generaldowns

This game was over 10 minutes to go in the 4th with KCD up 42 19.....and then... Sixteen penalties called on the Bearcats, more than a few for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct, a number for questionable pass interferences that kept HC drives alive.. Four turnovers, including one recovered for a TD by HC. Two onside kick recoveries that eventually led to scores by Holy Cross. Most of that happened in the last 10 minutes of the game after the Bearcats were comfortably secure. You want the definition of winning ugly? It happened on Dixie Highway last night for KCD...much the best, but a very hostile crowd, refs that flagged the Bearcats incessantly led to a loss of focus and composure. Good to learn from this one and then quickly put it in the rear view mirror. In time it will seem a little sweeter for KCDs seniors that they’ve beaten the cross town rivals back to Back and got the W for the first time ever at HC. In time it’ll seem sweeter. Not this morning.

Final...ugly, chippy, penalty laden final 10 minutes. KCD holds on after a game where composure and sportsmanship were not in abundance. KCD survives 42 37. You get one of these games a year....this was it.

KCD three plays scores again 42 19 with 10 minutes left to go

Penalties killing KCD, keeping HC in the game ...HC scores with seconds left in 3rd quarter. KCD 35 19

KCD scores again 35 13 with 823 left in the 3rd quarter

KCD comes out and scores first play...28 13 to begin second half

KCD not getting any pressure on HC QB, give up another TD late in the half. 1st half over 21 13 KCD up but playing poorly.

KCD roars back 21 7

HC scores 14 7 with 7 left in the first half

End of first quarter...14 0

KCD 14 0 with 613 left in 1st quarter

KCD 7 0 10 minutes left in 1st quarter

At the half per Twitter, Central 20 Wagner 7

Per Twitter @RivalsDave who is there 14 7 Central at the end of one quarter

I watched some additional video last night, HC v DeSales, HC v Paris. It reinforced some earlier analysis. DeSales is a run heavy team with an excellent line that looks to pop big plays with its myriad of nifty runners. I know the final score was 47-0, but the first quarter and a little more demonstrated the kind of defense HC is capable of. DeSales punted on its first possession. It was just 14-0 after the first quarter. And just 21-0 with 3 minutes left in the first half. HC made DeSales work for it for much of the first half....a pretty darn good defensive effort against a team averaging 35 points a game. And against a Paris team that has put up some big numbers on offense on a number of occasions, HC kept the Greyhounds out of the end zone the entire first half. There's some Defense being played over on Dixie Highway.

Just outstanding stuff and plenty to think over and analyze, VOR. I'd rank the districts at this snapshot in time: 1)District 4 and 6--top two teams in each district look outstanding 2)District 3--KCD and two other very competitive squads that will be tough outs for most other 1A teams 3)District 8 (Could have put this district in the two slot)--as VOR put it, throw the records out here...Pikeville will not go gently into that good night. 4)District 5--Lots of nice teams in this group 5)District 1--Russellville looks imposing here 6)District 7--Williamsburg will be heard from come playoff time. 7)District 2--Tough year for this district....not a lot of strength shown thus far.

No way would I dispute that Beechwood has the best team in 1A, I'm beyond impressed with what they've done, who've they've played, how they've played. Incredible team that matches up with just about anybody in the state, let alone 1a squads. KCD's O Line averages 225lbs a man from TE to TE, has a D1 commit anchoring one end,hung 38 points on an imposing Lexington Christian team, is the only 1A team in the top five both rushing and passing, and averages nearly 44 points a game against a decently challenging schedule. As far as O lines go, that's a contending group for best in 1a.

