jester270

City county is good for the community and getting the area excited about football.... That is about it. It doesn't hold much merit at all. The only two teams it should really impact long-term is Owensboro and Apollo since its a district match up too. I like this 5A district this year. It may be the most competitive district across the state in 5A this year. These two teams could easily see each other again in the playoffs..... I can't wait to see how Madisonville squares off against OHS and Apollo. 5A is wide open! I think you will see a team from our district playing on Thanksgiving or December. It is still too early to see who that will be though, IMO.

Funny, Owensboro acted as if they won the Super Bowl when they beat OC, who has owned Owensboro the past THREE years. We are getting off topic with this.... Go Eagles. Good luck Owensboro. I want this to be a competitive game, its good for the city and community!

I’ll have one on standby just in case…. Good luck!

Goldsberry would run circles around Owensboro on both sides of the ball. I’m not buying that anyone could cover HH receivers, either. Where do you want me to send a welfare check to on Friday when Apollo either keeps it close or wins? Frederica Street or Cromwell Media (102.7 The “Lame”)?

Heritage Hills would blow anyone out in the city, IMO. Those dudes are different on the other side of the Ohio!

Will Barnes always comes up with great schemes and Drew Hall has helped put together so many great defenses over the years. What exactly is Demarcus in charge of?

I wouldn’t count Apollo out that quickly. They’ve already gone up against one of the toughest defensive lines they’ll see all year in Murray, a group with REAL size and strength. There is a reason why their big guys have gotten several D1 looks. While the run game struggled, Apollo’s offensive line held up very well in pass protection, giving Max Johnson time to make plays. If they can replicate that protection and clean up penalties, Apollo has the skill players to put points on the board and make this a much more competitive game than people think.

I feel that they could implement a 2 QB system, similar to what Urban Meyer did with the 2006 Gators for reference (Chris Leak and Tim Tebow). Max Johnson has incredible arm strength and passing ability, while JT plays with grit and physicality. Plus, JT knows how to pick a part a defense. I don't have a son on the team (avid fan since the Dan Gooch era) but I have enjoyed watching these kids the past few years. I agree with your line however, but I could still see it being a closer ball game than others predicted. This all depends on how well the Apollo defense can stop the run and get pressure to Ganaway Jr.!

Everyone has Owensboro picked as the favorite, just like they had Owensboro Catholic picked to beat us earlier this season. But if you watched that game, you know John Edge had a great game plan, and Apollo only lost by a single touchdown. That showed this team is capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone if they clean up the mistakes. If Apollo can eliminate penalties and keep feeding their playmakers — Williams, Tutt, Bratcher, Badger, and Milburn out of the backfield — they can put up points in a hurry. This offense has weapons, and they just need to get them the ball in space. The offensive line has already faced tougher defensive lines this year (like Murray High), so protecting Max Johnson shouldn’t be anything new. One more thing: I’d love to see JT Edge get more offensive reps. When Johnson went down prior to the Owensboro Game game, JT stepped in and the offense didn’t miss a beat. If they find a way to get him more touches, it adds another wrinkle defenses have to account for. Apollo might be the underdog on paper, but they’ve already shown they can hang with the best. If they play disciplined football and get the ball into the hands of their athletes, don’t be surprised if they make this a lot closer than people think.

Apollo rolls in this one. Great win by the Eagles on Friday! Their receiving core is stout!

CAL Atherton Boyle Owensboro Catholic Trinity 45 Points

Owensboro’s offensive and defensive lines could have their hands full against Catholic’s size and strength up front. From everything I’ve seen and heard, Catholic’s O-line has put on a blocking clinic in every game so far. Miles Edge stands out as the biggest impact player on both sides of the ball for the Aces. For Owensboro to have a chance, they’ll need to shut down Catholic’s running game. If the Red Devils fall behind and are forced to rely solely on the passing attack, it’s hard to picture them pulling out the win. As always, the battle in the trenches will be the deciding factor in tomorrow’s game. Best of luck to both teams!

Both teams are rolling after City/County wins, but I think this matchup at Rash Stadium could come down to the trenches. Owensboro Catholic has shown they can run the football effectively, and with Miles Edge carrying the load, I expect them to keep pounding the rock. The Aces’ offensive line has been consistent, and that should give them an edge against what’s looked like a vulnerable Owensboro front. If they establish the ground game early, they can control tempo and keep Owensboro’s big-play offense off the field. That being said, the Red Devils definitely have a path to victory. Owensboro's skill guys will be able to exploit Catholic's shaky secondary, but that only works if their O-line holds up. Protecting the quarterback against OC's stout defensive line is no easy task, and if they can’t, those opportunities downfield will be limited. I like the Aces in this one, but I’m expecting it to be close. Could come down to who wins the line of scrimmage in the 4th quarter. Carothers is going to have to elevate his game in this one, IMHO. Prediction: OC in a tight one.

