'ol#70

Chris Price, Henry County's top lineman, has chosen Pikeville College to further his education and his football career. The 6'3", 300lb senior signed a letter of intent with the school during Wednesday's national signing day. All of us here in Wildcat Land wish Chris the very best. We're proud of you and we'll definitely look forward to seeing you playing for the Bears.

I don't know anything about Ray Graham. Someone fill me in as to why he would be a good hire or not a good hire.

Local Henry County paper reported Wednesday that the search for Engstrand's replacement is ongoing and the A.D. hopes to have someone in place before the end of the school year. Huh? That's another 4+ months.

Probably is some interest in the position, but it will fade as they drag out the process. I know their athletic director is also the girls b-ball coach but they do have an associate a.d. who could be taking care of the football business for now. I hear there are some people in the community who are not happy with the way things are proceeding, which is not at all.

Male should take a hard look at Mike Jackson at Ballard. His Bruins have beaten Male 2 out of 3 times since he took over as head coach.

Its already been two weeks and the Henry Co. job has not been posted. They will fool around and not have a person hired before spring ball and the program will slide backwards. Spring ball is huge for a new coach to put in his offense and defense and get to know his players. Also a great time to look at some young players to fill gaps left by departing seniors. I sure hope someone will be in place to handle spring ball for the Wildcats.

Previous post outlines Coach Redman's success against T & X. Recently Coach Redman has had trouble with Ballard High School since the arrival of Mike Jackson. Male is 1-2 against Coach Jackson. Maybe Jackson should be given some consideration for the Bulldog job?

Coach Johnson is the man for the Henry Co. opening. He wants the job and should be given much consideration when the job is filled. So what if he is not a teacher. Let the school worry about hiring a teacher to fill Coach E's. spot. Where does it say the head coach must be a teacher. He is a teacher of young men on the practice field and off the field as well. No one cares more for the players than he and his wife do. Their house is always open to any player that needs somewhere to call home. He learned well from his father and brother who were both head football coaches at Henry County. Keep the legacy alive. Give Coach J a shot. He is very deserving of a chance to lead the Wildcats.

On Monday, 1-11-10, Henry County head football coach Chris Engstrand met with his team and announced he is stepping down from that position. The announcement comes one day after the football team banquet was held. Engstrand led the Wildcats to two district championships and two regional championship games during his four year's as head coach.

Sounds like Dark Horse needs a nap!

Well, Howdy folks, Ol' Leonard here doin' some pigskin pronosticatin' on the third round of state playoffs. This week's game pits the juggernaut Henry County Wildcats against the always tough, 2 time defending state champion Central Yellowjackets at the "Beehive". What an opportunity for the Cats to do something extra special. No one gives the Cats much chance in this one. No one, except the ones that count. The young men that'll be looking through their facemasks on Friday night. Don't suggest to the Henry County players that they don't belong in this game. I'm sure that Central will have all kinds of speed. Speed that you can't duplicate or practice against. It may take a full quarter or so for the Cats to adjust to the Jacket speed with their pursuit angles and so forth. If they can stay close, they will make a game of this regional final. Henry County must run clock and keep Central's speedy offense on the sidelines. And they can do this with a good running game and then passing when Central loads the box. Keep 'em off balance and guessing. Henry can't make mistakes because Central will make you pay dearly. Don't give them a thing. Fight them for every single yard all night long. Central will not give up as Western Hills found out last week. And maybe, just maybe, Henry takes the next step with their football program. The little smart pill machine and me have had our heads together on this one. Even though this Jacket team has some good players sidelined, they have been here before and there is something to be said about experience in these important games. Henry was in a regional final two years ago and came up short against Paducah Tilghman. Last year Henry and Central met in the first round when Henry was a #4 seed. The Henry team this year stands ready for the challenge. They do not fear the Yellowjackets and, in fact, they welcome the chance to play for a regional title. It all comes down to this game. This is why you spend untold hours in the weightroom. Why you endure the heat of summer camp. This is why you practice every day rather than going home and do nothing. This is why you work through all kinds of pain. This is your reward, to be with your football brothers under the lights. There is simply no better place to be on Friday nights. Henry County has experience and toughness on their side. These players have been together for many years going back to the Henry County Youth Footbal League, middle school and now four years at the high school. They are prepared and confident in their ability. Central on the other hand has two rings. But they have been taken to the mat several times this season. Not the team Henry saw last year. They can be beaten. This is why when the dust settles on Friday night, there will be a new 3A champion for 2009. Henry, a two touchdown underdog, pulls off the huge upset. Leonard's loser in an instant classic, Louisville Central. Sound to good to be true? Don't bet the farm. Let's go Percy, we gotta' check out the smoke machine and get it ready for the "Beehive".

Down to the nitty gritty. Can the Wildcats pull off the big upset against 2 time defending 3A champ Louisville Central Friday night in their house? Western Hills tried the spoiler role and came up just short. Get on board and let's hear your thoughts.

Way to work hard you Wildcats, you make me look smart every week.

Hills can win this game, will they rise to the challenge?

