diamondog

I don't think the Lakers have relied a "big play" offense this season, but they are capable. Yes, Willis can break for a big gain on the ground, but he is really a great grinder. And, yes the CC air game is top-notch, with only 8 INTs in 13 games to go with 35 TDs. I think they've had two TOs in three playoff games so I don't know see that changing now. Also, the Lakers balance their ground-air offense very well and put together regular 5-6:00 drives. But when they have to go quick strike they do well under pressure. Calloway is probably the most balanced offense left among the 24 teams still in the semis. Lakers are playing great right now and never get rattled, even if they fall behind by 14 or so. Lakers just might roll on to Papa John's Stadium.

To the best of my recollection (which is getting more suspect with age) I think Calloway played the following bone/veer/whatever run-oriented power back teams - Murray, Crittenden, Muhlenbeg North, Graves, Russell Co. I'm not sure if Marshall County would be in that category or not. The Lakers were 5-0 against the first 5 listed. I do agree with you that this will be another interesting game.

Nobody's been paying attention to the posts. Willis is AVERAGING 200 yards rushing in the first three playoff games. Yes, Calloway can run the ball and run it well. They also happen to be able to throw the ball and do it well too, with a 3,000 yard passer and TWO 1,000 yard receivers and about 5 who can make the catch when they need to, including Willis. So, Calloway presents a tough matchup for defenses. Ask Russell Co, Franklin-Simpson, and ACS.

This theme is starting to sound familiar. Calloway defense was not supposed to stop the big ACS running game and their stable of good RBs. And, the Lakers weren't supposed to be able to stop Courtney Dalcourt and Co. either. Lakers are rolling, believing in themselves, and have shown they're capable of comeback rallies all season starting from their first game vs. Murray. If they get out to a lead they're even tougher. One other thing to add - Brockman throws very well on the run and always keeps his eyes up field. Ground/air balance is what makes CC a tough team to defend. Calloway knows it's one game at a time. One game at a time. They won't be looking past a good BE team. Go Lakers!

Add and clarify. Brown is a definite DI recruit but will probably play WR or DB. Brockman is 6-2/185 and is getting looks from lots of IAA and DII teams, only a QB recruit. His academics and on-field smarts also lift his stock. Willis, a junior, is a definite DI prospect who would probably be a DE or LB at the next level but could be a FB/TE too. Definite candidate for a Mr. Football honors in 2009. Grant Williams, a 6-5/250 jr OT for Calloway, is already getting DI looks and is a quality lineman. Calloway Sr WRs Chris Dobbins and George Garner are also both outstanding and will play college ball somewhere. Dobbins a definite WR and Garner could be a DB or WR.

Looks like Calloway has found their bread and butter with Willis rushing for an avg of 200 per game over the last 3 games. The Lakers are still throwing the ball, but only when they want to, which is what makes them so dangerous (Brockman has 2,900+ yards passing so far and 4-5 good targets). The Lakers score well either way. I don't think many teams in the state have a 6-2, 250 lb back that runs a 4.6/40, can still hurdle an oncoming DB, or level a LB. Neither team has been to the final 4. This is as far as ACS has traveled and CC has been to the regional final one other time, 1996. ACS has plenty of talent too. Should be a great game.

Lakers or Patriots advance to state 4A Semifinals?

Calloway surprises many posters with the win. Lakers up 14-3 at the half. The Wildcats got a big scoop and score in 3Q to get momentum back and make it 14-10. But, Calloway's balance and a much-improved defense kept Dalcourt and Flippin in check for most of the night. On the Calloway side, Jr. RB Tyrrell Willis was a monster. He controlled the game with 222 bruising yards on 34 carries. QB Casey Brockman was steady as usual with 14 for 21 and 156 yards and 1 TD, no picks while running the offense. WR Chris Dobbins was his target of choice tonight with 8 catches for 115 yards and a TD, including two big 4th down catches late. I'm told this matches the Lakers deepest playoff run in school history - one other time. Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game. Special tip of the hat to Coach Josh McKeel on the reconstruction job he's done in four short years. Good luck to the Lakers on the road at ACS.

Franklin-Simpson at Calloway in 4A. This one could overload the scoreboard with QBs Dalcourt vs. Brockman and RBs Flippin vs. Willis (interesting contrast in styles in both positions). Hoptown-Christian Co. will be a good one, as always, with lots of emotional attachment.

I just don't see FS holding Calloway to 7 points. Period. Dalcourt obviously runs the show for FS, like Brown does at Lone Oak. Any ability to control him (obviously very tough to do) throttles FS offense. CC is much-improved on both sides of the ball since the first LO game, a 45-42 loss that fell on the Lakers coaches on the road. Willis has been beasting on a weekly basis in 2nd half of the season and Brockman and his slew of receivers have finally started clicking even better than last year. And, CC is now healthy after a season of missing 1-2 key starters a game. This one will be in the high 20s or mid 30s on both sides. With the home field and big crowd, slight edge goes to Calloway, 35-31. Should be a great game.

