PtownDude

The first half of this game was played in a soaking rainfall, resulting in 10 combined fumbles (five lost).

The rain stopped at halftime and there were no turnovers in the second half.

Coincidence?

I think all teams should hire a "clock/timeout" coach, because that happens far too often. Did anyone see Romeo Crennel basically waste a timeout Sunday night? (I guess the clock/timeout coach could sit in a booth with the "when to go for 2" coach, since that gets messed up a lot too:lol:)

I'm not an advocate of forcing high schools to have 25-second play clocks installed, but I would like to see some consistency in its application. I don't think anyone would question an extra second or two, but allowing an extra seven or eight seconds per play in a one-possession game seems to make a travesty of this rule.

I don't want to dump all over a WKC crew, but I thought the big mistake that was made was actually admitting they were giving both teams 30 seconds to run plays. If a coach had asked me, I would just have said "25 seconds, coach!" and left it at that.

At last week's Murray at Caldwell County football game, the referees were allowing the teams anywhere from 30-35 seconds to snap the ball after it had been marked ready for play.

The official on Caldwell's sideline even told the coaching staff that they were giving both teams 30 seconds. I counted several times where 32 or 33 seconds were running off before the ball was snapped after the "ready for play" whistle was blown without a penalty flag being thrown.

My question is this: Is it common practice among high school officiating crews to give teams a few extra seconds to snap the ball, or should the 25-second rule mean 25 seconds?

I don't think this had any effect on the outcome of the game. However, I can see where it could have an impact late in the game if one team is trying to run out the clock.

Another BTW,

Despite the free throw problems, it was still a one-point game with 4:30 to go. Had Caldwell kicked in just a few more shots from the line, it could have had a comfortable lead by that point.

I completely agree.

By the way, if you go to http://www.timesleader.net and click on the Caldwell game stories, there are some short video clips from the district tournament. I'm pretty sure both Savannah and Jake Pepper are on their somewhere.

Pepper had 13 points.

Big story was free throws.

Caldwell 17-41 (ouch!)

Central 19-22

The Region 1 Duals are Saturday, Jan. 19 at Caldwell County. I don't think Christian is participating.

It wasn't long ago that the 2nd Region had nine All 'A' schools. Now down to just six.

I've often thought the other small schools besides UHA should just get together and have their own "Class A" tournament and name a 2nd Region champion. They wouldn't get to go to state or anything, but at least someone besides UHA would get a trophy out of it.

I don't see anyone staying within 30 points of the Blazers (on a good night) in this year's regional.

I don't know many football coaches who don't have egos, to some extent. It's probably a necessary evil for the position.

I do know that Tony would not have accepted the Auburn job without getting complete control of the offense and getting to keep his lucrative summer camp. Those are givens.

Time of Possession:

Mayfield 35:04

Caldwell 12:56

This game is certainly an intriguing matchup and a great way to end the regular season.

As a Caldwell fan, I certainly hope Mayfield continues to struggle for at least one more week. However, I think Mayfield's speed on defense will give Caldwell's offense some problems.

Meanwhile, I expect Mayfield to try to pound the ball right at Caldwell's defense. Caldwell has played better against the run each week this season, so this will be a huge test to see if the team has gotten better or the competition has gotten worse (probably a little of both). Caldwell is still iffy against the pass, but I don't expect Mayfield to put the ball in the air a lot.

I still look for Mayfield to make a long postseason run. For Caldwell, a win, or even a strong showing, might indicate the Tigers could be playing another 3-4 weeks.

Not to be picky, but Caldwell is making its second trip to state (2003).

They aren't doing a very good of getting good draws though.

Class 2A

Trigg at Caldwell. One of the most under-rated rivalries in the western end of the state.

It's not necessarily a nasty rivalry. I don't think Trigg and Caldwell hate one another. They just hate LOSING to one another.

Even more bad news for the rest of the region. Next year's regional is scheduled to be on Talley's home course in Princeton. She may break 60!