Well, Howdy football fans, Ol' Leonard here reporting in on this the second round of the high school playoffs. The little smart pill machine could not have been any better in her prognosticatin' last week takin' Henry over Moore in what amounted to little more than a tune up for this week. It's a whole different ball game this Friday Night. Coach Brad Todd brings his pride of black alley cats from E-town to New Castle to meet and greet them streaking felines from Henry County. This should be a good one. While the Panthers overall record is not that impressive (5-6), they're still hangin' around. I've been watchin' E-town football since the days of the "blond bomber", Ernie Lewis, when he was quarterback of some very good teams. Being in the playoffs is nothing new to them and they have made some loud noise before. Henry Co. was regional runner up to Paducah Tilghman two years ago and seem to be building a winning tradition at the school. One thing worth mentioning here, if Henry County pulls off the win, that will give them 10 wins. No team in school history has ever won ten games in a season. A little added incentive? Is a hog's hind end pork? It's my understandin' that the Panthers rely heavily on the screen game to keep pressure of their soph. q.b.. That's a mistake. One crossing pattern or middle screen route will introduce some poor soul to Henry's all state LB., Erich Butler. And the resultin' collision will be felt in the stands. I hear they already lost a receiver last week and could not stand losin' another. Reports are that E-town's defense is suspect as well. It says here that they will be severely tested Friday night both on the ground and in the air. And speakin' of runnin' the footbal, how 'bout that Johnson kid's comin' out party against Moore. Nice job 16. Well let's get down to the nitty gritty. Weather man says it's gonna' be a good night for football, cool and no rain. Henry appears healthy, (all except Coach E.). Etown lost a good receiver in a freak accident last Friday night. Plus for Henry. Henry's junior q.b. is a two year starter, Panther q.b. is a sophomore. Plus for Henry. Henry's running game is better than E-town's. Plus for Henry. Passing games cancel each other out. Special teams are a push. Henry's defense will be better than anything the Panthers have seen this year. That ol' sayin' is true, "Defense wins championships". Defense will win this game Friday night. Get out to Henry County Friday night and support your team! Leonard's loser in a good football game.....E-town. Let's go Percy, I got to sight in my rifle. Big day comin' Saturday. Get me outta' here.

Henry rolls into the second round tonight!

I've seen Gallatin, Gallatin loses to Bellvue.

E-town loses to North Oldham.

Eminence loses to Ludlow.

Owen loses to Holy Cross.

Nelson loses to Graves.

Raiders4907 you better get down off that horse, you're losing it. Trimble loses to Beechwood.

Send Butler after their all district center on the first play!

Let's try this again.....Well, Howdy folks and get ready for high school playoff action here with Ol' Leonard doin' some pigskin prognosticatin'. Fridays game pits Moore Traditional against Henry County. Coach Robert Johnson brings his stable of wild ponies into the Wildcat's lair lookin' to upset the apple cart of Coach Chris Engstrand. Moore has won just three games (one by forfeit from Shawnee just this week) this year while Henry boasts a very nice 8-2 slate. It certainly looks as if this game is gonna' be a laugher. Think again. This is state playoff time where any team can be state champion with a good run through the post season. This includes Henry's opponent this week. I'm not sayin' its gonna' happen but there alwways a chance for some team to do the unexpected. Check the scores Saturday and see how many "favorites" will be handing in equipment on Monday afternoon. It always happens. Some teams are just not mentally ready to play. I don't think Coach E. and his staff will allow bad thoughts to creep into the little pointy heads of their players. As one old school coach says, ' This is a trap game." meaning if you ain't focused and sharp you are going to be in a battle much more that you bargained for. This next little bit is for the Henry County seniors. Some day in the not to distant future you will look back with great satifaction at what you have accomplished in your football careers at Henry County. You have worked hard in the classroom, weightroom, on the practice field and certainly on Friday nights. You are one of the winningest senior classes at the school and you have set the bar high for those who will follow you. You stayed the course on a difficult path when others could not. And you have been rewarded for doing so. It makes Ol' Leonard proud for all of you. Whenever and wherever this season ends I know you will fight like Wildcats 'til the final whistle. And the memories you have created will last all your days. Trust me, I know. Now how about the game. Moore travels to New Castle from the Outer Loop in Louisville, heck, most of them has never been outta' the city. They won't know what to think when they get to the country. Especially Wildcat country. Luke will be zeroed in, Pete makes some nifty runs behind a good offensive line, Trevor and Lance make some good yards after catches and the offense is clickin'. Henry's defense led by Erich, Dylan and Tater will shut down the Mustang run game forcing them to pass. That's when Justin and Chris move in for some picks. Its gonna' be fun. Get out and support your local teams, the weatherman even predicts no rain if you can believe it! Leonard's loser.....Moore. Hey Percy, lets get dem duelin' banjos tuned up so we can greet the Mustangs when they arrive. Get me outta' here, boy.

Well, Howdy again all you fans of high school pig skin mania, Ol' Leonard returns just in time for playoff action. First round action pits Louisville Moore at Henry County, a #4 seed vs. a #1