Hearsay

Any updates on this team? Scrimmages, etc.?

Any updat4es on this team? Scrimmages, etc.?

Any updates on this team? Scrimmages, etc.?

SCRIMMAGE REVIEW - On Friday, August 9, the Tigers made the 1:45 trek down to Somerset to scrimmage the Briar Jumpers, and head coach Clay Clevenger. Format appeared to be several 10 and 10's from various points on the field, followed by a couple sessions of measured down and distance with flags being thrown. Somerset worked on special teams (Bardstown's kickers were at a soccer game). QB was no contact. The Tigers did not utilize QB Amonti Marshall for unspecified reasons, and were also without starting DT Chad Hughes and LB Caden Farrell. Sophomore QB Carson Riley handled the snaps and threw the ball well. The matchup was pretty even, with Bardstown having a slight edge perhaps due to more stops on 3rd down during the measured sessions. POSITIVES: 1. Improvement: The Tigers had looked pretty dead in earlier summer matchups, 7 on 7, etc. There was better energy and less squabbling last night. Receivers who were not working open and getting separation in 7 on 7 got much better separation. A sign of a team that is working on their flaws and getting better. 2. Offensive Line: the senior-laden Tiger offensive line was solid, if unspectacular. Protection held up for the most part and run-blocking assignments were fine. Bardstown has two 300+ lb. offensive tackles and experience at center and a guard slot. There are the typical pre-season technique issues that need work (footwork, leverage, head placement, etc.) so nothing was clean, but this unit could be a team strength. 3. Carson Riley: I thought he threw the ball well. A couple of really nice touch long TD passes. He does have a tendency to get locked on targets and needs reps throwing the ball on the move, but this was a good showing. Bardstown could not throw it at all the first 5 weeks last year, so this is a marked area of improvement. Senior Riley Hatfield was consistently working open. 4. Linebackers: Even without Farrell, their leading tackler the past 2 seasons, Kaden Stone and Devin Newsome were able to make a lot of tackles at the line of scrimmage, mostly solo, and keep the Somerset run game in check for the most part. When Farrell returns, this will be a good unit. Now, pass coverage was a different story . . . NEGATIVES: 1. Pass Coverage: There is no sugarcoating this and its on film so this is not stories out of school, but it was non-existent. Somerset's QB was not Cam O'Hara or LaBryant Strader, who we face 2 of the first 4 weeks. Those guys might throw for 800 yards. 2. Defensive Line: the Tigers have moved to a 4-man front for various reasons, including to compensate for the graduation of its DL starters, but it did not help last night. Through a dizzying array of player combinations, noone stood out, rarely did players get off blocks, and way too much rubber-necking and not enough combat victory. The Tigers need a dawg, or two, to step up here. Who's it gonna be? 3. Running Backs: Look, I'm not expecting anyone to "replace" Ty Ty Williams, so I can show some grace here. Bardstown has gone to committee with Newsome, Sevyn Hamilton, and Kenyin Calhoun getting the bulk of the carries. But part of being a RB is blocking for your fellow man, and the RB's were at best a C- last night. Also, you can't robotically run the ball like you are following the line on a chalkboard, you have to read the hole and be able to adapt and adjust. Several times runners ran straight up the rear ends of their lineman blocking for them when an enormous hole existed just a step or two one way or another. We became spoiled by how good Ty Ty was. All in all, it was a valuable scrimmage with a lot of personnel getting looks in the post-David Clark, post-Tyliq Williams era. We will hope to tighten it up against Lexington Catholic next Friday night up at Garnis Martin field.

