TheBallCoach

Usually the recipe that’ll get you beat in November. Tilghman is still in the picture but definitely a wake up call, we’ll see how they respond.

Elder Corbin Highlands Cov Cath Lex Cath 42

The 1-3 Raiders have a 2.5 hour drive to Calloway County to face off against the 3-1 Lakers in their district opener. A must win for both teams if they plan on making the playoffs in this 6 team district. The Raiders hold a 5-0 record in this matchup and last year when these two met Warren East had their largest win in school history 68-0 (not sure if that’s a fact but I have a hard time believing it’s not), regardless you have to assume that this Calloway County team remembers that and will come into this game with something to prove. Unfortunately, the Lakers 3 wins this year have been against some of the worst competition in the State and I’d say the Raiders JV could’ve got those wins too. Losing to Floyd Central (IN) and Greenwood wasn’t too rough on the team morale, a win against Central Hardin was destined. The Raiders walked into Warren Central excepting another victory and got torched, couldn’t tackle, no coverage or pass rush; it was the worst I’ve seen the defense look this season and that’s including their opener where they were clearly outclassed. Finding themselves in another situation they deem to be winners of, I would have to agree and will be concerned if they don’t win this one with ease. Boyer had another big week against the Dragons with 10 catches for 109 yards and 2 scores. The running game finally got going, SR RB Jeremiah Lee had 181 on the ground with 3 TD’s. Another big week in store for this offense, they have to keep Isable clean as they are starting to creep into the meat of the season in must win games. Webster County, Fulton County, and Ballard Memorial, while I may of been a little tough on the Lakers schedule earlier, playing in a district with 5 tough games by their standards it does make sense to get your guys a few feel good wins. In their only loss of the season to Murray they let up nearly 500 yards and let up 50 points, a high scoring Raiders bunch will be hoping to do the same. JR QB Bradwell has 10 TD’s and 850 yards through 4 games, SR RB Smith has 532 rushing yards along with 7 TD’s. SR WR Dracus with 12 catches for 272 and 5 TD’s, pretty impressive stat line from that young man. They’ll have the opportunity to rack up some yards and points if they have any sort of cohesiveness as an offense, if they force a few turnovers and get points from them I don’t see why they wouldn’t have a chance to win this game. Warren East defense will do enough and the offense should produce early and often and get this one out of hand. A lot of changes with this program over the last year and it’s a wonder what’ll happen this coming offseason, curious to see how it finishes out. Raiders 49 Lakers 28

I like Collins a lot! Glad to see them here. I’m a Bowling Green guy, but an 0-4 Purples team shouldn’t even be in the rankings no matter their future projection. Feel like they need to earn it and a win over Barren County Friday wouldn’t even do it for me. North Hopkins with one of their best wins in school history, I like their top 5 entry. I’d have Coach Burns and those Pulaski County Maroons as my #1 seed entering week 5.

CAL clears 3A, not really up for debate. Bardstown has a key game this Friday against Owensboro Catholic, I’m not sure they win that one. Thought when Coach Clark stepped down and now having moved away they’d have a fall off, still a good team but I’m not sure I’d have them at #5. Central will always be competitive in the class come November, I’ve seen it too many times. Glasgow will finish the season 10-0, they have some talent on their roster. Should be a final four type of team when it’s all said and done.

I like Belfry more than I should. LCA facing Lexington Catholic this Friday is exciting, I think they’ll drop their 4th straight and then run the table heading into November as a favorite to win 2A. Monroe County is a fun piece to shuffle into the mix, curious to see how how they play against Campbellsville next month; believe the Scotties were a little too much for them but if they can beat the Eagles that’ll be enough for me to think they can win a few playoff games. Hancock County has a pretty good football team as well, probably should’ve beat Hart County last week.

The Trojans may be able to get a stop or two but their offense is a mess and will get shut down. Coming off a running clock against South the Purples have to put some points on the board and gain some confidence. A trip to CAL around the corner, just a brutal run of competition. Have to admire the gumption from Spader and company but there’s a good possibility they go under .500 this season.

They were a very motivated bunch this evening, big win for their current program.

Final from Warren Central, what a win for the Dragons. That’s two in a row.

Dragons get the ball to start the 2H.

16-8 Dragons have the lead and possession. End of 1Q

https://stfanclub.com will be streaming this one. I like the Gators to get back in the win column, have to admit the Cougars are playing a better brand of football than I would’ve believed a team who lost their SR QB this offseason. Greenwood has a very good front 7, they’ll make this one a very physical game on both sides of the ball. Gators 28 Cougars 14

https://stfanclub.com will be streaming this matchup.

Now @DragonFire I feel like you’re being a little excessive with this statement or possibly you’re just higher on the Raiders trajectory as a program moving forward than I am at the moment. I do have a hard time believing we’ll ever see the Warren Central of old, but asking to be better than Warren East isn’t too tall of a task.

