BadaBing

No sympathy for either of these schools. Just enjoy your facilities, budget, and pool of athletic talent that is a step above just about every other school in your class. I don't know how CAL doesn't win this one. Have watched several games of both on huddle. Outside of Wright for CAL, I really like their RB. Runs extremely hard and it usually takes two or three guys to bring him down. Both teams appear to have mobile QBs that can extend plays. Should be a dandy. I'll take CAL by 2 touchdowns.

I don't know if Murray will have a hangover from their big win, or will come out firing with confidence and hang with Mayfield. Either way I think Mayfield wins, but not by the same margin as last time....42-21 Mayfield.

I am curious as to your logic/thinking behind picking Mayfield to win it....

Question.....either way it shakes out, will the playoff winner host the POTENTIAL semifinal matchup with Mayfield?

I have been present for every game except the Graves Co game, and from my observations..... The run game isn't as potent as years past. But they do a great job sticking with it, and even if the holes aren't opening up early, eventually things break lose. But they never abandon the run game. Matthews is a slasher/speedster, not a bruiser, so he just needs to find daylight. But if he does, he is gone. The pass game is a well oiled machine. As I said, run game hasn't been as potent, but the screen pass success they have more than makes up for it. This particular group just has so many weapons that you can't key on any one guy. And the QB has the arm to really stretch the field and can make all the throws. He made some really nice, sideline, on the move throws against Corbin, which showed me how much better his accuracy has gotten. His two drawbacks are 1.) lack of mobility. If protection breaks down, he isn't outrunning anyone. 2.) Sometimes his deeper passes tend to float. The better defenses might make him pay for that. As far as the receivers, they all run great routes and I rarely see a dropped pass. Neely seems to be the most dependable and consistent. And Perry has come out of nowhere this year. The offensive line has come a long way and improved each week. This team will only go as far as the line will take them though. But the Corbin game was an eye opener. They absolutely dominated the LOS. I would like to see better run blocking, but all in all they have done well. I don't really get into the whole "best offense ever" talk. They are really good. If they want to be called the best, they need the ring on their finger first.

Mayfield controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game, which to me sticks out the most because line play has been the biggest question mark. Looks like those guys are settling in and playing confident. Defense was swarming, Corbin QB had no time in the pocket. And they seemed to try to slow the game down using the entire playclock, but that backfired once Mayfield took the lead. Offensively, Mayfield showed great balance. Not a lot of running room early, but they stuck with it (like they do every game), and eventually the holes starting opening up. If Mayfield plays like that, they can beat anybody. Brady Smith at defensive end is the tone setter. Looking forward to seeing how far this team can go come playoff time. They will be a tough out.

The big play has definitely hurt Mayfield. And a lot of the big plays have been because of poor tackling, which is atypical of Mayfield defenses. Luckily they score 5 or 6 touchdowns a game. Offensively, they have a handful of skill positions that can make big plays, so its hard to key on any one guy. I wasn't a fan of the quarterback last year just for consistency reasons. But he has shown much improvement on his accuracy. And while he isn't very mobile, his arm more than makes up for lack of mobility. Don't know anything about Corbin, but have seen some clips on Hudl. Their QB obviously sticks out. He can throw the ball downfield, and has more speed and quickness (especially lateral quickness) than most of the players on the field. I missed the first two games in the series, but made it last year. I'm glad Mayfield has scheduled this type of game. It's a shame they aren't closer to teams with talent like this Corbin squad. No one in WKY can give Mayfield the kind of challenge they need to prepare themselves for sub-state and finals. Really looking forward to watching this matchup.

I agree. If PT can hit some passes, especially long scoring plays, then they will have a shot. MF ground game has been sluggish at times, and their pass game has been inconsistent too. This is the hardest PT/MF game to read in quite some time. I'm pumped!

Aside from the first drive or two, MF D-line play against Hoptown was pretty solid. And the Union City game was one of the more physical opening season games I have seen MF play. I think UC fullback had almost 200 yards rushing and their o-line was solid, so I'm not sold on PT having the best line they have played because that game was a GRINDER. Which is the game PT is going to play. I'm curious as to what defensive front MF will line up in. Regardless, I still think this is going to be a great game. I'm sure PT is ready to get the MF monkey off their back.

If I'm not mistaken, PT head coach is a Mayfield Alum and former cardinal football player....

By scores alone, you would think PT gets the nod, but I would argue MF has played a tougher 2 game slate. Offensively, PT has a MUCH better run game, but MF easily has a better pass game. Both defenses seem pretty even. Chance of rain Friday, so I say if its sloppy PT wins, if conditions are good MF pass game prevails.

