BadaBing

With a penalty included. I complained for a couple weeks after that game. But I tested my bias by reading objective opinions on here. From what I read, most participants on this site thought it was a penalty. After I let the emotions clear, it seemed like a reasonable call. I also know if I was a Somerset fan I would have lost my cookies if they DIDN'T call a penalty on that play.

Mayfield was just outmatched in the Danville and CAL games. Somerset was a tough loss to take. Less about the ending, and more about Kade Neely tearing his patella tendon on his first catch in the first freaking quarter. Other than the Somerset QB, he was the most talented player on the field. Seeing how Mayfield lost on the last play, I think he would have tipped the scales in Mayfield's favor if he doesn't go down. IMO, he was one of the best receivers, and toughest players, to come thru Mayfield in the last three decades.

I agree that Mayfield ran into a buzzsaw of stellar teams three years in a row. I think those Mayfield teams were better than any of the previous 1A championship Mayfield teams from the first half of the decade, but 2A football is a different animal. Can't complain about the Somerset game. All it would have taken for a win was to come up with a defensive stop. Somerset said no. Again, QB play has been the biggest factor. Stinson, Arnett, the Guhys...those dudes were smart and talented, elevated the entire team, and masked flaws that would have otherwise been exposed. Mayfield will always have athletes, just need elite level QB play to keep them at the top. That and not run into meat grinder teams in the title game. I'm not sure about underclassman on the roster. I know 8th grade has a talented team. 7th grade is ok. Elementary (3rd thru 6th grade) has some good players and has had lots of success as a program.

Mayfield didn't adjust to anything. Middlesboro D dictated the whole game, save for a late rushing TD by Mayfield with a few minutese left in the game. Mayfield D actually played decent. Gave up a couple rushing touchdowns but the rest of the scores were field goals. Mayfield QB wasn't knocked out of the game, but it seemed like the MLB for Middlesboro had like 5 sacks. That's almost the same as knocking him out of the game.

I am always pulling for Mayfield, but I still consider them the third best team behind LCA & Beechwood. I have seen 3 of Mayfield's 5 games in person, and the other two on Red Helmet Club broadcast. I haven't seen anything on LCA, and have only seen highlights of Beechwood vs Cov Cath game. Based on my OPINION, LCA seems to be the most complete team and has had the toughest schedule, hands down. They have had some eye opening wins that I don't think Mayfield or Beechwood would have pulled off. Beechwood has the best player at the most important position. The QB is ridiculous. His legs are his most dangerous weapon. His arm might be better than we have seen, but why would he throw the ball much if he can rip off 60 yard runs like its nothing? Mayfield has a good team. They play tough D, and run the ball well. The QB has gotten progressively better every game. His intermediate and deep ball have improved leaps and bounds since last season. I just think the gap exists between the top two and Mayfield because of offensive firepower and explosiveness. Mayfield just doesn't have as much as the other two. Beechwood and Mayfield schedules are a wash to me. Both schedules consist of tough games and cakewalks. Mayfield has had the tougher slate the first five games, but I think Beechwood closes with a tougher slate. Is Graves County better than Simon Kenton, Cov Cath, Dixie, or NCC? Who knows. Both teams still have alot of games to play before they would even face each other, so first things first. It's gonna be fun to see how everything shakes out.

I know that's usually how it goes. Beechwood may very well be the better team. I just think LCA gets the nod with their strength of schedule compared to Beechwood. Comparing scores doesn't always tell the story, but LCA has Lex Cath this week, who beat Cov Cath earlier in the year, and that's who Beechwood has. Those outcomes might give us more insight. HUGE Friday coming up for the top two.

I agree with putting LCA in front as they have had statement wins the past two weeks and looking to make it a third. Beechwood keeps scoring tons of points and seem to have the most potent offense. Mayfield QB played his best game last week and keeps getting better every game. That's Mayfield's biggest hurdle to catching the top two. If he can keep elevating his play that will keep them in the race.

I agree with this assessment. If Mayfield would've beat Murray in the playoffs, I think the semi-final result would have been the same. Can't speak to the entire rosters of the top three teams, but Beechwood and LCA both have much better QB play than Mayfield, and I don't think that has changed this year. Mayfield QB has played much better so far this season compared to last, but I don't know if the improvement will be enough to hang with the top two. District wise, I don't think Caldwell will be a factor this year, but Mayfield will have to beat Murray twice to even get to play one of the top two teams, and they couldn't do that last year so...

No other team in the region wants to beat Mayfield as bad as McCracken does. They will be fired up and Mayfield gets their best shot every year. I consider McCracken a wounded animal this coming Friday and Mayfield will have their hands full. This game is always a good measuring stick for Mayfield's depth. Luckily they are at home. Murray would be the most dangerous game left if Mayfield wins Friday, but first things first...

