still 55

I recall 2015 when the Aces came calling at War Memorial. I can without a doubt tell you that our coaching staff was more concerned about them than either DeSales or Newport Cent Catholic who we beat on the way to title #12. It was a heck of a game. That’s one of my favorites since my young un had 2 int’s and forced 2-3 fumbles. That was the game that Sidney Herndon set a record with a 49 yard fg.

Mayfield is 5-0 all time playoffs against the Aces.

The Cards are 14-1 all time against the Aces.

Is this one gonna be known as the Morris Bowl. Both head coaches share that last name.

I don’t think Cliff Dew would ever consider that. He got passed over by Graves years ago and does not have any desire to be there. Also, word for years has been that he could be the next head at MHS.

I can’t wait to see this one. The Cards are on a roll. Let’s keep it rolling right along.

The Cards seem to be stepping up each of the last 3 weeks. Murray was a tough game that was in question in the second half. The next week was LCA with the most talent that could be chosen across the commonwealth. That game was in doubt until and 8 min left in the game. Then this week it was Beechwood. That game was in doubt until a last second fg. We need some relief, my heart can’t take much more. I hope this game eases up for the Cards. They seem to be on a mission. I’m going with my Cards by a TD for their first win at Lexington.

I had this one wrong. However, I knew PT could make enough mistakes to cost them in a tough game. I guess it was 2 int’s and a fumble this time. At least the penalty bug wasn’t the issue.

I don’t think he was attacking the refs. He was just pointing out that we actually scored there so, the football gods smiled upon us with the int to make it right. Mistakes happen and in high school the officials don’t have the benefit of instant replay.

I guess I was wrong about the score in this one. However, I wasn’t expecting a blocked fg and 3 touchdowns to be called back for holding. I couldn’t figure out why we had so much trouble with the halfback on the wheel route. I saw that in all the videos I watched. Any how, the Tigers were impressive in the passing game. They also were not super arrogant and taunting like we saw in last weeks game.

The post I saw said approximately 300 parents, family and friends were in attendance for the practice.

We do not want to hear that folks. The last time I heard that talk was when my Cards beat the Tigers 19-14 in 2011 in semis. They went to state after a full week of hearing that was the real state championship and got beat by Hazard.

This morning is the long awaited tradition at Mayfield, the Thanksgiving day practice. I’m not gonna get out there this morning. However, there will be a small crowd watching. I heard they are even serving donuts. My youngest did that four years in a row. I miss those days. You gotta love being from a football town.

Dang fellas. I leave for a few hours to drive to Nashville Airport and back and find an all out brawl on here. It’s time the officials start the count. Geez ease up.

That team 2 years ago was a good 2a team. They just weren’t on the level Beechwood was. It was obvious to me what was going to happen. The teams we don’t want to talk about was 2007, 2008. We had a wealth of talent that couldn’t get along with each other or the coaches and imploded.

Because Murray had 2 wideouts that were 6’5” and 6’6”. Several times our db’s got their hands on the ball and they still caught it. In answer to your other question, in this one I don’t feel the Tigers have much of a chance outside getting multiple turnovers. Don’t say anything about the color of my glasses though. Two years ago I refused to make the drive to Beechwood because I saw what was coming.

The matchups that I see are glaring. The Tigers don’t seem to have much of a running game. Mayfield is stout against the run, well in any year, but this year is no exception. The qb for Tigers has lots of trouble with pressure quickly. This is exactly what Mayfield is built for. Also, the db’s for Mayfield have the speed to cover his options in man coverage. On the flip side, the Tigers seem to struggle defending the run against quality teams. They want to force you to throw in hopes that their fast secondary can break on a ball and get a takeaway. This is a problem for the Tigers if Mayfield doesn’t have to throw much to move the ball. A much overlooked matchup will be on the special teams. The Tigers have a real issue stopping the returns on kickoffs on their left side. So, if they kick deep, they risk a quick 6. If they pooch, they give the Cards great field position.

Until you see PT in person, you really can’t understand it. PT by 2-3 touchdowns.

I really can’t wait for Fri night. I just watched the Red Helmet Video pregame.

I have been studying film for 3 days now. The Cards should do real well on the ground. It would appear the other side is that the Tigers throw so much due to lack of a serious running attack. Yes, Tigers have a passing game but, when qb gets pressured, it’s a lot like Boley. I really like how the Tigers utilize the 3-4 receivers on one side with only 1 receiver to the other to open up space for the solo receiver side. The wheel route by rb is going to be a big part of their game. After watching what I have, I think it’s going to be difficult for the Tigers to stay closer than 20 points down.

