BadaBing

I've watched Mayfield's first three games. Consistency is the biggest issue IMO. They have looked really good at times, and also looked lost and rudderless. They have some good players, but I don't see a leader emerging. And as already pointed out, they lack depth. Mayfield offense didn't help their defense any by not moving chains enough. Too many snaps on D. I did like their fight initially, and punching back to tie at 14-14. But that was as good as it got for Mayfield. They ran the ball well at times. When they did pass, I wasn't seeing good balls from the QB WHEN he had time. And more often than not, he had pressure in his face or he was getting sacked. I like the backfield 3 & 40. Right now 14 & 20 are the most reliable pass catchers. Just don't see enough potency yet to think we can hang with the top 3 in Class 2A. I didn't think PT would be as good this year as they have the past 3 or 4, and they have shown inconsistency kinda like Mayfield. But they are so dang quick strike on offense. Def a demoralizing feeling for any team that is playing them tight, next thing they know its a 2 or 3 score game. They will keep getting better too.

Mayfield hosting Hoptown in 1995. Cards go up 22-21 with 1:48 left on the clock. Next possession Hoptown has 4th down on their own 34 yard line and tosses a 66 yard touchdown pass to go up 27-22. Mayfield runs one last play near midfield. Mikey Bright catches a pass in double coverage and splits defenders, is running down the sideline and Hoptown defender (Merritt) barely knocks him out of bounds with no time left. Best/Most memorable high school game I've ever seen. Best talent I've ever seen on the field between two teams.

I know the tough district is part of Graves reason why they are dropping PT. They are also going from a 6 team district down to 5, so that helps free up another game for the Eagles. I'd say the other half of the reason is this game always takes place in the first 3 or 4 weeks when Graves is trying to build confidence going into districts, and PT isn't a wise opponent to play when trying grow confidence and find identity. They already have Mayfield, Murray, and Union County. Playing PT doesn't seem advantageous for them at any point in the near future. Regardless of RPI, PT needs a more challenging opponent given the quality of their typical opponent in the 3rd & 4th round playoffs. Will be interesting to see who they can get to play them. There is no worthy opponent they don't already have scheduled East of Bowling Green.

After this upcoming season, PT and Graves will no longer have each other on the schedule. I don't know any details, but my guess is it was Graves call. They are in a slaughterhouse district and really they don't need the PT game. I do know its historically been a competitive matchup. PT mostly likely would've wanted to keep that game for RPI purposes.

I heard something similar, but seems like a stand alone incident like that wouldn't be enough to let him go. Gotta be more to this than just one interaction, but really have no other insight. As far as coaching search goes, have heard Coach Morris mulling a return. Also heard the names Steven Hatchell and Steve Lovelace mentioned. Not sure how much interest either coach really has in the head role. Lovelace has head coaching experience and played at Mayfield. Hatchell has spent most of his coaching career there, so either fits. Going to be interesting to see how it shakes out. Regardless of who they choose, I think they go with someone who is ok with letting Coach Joe whisper in their ear, because, ya know, he is the great and powerful Oz.

I have only seen LCA play. Was impressed with their team strength so I think they will have an edge in that department. They ran the ball well, but I wasn't overly impressed with their pass game. Their defense was solid. From what I remember, they played single high safety against Mayfield for most of the game, and that worked well because the Cards couldn't win the one on one matchups on the edge. I don't see them being able to do that against OC passing attack. Too hard to pick a score or winner. LCA might have a big chip on their shoulder because most people are picking OC. I'm rooting for the green team.

I watched the replay of Atherton/Pulaski on Youtube. Atherton did not look like a good football team. My guess is they had gotten by on physical talent. For it being the semifinals, it looked like they didn't know the playcall or where to line up at times. Pulaski looked like a team built for cold weather playoff games. Ground and pound, ball control, chew clock. A good recipe to match up with an explosive team like Owensboro.

I would agree. It can't be narrowed down to just a few teams or players. It is commonplace now to talk smack, taunt, and celebrate big plays (or small) as much and as often as possible. I never understood the smack talk and taunting. I certainly got excited as a player, but I never directed comments at an individual player. I always felt like that was bad karma, because as soon as you run your mouth at an opponent, he could very well turn right around and burn you on the next play.