RESTAURANT REVIEW - Charred Oak Grill, 305 E. Mt. Vernon St., Somerset, KY. Many thanks to @Jumper_Dad for this excellent recommendation. Charred Oak is 1 block off the fountain in the downtown square, about 2 minutes from where the Briar Jumpers play their high school games at Meece Middle School. Has its own parking lot with about 30-40 spaces. We arrived at 5:45 p.m., and it was already beginning to fill up, though we were seated immediately. Though the online menu and website appear sophisticated (we were concerned dressed in shorts and collared Tiger football shirts that we would be underdressed), the customer base was relaxed and casual. Interior decor of the wide open restaurant is bourbon-themed, with wood-paneled walls and tables, with cool lighting. Long impressive bar area (that was full) with a huge wall with a wide variety of bourbon brands and several televisions playing Olympics and other sports. In the back, they have a couple of pool tables and 3 old-school arcades, including Galaga, which will up their score. Our server, Kaitlin, was prompt and friendly, and we observed plenty of staff servicing customers both inside and outside on the front patio area. Charred Oak has a large drink menu that includes the array of bourbon, wine, craft beer, and cocktails. Had I not been headed to a high school football game, I would have chosen something off of the 12 specialty martinis list, and Mrs. Hearsay would have gotten the cool-looking bourbon “Daily Drink,” but I did get a Country Boy draft beer which was good. Mrs. Hearsay had an apple cider. Of the several appetizer options, we split the “Tennessee Whiskey Mussels,” about 12-15 mussels soaked in a bourbon-bacon cream sauce. The mussels were fresh and sauce was very good. We saw several other tables ordering apps, including the chicken nachos that looked amazing. The menu is traditional American bistro with steaks, burgers, fish (salmon and swordfish), sandwiches, salads, etc. I went with the special on the chalkboard, a grilled ribeye and grilled shrimp in a chimichurri sauce on a bed of wild rice with a side of broccoli. Mrs. Hearsay got something called the “Superfood Salad” with grilled chicken, a huge bowl of salad with red quinoa, blueberries, almonds, feta, and avocado with a warm bacon vinaigrette. Both dishes were good portions without feeling overstuffed. The dishes are presented very nicely and look good. The steak was properly cooked, and the chimichurri sauce was a tasty complement. Mrs. Hearsay raved about her salad. We wish we had had time to stay for dessert, but alas the Friday night gridiron beckoned. Perhaps most impressive, on a busy Friday night, Kaitlin and Charred Oak got our order in in 10 minutes, drinks and app delivered in 5 minutes, our food in 10 minutes, and we were out of there by 6:50 in time to get to the game in time for 7:00 kickoff. Total bill, including alcohol, app, main courses and a 20% tip came to $95. This is a really good restaurant and Somerset should be proud to have it. I would come back here if I’m ever back through Somerset and definitely recommend it to other guests. Score (on Dave Portnoy scale): 8.6.

OK! My wife has been jonesing to try Taglish, so we may give it a shot. Thanks!

We literally will eat nearly anything, from sports bar fare to white tablecloth. If a local place has a “thing” uniquely theirs, we like to experience that. I will say, though we like things like Indian or Vietnamese, we might avoid digesting that in a 3 hour football game in the heat afterwards. ?

Those look great!

Thanks for the rec @allsport71! Anytime anyone mentions meatloaf, I'm on it!

This usually pops up every year in individual game threads, but I thought I would allocate it its own thread this year. My wife and I like to leave early for the road games and eat somewhere at the road venue pre-game. It kind of gives us a semi-date night and also gives us a little feel and flavor for various spots around Kentucky. So, if you are similar-minded come to this thread and tell us where to pre-game in your local area! Want something uniquely local, not looking for fast food or chains (Chili's, etc.). We eat pretty much everything, but would like to get in and out in a hour or so, if possible. Bardstown travels far and wide this season. Out-of-town road games are as follows; August 9 - Somerset (scrimmage) - to my knowledge we've never been there. August 23 - Cooper - never been there September 13 - Ashland - been there for baseball but never football, did not get to eat there September 27 - Meade County - been there to wrestle, eaten at Jailhouse Pizza (which we liked) October 11 - John Hardin - I'm familiar with E-Town but I'm interested to hear what @Hardin County Preps and others might recommend Whuddya Got?!

I was there and saw it, and my son was on the field at the time. Its a bit overblown. 7 on 7 night with CAL, North Hardin, Central Hardin, Bardstown, at Bardstown. Last match of the night CHHS and Bardstown. Midway through, CHHS on offense, QB tries to squeeze one in over the middle, Bardstown MLB "tags" receiver with his shoulder, WR goes up in air, flips and hits ground hard. Much ooohing and ahhhing and hey-hey-heying by CHHS. WR is mouthy and angry presnap next play. Bardstown in bump coverage, DB checks the WR up near helmet/head area. Play goes elsewhere, but after the whistle, the CHHS WR hits the Bardstown DB in the back and then in the helmet, Bardstown DB turns around and throws a haymaker, and its on. Both teams get into it near and over CHHS sideline. No officials. Bardstown coaches, and for most part CHHS coaches, try to break it up. However, one of the Tiger lineman (out of uniform, no lineman in 7 on 7) comes from the Tiger sideline, undoubtedly mouthy, and while he was being restrained by others, a CHHS coach takes a full on swing at him, but does not make solid contact. Fight gets broken up in maybe 30-45 seconds, but the adult coach swinging at the player is right there on camera for all the world to see. I'm not condoning fights and certainly don't condone any adult, much less a coach, swinging at a kid, but I've seen a lot worse in my time both playing and following. If we are being truthful, the whole thing fired up a heretofore listless Tiger team and they had their best practice of the year the morning after. It is perhaps noteworthy that the new CHHS head coach and some staff are new, having come from Nelson County High School, Bardstown's cross-town rival, and who hasn't beaten Bardstown in something like 13 seasons or thereabouts. It is perhaps also noteable that the Tiger lineman in question used to play at Nelson County, and left before last season to come play at Bardstown under circumstances that were tense. If those two facts did not lend to the atmosphere, I will eat my shorts.

