixie, Cooper is looking for a third W. Boone County, also 2-5, comes off tough game against Simon Kenton in which too many of the breaks went against them and the fast pace of the SK offense got away from them. That game left a bad taste in their mouth and they will be looking to mollify their competitive drive with a win against a team that has had the upper hand in recent years. Just as the Boone defense has a challenge in containing Lee and Armour, the Cooper defense has a challenge in stopping the Boone County running attack, which has been respectable this season and after 6 games ranked 4th in 6A rushing offense. So, who wins this game and what are the keys to victory for each team? As always, please vote in the poll and share your opinion.

Post 4/4. 4th Quarter begins SK 36 Boone Co 7 Boone is at their 22. Two runs yielded no yardage. On 3rd down Grau throws to his TE but he was well-covered and the ball fell to the turf. Grau made a leaping one-handed grab of the snap on the punt and got off a 40 yarder. SK takes over on their own 40. Carmony completes a pass on first down for 8 yards. RB goes across the 50 for the first down. An incomplete pass, a short gain brings up a pass on third down. A blitz forces Carmony out of the pocket and he is tackled for a loss. After a 5 yard penalty pushes SK back their punter booms a kick 55 yards into the end zone. Boone ball on the 20. Grau makes a first down throw to his TE. Grau throws again but it is a little short. There is a completion for no gain and then an incomplete pass. Grau punts from his 30 yard line. SK lines up at their 48 yard line. A jet sweep loses yardage but SK is whistled for a hold. The 10 yard penalty is marked off from the spot of the foul and SK has the ball at their own 28. Carmony drops back on the right hash mark and throws to his wideout all the way across the other side of the field and drops it right over the receiver’s shoulder. First down at Boone’s 39 yard line. Gunner Fisher gets the handoff and runs down to the 20. A pass to the sideline and another run by Fisher gets the ball to the 12 yard line. Fisher loses the ball on the next carry but it is recovered by SK. They line up for a FG. The kick is good. SK 39 Boone Co 7 After the kick, Boone takes over at their own 25 yard line. With this, the 2’s are in and Boone is moving the ball on the ground. Jerry Cortez is getting big chunks of yardage. It comes to a halt when Boone fumbled at the SK 27. Pioneer Senior, Gunner Fisher, carries the ball to the Boone 39. SK gets another first down at the 29. QB takes a knee to end the game. SK 39 Boone County 7 Final

Post 3/4. 3rd Quarter Start Boone kicks off to start the third quarter. There is a good return by the Pioneers and they have the ball at their own 45. Carmony keeps it for a 5 yard gain followed by an incompletion. Sergent rips off a 25 yard run down to Boone’s 25. Austin Hammack cuts through the middle of the Boone defense taking all the way to the 1 yard line. Sergent is tackled for a loss. On second down Sergent fumbles and the Rebels take over at their own 7 yard line. Shutt gets the carry on first down and goes for about 2 yards. Wingo takes a pitch right and gets back to the original line of scrimmage. Wingo gets the ball again but is stopped 4 yards short of the 1st down marker. Boone must punt. Grau punts from his own endzone and the ball goes out at the Boone 42. Carmony on a keeper for a first down. These SK QBs are sneaky with the ball. Several defenders were sure Sergent had it. 1st and 10 at the 30, Carmony throws complete to the 22. A pitch to Sergent and David Bodenbender beats the blocker, Sergent cuts up behind but Bodenbender sticks out a hand and strips the ball. Shutt comes up with it at the 22 yard line. There’s a penalty of some sort and Boone gets the ball at their 39 yard line. Grau throws on first down and connects with TE RJ Summers for about 9. There’s an incompletion on a slant in by the wideout. 3rd down and 1 and Boone lines up in a Wing-T. Grau is up under center and takes the snap. He takes one step back and tries to run to his left but there is no place to go and he loses a yard. 4th down. I don’t like this call. Boone has a 215 lb. FB who averages 6.6 yards a carry. Let him earn his keep. Grau’s punt is fielded at the 20 and returned to the 37 yard line. Austin Hammack lines up off the QB’s right hip and gets the hand-off. The MLB stunts to the other side and the OLB crosses to the middle but he gets shoved on past. Hammack cuts up in the vacuum, jukes left, cuts up between two defenders and races down the sideline for the TD. Nice run. Kick is good. SK 22 Boone 7 with 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. Boone takes over at their 22 yard line. Long ball on first down falls incomplete. Shutt tries the right side and gets about a yard when he is gang tackled. There is a face mask and Shutt has his helmet ripped off by an SK player who is flagged for the penalty. Boone is out to their 38. Grau is sacked on first down. Then he hits Derrius Jerry for a first down. Grau runs for his life as he’s chased out of the pocket by JJ Courtney. He gets tackled short of the line of scrimmage by Cogswell. Another penalty on SK gives Boone a 2nd and 2 at the SK 44. Grau has a man open but his throw is hurried by Cogswell and it falls to the turf. On third down, Grau is under center, the RB is out just behind the tackle and no one is in the backfield with the QB. At the snap Grau fires a quick slant in but the pass is tipped at the LOS-incomplete. On 4th down Boone lines up in the I. There is a gap that opens up as the TE blocked down, one FB went upfield and got a block on the safety who was coming up, Shutt kicked out the DB, but Cogswell shot the gap before the guard or tackle could get a hand on him and he got into Bodenbender’s legs causing him to fall short of the first down. This, to me, was a turning point in the game. It looked like Boone was moving down the field and the offense made plays when it needed to. But now Boone turned the ball over and what SK does from here puts the momentum squarely in their favor. Carmony throws a down and out for a first down. Then he runs a keeper off left tackle for a big gain. At the 22 of Boone, the SK QB hands of to Hammack who cuts upfield through an opening, runs over a DB and gets down to the 4 yard line. Sergent is stuffed for a loss on first down. On second down he goes 6 yards for the score. Just like that, Sk is up with 2:30 remaining in the 3rd period. SK 29 Boone 7 Another squib kick bounces off a Boone player who falls on it at the 32 yard line. Two straight penalties by Boone backs them up to the 22 yard line. An incomplete pass, a muffed snap and a long pass to no one brings up 4th down. Sergent fielded the punt on the 50 at the right hash mark. He started straight up field and then cut left and headed for the left sideline. The entire Boone punt return team was running on the right side of the field where Sergent first fielded the ball. There was no one on the left side and Sergent’s escort was looking for someone to block but he couldn’t find anybody. TD SK. After the kick… SK 36 Boone 7 with 1 minute left in the 3rd period.

