FB Head

Mayfield will be just fine.  They lost a bunch of skill kids, but they will find a way.  Their line play was supposed to be their achille"s heal last year and developed into a strong core.  Most of those kids are back and their defensive box play is going to be strong and physical.  I have a hard time finding a team that will have success running the ball on them. I would put them at #1 preseason. 

OCath with Atwell is just returning 1/2 offensive starters.  I understand they have several transfers that will help but not sure if that merits being over the state champ.  Beechwood will be the top contender and they will not be challenged until they semi-state, and that too, is a big maybe.  

Coach Kenny Davidson will bring a lot of energy and intensity to Redhawk family.  Congrats Coach!

Saw on Twitter that Crowe did make the move and will be catching from Atwell this coming season. 

Aces also added a good size Center from Hancock Co. 

It's looking like OCath is making moves to finish the job next year. 

Is it a done deal that Atwell will be an Ace this fall??  I hope so, he is something special to watch. 

Rumor mill had him going elsewhere to improve his chances to get better recruited.

Looks like Marshall County got their Coach.  Good luck Coach Bloodworth!

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

I think Owensboro Catholic has to start #1. 

28 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Why not Mayfield? You always have Beechwood number #1 till they are beaten when they have won their titles.

OCath has the best player coming back and a serious Mr. KY candidate.  I just think they have to replace too much.  Atwell only has his RT returning on the offensive side.  That, and the fact that they haven't won the 'ship yet, is my reason for them not to be on top.

Beechwood will have the 2nd best QB (very close 2nd IMO) in class 2A back. The difference is that the Tigers will have most of their team back in '24. That gives me the nod for them to start @ 1.  Not to mention that Beechwood has the easiest path to the semis being in the east.

Mayfield completed, arguably, the best playoff run in recent memory.  Taking down the best the class had to offer. Congrats, one more time, to the Cardinals. Well deserved!!  On to '24...  It's going to be hard to replace 15+ starters (sorry, don't have the exact number), but if anybody can do it, it's Big Red.  Mayfield is great at allowing their young players to get important reps throughout the season.  They develop players year in/out. Their rebuild years usually end in the 3rd of 4rd rounds which is astonishing if you ask me.  

So here is my take (until LCA reveals all their transfers).

1. Beechwood

2. Mayfield

3. Owensboro Catholic

4. LCA

5. Murray

6. Somerset

4 hours ago, zoneblitz2 said:

I think your Top 6 are definitely the right teams and as someone mentioned their could be a lot more roster moves. Mayfield benefited from Biggers transferring in last year and who knows who will show up at LCA. O Cath is losing a little more than Beechwood but should be pretty stout so those two make sense. I’d probably have Murray ahead of Somerset but Somerset has a much easier path to advance further in playoffs. 

I will agree with the top 6.  Order may be different but not much. Beechwood will be the favorite. OCath will have the best player in Atwell, but it will be tough replacing 9 offensive starters. LCA will reload. Mayfield will reload. Somerset and Murray have a strong young core and are on the outside looking in. 

Is this an indicator that the Mustangs stay on top of Region 1? 

UHA has some good athletes and will have a good season. I don't believe they can contend with Lyon but will be a solid team.

Side note: UHA handled Murray on Tuesday by 19 😲

3 hours ago, Brown said:

I've already addressed Starks being out at Owensboro - read above.

PT - 5 TD's against Mayfield all offensive (over 400 yards of offense)

LCA - 5 TD's against Mayfield all offensive (over 500 yards of offense)

Beechwood - 4 TD's against Mayfield all offensive (over 500 yards of offense)

 

Mayfields offense has been superb and has bailed their defense out in these games.  While the defense has had timely turnovers, they yield a boatload of yards and give up a decent amount of points in these games.  This is not a great Mayfield defense - not to their standards.  That's why I think Catholic beats them.  If Catholic gets 400-500 yards of offense, I believe they will score 42+.  

Murray also had 422 yards in their playoff game.  They also had no run defense as JuJu went for 250+ that game.

10- Pikeville

5- Bowling Green

4- Mayfield 

3- Trinity

2- Boyle Co

1- CAL

TB: 42

A school that plays the best and beats the best should have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Currently, the system is still flawed.  Adjust the RPI to accurately rank teams I.e. SOS, out of state opponents.  I would also recommend to open RPI in third round to the entire state instead of East/West. This should avoid the Male/FD, LCA/Mayfield, Boyle/Corbin in the 3rd round. This would give us the best semi-state, state final possible, IMO.

5 points- CAL

4 points- Mayfield

3 points- Bryan Station

2 points- Paducah

1 point- Frederick Douglass

Again, congrats to Mayfield.  Amazing job by the coaching staff. They are some of the best at adjusting and carrying out the game plan.  

