TheBallCoach

First meeting between these two teams since 2012, where the Patriots were shut out at home in a 26-0 loss to these Eagles. Coach Hood is coming off the worst season in his couple of decades of coaching at Allen County, winless at 0-10. The Patriots won’t need much to improve from last year and Hood believes getting back to the basics is what his team needs to get back to their roots. Not much on Westmoreland (TN), 6-6 last season. Lost 26-6 last year in this bowl game against the Greenwood Gators. Very run heavy team in years past, not expecting much of a difference in schematics from them. After last year it’s hard for me to predict that Allen County will win, though I do see them being a bit more competitive throughout the season and hopefully they can scratch something into the win column. They’ll drop this one. Eagles win 27-14

The Bison and Gators meet for the first time late Friday afternoon in Scottsville,KY to open the Cole Lumber Bowl. Greenwood heads 15 minutes south with new leadership in the likes of Coach Tony Adams. In their recent countdown to kickoff that aired on WBKO, the message was simple. Fast, physical, and aspirations of becoming a contending program in 5A. A good test for the Gators to open the year. Station Camp (TN) is making a trip from Gallatin to play. Last year Greenwood was the host school of this bowl game and the Bison faced off against Allen County in a 48-6 victory that got out of hand early. The Bison do bring back a 2 year starter at QB who has thrown for 2k+ in each of those years and is able to run the ball as well. A couple of 5A schools and similar to every game at the beginning of the year, who will be able to make the least amount of mistakes. While the mention of the returning QB for the Bison should be impactful, I’ll add that the Gators brought back their sack leaders in SR Karon Tidwell and JR Grant Turner. I believe these schools are fairly even in talent and it should make for a good contest. I’ll take the Gators 28-17.

Two of the top teams in their classes, a great opening game for the Rafferty’s Bowl regardless of the outcome. Haven’t seen many kids spin the ball the way Carothers can, very special arm talent. Could write a paragraph on him alone but I’ll save that for another day, he’ll have opportunities in this game to make some plays it just won’t be enough. Just raved about a D1 QB but Seneca Driver for these Rebels is on the cusp of being a 5 star talent according to the “experts.” I want to see him more involved offensively, a true matchup nightmare and one of the better talents the State has had to offer as of late. Boyle wins 38-14, best of luck to both teams this year on their road to a Championship.

Highlands Trinity Scott County X Murray 48

What a haul for the Jaguars. One of my favorite games of the week. Hope the Tigers can find a way to win.

This was a very exciting game last season, the Wildcats ran for 366 yards and lost to the TN school 42-33. Turned out not being a bad loss, with the Cobras finishing 7-3 last year. Whites Creek (TN) did miss the playoffs after dropping a few close ones in district play. Xavier Hampton had a large role for the Wildcats but I’m sure they’ll ask even more from him now being the SR leader. Ran for 1100 yards and 11 TD’s last season. Curious to how this FS team will look, Ayden Jones is another name that should be expected to take some of the pressure off of Hampton. Not too familiar with Whites Creek, they played against BG and PT in Greenwood’s 7on7 tournament and had quite a few athletes. Should be another fun one on the Smurf turf at Warren East. I’ll take the Wildcats in a tight one 28-20. Coach Chaney seemed excited in their team preview and I liked the hire of former 1A COTY in Benton this off season to run the Franklin defense.

6th year running for the J. Allen Builders Bowl, the host team Warren East is sitting at 3-2 and hoping to add another one Friday night as well as starting the Foley era with a win. Ohio County is bringing along a new face of the program in Coach Holsclaw. The numbers are up which has been an issue for a school of their size for quite some time. I’d say that’s a good start in hopes to get this program going in the right direction. Do I think the Eagles will win? Probably not, the hire wasn’t until mid May and I don’t believe they have the guys to run with the Raiders in what I’ve seen during the preseason. Both teams finished 2-8 last year so I’m not sure what the expectations are with the turnover in these programs. Prolonged disappointment in Ohio County football compared to the first missed playoffs for the Raiders in a decade helped make my prediction. Warren East wins 34-7

I watched some Stiltner highlights somebody had put in a 1A player of the year post and he ran all over the Tomcats. I’ll take the Rams in a tight one, 21-14. Is this the year?

A lot of question marks coming into this one, from both sides. The QB news would be concerning if I were a Chargers fan. For the Purples, can Davis get time to work the field with his new core of WR’s? Defensively for BG it’ll be fun to see the new faces. Can always expect a gritty defense, lost some key pieces that helped propel them to be a formidable opponent last season. My only question come Saturday evening will be whether or not they can stop the run. Breaking the Rafferty’s Bowl streak, 28-14 Bowling Green.

“Neutral” game in Lexington, 1st full week of school, 4:30 local kick, losing a big time SR leader the week prior. I’m not sure anybody else on the South Warren schedule has a better opportunity to catch the Spartans off guard than these Defenders Friday night. Station let up 56 points in this one last year, and then 49 the next week to Pulaski County. Coach Haskins mentioned that first year caught him by surprise and playing 2 State runner-ups in their respective classes to open up your season I can understand what he meant. Believe this one could be very interesting, shootout last year I expect this one to be low scoring. The injury news was alarming but the lack of offensive chatter after their scrimmages against ACS and OB is a bit alarming for the Spartans. Defenders 24-21 in a strange game at LCA.