Tiger Student section at work. Virtually all of our kids are homegrown and all our activities are produced in-house. I know this picked off the SEC preseason hype video, but its got me jacked up. https://www.instagram.com/p/C92V1msgeAn/

They have hired Mike Rogers.

Mike was an assistant at Nelson County about 25-26 years ago, and I know he coached at Warren Central and Christian County, if memory serves? Someone help an old man out.

Nelson County graduated almost all of their substantial starters from this past year. And while Coach Stockdale certainly did a nice job changing some culture, it was basically two solid if unspectacular years that followed on the heels of struggling for the previous 15. There will be no re-merger with Thomas Nelson in the foreseeable future and not sure talent-wise that it would aid even if they did. Add those facts to a toxic district situation where the Supe was terminated by the Board, the State BOE reversed that decision, and the Board has now appealed, makes for tough sledding for any outside hire. Currently, the local rumor mill is discussing an inside hire, such as line and head wrestling coach Josh Conder or freshmen coach William Moore, to be a stop-gap for this season with the potential to lead to bigger things.

Really looking forward to this Tiger season. A really tight-knit group of blue-collar kids. 9 of 11 starters on offense and 8 of 11 on defense return from a team that lost by a TD to Franklin County in the region championship. New head coach Justin Grundy has made a seamless transition and the offseason work has been really good. QB Amonti Marshall has unselfishly agreed to transition to RB/WR since he is both the fastest and strongest skill player on the team. That paves the way for Soph QB Carson Riley to take the reins. The macro is that replacing a head coach and the all-time leading leading running back (Ty Ty Williams) in school history is always a tall task, but the micro is that with the junkyard dogs at Garnis Martin Field, hope always springs eternal . . .

I remember mid-season a lot of angry Rocks fans calling for the head coach's head. A lot of statements that can't be unsaid. Then he wins the title. Where will the voices be entering 2024?

David Clark has today publicly announced he is stepping down as head coach of the Bardstown High School varsity football team, effective immediately. Nothing nefarious or anything, it was just time. David has been the head coach for the past 17 seasons, and has been with the program for now over 27 years. Remarkably, he is just the 4th head coach (excluding the WW2 years) at Bardstown since the late 1920's. While his last gasp at getting a state title fell short last season, under Clark Bardstown has been a perennial contender for some time. More importantly, David Clark is a moral man who has been a dependable role model for several generations of young players, and has built the Tiger program from the bottom up. One of the stats I am most proud of for David is that of the 56 players on the roster for last year's state title run, 53 of those players were homegrown and played football for Bardstown Middle School. He will remain as the school district's Athletic Director. The team remaining behind will return its QB, its top 2 wideouts, all 5 offensive lineman, the entire starting linebacking corps and most of the secondary, as well as two kickers. They have to replace Tyleeq Williams (irreplaceable) and some really good defensive lineman. Congratulations, David, on a fantastic career doing it the right way. No word, rumors, or even innuendo on what the district might do by way of a replacement. There are quality assistants in the wings (remember the job that staff did last year with all of the injuries?) if the district looks internally. Bardstown is a plum job and pays teachers in the top 5% of the state.

I agree he needs help with exposure. When you listed as 5'6", people need to see what you can do rather than just hear about it. He is an amazing player. Pound for pound one of the best I've ever seen. All-time leading rusher in the storied history of Bardstown High School. I'll add a couple of other intangible superlatives. #1 - I've coached him years ago, watched him, and spent time around him, and never in all these years have I heard him utter a negative word or comment about a teammate. He is the consummate good teammate; #2 - He is a field general that knows what others are supposed to be doing and helps direct them, and has a good grasp of the game. A kid from a very rough background whom, to put it quite simply, has overcome. I don't know how Lionel James or Darren Sproles, etc. got exposure, but he is them.

Why you gotta go and dredge up painful memories? ? However, I agree.

I remember thinking week 1 when they came to Bardstown they had the horses to be a state championship team. Congrats to the Jags!

Saw the clip. Sayre’s assistant coach needs to be dismissed from the school, immediately and irrevocably.

While their skill players are good, I do not believe Franklin can contend with Boyle on the line of scrimmage.

Yes. The visitors actually sit on the side with the press box.

Really proud of the Tigers. Too many mistakes in the first half to overcome, but fought like warriors in the 2nd half. To be driving to try and tie it as time ran out really made this game exciting. Franklin County has an impressive bevy of skill players, but it looks a bit like street football. They will be heavy underdogs hosting Boyle, but I like to root for the underdog.