Post 2/4 It’s 2nd and 5 at the Boone County 34 yard line. Shutt, running out of the FB position takes the hand off and goes between the guard and tackle. He’s hit by an OLB at the 35 yard line who slides down and is hanging on to Shutt’s leg. Shutt fights forward dragging the player to the 41 where more defenders help out to make the stop. But after a 7 yard gain, it’s a Boone County first down. On 2nd down, Sr. QB Zach Grau, heaves the ball 45 yards in the air into the arms of Jante Wingo who is well-covered and makes a diving catch. He pulls the ball in and is clutching it to his chest as he lies on his back on the ground. His momentum carries him through a roll and pops up to his feet when the defender rips the ball out of his hands. It is called an incomplete. It looks to me like it is a catch and he is down by contact. He loses the handle after he pops up. I think it should be a completion. It doesn’t matter because there is a holding call and the penalty negates everything that just happened. But props to Wingo for a heckuva play on the ball and to Grau for throwing a beautiful long pass that was on the money! The defender, #29 David LeCount had tight coverage and didn’t give up on the play. You couldn’t ask any more from all three players. Great effort. The next play is a pitch outside that is not caught and the ball bounces around until a Boone player falls on it. Then a seem pass is thrown to the left side but the receiver isn’t looking and it hits him in the numbers on the back of his jersey. That was a potential 1st down. This is how it goes for Boone County. They are competitive with every team they play. But then bad things happen. On this series, a penalty, a fumble, and a receiver not looking for the ball stall the drive. But, Boone was so close to having a huge play that put them in scoring position. So, instead we have 4th down and Boone must punt from their own 24. The ball hits at the SK 40 and then rolls to the 15 yard line. That was a 60 yard punt. Grau’s punting has easily been the best part of Boone’s special teams all year. Sergent goes for 6 but this is followed up by an SK illegal procedure penalty. Farfsing pass is then intercepted by Jante Wingo at the SK 42. On the first play Shutt is lined up at TB and takes the handoff straight up the middle which is completely clogged, he spins to the outside right but is wrestled down by 3 SK defenders for a loss. Derrius Jerry, lined up in the slot, takes a quick out pass for about 10 yards so it is 3rd and 1. Shutt gets the handoff and with the push of the O-line and a block by FB Hunter Freeman, he finds enough room between Guard and Tackle for the first down. On first down, Shutt takes the pitch and cuts it up inside the tackle where an SK LB dives at his ankles to make the stop after a 4 yard gain. The jet sweep loses about 3 yards to bring up 3rd down. Clay Cogswell knifes through on a blitz and sacks Grau for a loss back to SK’s 40 yard line. The punt goes through the end zone. SK RB goes for about 5 yards where he is slammed down by the Boone MLB. Brown takes the handoff from Farfsing and runs to the outside where he pulls up and fres down field to Eric Kaiser but the ball hits the turf for an incomplete pass. A screen to Sergent nets a 1st down. Next is a keeper by the QB who is slammed down on his back for a 1 yard gain. Farfsing drops back to pass and scrambles for almost 30 yards to the Boone 38. The quick pace of the SK offense appears to be wearing down the Boone defense, many of whom play offense as well. A run and a quick pass to the outside and SK has the ball at the Boone 25. A quick pass goes out to Mulberry who ran up field 5 yards and stopped, then turned and ran, eluding two tacklers but then he got drilled by Shutt and the ball went squirting forward and rolled ut of bounds at the 7 yard line. That was a lucky roll for SK. A pass out to Sergent in the slot goes for no gain. Sergent gets the call again and runs up the middle for the TD. Extra point is good. Score is SK 15 Boone 0 Another bouncing squib kick but Boone covers this time at their 35-yard line. TB goes off tackle for a short gain. Pitch left for about 4 yards. Shutt for no gain on 3rd down. Punt again but this time SK has too many guys on the field. The penalty yields a 1st down for Boone. Could this be the break the Rebels need? Boone throws for no gain, an incompletion on 2nd down. On third, Grau’s pass is dropped and it looked like it would yield a 1st down. But it brings up another punt that goes out of bounds at the 25 yard line. Time is running down but SK has plenty of time to add to their lead. There’s already been 80 plays in this game and we’re not to the half. Farfsing passes for 15 yards and a first down on the first play. He rolls right and fires out to Trey Little for another first down at the Boone 46 yard line. A penalty against Boone and a run by Sergent gives the Pioneers a 1st down at Boone’s 32 yard line. A score would be big just before the half. Farfsing rolls right and is chased and made to throw out of bounds. He fires for an incompletion near the 20 which brings up 3rd and 10. Boone blitzes and forces Farfsing out of the pocket. Farfsing runs to his right while looking for a receiver. Shutt gives chase and dives for the tackle just as Farfsing releases the ball to the sideline. Incomplete pass. But Farfsing doesn’t get up after the play. He is in agony and can’t put wait on his leg. He is helped to the sideline where he will remain for the rest of the game. I feel so badly for this kid as it looks like his season is in jeopardy. He is such a great competitor and great athlete. Sophomore Reed Carmony comes in at QB for 4th and 10. SK is going for it. There is maybe 40 seconds left in the half. Carmony drops back to pass but the blitz is on and he is swarmed, first contact by #81 Anthony Boiko. Carmony fumbles the ball and John Mark Shutt scoops it up at the Boone 40 yard line and sprints towards SK’s end zone. He easily jogs into the end zone for the scoop and score. After the kick, the score is Boone Co. 7 and SK 15. 18 seconds are left on the clock and this is how the half ends. Halftime SK 15 Boone 7 This has been a pretty exciting half of football, though it is sloppy with many penalties. Boone’s defense has held the SK offense pretty well. I’m sure there were many surprised by the score a halftime.