Catholics passing game was limited. Apollo did a great job at stopping those big shots that Carothers likes to take. Badger and Tutt returned to true form. Owensboro’s receivers should have a solid game against OC…. OC’s secondary is going to have to improve if they want to make a shot at a state run this year. Great game plan by John Edge. Penalty ratio killed Apollo however. If they clean up some things, Apollo can win out. Hats off to JT Edge! He’s a beast!

If Daviess stops the run, Owensboro will struggle. Plus, didn't DC pick Carothers off twice? I I think this game is a lot closer than what people think. Owensboro struggles with pressure, and Q Wallace loves to load the box and get guys to the QB. I am not buying a blow out win by any means. If OHS loses this game, they may burn the pitch forks!

Owensboro takes the W in this one. Will it be by much? All depends on the o-lines ability to create lanes for Hampton!

Man, whoever at Apollo hurt you, let it go. This is the mentality that adults at Apollo or people who send their kids there have. They are still a good football team with one hell of a coach. It is a long season.....

Great insight. I do know that St. X has one of the most defensively sound units in the state this year. Man those guys can tackle! I think the two big questions remains: Can OHS get ahead early on? If so then that may open up more run game opportunities. How well can the OHS o-line create holes for Hampton? I know that this was a huge question preseason. Hampton averaged less than 4 ypc against Saint X (I realize they were playing from behind most of the game). Good luck to OHS!

Edge knows how to assemble a staff. Most off his staff are former Apollo players who want to see growth in the program. The staff isn't the issue by any means.

How will O's QB do at handling pressure? I expect there will be a heavy dose of it from CAL's Dline. Cal 35 OHS 14

Apollo has a tough challenge this week heading to Heritage Hills, the defending 3A Indiana State Champs, and they’re doing it against a program that returns two legit D1 athletes in Goldsberry (Ole Miss commit) and Ruxer (Oklahoma commit). Both guys are dynamic playmakers who impact the game on both sides of the ball, but Heritage Hills is asking a lot from them with about 9 players going both ways. That can wear down a roster, especially if Apollo’s tempo and offensive line improvement can force them to defend long, sustained drives. Apollo has the firepower to make this a real game. Max Johnson at QB with weapons like Badger, Tutt, Bratcher, Williams, Edge, and a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Milburn and Matting gives the Eagles multiple ways to attack. Apollo also returns a respected secondary that can hopefully eliminate Ruxer's play making ability. I think they have the guys to do it, but I have not seen much tape on H.H. to see how good their skill players are. Apollo's special teams also look much improved, which could be an X-factor in flipping field position against a team like Heritage Hills. Tutt took a KR and PR to the house last week, with the PR being called back due to holding. Is Tutt the weapon Apollo needed to replace Niles Board? Do they have other skill players that can make big plays against any given team? Absolutely.... But.... Apollo will have to be perfect on both sides of the ball. They must eliminate turnovers as much as possible. Take away turnovers and big penalties, they beat Murray last Friday. The two keys will be: *Whether Apollo’s offensive line can control the trenches and keep the run game going — if they can establish balance and finish drives, they’ll make Heritage Hills pay for stretching their stars so thin. *Stopping Goldsberry and limiting his explosive run play making ability. The dude is wicked fast and can make plays with his legs and arms, but again, Apollo's secondary has fared will against some talented receivers in 5A last season, IMO. Heritage Hills will want to lean on Goldsberry’s legs and the passing game to Ruxer, but if Apollo can limit explosive plays and force sustained drives, their depth and improved OL could swing momentum. Does anyone else have any info on Heritage Hills? I remember them playing CAL last year and they struggled to get anything going early on.

I believe Saint X returns their top three tacklers this year. If so, then you can expect a loaded box to slow Hampton down. Great game for O to start off the year and I think Ganaway will have opportunities to show off his skills. I think it all depends on how things workout up front, IMO.

This Apollo team is one of the best that they have had for as long as I can remember... Probably since the Dan Gooch era.... Murray will always pass the eye test, but can their big fellas handle playing both ways against a fast tempo offense? This will be a great test for both teams! Apollo: 42 Murray: 21

Bell County Apollo South Oldham Raceland Ryle Tiebreaker: 42

Replacing Niles Board is something that is difficult to do. He could make plays at running back, receiver, returner, and on defense. What Apollo has going for them is their skill players. Badger, Tutt, Bratcher, Williams, Edge, Milburn--- all of these athletes have great speed and can make defenders miss in open space. Badger, Tutt, Edge are big players on both sides of the ball and could very easily be one of the best DB squad in their respective class. These athletes have the ability to meet the demands of a high tempo/scoring offense that we know Apollo can produce. I think this group of skill players will be able to accomplish that mission. The O-Line has taken major strides in the past two seasons. They should have 3 returning starters who have been huge leaders for their team and that showed great improvements as their season went on last year. From what I hear, they have moved some guys who mainly played d-line to the offensive side of the ball as well. Anthony Hester would be a great addition to their trenches. He has a massive frame and can move with authority at his size. If they can stay healthy, then you will see more opportunities in their run game, as well as giving Max Johnson time to make big plays with his arm or legs. The Eagles have a lot to prove this season!