BadaBing

I agree you could flip that coin either way. Lotta pressure on Somerset to win first title, and a lot of pressure on Mayfield to finally win another title after coming home empty handed the last two times. I don't feel sorry for any Mayfield player. I only got to play in one title game (lost) and didn't make it any other year.

I don't think Mayfield has seen a QB with his particular dual threat skillset. He can throw, but IMO his legs are what make him dangerous. Buy time and still make a throw or tuck and run. And from all the Hudl I've watched, he is not afraid to hang in the pocket and take a lick. McCracken and Hopkinsville both have stud WRs. Mayfield managed to hold Hoptown guy in check, but McCracken WR put it to Mayfield. However, he was a speed guy, not a jumpball guy. I think Mayfield matches up well there. And while Mayfield has seen some really good RB's, I don't think they have played a team with a backfield as deep as Somerset. And I think Mayfield and LCA are molds of each other. Mayfield might have slightly better run game and defense. But what I saw, style of play and potency were on par.

No one hung more than 35 on Somerset all season, so predicting 45 points for Mayfield is a little "out there". If Mayfield can score 28 or more, they have a CHANCE to win. Anything less than that and I doubt they win the ballgame.

Mayfield has played teams with size, so that won't be new. Were they as good as Somerset's line? I would say no to Graves and Lausanne. But Hoptown, Paducah Tilghman, McCracken, and Madisonville were all very good and on par with what Mayfield will see Saturday. And the only game they lost was to McCracken, and many will disagree but IMO no 2A team this year would have beaten that McCracken team. Not the night they played Mayfield anyway.

If Mayfield were heavily favored, I could see their track record before this season maybe making a little bit of a mental difference. But they aren't, so I don't think that has any bearing whatsoever on how Somerset approaches this game. And Mayfield certainly won't be taking them lightly. Joe & Co will have those guys locked in. And they better be if they want to have a chance to win.

Nice game preview. What a matchup. Can't wait for Saturday!

At this point, I can see how anyone who has seen either of these teams play would think there is no way they lose the title game. They both look the part, very potent, can take one on the chin (or a few), and have very few weaknesses. I have been to ten of Mayfield's games. So I have seen enough to know what they are capable of. Their defense was a question mark for me most of the season. And mainly because they weren't playing a full game and staying locked in, but they seemed to have entered the building so to speak. Their offense has never been a question mark and that is obvious to most anybody. It looks like Somerset has a three headed attack. QB is big and strong (has a nice stiffarm), and the RB and WR seem to make big plays all the time. They seem to want to run, and set their passing game up off of that (mainly the deep fade in the Breathitt game). And outside of the LCA game (35 points), the most they gave up in a game was 26. That's pretty solid. It's Somerset's desire for their first state title versus Mayfield's rage over being matchup up with two All-Decade teams the last two trips to Lex, and coming home empty handed.

Beechwood certainly had some miscues in the first half. They missed a big seam pass into the redzone on their 4th possession that could have led to a score, and had the ball in Mayfield territory right after their touchdown pass (and still before halftime) and the QB fumbled it back to Mayfield. A Beechwood score there would have made it 21-14. So that turnover killed any remaining momentum. Gotta give credit to Mayfield. Big play after big play. First play of game was a false start, followed by a 79 yard catch and run touchdown reception by Neely. And Galbreath with two 80 yard touchdown runs (the first one had the sick footwork) that put anyone who hasn't been paying attention, on notice. Defense was dominant. Beechwood's first four possessions ended in punts, they won the turnover battle, and it took a 40+ yard touchdown to get BW on the board. Beechwood had five or six possessions in Mayfield territory and only came away with one score. What a way to end at home for the seniors. Go Red.

2003....lost 25-3 to Danville.

That's pretty much what I said earlier and it was taken as a slight towards Beechwood QB. I'm sure he's good or his team wouldn't be playing Friday. I think this game is going to be closer than most anticipate. And yes, Kade is a stud and has been a blast to watch in all three phases of the game.

