BadaBing

I think you nailed it there. They ran the ball well against Mayfield, but passing game was lacking. I don't see it being an easy win for Owensboro, but I'm wrong as often as I'm right.

I haven’t ever really questioned the staff decisions or strategies. They do a great job year in and year out fitting the pieces together. But every year is different and I’ll agree it’s taking them longer to figure it out. I’d also agree our O-line isn’t as good as last year or years past. I like Starks running inside. Dumas needs a Sproles role where we he gets it on the edge. If I’m passing, I throw in this order: 1. Biggers 2. Dabney 3. Morris/Hoover/Kirby First two are the best playmakers. The last three are young, yet have had spurts of brightness and can all make big plays. Just have to be a little more consistent. I thought Mayfield D underwhelmed in Graves game, Hoptown was terrible so hard to tell, and they played their best defensive game of the year against PT, just came up a few plays short. They need to continue getting better on that side of the ball. Still not good enough.

Is that relative to LCA, Beechwood, and OC? I would say they can go toe-to-toe with those teams, but I don't see them reigning supreme. If that were the case, they would've beaten PT. And for the record, I would love to be wrong and see Mayfield win another ring...

I would switch Beechwood and LCA. I think OC has more impressive wins than Mayfield, and Mayfield lost their toughest game. Refresh my memory, what week do the RPI ratings come out?

Congrats to PT. Their punches thrown were just a little bit harder than Mayfields. PT defense locked mayfield down their last two possessions and came up with HUGE stops to seal the win. Silver lining for Mayfield. Down 14 in the first half. Still showed the fortitude necessary to get back in the game with a chance to tie it at the end. Another tough group and they will learn a lot from this game, come out better on the other side. Defense needs more work than offense IMO.

Mayfield D has to step up. PT been moving the chains with ease.

Yes way. That’s how he got open enough to catch the ball. Happened right in front of me.

His forward progress was stopped and the whistle blew.

When I saw the score of LCA week 1 win my eyes got wide. Then got to watch replay of their game with Boyle. Boley looks really good, and Hensley doesn’t go down easy. They look the part so far. Giving up a lot of points but scoring more than everybody too. I usually put Beechwood at 2 because they have a tougher schedule than Mayfield. OC went toe to toe with LCA last year and came up just short. They’re right there.

Emotional self control. PT didn’t have that last year, and based on the first two games this year they aren’t improving in that area. If I remember correctly, last year against mayfield they made a third down stop with a couple/few minutes left, down by three and would have forced punt. And they get a 15 yd penalty for a player saying something to the ref. They beat Mayfield up that game and still took an L because they couldn’t keep their cool. Having said that, the rivalry has been dead until last year. And they have a lot of guys back, some high level talent added, so I expect a good game. Mayfield has another solid team. Some experience at key positions, younger talented guys stepping up. Line play has to improve significantly. Graves game was closer than score indicated. Hoptown was a cakewalk. This will be Mayfield’s biggest test yet (and maybe all of regular season). I think mayfield will easily match PT team speed. I’m not so sure about the trenches.

McCracken shot well from behind the arch in the regional title game. I thought if they could continue that trend they would have a good chance to move on. I watched the last quarter of this game, and E-town certainly looked a little more controlled and comfortable.

Malik Kirby and Mac Hoover were freshman this year. Both really good athletes that subbed in at WR and DB. Hoover had a big TD catch in the LCA game that got called back on penalty. Those two should be impact players this fall. Not sure I'll ever be confident enough to say Mayfield is the favorite the way Beechwood and LCA have been reloading every year. But Mayfield will have a punchers chance like always, especially with what they have returning. I thought they over-achieved this past season, but this coming season I won't be able to say that. They def have the talent.

Xavier Biggers. Big addition on both sides of the ball. His dad Terrence played for Mayfield and went on to play at Murray State as well.