The Bomber’s last win was back in October 2024, a 42-34 game with the Pilots of Fulton County. They graduated their top player from last season but they have a few JR’s that can play. Numbers are up, should be a fun next couple of years for Ballard. The Rebels have struggled as well, 1-9 last season with their only win being in this matchup that ended 32-28 on the road. 4th season in a row where TCC will be starting the year with a new Head Coach. Another rough season ahead for the boys in Elkton, very tough district as well with Caldwell, Mayfield, and Trigg. I’ll take Coach Hedges and his Bombers this Thursday night, 36-20.

Illegal to film? No. Frowned upon? Yes. Am I surprised? Absolutely not.

I think on the outside these teams matchup very well, I’d argue that Owensboro will have the best player on the field in the JR Dillard. A good measuring stick game for the Red Devils to see how well they are in the trenches on both sides of the ball. I like the matchup between Page and Ganaway, two of the better QB’s in WKY. Should be an interesting scrimmage, I’ll take the Spartans by a score or two.

They’re playing at Warren East, Friday 7pm.

Doubtful that the Cardinals will hang around though I’m interested to how this one plays out Friday. Two of the better teams in WKY, should be a good one! Football is back!

I’d add in Meade County too.

Uncertainty would be a good word. Not always a bad thing to fly under the radar but this defense is replacing a lot and is a big question mark for 2026. Although just a year removed from a State Championship it was a humbling 6-7 season last year. 2 wins in the playoffs isn’t the standard, many schools would cherish that achievement but this is just not a place where that is accepted. Very tough place to operate from but with success comes expectations, pressure is a privilege. Mentioned the young inexperienced defense, offensively it’ll be similar. I’d say it was beneficial for the Freshman last season but his 5 leading WR’s graduated, I’m sure some of the younger talent is capable to compete on the outside. However, if the OL hasn’t improved drastically none of that will matter and we may see another repeat from last season out of these Purples. A lot of what if’s surrounding a program that is usually easy to predict in the off season from a personnel perspective, will be hard to assess until the first scrimmage this year.

Huge game to start the year for both the Dragons and Falcons. I’ll be interested in who can pull away with this one, the loser will have a rough time settling in but the winner may get something rolling. I’m curious where Monroe will go from here, I thought their win last year over Dubois in the playoffs was a good one. Ran into the buzz saw of LCA but it’s part of it, as someone mentioned above Bartley is a great player but I’m curious who will be playing Quarterback and if it is Bartley, will he have any help? Could be a long season if not.

BGA wasn’t there. Highlands beat Station Camp (TN) in the semi’s.

Murray High School goes undefeated through pool play and wins the Small School Throwdown Under the Lights 7on7 tournament at Greenwood High School. https://www.zortssports.com/post/clubHouse?tid=21516 Large School tournament is tonight at 5pm, should be another competitive evening.

QB looked like the D1 prospect he is projected to be. Plethora of weapons at his disposal as well. Glasgow looked like the best of the five teams yesterday morning at BG. Which it’s 7on7 in July so take that for what you will. Depending on how well the trenches are for the Scotties they have as good of chance of anybody to hoist the trophy at the end of the year in their respective class, in my opinion.

The schedule is attached above. I think 5 wins would be considered a great year, but they’ll finish 3-7 possibly 2-8 and miss the playoffs for consecutive years.

Here’s the Wednesday schedule at BGHS for those interested.

Strange off season for the boys in blue, a new Athletic Director as well as welcoming the 13th HFC in program history Jason Foley. In the last 20 years Warren East has been wedged in the middle of the 5 schools in the county, competing in 3 Region championships while winning 2 (‘07,’12). A tough of a district as any. Tilghman still reigns while also picking up former QB from Louisville road Xavier Isable. Coach Adler and his Cougars of Logan County are still chomping at the bit as well. Bordering county rivals with ACS and FS are never easy outs and have Calloway County to round out the six team district. With the Raiders missing the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade I’d say rattling off a couple district wins and getting back into the post season would be a good start for the Foley era. Offensively, your guess is as good as mine. 31 offensive TD’s last year (20 pass,11 rush) and not a single one of those kids are returning. Foley and company are offensive minds so it’ll be interesting to see how they manufacture some points this season with a very inexperienced bunch. Sophomore RB ChuChu Cofer will be asked to handle a load on the ground. Unsure who will be the QB as they’ve scrambled find a replacement for Isable, murmurs of SR Weston Akins, JR Brandon Mccluskey to take on that role. Should be interesting nonetheless. Defensively, quite a bit of their production returns. They bring back SR Sam Tunks. Led the Raiders in tackles last year by a nice margin with 110, a couple of players in the backend as well with JR Azzarrious Douglass and SR Mario Serna. As mentioned above it’ll be important for WE to catch the Lakers and knock off either FS or ACS to get into the playoffs. I believe PT and Logan have the 1/2 spot locked in so it’ll be an uphill battle indeed. The out of district play with a couple Hardin County schools and the crosstown Gators will be tall task. Definitely a team to watch this season in terms of trajectory moving forward.

Biggest issue I’ve had coaching in June is not knowing who is who. I am a fan of the usage of helmets, one for my own selfish reasons to differentiate between players but also acclimating to the heat on their perspective. Personally, I don’t think it’s too big of an issue whether they open it up to discuss or not. After dead period school and football season are on the horizon, how it’s been for a long time and I don’t mind it.