grayeagle

Since no one is going to be home to do BGP updates, and some of us have to be out of town for work:irked: does anyone have a web link for either radio station that will carry this game? I couldn't find one for WSIP, much as I would prefer Spike for this matchup. Thanks!

As for Lex Cath & Fort Thomas (or their district #1 seed Cov Cath), we are hoping to find out at JCHS on November 24, but each of these teams has a lot of football to play between now and then. It's good to see the Tomcat fans returning to this thread, and responding to their call to "Believe." :thumb: I sure hope they play their best Friday, JCHS really needs a tough, close game to prepare for these later rounds. It's OK for us to believe too, right? Coach Matney has this team believing they can go to the state finals, but won't let them change their focus from one game at a time. I am sure Ashland is capable of winning if we were to lose focus, but I don't see that happening. Both teams have improved in the last two games, but I look for JCHS to win it, 28-14 (no missed extra points) in a well played, hard hitting game.

Congrats to Boyd County on making the playoffs, and a hard fought game last night. The Lions showed heart, and showed they have something to build on for next year. Half the teams in the playoffs were eliminated last night (almost, 2 will be today) so if you gave it your best you have nothing to be ashamed of--be proud like the farmer says. Making the playoffs is something to be proud of in itself, JCHS knows what it's like to miss out on them (or just ask a Lawrence or Greenup player this year). Good luck in your new district next year! We'll miss you.

I'm assuming it will close the chapter because they will be in different classes when we go to 6 of them next year. Congrats to the Blackcats on a good win. Good luck to both teams at Belfry!

This game is a mystery to me. I agree with those who think that senior leadership may be a deciding factor on this team. Mason sure didn't show much on their senior night, and they have this chance to prove that they haven't already moved on to basketball season. (Their fans apparently have, as there were more people on the visitor's side last week than the home, which is a great shame for these players). Ashland fans expected their Tomcats to bounce back strong from their loss at JCHS, only to see them outplayed at home by Boyd for most of that win that essentially came on the two punt plays. These excellent coaching staffs should have no problem motivating their teams to show that they are much better than the last two games of each's season indicates. Normally I would say the edge goes to Ashland because it as at Putnam. But right now I think it will be decided by emotion and desire: which of these teams really wants a second shot at the Golden Eagles at JCHS more? My guess is that is Ashland, but Mason is very capable of proving me wrong. Here's hoping both teams play their very best in an injury free game! :thumb:

This kid sounds like the real deal, I tip my hat to him, though I still hope to meet him during the playoffs .. but he definitely sounds like D-1 material :thumb:

Congrats to the Tomcats on the win and to the Lions for a courageous effort. Now on to the playoffs!

That is one good streaming webcast. I just now found it, have you heard any comments about the field conditions? Did today's sun and win help at all?

Thanks for the updates, GORED.

Does anyone know if he is OK, physically? He hasn't been the same runner these last 2 games as the previous...could just be a matter of confidence but I am thinking it could be physical.

Tell us more about this when you get a chance (at the half?).

It will be hard to get official totals. From the second quarter on uniform numbers were indistinguishable due to the mud. I listened to the Maysville radio station, and they credited Ratliff with JC's last rushing touchdown. He was standing on the sideline, it was Dillon who ran that one in. On several plays in the second quarter they credited Grim with a Johnson carry, and vice versa. Maybe Spike Berkhimer did better, but it definitely was a mudbowl tonight. The kids seemed to enjoy it though: some Mason players dove in front of their bench as they came on the field, most Johnson Central players did that at the end of the game. Good luck to the Royals and Eagles next week!

Are you asking a trick question, LRCW? This year, the district title goes to the team that wins the second playoff game. All season long, we're only playing for seeding in the playoffs.