Graves Co. to Trinity is 227 by MapQuest. Russell Co. to Calloway Co. is 220, I think.

Pick from two on 4A Calloway County's 55-28 thrashing of 6A Graves County. QB Casey Brockman was 20-of-28 for 336 and 4 TDs (a crazy 151 QB rating). The 6-2/185 senior went into the Lakers record books again, establishing a new single season passing yardage record with 2,556 and tieing his own single season passing TD mark of 31. He is now one TD short of becoming CCHS's all-time leading scorer with 70 TDs in just two years of starting and is already the career passing TD record holder (63). RB Tyrrell Willis racked up 173 yards on 16 carries with 3 TDs. He also chipped in with 44 rec yards and another score. The 6-2/250 junior has 1,005 rushing yards on the season and is already the Lakers career rushing TD leader with 30. Thanks for your consideration.

Assure you Calloway is going one week at a time. Nobody at CC is looking ahead, and neither should anyone in either of these districts, except ACS for round 1. These matchups are very close.

Willis beasted again with over 160 rushing yards, 2TDs and a rec TD. Brockman solid as usual with around 350 yards, 4 TDs, no INTs. Dobbins becomes new all-time Laker receiving yardage champ with around 150, TD. Garner had highlight TD catch of the season with one-handed grab, around 150 yds himself. This one was never in doubt as CC offense seems to be coming into groove with playoffs looming. Lakers were stoked to reverse last year's drubbing from Graves in reverse outcome. Congrats CCHS on solid 8-2 regular season and good luck in the 4A playoffs.

The Calloway County Lakers program has had Luke and his family in its daily prayers since receiving the news at Tuesday afternoon's practice. God bless and comfort them all with the peace on He can give.

Tyrrell Willis at LB for Calloway County. He's just beasting on both sides of the ball, but a dominant force on LB, always drawing 2-3 on him each play. At 6-2, 245 he still just controls the field. Oh yeah, only a junior.

Having the right to vote and actually doing so are two completely different things as far as AP polling is concerned. And, having the knowledge, or spending the time to make and informed decision, is another wild card in the AP voting.

Hop Central leads 21-7 at half and Lakers pitch 2nd half shutout. Garner 3Q 60 yard INT big momentum swing. Calloway scores with :50 left for the win. Willis 2 TDs rushing, Brockman 2 TDs passing (Garner and Dobbins). Two teams pretty evenly matched, but big win on the road for Lakers tonight to get the district's top seed in tiebreaker.

Highly unlikely that Mayfield will hold Calloway to 21 points, or that Calloway will hold Mayfield 14. However, the Laker offense is much to potent in this one. Calloway 42 - Mayfield 21.

Calloway by 2-3 scores. Mayfield is improving, but pass defense is their weakness and the Lakers' bread and butter. Mayfield will score a few times and will still be a force in the post-season as they continue to improve. But the Lakers know that they now have second life for a district title with Hop Central's win at Lone Oak. Look for Calloway to turn it up a notch on both sides of the ball with renewed energy and focus. The Laker offense is finally clicking behind Brockman and Willis continues to beast.

Looks like a three-way tie will favor Calloway in the tiebreaker. Of course, first the Lakers have to beat Hop Central to force the tie. If so, an additional CC win over either Mayfield or Graves would give them the necessary schedule strength points to get the top seed. It is a good district, despite what others might think.

Unbelievable on the pass play call from the sidelines. Lakers' ball at Lone Oak 15 yd line on 2nd down with less than a minute left. Run Willis twice to center of field -might even score - to set up chip shot FG and goal as time expires. No need to call pass play. To their credit, LO got the INT, but can thank Calloway staff for the gift. As stated, both teams loaded with talent and appear dead even offensively (obviously). Defense was totally worn out on both sides in the fourth quarter. Very entertaining game. If Lone Oak is #5 in 4A, Calloway is #6.

Calloway offense much improved since the Murray game with injured players and timing back. I believe Marshall's defense is better than Lone Oak's. And, Calloway put up 450 yards on Marshall's defense but didn't get the points to show for it. Three unforced TOs and a dropped TD were the difference in that one. Guess we'll see the outcome in about 12 hours. Should be an entertaining game, for sure. I still predict lots of points on both sides of the ball.

If they only allow 38 to Lone Oak, Lakers win. That score is more of a compliment to Lone Oak's offense than a slap at Calloway's defense. And, simply don't think Lone Oak's defense can shut down Calloway's offense either.

This is all pretty funny. Lakers are 3-1 vs. four pretty solid teams, battled injuries, and everybody's already written them off for the season. Admittedly they played a bad game last Friday night, but did rack up 450 yards of offense vs. Marshall. Do away with the TOs and the Lakers will be all Lone Oak wants Friday night. Flash defense is still very suspect. While the Lakers defense had lapses last week, it's still the best one LO will have faced so far this season. I'll take CC 45, LO 38 with Willis beasting in this one. It will be an exciting game whichever way it turns out.