I wasn't going to give my opinion after the Mayfield/LCA game, but someone said classless so I thought I'd chime in. I was less than impressed with their sportsmanship during that game. My main issue was the holding, to a degree where refs can't call all of them, and it almost seemed like intentional strategy on LCA's part. Many that weren't called were obvious by the body language of the LCA player at the end of the play, holding their hands up with the "I didn't do anything" motion. An egregious amount of chirping from them. I think they had at least 5 personal fouls called on them (maybe more), and from what I could tell it was simply them running their mouth. Throw in multiple occasions where an LCA player made a play on the Mayfield sideline and they felt taunting the crowd was appropriate. In similar fashion, it reminded me of the Mayfield/PT game this year. PT was trying to throw touchdown passes with less than three minutes left and up 20+ points. The lack of respect for opponents is glaring, and it all starts at the top. Just doesn't seem fitting for championship caliber program to act that way. Mayfield also didn't have locker room access at LCA. Spent halftime on the soccer field behind the bleachers. I am def rooting for OC. They need their first title. I hope they can finish it.

I know Murray is good this year, but I tend to doubt their title legitimacy simply based on strength of schedule. I think their best win was going to Union County and walking away with a 44-7 win. After that, not much to get excited about. They shouldn't even have Marshall County and Russellville on the schedule, and they manage to avoid playing the best team in the region (Paducah) every year. Looking at LexCath, they have the Boyle win, loss to LCA by a score, and they beat Central (common opponent of Mayfield) by 13. I'll give the slight edge to the home team, but I think this will be a close game.

I have always thought the concern with LCA is their ability to grind on you for four quarters with their big linemen and run game. That happened last year (with ease), and from what I remember it was the case in 2022 and 2023 in the first half of both of those games. LCA just decided to try and throw in the second half and dropped the ball on having a chance to leave with wins. I haven't seen a single clip of their play this year. I can only go by past seasons, and what I read on here. They easily play the toughest schedule in 2A so Mayfield isn't exactly going to show them anything they haven't seen. Cards are talented, make no mistake about it. QB has another year of experience. Receiving core has big play ability. I think the injury to England at RB has actually helped that position develop as Dowell and Sherrill deserve touches in their own right. Defense is solid. Very quick, but like most small schools I think they are susceptible to a strong ground game. Consistency is key for them. They have shown to be prone to mistakes/penalties/turnovers more this year than is typical for a Mayfield team. Against Hancock last week, they fumbled on their first offensive play, then fumbled the punt return on their next possession. Hancock didn't capitalize on either mistake, but LCA probably won't be so kind. Mayfield needs a fast start and have a clean game to leave with a win.

I think Mayfield matches up better with OC than LCA so there is some positive in this, if it holds.

Just 8? You need to pump those numbers up...

Hate that these decisions are being made after years of you guys covering all the games with no issue.

I think PT is in a tough spot. Lots of new faces to replace long tenured ones. Maybe more pressure than previous seasons. It's hard to keep winning consecutive titles but that's the expectation now. And they aren't going to always be as uber talented as last years team. But if any team can overcome it, they can.

Beechwood - always the most consistent team. I don't think that is debatable. And outside of LCA, play the toughest schedule in 2A. LCA - juggernaut schedule every season. Usually the most physical, downhill running team (maybe not this season/going off last season mostly). I'd be hard pressed to pick another team that would win as many games as them having to play this schedule. OC - They have a bigger win than Mayfield (BG). Have also played Owensboro. I think they have a better offense than Mayfield. Mayfield - Have played a tougher opponent than OC (Paducah), but got embarrassed in the process. Rest of the schedule is lacking. WKY football has been down for awhile IMO. I like their defense. Offense leaves something to be desired. More mental mistakes than a typical Mayfield team. Belfry - I know this is a really good program, but don't have much insight since they are new to 2A. They most likely get overlooked being in EKY. Schedule similar to Mayfield, maybe a little tougher. Not sure how many titles they have, but I know its a lot.

I agree with this. 3A is nowhere near as top heavy as 2A. At worst Murray should make the semis. In 2A they are most likely the 6th best team. They can't ever seem to get over the hump. Maybe this is their year to make a title game.

Three minutes left, game has been decided, PT is throwing the ball.

Of course he is a darn good player. Just not impressed by the defense tackling like middle schoolers.

Mayfield should’ve ran the clock out and went in at half down 13. Not smart.

Now that was a helluva dang play.

Mayfield defense has to step up in big way. Have shown little resistance so far. PT hasn’t run much. I think they have been enjoying throwing it.

Poor attempt at tackling by defender.

Giving up two 4th and long touchdowns isn’t going to win you many games. Ouch.

Thanks. Thought maybe I just didn’t have the brainpower to figure it out.