Go here: http://www.dailyindependent.com/localsports/local_story_294003155.html?keyword=topstory A Grim picture By RICK GREENE — The Independent PAINTSVILLE — Johnson Central’s Shawn Grim made sure this year’s matchup with Ashland didn’t come down to a field goal. The speedy junior rushed for a career-high 303 yards on 25 carries and scored four touchdowns as the third-ranked Golden Eagles dominated No. 8 Ashland 35-7 in Paintsville on Friday. “He’s special. He’s got explosive speed, but he’s tough,” Ashland coach Leon Hart said of Grim. “You have to tackle him and we didn’t tackle him. When he gets into the secondary, he’s gone.” He was gone on touchdown runs of 53, 75, 49 and 2. The Golden Eagles owned the line of scrimmage, rushing for 369 yards to Ashland’s 51. Grim’s 53-yarder came on the first play from scrimmage and his 75 yarder came with 15.1 seconds left in the first quarter. Fullback Blake Johnson added a 3-yard touchdown with 2:29 left in the first half to finish off the scoring in a first half that left the host team with a 21-0 advantage. Ashland managed just eight rushing yards in the first half. Junior tailback Matt Thomas was held to three yards on eight carries in the first two quarters and finished with 18 yards on 11 attempts. “Their linebackers really played well and just swamped him,” said Hart, referring to linebackers Michael Tackett and Blake Johnson. “It just seemed like Tackett was ready to take the handoff in the backfield. We didn’t give Matt much of a chance.” Johnson Central coach Jim Matney said he was pleased with the desire his players exhibited. He said his team has made a habit of winning at the line. “I thought we played hard-nosed,” Matney said. “We’re a very physical team and we’ve had some hard licks this year.” Ashland showed signs of life in the third quarter. The Tomcats started a drive at their own 25 at the 4:52 mark and marched 75 yards for a score on a 14-play drive that spilled into the fourth quarter. Receiver Kevin Burns made a nice catch on the right sideline at the 13 and beat a Johnson Central defender to the pylon for Ashland’s first points. Preston Freeman’s extra point brought the Tomcats within striking distance at 21-7 with 11:29 to go. But the Golden Eagles responded on their next drive. On a first-and-10 play from Ashland’s 49, Grim found a gaping hole up the middle and rambled 49 yards for his third TD with 9:45 remaining. “We knew if we didn’t pick up the pace they were going to come back on us,” Grim said. “Ashland is a very good team. They have a good team every single year and that’s why this is a big win for us.” Forced to abandon the run, quarterback Darrell Mahan went to the air. The junior finished 8-of-26 for 94 yards with two interceptions to go with his one TD toss. Johnson Central had 422 total yards to Ashland’s 150. “They are a good football team and they executed well tonight,” Hart said. “They just beat us. We got beat by a good football team.” Grim’s final TD came with 7:02 left and James Barrett’s fifth extra point of the night made the final score. Grim’s 303 yards was above well above his season’s average of 183.5. He now has 1,771 yards on the season and ranks among Kentucky’s leaders in rushing. When asked if Grim should be part of the Mr. Football discussion, Matney said, “I don’t see how you could not include him.” Johnson Central (9-0, 4-0) finishes the regular season at Mason County next week. A win would give the Golden Eagles the top district seed for the Class 2A playoffs. The Golden Eagles were runners-up in the district last year following a controversial field goal that was ruled no good in a 13-10 loss at Ashland. The Tomcats (7-2, 3-1) finish their regular season at home against Boyd County. RICK GREENE can be reached at rgreene@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664. Ashland's journalists have always done justice for Johnson Central, we appreciate the unbiased view that is shown in articles like this. Hats off to the Daily Independant.

THe Ashland Daily Independent had Grim at 22 carries for 303 yards, Thomas 11 carries for 18 yards.