Watched the PT/McCracken game. Loved the wishbone offense and they seemed to play with a lot of confidence. McCracken looked inferior on both sides of the ball.

MF 35-21. Kent Trey Matthews was very impressive in Week 1. He will be hard to stop. I wasn't impressed with MF defense. They looked confused and disoriented at times, as well as fatigued.

The top 4 teams are interchangeable. Some wins look better than others, but I can guarantee you DeSales win isn't making the other three doubt themselves. I would include Glasgow in this conversation, but i met a guy from Glasgow once, and he was bragging about his runner-up state championship ring, so I have a hard time taking them serious.

I agree about the big arm. He can sling it. I don't know about being the most productive tandem in the state.

I would agree about the discipline, but after watching Hoptown's last game against South Warren, they definitely have talent out there. They just have to start gelling. MF would be wise not to sleep on this team or they will lose.

Lots of "ifs" in this post. I think Danville was better with or without Van Cleave. I also agree on Danville team speed being a difference maker. But having watched Mayfield in the playoffs, specifically the CAL game, I thought that was an emotionally draining game. It showed in Lexington. Mayfield seemed to lack the energy they had the week before. Thornton looked good in title game. Especially mobility because MF defense had a hard time even getting a hand on him. Made some good throws as well. But I didn't see a Mr. Football candidate. As far as Danville getting hosed in these rankings, its preseason. Does it really matter? The top 4 or 5 teams are all talented and have a shot.

It seems most kids that play football in that county end up going to Murray High. They def need to recruit the halls and get more kids to come out for the team.

Can you tell I watch too much NFL??? I need to brush up on my high school rules...

Can you tell I watch too much NFL??? I need to brush up on my high school rules...

I think any team on the MF end of this play would have been disappointed and questioned the result. For me, it was less about the result and more about being left in the blind as to how the refs came to that conclusion. Replays at the stadium would be nice, but I'm not sure it would have done any good. It was so close. And help me understand, the receiver only has to have his foot touch down for split second for it to be a TD? Doesn't have to finish the play with possession?? If thats the case, those are some light requirements for a play like that to be a touchdown.

I was at the game Saturday, and while it didn't turn out like I had hoped, I had fun nonetheless. Congrats to Danville on a great year. You guys have a fine team and proved that you are the cream of the crop this year. As far as the game goes, Danville seamed more comfortable for most of the game. It appears their game plan was as mentioned earlier. Stop MF from running the ball and make them throw it. I thought MF played it right, keeping in their passing QB, but they just couldn't make enough plays. I think #14 will be a really good QB before its all said and done, but he is still young, tends to make mental errors, and hangs on to the ball too long. I think most MF fans were disappointed because they felt MF didn't play to their potential. But playing a good/great team will expose your weaknesses, and as I said all year, MF didn't run the ball well enough, or tackle well enough, to win it all. And they didn't do either of those very well on Saturday. As far as the tougher side of the bracket?? Some of you need to be realistic and open your eyes. I thought the other reason MF played poorly (other than Danville being a great team), is that they had a slobberknocker game the week before with CAL, and Danville had a cake walk with Glasgow. I thought the CAL game took a toll on MF physically and emotionally. Year in and year out, MF/CAL/Desales will most likely be three of the top four teams, and Danville has ?LCA? to compete with. Thats it. So you can try, but I don't think there is even a debate about this. And for the record, saying the west is tougher SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY make Danville feel slighted. I didn't get to watch Desales or LCA this year, but after watching MF and CAL, neither of those teams was on Danville level. Also, I didn't think the play before halftime was a TD. And my glasses might be red, but I just can't see it. MF player goes to the ground with the ball and comes up with the ball. Frankly, I think MF players deserve better. I'm still baffled as to why the refs were in a hurry to make a call. Heck, take a whole minute to huddle up and talk about the play to make sure the right call is made. I thought it was handles poorly, whatever the call was. Do I think it would have changed the outcome? I doubt it. Danville played an excellent ballgame. MF kids will learn from this. We can't control everything, and sometimes things don't shake out the way we want. Its about the experience, competing, being proud of yourself, and using situations like this to move forward and be better from it. It was a great season for MF and everyone in the community is extremely proud of those kids. They only graduate a handful of kids so its exciting to think about what they are capable of come next season. Again, congrats to Dville. Dang you guys were good!

Hose job...

Start switching these QBs and put them on a different team and see how they perform. That would be the only way to tell who is the "best", and that obviously can't happen. Having a better supporting cast doesn't necessarily make them the best QB.

What was the diss on Van Cleave? Comparing him to Wright? I'm lost on that one. I figured Danville fans would have been rooting for CAL so they could get revenge on last year.