74devil

Would it have been that easy for you when the games were played in Bowling Green? Would you have had a problem with the games being played on Sunday then?

Sorry 88, I replied but neglected to quote your question.

If the kids do their jobs. Play smart, don't try to do too much. Warren has to understand that his job is to get the ball to his play makers (and he has several) and not to play "Hero Ball". No more picks when you should throw the ball away (all he needs to do is watch the film against Catholic and Bowling Green). They can be competitive against who ever they play, they do have the fire power, but they have to realize that they can't give their opponents opportunities through turnovers and silly penalties. That will get you beat quicker than anything. They learned that hard lesson last year. One more thing, Leave the red zone shot gun in the playbook and develop an inside (short yardage) running game. Only look at the gun in the zone as a last resort. I said look, not use.:no:

As usual great breakdown! In the words of the late Dennis Green, "They were who we thought they were....." They didn't get off the hook. OHS is still having issues with their short yardage game. Passing on the goal line!! With less that a yard? Or short yardage for that matter. Wouldn't be a problem if: 1) they did it every once and a while, 2) if they converted once or twice, and 3) if they didn't turn the ball over when they did attempt. There was an attempt against County that if after the pick, county had converted, might have been a different game. Luckily, County didn't and Owensboro took the win. They might be ok through the district but, this won't (didn't) work against Bowling Green (as a matter of fact, it bit them in the rear) , won't work against South Warren or Covington Catholic. They will have to play 2 possibly all 3 to get to Lexington, will they not? I'm looking forward to see what happens.

I agree with your comments about Owensboro, but IMO the after the let down against Catholic, the way they played against Bowling Green then the dismantling of Daviess County should have at least taken the minus away. I may be splitting hairs but the team that played the last two games is not the team that played Catholic. Sure, Catholic won, can't take anything from that win. They don't want to play this Owensboro team. How many points did they give up against County?

Great for him. I wish him the best.

Thank you for your kind words. As always, totally on point. I totally agree that there is an issue as to where to play certain people and how to use them. That being said, the last TD Bowling Green scored was just such a situation. Replacement comes in for inside linebacker ends up lining up as the outside linebacker and the Quarter back (as a good quarter back should) sees the situation and goes right to the spot. Yes, that pick when Owensboro was on the goal line was huge! Total game changer. I believe the lack of an inside running game precipitated the feeling that they needed to throw the ball. They did not learn from the Catholic game.:banghead: That was not the only questionable play call. The called back TD was big but not as big as that pick. Hats off to that corner back (or was it the safety? I have not seen the film). He made an outstanding play. This time last year the feeling over on Frederica was different. There's more confidence over there this year. No head hanging. Yes, they lost, but there was an opportunity and OHS didn't take advantage. The wheels may still be wobbling but they succeeded in putting a couple of lug nuts back on so maybe the wheels won't come off just yet. This isn't last years Owensboro High School team.:no:

DMC You are so right. OHS needs to get its' pass defense in order in a hurry. Another thing, when you cannot run the ball in short yardage instances, you cannot beat teams like Bowling Green. 3rd and short 4th and short. If you cannot convert, you cannot win. Some times you have to slug it out 1, 2 yards at a time, especially when the weather changes. You have to be able to get the tough yards and that can't always done with a pass. I am hoping they fix the secondary issues and find their (currently lost) running game and make this game interesting again. No offense to Purple Nation, but I'm hoping Saturday Morning both teams wake up safe and sound, no one hurt and both teams 3-1.

I'm glad that you gave the kids a bit of credit for being able to play while some of their own fans are ready to write them off. I will say that the coaches didn't make adjustments that they should have made and the play calling left a bit to be desired (but I am just a fan watching). This is a totally different animal and they had better get ready. Coaching staff and the players. Owensboro has the talent to compete. One of the questions swirling around over on Frederica street is "Will the coaches put the correct personnel in the proper positions, even if it means playing some kids both ways?" That answer may very well decide the game. Regardless of what happened this past Friday, there is still a very good team playing at Rash. With that being said, I think it's going to be closer than most people think. Can't give OHS the win just yet, this isn't the one they have to have (it would be a nice one to hang your hat on though). What ever happens, I believe it will make the possibility of a second meeting in November that much more intriguing.:watching::popcorn:

Thank you for the generosity of allowing the Red Devils to remain in the top 10. Not sure if they deserve it, but........Suspect secondary, weak tackling, no second half adjustments, I could continue but that would be piling on. The glaring problem that I see from the offense is the fact that 3rd and short or 4th and short, they cannot get a yard. Against REITZ they left points on the field because they could not convert or turned the ball over inside the red zone. Against Catholic 3 times I saw they attempted a 4th and short (two passes, one run) and came up empty. There was one that if they had gotten the 1st down, I believe would have nailed the door shut. Couldn't convert. The lack of an inside running game is going to hurt them in a big way coming down the stretch. O line started to break down and caused Warren to scramble and that is NOT his strong suit. Makes me wonder why they would have him roll out on several pass plays at the end? He didn't look comfortable doing that early in the game.:( Great break down as always. Hopefully you'll have something good to say this time next week. I am going to say that this coming game will be competitive especially if the devils correct their issues. They definitely need some remedial work on the lost art of tackling. One more thing. If Owensboro continues to kick the ball short, punting and kickoffs (as they have in the past), it is going to be a very long night for the Devils. Burgers and sodas on me at the concession stand by the Ford Street gate if you can make it.:thumb:

Wow!!!!!!!!