Definitely a little of both going on here. I didn't give Graves their due, thinking their offensive line wouldn't hold up against McCracken (I was obviously way wrong), but its possible that McCracken was overrated coming into the season. We shall see. Graves has a chance to serve up a lotta crow this season.

Lawson loves to blitz though...

Pretty good quality, visually. I would like for the guys calling the game to use player names (instead of nicknames, which I don't know), as well as add in some down/distance and game information along the way more frequently. I should be able to start watching at any point and get a situation update within 5 minutes. Maybe I am being picky. I will say, I'm very appreciative of those guys doing that. Its nice to have game access without being able to attend.

And McCracken easily has a better defensive front than either Mayfield or PT. It will be interesting for sure. I'll be pulling for Graves, but I think McCracken comes out on top.

I agree. Graves offensive line will be exposed. They won't have time to throw the ball to Grant.

More often than not, the champ stays on top until they have been beaten, but I would flip the first two. The LCA win over Boyle pushes them to #1 for me. Now, the next three game slate for LCA are Belfry, CAL, and Lex Cath. We will see where they stand after those three rounds. It does appear that Beechwood has the tougher remaining schedule of the top two. I think Mayfield is the third best. You could interchange Danville and Murray. I couldn't begin to tell you who deserves 6.

The streak has to break sooner or later. I think PT has as good a chance this year as any. The fact that they are throwing the ball better than they have in a long time is a huge boost. They will need to be able to throw the ball to beat Mayfield. They have been able to score well this year, but they haven't been able to lean on their run game. They have given up quite a few points this year as well. I saw Mayfield play Graves in person, but couldn't make the Hoptown game and watched it later on Facebook Live. They impressed me with their toughness last week. They played solid defense, did some bending but never broke, and their red zone defense really stood out. They ran the ball well on offense, and the Mayfield QB finally hit on some deep passes for touchdowns. It was nice to see him pull the trigger and let it fly. His confidence seems to be growing some. On the flipside, if he doesn't hit those two long touchdowns, then its a 7-3 score. Due to a lack of quick scoring (like most years past), Mayfield has to continue to capitalize on possessions and opportunities. They had two scores called back in that game I believe. Obviously Mayfield has the edge, but PT is showing signs of an overall attitude change within the program and are trending up. I think it hasn't been hard for anyone to see, that if PT gets the right captain steering the ship, they will be a tough out for anyone.

Updates would be appreciated. I couldn’t make the game.

They are near even going head to head over the last 5 years or so. Both teams have big play receivers. I think it will boil down to who can get the most stops on D. We know if Graves can open some holes they have a RB that can make plays. Not sure about PT.

Sounds like this will be a battle of defenses. Mayfield run game gives them an edge. They minimized the damage from Graves' star receiver last week. Maybe they can do the same this week. Mayfield by a field goal. Mayfield 27 Hoptown 24

I watched Mayfield Friday night. I don't think they have the horses to keep up with Beechwood or LCA. I like their running backs and offensive line, but their QB is inconsistent, and they don't have a go-to receiver when they need a big play. Maybe the QB will settle in, and maybe they find that DOG receiver that can go get it, but I don't see that right now. Their defense is their strength. They owned the line of scrimmage Friday night, and the only susceptibility they showed was pass D in the first half. They tightened that up in the second half. I wasn't overly impressed with Graves' offense, but Mayfield's next three opponents (Hoptown, Tilghman, McCracken) should more than test them.

This is a tough call. Sometimes these games are blowouts, sometimes Graves comes to play. Its been awhile since Graves has won in this series, so they are due. I know nothing about them with the exception of their RB being pretty good. I think the success of Mayfield all season long will hinge on QB play. They have been spoiled over the last decade with stellar play at that position, and last year was a big step back. They seem highly competitive at every other position with a good amount of experience returning. If this weather keeps up (more rain today and a chance tomorrow midday), it could be a sloppy field. Whoever has the superior run game and defense should take this one. The comments about Joe Morris swaying the calls in this series is a reach. Graves usually loses this game because they get out played and most definitely out coached every year. These teams might be close on a talent level, but Mayfield has always been better at tapping into and maximizing their potential. Good luck to both teams. All I can say is, I'm jacked up that football is back!!!!

I never knew what his story was before he came to Mayfield, so it was fun to listen in. Those 90's teams he coached were nasty.

Offensively, it should be a smooth transition as Murray was running a similar style and personnel. It will be interesting to see how much the Murray QB improves. Maybe this coach can tap into his potential more than the last one.

I thought it was apparent after the game that wasn't the case. These were two evenly matched teams, with the exception of a few plays. Beechwood owned the first half, and LCA owned the second half with the exception of the interception that set up the game tying field goal for Beechwood, and the missed field goal by LCA as time expired. I was hoping LCA would hit that extra point so we could keep the fun going.