Hensley was HOT from the start.  If you notice, after the 2nd/3rd drive, very few times did he get loose.  Yes, he’s as good as advertised but Mayfield did a great job for the most part.

LCA’s passing game was nowhere near the last couple of years. I clearly stated it during the season.  Boley is a great talent but I still think he holds the ball longer than needed. Mayfield is not a huge sack team and they pressured him most of the night. Hope he grows from it at the next level with the Wildcats!!

Juju and Cartwright are the constant. But the 3 factors of the game, IMO, were Biggers (2), Kirby (1), and Torres (33).  They didn’t have their best game the week before but boy… they stepped up in this game! 
 

I’ll be pulling for them next week.  They will be hungry to get back the last couple “L’s” from Beechwood.  

8 minutes ago, The Double Deuce said:

I'm one of the proud minority that picked Mayfield, that place has ended the seasons of a lot of great teams.   

I picked the Cardinals also.  Most outside this region don’t understand what War Memorial is about.  Things “just happen”!

When has Boley had 2 pick 6’s?? 

Congrats Big Red!  
 

The field will be in great football shape.  Last Thursday there was a constant light rain all day and Friday night, the filed was dry as could be.  That will not be the issue.

Warmer than usual Nov game, it looks to be a great one! 

11 hours ago, Cobraxx said:

While the focus so far appears to be on the QB's, RB's, and overall speed I think this game will be won in the trenches. 

At the beginning of the year, I clearly stated that they trenches is where Mayfield is weakest (If there is such a thing, lol).  Watching their progress this season has been a real positive for them.  They seem to have figured it out.  Mayfield O-line should prepare to deal with #11 Hardge!  This kid is a man child. He brings all kinds of disruption and, to me, is the best defensive player on LCA's roster. 

I will agree, game will be won in the trenches and box play on both sides.  Mayfield is a master of gaining the edge for Starks.  Hensley averages a "first down" (10.5 yards) every time he touches the ball 😲.  Coach... that's SPECIAL.  Side note: if LCA wins state, Hensley has my vote for Mr. Kentucky

It's going to be a really good game! Can't wait.

1 hour ago, Purple88 said:

It's like a Whirlpool Museum in here, lot of spin.

Mayfield is arguably the most consistent public school in the State (perhaps Male, but right there).  And as @Brown said they won't lie down for anyone.  Thought I'd add some food for thought from an outsider:

Top 3 Positive Things for Mayfield in this game:

1. Playing at Home - War Memorial is a big advantage.

2. Coaching Staff - Seen it all; know how to circle the wagons and give you something you haven't seen before.  They will be ready.

3.  Speed - you either have it or you don't and the Cardinals do.

Top 3 Negative Things for Mayfield in this game:

1.  Outside of Paducah Tilghman, no one on their schedule is playing top shelf ball in the State.  And they only had 9 games on their schedule this year.  I just watched Owensboro beat South Warren.  A reason for that in my book is the tough out of district teams O played.  Scheduling is a tough task and no one wants to play Mayfield; not blaming because Mayfield traditionally schedules tough teams like Union City, TN and Corbin for example, but it's #1 here.

2.  Mayfield usually has the best players on the field and maybe the top 2 or 6.  But not this game.  Boley and Hensley are tough customers.

3.  What is your defensive game plan?  Stop Hensley.  Good thought.  Then Boley likely elevates and vice versa.  Just a tough animal to corral.  Boyle County held LCA to 38.  Can Mayfield at home when it matters?  I think they could, but it won't be easy.

Top 3 Positive Things for LCA in this game:

1.  You have the best 2 players on the field.  You need to ensure your game plan spotlights them.  The ole dance with the partners that brought you to the dance theme.  Sometimes Coaches outthink themselves.  Most find peril with this path.

2.  Your schedule has prepared you for all the games you have left to play.  Now just execute.

3.  Lot of momentum and confidence.  And with making the trip to the Purchase Area last year, they know what's in front of them much more than last season.

Top 3 Negative Things for LCA in this game:

1.  That's a long bus ride coach.  4 Hours.  How are you going to accommodate that?  Could they come out of the gate slowly?  That can certainly happen.

2.  Mayfield doesn't lose at home in the playoffs very often.  You are going to get their best game.  Coach Morris is a master on the sideline.

3.  You probably haven't seen Mayfield's best plays on film yet this season.  That could be Mayfield's advantage of drilling most of their opponents early and moving on.  I anticipate new wrinkles for this game that LCA will have to adjust to on the fly.

So there you have it.  Would love to be able to make this game, but alas just won't work out for my schedule.  Good luck to both teams and no injuries!

 

 

Mayfield did introduce a lot of "motion" vs Murray.  They saw something on film and added a wrinkle.  Your traditional Mayfield team does not use motion in their offense very often.