You could be right. If you are, might be the beginnings of a very long season for the Aces.

But last year that's where the wheels kinda came off with the Red Devils losing 4 of the next 5 and 7 of the next 10. OUCH! Probably the understatement of the year! Hopefully the guys will keep the wheels on and the wagon will keep rolling. Have several very good games coming down the road, so we'll see. I have my fingers crossed. Excellent breakdown as usual. Thanks.

You could be right. But Brown was not allowed to throw anywhere near this much. Warren had a very good game, and will probably continue along this path but the number of attempts he had last night was probably a third of the attempts for the entire year last year. And the lack of an inside running game is going to cause the number of attempts to go up. I have never heard of an Owensboro team throwing 5 times in a row. But then inside the 10, they run 3 times for a total of 3 yards, 5 yard gain, no gain, 2 yard loss. 4th play Warren finds Flaherty in the back of the end zone. Great throw, great catch. If the Devils intend to be successful in November, they'll need to develop an inside running game. Cold, wet, bad weather, you have to grind it out. Right now, I don't know that they can.

They started out rather sluggish. They finally began to get their act together and played much better. The current lack of an inside running game is going to bite them in the rear end if they don't get it taken care of. Inside the 10 and could not score I believe on two occasions (running plays and tried passing). No action inside the tackles. Backs mostly want to bounce it outside. Won't work against Bowling Green or deep into the playoffs (if they get there). I think they have plans to fix that situation and they should be OK. Owesly should get the ball more but in space, not necessarily between the tackles. I believe that when Warren gets to be more comfortable with the guys he has (in his backfield and receivers) and the run game develops, the devils will pose problems for who ever they play. Tinsley and Flaherty came up huge for the devils. Not sure, but I believe Brown will be back before the Catholic game. Him being back there just might keep D-Lines from pinning their ears back and blowing across the line. Might not be good news for the Aces. Stay tuned.

Ok, now the season can begin. I look forward to your insight every week. Excellent (as always) preview.

You nailed it!!!! Great job.

I have heard that while he was at BG that he was an extremely hard worker. I don't think being 5'10" will hold him back in college. And who's to say that he won't grow a couple of inches?

Too bad more parents don't look at it that way.

Exactly. No grades, the opportunities for aid, slim and none. Trying my best to emphasize this to my second. My first lost out on a lot because of "less than perfect" grades. Been a roller coaster and the ride isn't half over.:no:

I hope that there isn't a major drop off (like last year) in pitching after you get past Haire. There are a couple of pitchers that should be better this year, but that remains to be seen. That has been the one and only game OHS has played in the last 2 weeks. I appreciate your kind words for the guys, but I will wait until they meet again to see who is the better team. That's when it will matter, heading toward the district tourney. There are still questions about the moves that johnson makes and where he has people playing. Just my opinion but if he wasn't going to let Haire finish the game, why put him in at short? He has players that could have played that last inning. Get your reserves some time on the field. If nothing else, it may keep them engaged. You might find that you have some one who could very well help you down the road.

Warren Central has talent, they just do not have the numbers. Shame for the kids there. If there was ever a school that could use a win this season, it's the Warren Central. Did they have a bunch of kids leave when South Warren arrived? What happened over there? It's good that they have maintained with their basketball team.

OHS 7 Ohio County 0. Gilliam looked good at times and he threw hard. I believe Owensboro got 4 hits. Gilliam's defense let him down in the 4th, that's when he got the hook. I think Ohio made 3 or 4 errors. Owensboro made several errors but obviously it didn't hurt them. This will not be the Ohio team that shows up at the end of the season, they will get better. Griffen Haire scattered three hits on his way to the shut out. Don't know how many strike outs he had but IMO he pitched extremely well. If Johnson didn't know who his number one was, he knows now. I believe it is Haire's spot to lose, I don't think anyone is just going to move him out. Good win by the Devils.

Just another reason to hope for the game to be played. Might be a bit chilly, I'm hoping you're right about Gillim pitching. Might be good for them to see a top shelf pitcher this early. Could help them get their "minds" right. I agree that OHS can hit; but what scares me about them is their fielding at times. In the scrimmage against Warren South the left side of the infield had 3 or 4 errors. You aren't going to beat good teams with that. It's early and I hope they settle down, but when you have kids (right or not) with no pressure of being pulled, they can develop a lackadaisical attitude. IMO a little tension along those lines isn't a bad thing. They've all been putting in the work (from what I've seen) so far so hopefully it's not going to happen........Stay tuned.

What you said is true. But I wasn't necessarily talking about equally skilled players. Skill is only part of being a player. "Players" are kids that rise to the occasion and do the things that need to be done to put his team in a position to win. Previous coaching, mentality, experience, etc all go into making a kid a player. If one cannot rise to the occasion when challenged, he/she is not a "player" in my book. I am hoping that OHS gets a shot at Ohio's and Breck's aces. Maybe we'll see how many of them rise to the occasion when there's a good pitcher on the bump. Would be nice if they could get a game in, Ohio Thursday, hope it comes off. I don't believe they'll see Ohio's number one. I can always hope though. Might be interesting for the devils.