Just watched the tape of Holy Cross' last game versus Providence, Indiana. Some observations: 1)Sound defensively....linebackers and DE especially. Providence did not get the edge very often with its' run game. This is the strong suit of HC and where it has its best chance to compete against KCD. 2)Grind it out offense with a few home runs. Exactly what you would expect with a big strong back like Convenuto carrying the ball. Providence did a pretty good job of neutralizing the HC run game,though. 3)QB Jaren Mcdonald is improving with each year. Providence picked him off twice, but he also showed good movement and downfield vision as he pulled off a couple of escape acts and longer completions that kept HC in the game. Cal Preps rated the game versus Providence as HC's worst performance of the year, so it clearly was an off night for the Cougars. No doubt with the open week and this kind of developing district rivalry, the place will be rocking off of Dixie Highway come Friday. You would expect HC to play with big time emotion at home. That said, I think KCD has too many weapons. If the team that led Lexington Christian into the 3rd quarter shows up, that's a pretty good team. And on paper, the Bearcats are the second best team to face HC this year behind DeSales. The best scenario for the Cougars....score first and get into a trench warfare game if possible. Otherwise, KCD might cue the flying circus act.

Blackburn is a terrific player. KCD faced him in the playoffs in 2015....while he didn't have any rushing touchdowns, he passed for two and ran for nearly 200 yards and played very solid defense....that as a SOPHOMORE. Watched him on tape against Carroll County in Ludlow's opening game and he put on a show there as well....insane numbers running and passing. With Beechwood and a possible playoff tilt against KCD remaining on the schedule, Blackburn will have a number of chances to prove he's the best against the best that 1A has out there. And that should make any football fan salivate, no matter what the classification. All the best of luck to him the rest of the season and at the next level.

On live video--Jarius Brents. A freakish athlete. I've not had the pleasure of watching Moore play either in person or on PrepSpin, but have watched his highlights....that's plenty to see. And live, in person? Dillon Wheatley from Lexington Christian is a tough kid who runs north/south and is plenty explosive when he needs to be. Good size and plenty of strength...just a bonafide football player.

KCD comes into this rivalry game healthy....that's so critical when your roster isn't exactly overflowing with bodies. The Bearcats bring all the weapons to this game. And it's a finally a rivalry. After years of Holy Cross supremacy, last fall KCD brought the Mack Truck, kitchen sink, whole enchilada and any other metaphors you wanna choose in a lopsided contest off of Springdale Road. To have back to back wins over a program with as much history and success as Holy Cross would truly be a memorable accomplishment for the Bearcat seniors. Last year Holy Cross's Convenuto ran for 107 yards on 24 carries and he'll no doubt be the workhorse again this coming Friday. I believe that Holy Cross will need to pound the ball, get the clock moving to limit KCD's balanced and explosive offense from getting a lot of series with which to do damage. This game is at Holy Cross, where a lot a KCD dreams have gone to die. That includes a playoff, final play interception in the endzone to end the season for the Bearcats at Holy Cross two years ago. The current group of KCD seniors were sophomores that year against the likes of talented running back Evan Perry. They've not forgotten that night--it continues to be a sore point. KCD will be plenty motivated, despite the way they've rolled through most of the competition this year. Holy Cross shoots off a cannon when the Cougars score...it's pointed at the visitor bench and grandstand and it is super, super loud. They've dominated this series over the years...so a lot of cannon fire has hit the Bearcats so to speak. Given how KCD scored on a powerhouse like Lexington Christian, I think KCD will score plenty if given the chance. The key to the game for HC is keeping the cannon firing slowly, meticulously, grinding up yards and clock. A shootout? That's playing into KCDs power alley. They have a lot of weapons and everyone is healthy. So the weather looks perfect, the rivalry is legit and the cannon is loaded. Meaningful games that set the table for the playoffs...we're at that wonderful point in the season. Enjoy!

"Stop being so aggressive..." This is football...with pads and helmets, blocking and tackling....I understand that injuries can be devastating and we all want to improve the safety of this game we love so much, but I've heard similar comments from referees with kids that were playing hard to the whistle....it's a little puzzling. It's a little frustrating to this observer.

Not blind side blocks A ref who believes that a guy shouldn't continue blocking a db for example that could recover and make a TD saving tackle and flags the blocker...have seen way too much of that.

Have seen several potential game changing TDs called back for this rule AND for a strange rule that is enforced having to do with a player getting blocked with enthusiasm legally before the whistle is blown who "isn't near enough the ball carrier"...that one has been a doozy to deal with this year and last. It penalizes kids that play hard from snap to whistle. Really puzzling and frustrating.

Diaz will play D3 for Pomona College in California next year. Smart young man, National Merit Finalist.