You mentioned: pick your poison Boley or Hensley.  The Cardinals are right there with Cartwright or Starks.  If you look at numbers, Cartwright (72.4%) has had an amazing senior year and his completion percentage is higher than Boley's (62.9%)this year, respectively.  Starks' numbers are not amazing or stand out but you have to consider that, for the most part of the season, he has played only in the 1 half of most games.

Not having a competitive game can lead to a slow start.  A positive for the Cardinals in round 2: that's probably the first time since the Paducah game that the starters played the entire game. Looking at film, the defensive line play for the Cardinals was sluggish at times.  I'm sure that is being addressed this week!  Not sure how much LCA has been challenged in the second part of the season. That plus travel on a school day, I'm starting to think Mayfield has the advantage. 

5 point game- Corbin

4 points- Mayfield

3 points- Male

2 points- Bryan Station

1 point- Hart Co

Great matchups @bugatti.  I'm going for the upsets for the risk/reward aspect. 

11 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Do Mayfield fans always get this worked up? 
 

serious voice, why are you engaging talk about next season? You won, and have a great chance to win Friday. Good luck to both teams.

That's a profound YES!!!  

But, at the end of the day, all roads in Western KY go through Mayfield. 

Any team that has a shot has to beat them has to:

1. Be talented

2. Be mentally tough

3. Play the complete 48 mins

And most of the time, that still may not be enough.  I've seen really, really good teams come down, I.e. Beechwood, Desales, LCA, and they've taken the L home. 

Playing at War Memorial is an advantage, no doubt. Just ask LCA last year. I was at their walkthrough that day and several coaches clearly were not worried about the game.  I don’t think that will be the case this time around. It’s a special place when you have only lost TWICE in the playoffs since 2004. 
 

Mayfield has to keep Hensley under 200.  If they do, I like their chances. Tall ask though. It should be a great match up! 

56 minutes ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

Mayfield has lots of good young players too. You just don't see them.....yet.

Like I mentioned before, Cardinals are great at developing players. It’s the culture. No doubt about that. Josiah could be the next great RB there. #44 will be stout and a couple of Oline kids that are huge!  Mayfield is the constant until proven otherwise. 
 

Murray will probably be even younger next year as they only have 4 juniors. Not 1 kid on Mayfield’s team can handle Jones. Just ask Biggers last night. And Malik looked lost on the other CB side. 
 

I see instant classics between these two the next several years. 

Zane was 14/15 in the first Murray game.  They were not going to let him beat them this time around.  Murray actually sacked hime twice in the 2nd half at crucial times when the Cardinals were driving.

But pick your poison!!  Juju went off and that was the difference last night. 
 

I will say, Murray’s starters consist of 3 fresh, 3 soph, 1 Jr on defense. 3 fresh, 2 soph, 2 Jr on Offense. The 8th grade Oline averaged 6ft 250 lbs 3 are playing FBU.  There is a lot of excitement in Murray but you have to develop the kids to continue to grow!

Murray tried to hold on but the Cardinals were just too much! The game was 28-20 with 8 mins to go in the game. 

I don’t believe many were expecting a struggle tonight.  Mayfield’s experience showed.

Congrats to Mayfield!! Should be a great game next week vs LCA.

2 hours ago, DaTruth said:

With the offers that the Jones kid is getting he may not even want to play basketball. Offers to date : Murray State University,  Eastern Kentucky University,  University of Louisville and Nebraska list will grow because he's just a junior. That's what's gonna make this rivalry playoff game even more intense. Wanting to out play and beat someone/team that's more highly recruited, has a former player on its team, Murray is one of 2 teams with recent success against Mayfield, now that PT beat them and it just being a hated Rivalry for years....that's why Mayfield needs to put them away quickly, so they don't get no one hurt and can move on to another team with a highly recruited QB/players but a much better team...

Jones 1st varsity start at QB was 3 weeks ago vs Mayfield. This kid is an athlete but the Mayfield defense is fast and aggressive.  He seemed to be confused for most of the game. Not sure how healthy Wilson is this week but he came in towards the end of the game in round 1.  I would think Jones and Carman on opposites sides of the field would be there best offense.  

Then there is the Mayfield offense!  They are putting up incredible numbers. Load the box to stop Starks and Dumas and they will beat you 1v1 on the outside with Morris & Biggers.  Any one of their athletes can take it the distance on any given play. Cartwright has developed into a legit single caller.  He will tear you apart if you give him time.

Give me Sayre in a shoot out 42-35.

Here is a state line for you:

Sayre QB Luke Pennington thru 11 games: 137/197 (69.5%) for 2,081 yards. 42 TDs and ZERO Ints 😲.

I understand it's not top level competition, but this is impressive at any level!!! 

I may be wrong but Luke may be the only QB in the state without an interception on record this season.