Post 1/4. I will make 4 posts. Each post will cover one quarter. The final score was SK 39 Boone County 7 but the action on the field was much more competitive than the score suggests until the fourth quarter. This is long so if you’d rather not read it then you can go to Star 64 web site and click on the game of the week. The whole game is there but it will take you about 3 hrs to watch. Boone County was set to receive the opening kick-off. It was an attempted onside kick that Boone recovered but SK was off side on the kick. So, SK got to kick it again. How do you reward the offending team with a mulligan?! That is one rule that needs to be changed in high school football. On the do-over, SK’s kicker kicked a hard line drive that bounced off of Boone County’s front line and SK recovered. Instead of Boone having a first and ten on SK’s 46 yard line, SK has a 1st and 10 on SK’s 46 yard line. That’s a bad start for Boone and a serendipitous start for SK. On third and three Sergent goes around left end for a 1st down. He gets a second carry around the other end and gets 7. On the next play, Farfsing connects with #88, Evan Mulberry, who lined up on the outside for a 30 yard TD pass. SK gets a 2-pt conversion on the swinging gate play with Clay Cogswell on the score. SK - 8 BC – 0 SK attempts another hard squib kick on the ensuing kick-off. The kick goes off the hands of one of the front men for Boone and continues about half way down the field between the deep men and the middle guys. Boone has two players go for the ball but it takes a horrendous bounce away from them and SK falls on it. Pioneers ball on the Boone 22 yard line. This is a horrendous start for Boone. If they are going to stay any where close to SK they need to get the breaks and it isn’t happening early. SK has a third and long and came up 11 yards short on a scamper by Farfsing. They throw incomplete on 4th down and Boone takes over at their own 21 yard line. Boone comes out in a Wing-T and throws to the TE RJ Summers for a 7 yard gain. Two running plays later and Boone has to punt. Sk takes over the ball on their own 45. Farfsing fakes a handoff and looks to run around the right side. OLB Evan Curry forces him inside where MLB John Mark Shutt makes the stop after a 1 yard gain. I’ve got to say, the the SK QBs are terrific ball handlers. They stick the ball in a RB’s gut and pull it back out and hand to someone else or keep it. They are very sneaky and I had trouble following the ball from the stands, as did the defense on the field. Farfsing scrambles for 8 yards. On 3rd down Boone calls for a run blitz, ILB David Bodenbender knifes through to tackle Sergent for a 2 yard loss. It’s fourth down. “Boddie” is just a sophomore but he had a great game at LB. I’m excited to see what this kid does in the future. The punter fumbles the snap and has to make a run for it, getting back to the line of scrimmage. Boone has the ball at the SK 48. Boone lines up in a Power-I. On 3rd and 2 the Pioneers jump offsides and Boone has a first down. Boone continues to run the ball. After 3 straight runs by Bodenbender, Boone has a first down as the sophomore LB/RB fought for the last two yards. SK’s defense begins to stiffen up on the next two runs. Boones comes up with a 3rd and about 6 or 7 to go. The snap is fumbled and it rolls forward towards the SK goal line for about 7 yards where SK recovers it. SK’s offense takes over on their own 15 yard line. A Farfsing keeper on first down goes for about 12. It’s followed by a pitch left to Sergent. Trevor Miller comes up for Boone, goes through the block by the WR and makes a big play throwing Sergent for a 5 yard loss. Eric Brown goes on an end around and gets the first down out to the 42 yard line. Dad Gummit! (shades of Hoss Cartwright). A long ball to Brown is just overthrown on the next play. Sergent goes for about 7 up the middle and then a keeper by Farfsing loses two. 4th and 5 and SK is going for it. They are on the SK 46. The RB moves early resulting in a penalty, so the punt team comes out. Another stop by Boone’s defense. After a nice punt and roll, Boone takes over on their own 12 yard line. On the first play Grau scrambles out to the 29 yard line. Then Shutt up the middle for 5 and that’s the end of the 1st Quarter. End of 1st Quarter Boone County 0 Simon Kenton 8