Crappy way for such a good game to end. In 2014 Mayfield beat Williamsburg in overtime in the same fashion so they've experienced it from both sides. After Mayfield couldn't punch in the 4th and goal from a half yard in the first quarter, Beechwood took the slight edge and kept it the rest of the game. They ran the ball more effectively than Mayfield. That and the kicking game was the difference. Hate it for Mayfield's kicker. He had a great year, just missed one of the few that he did at the worst possible time. Both teams passing games were ugly. Proud of the Cards for how they played this season. There is a lot to be excited about for next years team. Congrats to Beechwood on three in a row.

I agree. Suiter is good from 30 yards and in, but anything beyond that he will be sacraficing accuracy for distance. Beechwood should have tried to get their kicker a couple in game reps, even if they didn't need a field goal. Not a good thing coming in to the title game not having tried at least one. Might matter, might not. Is Beechwood a 4 man front on defense? Offensively, from what I remember they are QB under center, I-formation. Sound right? I have no clue as I haven't seen any Beechwood games this year. I only have previous seasons to go by.

I can't say Mayfield has been the most disciplined team in regards to penalties, but their kicker (Lincoln Suiter) has been on the money this year.

I think Mayfield has better pass defense than anyone is giving them credit for. Boley had time to throw most of the night. I can also see where he didn't impress you as much as you thought because he only has an arm. Definitely not a run threat. I view Hergott the opposite. His legs killed you more than his arm. I suspect Beechwood plays to their QB's strengths like any smart team. Just from reading game threads this season, it seems like Beechwood is run oriented, and strategically mixes in the pass. You guys haven't had to be flashy because you win with the basics.

For Mayfield, #24 Starks is the one they always talk about. But 1, 2, & 4 are offensive playmakers. 18 & 15 are chipping in too in the pass game. Someone is always stepping up and making enough plays to win. Defense has been good all year. Will have to be really good one more time. I did not see this team making the title game at the beginning of the season. I think they are underrated bigtime. To me, they don't touch the 19, 18, 17 Mayfield teams, and all those squads lost the title game (which speaks to how good the teams were that beat them). But they keep proving me wrong. Hope they do it again. Anybody who pays attention to KY high school football knows how good Beechwood is. Two time defending champ. What more is there to say?

Was wondering at halftime how Mayfield was going to slow down the GT runs, and pressure the QB on pass plays. They managed to do both, ran the ball well in the second half, chewed clock, and their defense bent but didn't break. I came away most impressed with Mayfield QB. That was one of the better games I've seen him play. He might be able to handle the heat Friday.

Gutsy play call on 4th by Mayfield to seal the game.

Mayfield is running the ball better than I thought they would. Gotta get that pass rush going on defense.

I don't know much about LCA other than they played a gautlet of a schedule, and their QB is being recruited by UK. I know they will be good. I don't think this LCA team is as good as the last two years, and this Mayfield team is much better than the last two seasons, so the gap has closed some. I have watched on Youtube or attended almost every Mayfield game this year. I think they match up well in this game. Their back end defense has been great at limiting big plays. I think they will cover fine, just not sure how much pressure the defensive line will be able to create. If LCA QB has time, it could be a long night. A track meet favors LCA's high octane offense. Mayfield has the better defense. I think it will be close no matter who wins. Still not sure if I will be at this game, or the Page/Henry County game in Paris, TN. Decisions, decisions.

There were 10 to 12 personal fouls called during this game. Most of it was chatter, but Metcalfe got a few cheap ones in there at the end. Tee'd off on the center before a kneel down at the end of the game. Mayfield didn't run the ball particularly well, but passing game looked good and defense was sound as a pound. If they have this many penalties in the next round they will lose.

Mayfield hasn't been able to run the ball, but they have had two or three long pass plays to keep good field position, and one for a TD. Lots of penalties on both sides. It's chippy out there. MC is hanging tough. Haven't been able to move the ball much on ground or air. They are trying to grind Mayfield down. Stay tuned.

Mayfield hits on a 50 yard passing touchdown to go up 7-0.