Game looked like a Heath runaway early. Chad Wright scored on runs of 52 and 71 yards to put the Pirates up 13-0 just over 5 minutes into the game.

Wright rushed for 139 yards on Heath's first two series but was "held in check" the rest of the game and finished with 228.

Caldwell outrushed Heath 278 to 273 but Pirates won overall yardage 506-437.

At one point, Caldwell scored touchdowns on six of seven possessions. Freshman Brandon Sigler rushed for 104 yards and 3 TDs, Will Barnes passed for 159 and 2 TDs and ran for 94 for the Tigers.

Caldwell likely secured home field in the first round of the playoffs. I expect them to see Heath again in that game.

I didn't think Caldwell was as bad as it looked the first two games. We'll see if the Tigers can keep it going next week against Heath or revert to earlier form.

Murray tried to throw the ball way too much in this game IMO and should have stuck with the run. They obviously watched too much of the game film from Caldwell's game against Lone Oak and not enough of the game against Hopkins Central.

Caldwell's Will Barnes was 24 of 33 for 271 yards with 3 TDs and no INTs. He also ran for a score.

Name to watch for the future: Brandon Sigler. Caldwell freshman rushed for 88 yards on 12 carries and gave the running game a much-needed boost. He also picked off a pass to seal the win.

Congrats to Trigg and a good win for the Wildcats.

However, Coach Snodgrass has given away several games through the years at Hopkins Central with some questionable late-game decisions. Why in the world would you not go for 2 with a one-point lead late in the game? What do you have to lose? They may not have gotten it, but at least you have to try.

Still not as good as the night he had his quarterback run the wrong way at Caldwell County trying to kill the last few seconds of the game, only to leave Caldwell just enough time (and field position) to kick a game-winning field goal, but questionable nonetheless.

I like Lone Oak's offense a lot. A very accurate passer and good quick receivers. The offensive line is not bad, but I think they may struggle running the ball in short yardage situations against bigger schools.

However, I don't see anybody in their district that's going to shut down their offense.

The jury's still out on Lone Oak's defense, although they've done what they needed to so far against Union and Caldwell.

Having seen Lone Oak and Hopkins Central, and a little film of Calloway, I think Lone Oak is the best of that bunch.

Heath by a bunch.

Does anybody know how many yards the Wright family has rushed for at Heath? And, are there any more Wrights on the way?

The difference in those Caldwell games and Friday night's game is that Caldwell's JV and freshmen continued to score while RUNNING THE FOOTBALL UP THE MIDDLE on those teams.

Had the Flash grinded out the game and won 104-3 I wouldn't have a complaint.

Instead, the classy coach Jack Haskins had his starting QB in the game in the fourth quarter of a blowout THROWING the dadgum ball.

If I was a Lone Oak fan, I'd be upset about that. There's always next year to think about. I would have spent some of the second half letting a future QB get a little experience. Plus, I'd hate to get my star player injured after the outcome had already been decided. I see no advantage whatsoever in Robinson being in the game on Lone Oak's last two offensive series.

Robinson's last touchdown came with 10:11 left to go in the game so that's pretty early in the 4th and that was his last series.

That was also Lone Oak's last series of the night.

Inexcusable to still have him throwing passes when the score is already 49-3 and the mercy rule is already in effect.

I was a little disappointed in Lone Oak for leaving Robinson out there in the fourth quarter with the game already 49-3.

Then again, Caldwell's defense hadn't hit anybody all night, so I guess coach Haskins felt safe in letting Robinson throw his eighth TD pass of the night against Caldwell's reserves.

Either the days are 30 hours long in Scribe's world or the guy never sleeps.

This is another great way to promote teams and players from around the state.

Caldwell should present a bigger challenge for Lone Oak than Union County did last week. However, the Tigers will have to play better up front than they did last week against Hopkins Central to have any chance to win.

Judging by both teams openers, Lone Oak should win by a couple of TDs.

I agree. Glasgow by a bunch.