FB Head

Long shot... Graves Co over Owensboro. Winning at Rash is not easy.

Last year, it was the first time in my 20+ years of watching football in War Memorial that I saw a white hat overturn a pivotal call in the 4th quarter of the Murray/Mayfield playoff classic. I watched and re-watched the play and it was a legal block not a blind side that spurred the punt return for a TD. If you ever played at War Memorial for/against the Cardinals in the last 30 years... It is very well known that Coach Morris carries a lot of respect (weight) on the sidelines. That same crew officiated Murray/Caldwell Co last week. Penalties were: Murray 12-96, Caldwell 4-30 ?

The Cardinals have lost 4 home games since 2008. Twice to 6A McCracken and now.... Twice to Murray!! Is Mayfield still the favorite on Friday? No doubt!! They are playing at home vs a common rival they have dominated for decades. They are a high powered offense that can strike at any time. No one comes into CFSB War Memorial in the playoffs and leaves with a win... right?? Ask the Tigers ? Cartwright has been impressive vs his Sophomore campaign and has limited his adverse production to 1 interception all season. Daniel Coles is a ball hawk on both sides of the ball and can change the game single handedly. Kylan Galbreath is one of the most impressive back the West has to offer. What can go wrong ?‍♂️ Murray is coming off a home win vs Caldwell Co (27-13), respectively. They averaged 4.1 yards on the ground vs the toughest D-Line they have faced to date. For the Tigers, anything over 3 yards and a cloud of dust is a positive. They kept the ball over 32 minutes. They will take that too! Even with two turnovers, Murray was able to control the line of scrimmage better than they have the entire season. The game was not as close as the score ended. For anyone that has not watched film on this Murray team... here is a run down. The only team that has been able to stop this offense is.... Murray! In their two losses, Union Co scored 3 TD off special teams and Murray had 3 turnovers. The first game vs Caldwell, Murray had 4 turnovers with three of them in their own red zone. I believe the Cardinals will not sit back in a 4 man front held the entire first game. Murray averaged 4.12 yard/carry. I think they will come out in a 5-3, 6-2 look and play man on the outside. The question is, does Mayfield have enough down linemen to play 4 quarters vs this Tiger style of offense? I believe the strength of this Mayfield defense is their speed at linebacker & the secondary. Not sure if this defense is set up well for this Friday. My prediction(s) Zero Murray turnovers 21-14 Murray 2+ Murray turnovers 28-14 Mayfield

In the first meeting, turnovers, and Caldwell's D-Line dictated the game. Murray had four turnovers (3 deep in their own field) vs Caldwell's 1. Off of those 4 Murray turnovers, Caldwell capitalized for 13 points. Their only other score came on the first play of the second half when Caldwell's QB made a zone read, broke two tackles and found pay-dirt 79 yards (or so) later! Outside of that, offense for both Tigers were nonexistent. Just like Murray is a bad matchup for Mayfield, Caldwell seems to be a bad matchup for Murray. The home team will have to make several adjustments to be able to move the ball on Caldwell's defense. Murray is playing the best defense they have showed all year. With that being said. This will be another classic, hard hitting contest between these two teams. Murray has won the last four playoff games and I don't believe Friday will be any different. Murray 21 Caldwell 13

5 Cov Cath 4 Scott Co 3 Russell 2 Murray 1 Paris

1A Paris at Bishop Brossart Sayre at Hazard 2A Caldwell Co at Murray 3A Ashland at Russell Adair Co at Taylor Co 4A Perry Co at Letcher Co Central 5A Highlands at Cov Cath 6A Oldham Co at Madison Central Henderson Co at Apollo What game jumps out to be a most contested in round one?

You have to remember, this Murray team was told over and over they could never live up to last years team because of the amount of senior talent that left. Their former head coach and DC jumped ship the week before dead period. How do these young men respond... The culture is changing!! Since Coach Bowling's first day in July, he has implemented a hard nose, impose your will type of play that these young Tigers are embracing. On day 1, Murray had around 50+ kids come out for football. They are now fielding around 28-30 players. He demands accountability and excellence from his kids and understand that they can deliver. Now its not just the football team, the community is rallying around the program and there is an aura that they will be in every game they play. I still think they are lacking personnel in certain areas and their depth is almost non-existent but they will come at you with everything they have. Personally, I am proud of these kids for overcoming so much adversity this year! Even if they don't get past the second round, I think you can call this a successful season.

The key piece for this offense is the QB. Rowdy (Sr.) is a perfect fit for this offense. Murray will need to find an equivalent for this team to keep growing in the coming years.