It didn't seem like it--the 500 yards. I wonder how many yards they got after the middle of the third quarter when it was still close. I thought the failed attempt by Boone on third and two was big. Boone had to punt and SK scored. Seemed like the flood gates kind of opened up after that.

Is Fisher #36? He's a fireplug. Why doesn't he get carries with the 1s? He's a tough guy. ON a kick-off he ran down and blew up the block and drilled the runner. Seems like he could get in the game more.

And Boone had about 6 turnovers in that game against Ryle. It was spread over two days. The end of the first half was close--Day 1. Ryle and Boone were pretty evenly matched. Boone was really close in this game vs SK. Dumb stuff that turns into big plays for the other team happened in the 3rd quarter. This game deserves a detailed summary. I don't have time tonight. Maybe tomorrow?

Cooper is almost literally within a stones throw of Ryle H.S. It seems Ryle has taken a page out of Boone's play book by using a LB as a RB. Saladin used to run the ball in BCPWFL. Last time I saw him do so was when he was in 8th grade playing for the Razorbacks. I don't remember him running the ball on Ryle's freshman team. Any way, he is quite capable. The kid can play.

Good effort by BW's RB Cole Stammer #32. Had a 93 yard run to set up a score, in addition to several other good gains.

Wasn't there another long run by a sophomore in the second half? It wasn't a TD but set up a TD by another back.

The QB was very good in the Boone game too. Dixie had a good 2nd half in that game after being dominated in the 1st half. The DE #44 played really well against Boone, also. I'm chiming in to give credit where credit is due.

Yes. District 5: Conner, Cooper, Ryle District 6: Boone County, Campbell County, Simon Kenton

What???!!!!!