To my point: Defensive stat 2013 Mayfield gave up 233 points 2014 Mayfield gave up 184 points Now let's go even deeper into that: 2014 Fort Campbell not as good as 2013 2014 McCracken better than in 2013 2014 PT a little weaker than 2013 2014 Murray better than 2013 2014 Graves much better than 2013 2014 Marshall better than 2013 2014 Fulton better than 2013 2014 Fulton Co better than 2013 2014 Russellville about same as 2013 2014 Caldwell about same as 2013 2014 Caverna much better than 2013 2014 Bethlehem better than 2nd rnd PPP 2014 Russellville about the same 2014 Beechwood better than Frankfort 2014 Wburg light yrs ahead of last year

The defense was better this year by stats and the fact that the competition for the most part was better all year. But don't tell me that most of you didn't think that this was going to be a tough year. I had to defend our boys all year. The fact that the defense was better did not mean that people were not thinking we were gonna struggle. Most people thought we were gonna struggle because we lost almost an entire offensive line, our speed receiver and our record breaking qb. Yes, I was correct about the defense this year and yes I am correct about the offensive line of next year. I think some of you get offended because you don't want to hear the next man up can advance our team because you know someone on the current team and think I am degrading them. I am a coach and I look at talent based upon talent not relationship to me.

Now to further excite you about this upcoming year for Mayfield I have done a little research. We return Trajon Bright who had 1941 yards rushing this year and 31 rushing touchdowns. He also had another 144 yards receiving. We return Landon Arnett who 2173 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. We return Lane Kennemore who had 976 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. He also did real well passing. We return Michael Walker who had 89 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. We return Colby Tucker who had 39 yards receiving in only 2 games, or 1 3/4. We return Sidney Herndon who was 74 of 76 on PAT's and had 9 field goals. He also averaged 35 yards per punt and 53 yards per kick off. Plus, you know the stable of backs that we had setting on the sideline just waiting for their chance this year. I also have hear rumors of at least 1 more really good skill player moving in next year. Add to this the fact that on defense we return at least 9 players that either started or played a very significant roll this year. We also return Colby Tucker, who was one of the starting corners until injured in week 2. I think this all leads to us being very much improved next year. I and most of Cardinal nation felt that this year was our best chance to get knocked off over the past 5 years. I figured out within the first 2-3 weeks that they were so mentally tough that they were not going to allow that to happen. Now next year, they have the talent and the mental toughness to go with it thanks to this bunch of upperclassmen that they learned from.

I forgot to mention in the above post that those weights for the players came straight from the KHSAA roster listed for the championship game. That is not me guessing.

Mayfield Sportsfan, I'm sorry if I stepped on some feelings there. Sometimes you have to realize that you have to look at this from an impartial standpoint. I was in no way referring to any kids in a manner as to slight what they accomplished. I simply spoke to the fact that our offensive line should be bigger and stronger next year. Granted the boys I am referring to were not bigger, stronger or better than the ones there this year. If they were, our coach would have used them. I did hear that they were pushing these seniors though. They now have a full year of weights, growing and experience, therefore they should be better. Now I have heard that one of our old linemen is coming back home next year and he is every bit as big and fast as Carmen. Now, I would not have wanted to trade Carmen for him this year and that is not what is meant by that statement. However with a year of growing, weights and better coaching, he will be a very formidable replacement. Now, as to the statement that you made about us not being as big as I said on the line next year, here is a tale of the tape. This year we had Carmen, which I have addressed by having almost the same type kid to replace him next year, at least real close. This year we had the 2 Dunn boys, who were listed as weighing 190 and 195 lbs. We had McCord who was listed as weighing 240 lbs. We had Kendall, who was listed as weighing 220 lbs. Next year in addition to the one mentioned above, these are the most likely linemen coming in. That is not counting what ever decides to come from across town since they realize they have no real good expectations of success next year. Davis Mills is a possibility I think. He showed a weight of 185 this year and has another year to get 5-10 lbs to equal the Dunn boys. Johnny Hernandez has been a lineman before and is a very suitable option. He weighed in at 230 this year and has another year. Xavier Brown weighed in at 235 lbs this year. Brentley Adams weighed in at 195 lbs this year and has another year to put on weight. Devon Jeffries weighed in at 225 lbs this year and has another year to grow and put on weight. Alec Giron weighed in at 235 lbs and has another year to grow and put on weight. Nall weighed in at 295 lbs and has another year to grow and put on weight. Caleb Adams weighed in at 200 lbs and has another year to grow and put on weight. Now if you look at that objectively, I think you will see that I was right on the money. If you check around, I believe that you find the general thought would be that this was probably the smallest line that we have had in this run that began in 2009. Now, that is not saying anything bad about this bunch. It actually speaks to what they accomplished being even more significant with the weight disparity. But, even the most uneducated football fan, would feel very good about our chances of being better on the offensive line next year. We still have the coaches, we have kids that learned from this great bunch of seniors this year and we have hungry kids ready to go. I know from mine that our boys are apparently taking things seriously this year. He called me excited the other day about his weight lifting and others as well. Therefore, I know they are working already and this could be a special year coming up.