Ryle Southwestern Lex Cath Frederick Douglas Bethlehem

Great work for Logan County in scheduling this game. Logan is a solid squad that has flipped their program in a couple of years. They seemed to be on the right track. This game vs South is a measuring stick to see where you are and they will see what a sound title contender looks like. With that being said, I don't think Logan gets within 21 of the Spartans unless South calls off the dogs. Hope both teams play without injuries heading into playoffs!

How is the district seeding going to be with a 3 way tie??

You have to remember. They start only 3 seniors on offense. This Murray team is getting better week after week. They are beginning to believe in this system!

Sorry… 1 more first down

They needed 2 more first down to win. Murray still had timeouts.

Way to win Tigers!!! I’m so glad you proved me wrong. Best offensive execution all year. Defense still work in progress but I’ll take it!!!

I don’t think Apollo doesn’t get within 14 pts. (voted incorrectly)

The Cardinals have this game penciled in since last November. They will not need any extra motivation for this game. Losing in the playoffs at home is just something that doesn't occur on War Memorial turf. They will be ready. Mayfield's D/O-Line will dictate this game. Murray gave up 13 points on three turnovers vs Caldwell on a 20-14 game. Caldwell's D-line was a problem all night. I see some of the same issues come Friday night. Murray's O-line is undersized, to say the least, and starts 1 senior, 2 juniors, 2 soph on their O-line. Last time Coach Bowling played Mayfield, things didn't fair well for him. Losing 41-0 in 2017 should still be in the back of his mind. Mayfield knows who to play vs option teams. He will have to pass more than four times a game to stretch the Cardinals out. Xavier Biggers and Zavion Carman (both Soph) are big play athletes when given the opportunity. I don't see Mayfield scoring less than 35 points here and doubt Murray can score more than 14.

Statement for Russellville!!! Great win vs quality opponent. The Panthers are in the 1A discussion!

No way this game is moved unless lightning prevents it. Graves is 100% fine with playing in the trenches. I think it plays to their advantage with a back like McKee. It will also slow down the Devils' speed. The field's grass is usually longer than other fields. Home Field Advantage! If the game is moved, the field will still be soaking. The only difference would be the rain.

Murray (5-1) graduated one of their best senior class in the last 20 years. Add the mess in the offseason where the previous coach left the program days before dead period. Needless to say, the Tigers seemed to be in trouble. Coach Bowling took over on day 1 after dead period. He has implemented a new offense/defense and culture to the program. With that being said, many of the older players decided not to continue due to his demands and accountability factor. He currently starts as many as 9 sophomores 7 juniors. Murray seems to be getting better and better as the season continues averaging 400+ on the ground. I'd say Coach Bowling deserves to be in this conversation.

I want to root for the Tornados but like @TilghmanPride mentioned, they are going to have to be more physical than the two games last year. Union Co looks to be better than last years team with addition of the passing scheme. Before, you knew they were going to pound the ball right at you and that is not the case with this year's team. This will be the first of two meeting between these squads. Having home field in the second round is key. I don't think TP wants to travel to Union. It's a good drive out in the middle on nowhere and it's hard to beat them at home!

It's hard to point who is a better player between these two for various reasons. Cam, being a QB, has the ball in his hands and is making decisions for his team about 80% of the time (just a guess, not sure exact percentage.) By all means, Mr. KY winner is far more valuable his his team than Mr. Brown. Xavier is an incredible athlete. The Virginia commit is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The down side for him is that he has to share the ball with the likes of Moore and Nieves. His touches are limited, yet precise. LCA will put Xavier all over the field to find mismatches and expose them. In conclusion, I'll say Hergott is more important to Beechwood than Brown is to LCA. Not sure I can say who is a better player. Although Brown is rated 9th best prospect in the state per 247Sports and Hergott is not listed in the top 24 players ranked. There are 5 QBs listed on the list but Wimsatt is now a college player.

UK is considered to have the best OLine in the SEC. I know GA has athletes all over the roster, but I don't think they have faced a physical team like they will this week. The Wildcats will have to play their best game of the year to even have a shot and I honestly don't think that will be enough! On your note: the best coaches are ALWAYS those who purchase tickets and watch the games ??

I think Graves playing at home will be the difference GC 31 O 28

I'm afraid that D-line the Patriots have will be a problem for the young Tornadoes. Tyson Hornbuckle (Jr. OLB) will be hard to get around. His older brother (Tre) was a stud for Murray and just graduated from Duke football. On offense, the Patriots have struggled of late but they do have athletes that can play. They will feature #24 (Rb Kendall) and move him around for mismatches. He has offers from Memphis, Western KY, Middle TN amongst others. I am pulling for PT but it will probably the best team they have seen to date.