Beechwood QB doesn't have the arm advantage, but he certainly does with his legs. Mayfield better contain him in the pocket or he could give them fits. Also like Beechwood team speed. Defense is very quick.

Mayfield QB does a great job of making his reads and getting rid of the ball. In the season finale, Madisonville stayed in zero coverage most of the first half. I questioned someone on the staff about that strategy, and their plan was to blitz and never let Stinson get comfortable. That enabled Mayfield to build a 36-13 first half lead.

I'm not certain, but I get the impression that too many parents try to have a say so on who gets hired, what kids get playing time, etc.

I saw where their 8th grade had a successful year. I just think, on average, they need to expose their kids to tougher competition early on. And I think that is hurting them in the long run.

This particular case doesn't lead to more development. Which the results have shown. Their level of competition is too low. The players aren't being pushed by tougher competition. They need a North and South team, and they need to join the league with the other local teams. Just my two cents...

The Graves head football coaching position hasn't historically been a stable one (Gregory was there 10 years?? Didn't seem that long). Not sure about their talent pool either, or how they are developing their little league and middle schoolers. I know their little league (3rd-6th) has their own league where they only play each other. In contrast, Mayfield plays in a league with PT, Murray, Calloway, and a McCracken East and West. They need to change that up if they are going to develop talent and depth for middle and high school. But yes, Nick is a Mayfield guy, knows what it takes to attain a ring (as a player and coach) and is the best candidate they've had in a long time.

I haven't the slightest clue about BW offense or defense. In years past they have used tight ends and fullbacks, like to run, sprinkle in the bootleg quite a bit. It sounds like thats still their recipe. If it is, they will need to make the most of their scoring opportunities. Madisonville game showed everyone how to beat Mayfield. Control the clock, move the chains, and (obviously) score every time you have the ball (and that still didn't beat the Cards). I think a shootout would put BW at a disadvantage. As previously state, I think the Cards just need to play their game. Run enough to keep the defense honest, and let Stinson sling that rock all over the field. Its a rare luxury to have a QB like him that can put the ball anywhere. I was critical of Mayfield defense and tackling most of the season, but they have made big strides down the stretch. The good news is, the teams they struggled to stop (McCracken, Hoptown, Madisonville) are all class 4A or higher with much more depth and they just wore Mayfield down. That shouldn't happen this week. Lastly, Mayfield needs to play DISCIPLINED. They have had lapses this year (penalties, personal fouls, ejections) that are going weigh much heavier than they previously would have. The last thing they need is to help their opponent. I really feel that if Mayfield plays up to their capability for 4 quarters, no 2A team can beat them. Too potent on offense and opportunistic defensively. But time will tell....

Coach Kemp is the only Graves coach to have a winning record in first season, and the only coach to win a playoff game in first season. They went 7-5 and only losses were to McCracken, Tighlman, Mayfield, and Owensboro twice. I'd say he more than deserves the job. But hasn't been awarded the position. You never know with Graves County, they might screw this up and not officially hire him.

College offers and measurables won't matter to anyone on the field Friday night. And if Somerset wins, next weeks opponent won't care how tall you are, how much you weigh, or what college has shown interest in you.

Thanks for the write-up. With the exception of LCA, it appears we have the top teams in 2A in the Final Four.

I agree that they will need some breaks to be in it at the end.

If McLean were better at what they are "good" at (running the football), I would say they have a shot. But I've seen this offense operate enough to know they aren't potent enough to beat (or even hang with) Somerset. They would have to play a near perfect game (score on every possession and win the turnover battle) to pull off the upset.

McLean and Edmonson are about the same. Beechwood and Breathitt def have tougher games.

Watched some of Edmonson on Hudl. This shouldn't even be a contest, and if it is that's a bad sign for Mayfield.

I’d say all these games will have 3+ touchdown margins.