Tell us more about the DeSha's chile! Seriously, senior night had something to do with JCHS scoring on the first play against Ashland and then giving them a 3 and out possession, all in the first 2 minutes. Hope it doesn't work as well for you next week. Both teams have home field motivation in this game. Mason falls to third behind Ashland if they lose, Central falls to a tiebreaker if they don't win. Our belief is it is the same "points" system, taking the number of wins of the 4 opponents your team beat (not in the tiebreaker) with the best records. The "weak schedule" (or more properly poor season of your opponents) can come back to haunt a team like JCHS, and we would definitely lose home field to Ashland and perhaps Mason as well. With that motivation, the Eagles should keep their focus and win this game. Looking for both teams to play their best, an injury free game, and maybe some chile next Friday.

Grimm had 22 carries for 288 yards. I think Thomas ended the night with positive yardage but can't promise (they had 29 yards in the first quarter, not much in the second, and as others said Fields Davis was the workhorse after Thomas started hitting the hole facing backwards). Come on GIAT, now that you have seen both, what do you say?

Lord, BGP is a boring place when you can't post about your next opponent...:sssh:

Originally Posted by InTheLoop Normally I would agree with not running up the score. However, any game against Paintsville is different... But, after some of the stunts the parents and administration has pulled over at Paintsville...IMO, they deserve every butt kicking they get. The sad part of this rivalry getting out of hand is that it isn't really the kids that feel that way. As InTheLoop says, it's about history of the adults (parents and administration). I'm not "from" Johnson county but have been here long enough for both of my kids to attend county schools for all 12 years. I just don't see the need or even any excuse to run up the score (as long as scoring when Paintsville goes for it on 4th and long in thier own territory, as they did 2 years ago late in the game, isn't considered running it up). JC is much the better team and will win big, Coach Matney should get the subs in so they can get in on the action in this rivalry. Whatever your own personal history with either system is, the game is for and about the kids. Let's let them play it and make sure adults stay out of the trash talking and adolescent pranks. Here's to an injury free game and good weather!

Yea... uh, we play the tigers next week, not the kittens:rolleyes: ... or at least I thought so... wow, I'm confused:confused: .. apple bowl= eagles v. tigers(who happen to be a good team for 2A play) w/ "the best QB in the mountains", should be an interesting game at p-ville, as always, I'm sure the stands (at least on the JC side) will be overflowing.... see you all friday:fight:

Brian Milam just speculated on Sports Overtime that the kicking game had a part in this outcome. Were all the PAT's kick attempts? Congrats to both teams on a good effort.

Congrats to Montgomery County on a huge district win! Johndon central fans remember these district foes, and we'll see Montgomery in 5A district play next year.

Shawn Grimm had 196 yards at halftime. Despite the score, Lawrence put up more offense in the first half than other teams had in entire games against Central. 2 Lawrence county players were taken off the field, the last one on a backboard in an ambulance brought almost to the bench on the track. I hope neither injury was as serious as it looked and would appreciate it if anyone could post an update on their condition. These did not appear to be caused by intent to injure, both teams kept it clean though the air kind of went out of the game with the long delay for the second injury. Congrats to JC and good luck to both teams the rest of the way!

I have no part in this and don't know any of the personalities involved. However, I do know from coaching recreational sports for the past 10 years that our first obligation is to protect the players and that hydration is the most obvious need of any player. My son (now playing HS) quit 5th grade football because the coach's idea of giving kids water was to allow them to stand at a garden hose with 10 tiny holes in it, which produced a spray, but not a stream of water. The school nurse diagnosed his dehydration. Any coach who uses water for discipline should be immediately suspended, period. That the coach's wife and assistand knew this kid was having trouble only makes the coach more neanderthal. I hope the coroner's inquiry goes to the grand jury.

JC isn't taking Lawrence lightly, and shouldn't. They gave us fits last year before the lightning came, and if they can play that defense against our running game for four quarters this will be a lower scoring game than predicted above. But JC's defense should prevail and the offense can grind down the clock as well as the opponent. This may be a tough game emotionally for Nathaniel Dials playing his former teammates, but he has become a leader on this defense and I look for him to shine tonight. JC 24 LC 6