I have to admit seeing the Purples have 11 votes to win (I’m one of them) is a little surprising. If the other voters are like myself and just hoping for a Bowling Green victory then I guess it makes sense. It was strange to see the Spartans struggle with Greenwood, you could tell that the Gators game planned very well and their kids really wanted the win. South was just able to do what all the good teams can and that’s get out of bad situations with a win. The passing attack from the Spartans amped up as the game went along, Page was able to build some confidence after the Gators were all over him in the beginning. Spartans defense is where I’d be concerned as a Bowling Green fan, very big and strong front 7 and they keep contain really well. It’ll be a difficult task for the Purples to get anything going. Was unable to watch the Purples last week against Scott County; NFHS decided I needed to watch what seemed to be a father and son doing some futbol drills instead. Listened to it though, honestly couldn’t get a feel for how it went outside of @Purple88 updates through the game, thanks for that. This game for me isn’t about the win or the loss, I remember when they decided to roll with Deuce Bailey his Freshman year and telling my fellow followers of the team that I just didn’t want him to get to down on himself when he doesn’t perform to the ability he desires. We know how that story ended and saw a couple of State Championships come out of it, hopefully we get a similar story with Davis. It’s a tough position to play as is and when you have the keys to the offense at 14/15 years old on a team that’s expected to win by the community, on top of having teammates who are on the way out the door in a couple months who will never play football again who want to leave a champion too, it’s tough. A different type of pressure to be at your best with all those factors in play. Just hoping to see some composure in the pocket and control of the offense. Huge game, @DevilMayCare was spot on, the best rivalry in the State. This series isn’t but a decade or so old, crazy to see how quick it got to this magnitude but living here in Bowling Green it makes a lot of sense. Simply just don’t like one another, two powerhouse programs and you can always expect a physical 48 minutes when they line up. I’m taking BG in this one, no other reason than I just want to see the Purples get a win. An 0-4 start is unheard of but could be a reality, need some timely turnovers and good special teams play. Purples 24 Spartans 21

Dating back to 1998 per KHSAA, it’s been a complete wash for either side. From ‘98-‘04 they met 7 times and the Dragons took them all. Had a break from the series and they met again in the ‘09 and ‘10 seasons, and Central won those two as well. Another brief getaway from one another and here we are today meeting for the 11th season in a row, outside of the 2015 victory, the Dragons have dropped 9 straight to the Raiders. Warren East hosted Central Hardin last week and had their way, their SO QB Isable had 5 TD’s in the air and one on the ground. Lightfoot looked his usual self, and his teammate and fellow SR WR Boyer was finally able to make his presence known with 8 catches for 63 yards and 3 scores. The offense was clicking and the defense held the Bruins to nothing, the Bruins may not be the cream of the crop but that’s good for the team morale after a couple losses to start the season. Warren Central coming into this game off of a win over Allen County, they have a JR QB Latayvon Dunn who can throw it and also get some production on the ground as well leading the team in rushing against the Patriots. His JR WR RaMaun North had 6 catches for 143 yards and 2 scores in the game. The Dragons had a defensive touchdown in the game, like the Raiders the competition may not of been up to par but winning games isn’t easy and I know they are looking to right the ship in this crosstown matchup. I’m a little unsure in this one due to the fact that the Raiders were able to play to their standard last week. I believe a lot of that had to do with Isable having a clean pocket due to the lack of pressure the Bruins could get on the Quarterback without leaving lopsided 1 on 1 matchups outside. Will the Dragons have the ability to rush the passer? I think they can utilize speed up front similar to what the Gators did to them in week 2, may let up a Lightfoot score or two but constricting the Raiders from getting into any sort of a rhythm will be their key to victory. I will say that a road win in Allen County and scoring 34 points was something that caught my eye this past week, Warren Central offensively has been tough to watch the past decade. They may still have some bumps and bruises and lack some consistency along the way but Coach Harness seems to be on the right track and I have to give credit where it’s due. Hopefully the Dragons can win a few more games this season, but I don’t think they get one this Friday evening. It’ll be close but the Raiders will find a way to win this one, another week where Lightfoot will be the best player on the field and they’ll need him to be. Raiders 34 Dragons 26

CAL Manual Boyle Owensboro Trinity Tiebreaker: 51

Not everything we believe does my friend.

40-0 Raiders. Running clock 6:45 3Q

46 yd pass TD Page to Carter 2:36 3Q 30-13 Spartans 22 unanswered points.

Very surprising, Warren East has looked rough their first couple of outings.

Long drive for the South to open the 2H, Touchdown. 5:53 3Q 23-13 Spartans

Raiders up 33-0 at the half.

Was a competitive 1H even though the Tigers wouldn’t let the Bulldogs have anything. Doors busted open in the 3Q, a very good football team.

Spartans 28 TD pass from Page to Carter to end the half, wild catch. Spartans get the 2pt conversion attempt, 15 yd yard penalty on the attempt didn’t matter. 16-13 Spartans South Warren will get the ball out of the break, very curious to see how Greenwood comes out in this 2H. They lacked a lot of energy against the Raiders last week, much different opponent in the visitors locker room this Friday evening though. The Gators front 7 has dominated South, they cannot run the ball but Page has started to get comfortable tossing the football.