'ol#70

This is no longer a rivalry. South continues to falter and is no longer competitive.

Man that one got away quick from Henry Co. I said dropped balls would get them beat. There were several dropped passes. Taking nothing away from Anderson Co., they will win a lot of games. QB and receiver Cox are an impressive pair for sure. Good solid run ning backs as well. Defense moves very well to the football. Henry has to regroup this week for a trip to O'boro Catholic this Friday. They don't get any easier from this point on. Heads up Henry Co., put in a good week of practice come out Friday with a chip on your shoulder.

Knute wins this game.

Well, Howdy fans, Ol' Leonard here checking in on this the 5th week of high school football. Anderson vs. Henry sets up to be a good football game Friday night. Both are undefeated and neither have really been in a dogfight yet. This will be just that. Anderson brings in a different kind of animal to skin than the Wildcats have seen this year. QB Jake Russell is all that both throwing and running. His favorite target is Grant Cox and he is a big playmaker for a team averaging 44ppg. As usual they will have a huge frontline. Coach Mark Peach can sure grow 'em big around Lawrenceburg. They will show a power game with the wishbone and a finesse game with the spread offense. They are well regarded in 5A rankings this year. But don't count the Wildcats out jest yet. They have been putting up good numbers on offense the last two games and the defense remains stong and unyielding. I will tell you that Coach Engstrand's felines will have to play four quarters in this one and not allow the Bearcats to take a sizeable lead. If they do they will be in a heap o' trouble. QB Luke Magness needs his best game so far this year and his receivers need some stickem on their hands. Dropped passes will get them beat. Pete Baldwin had a breakout game at running back last week and he should give the Bearcats something to worry about. Erich Butler will lead the Wildcat defense again. And by the way who in their right mind picked Anderson to be the homecoming game? I don't think the Bearcats will take kindly to being the homecoming date. Now for the tough part. The little smart pill machine hasn't been wrong this year in picking Henry County games. It says the Wildcats will suffer their first loss. I paid darn good money for that machine and probably should go with its prediction. But I'm a sap for underdogs. Just ask Roger Federer about underdogs! The world's best tennis player was beaten by an unknown just this week! And who can forget what little David did to the heavily favored Goliath. I believe if Henry keeps it close they will win it in the 4th quarter. Anderson has shown signs of fatigue, several of their big fellas' go both ways and simply wear down by late in the game. Call me a fool but I can't pick against Henry in this one. I think they will get one of the better wins in the last four years Friday night. They have been close but they will close the deal against a team who could be looking past them to other opponents. Get out Friday night and support your favorite team. So here goes.....Leonard's loser in a good, tough high school football game, Anderson County. Quick, get me outta' here Percy, the little smart pill machine is not pleased with me!

North Oldham will win this game without much of a challenge. South got a win last week against a weak Waggener team. North has been up and down but is now steadying themselves for a district run. North by three scores.

5A Anderson County (3-0) visits 3A Henry County (4-0) this Friday night. Which team remains undefeated? Give us a poll Mr. Moderator.

Well Howdy folks, Ol' Leonard here,and here comes week 4. Say here that this season is sure slipping by in a hurry. Little smart pill machine is walking around with his chest all swelled out after correctly calling for Henry County to be a winner in each of its three games. So far so good. Them 1-1 Owen County Rebels cross the Kentucky River Friday night for a date with the 3-0 Henry County Wildcats in New Castle. I thought the Cats offense was improved against Trimble Coutny. Defense continues to not let anyone get their motor runnin'. The Rebs seem to be having trouble this year putting points on the board. That don't bode well for them in this matchup. I don't think that Owen has had a winning season in over 20 years. Everything you hear says the Rebels are an improved team. That's good for them but they ain't arrived jest yet. They will find out jest how far they've come on the gridiron Friday evening. The Wildcats can put this one away early if the offense takes charge and does what they are capable of doing, getting scores fby committee. Q.B. Magness had his bazooka arm zeroed in last Friday and Trimble had no answer. Lance Timberlake showed that he can make the big play by hauling in 2 touchdown passes. Trevor Raisor made some good catches and was a hard guy to get down when he had the football. Zach Rahm scooped and scored a Trimble fumble. Before you knew it the game was out of hand before the band had warmed up. Look for this game to be more of the same for the Cats. Owen can not yet compete with Henry Co. Henry just has too many horses, draft and thoroughbred. Leonard's loser Friday night, Owen County. Henry names the score once again. Percy, park up close Friday night. We'll have time to go catfishin' soon as this one is decided. Get me outta' here.

Owen is 1-1 going to New Castle Friday night. Henry stands at 3-0. Whadda' ya' think? Put a poll on this one Mr. Moderator.

Trimble just does not match up well with Henry County. Henry will have to put two halves together at some point this year. I did note that Henry played many players last night. Good to get some time for subs when you can. Henry takes on Owen next. Good luck to Trimble for the rest of the season.

Well, Howdy, football fans, Ol" Leonard here, and here we go with week 3 of the high school season. The little smart pill machine seems to be hittin' on all cylinders this year with a perfect 2-0 record on callin' the games. I don't think this week will be any different. Coach Chris Engstrand's pride of Wildcats has to travel to unfriendly confines this week with for a game with them pesky Trimble County Raiders. This is the first road game for the felines. Coach Collins' Raiders have one win under their belt. A blowout against Atherton in the first week. Atherton has one of the worstess football team in the state. But give the Raiders credit, they did what they should have done and licked 'em good. Trimble was off last week and has had two weeks to get ready for their visitors from New Castle. Trimble does show talent at the running back position and also has a tough, but smallish, defensive tackle that has only one gear. Wide open. He will be fun to watch Friday night. Renfro is their go to guy and should have several touches in the contest. Henry is coming off of a win against South Oldham last Friday. I know a win is a win, but good gawd that was hard to watch. Refs were late in arriving, then a lightning delay, and more penalties than you can shake a stick at, I thought it would never end! Henry's "O" needs to pick up the pace and quit relying on the "D" to win games. They need to get untracked and I think Friday will be the night. Q.B. Magness has not had one of his record setting games this year. He's due. The Raiders just will not have enough answers for Henry County. Henry will run and pass for a lot of yardage against an untested Raider defense. And look for the Wildcat defense to continue getting better. This early fall weather makes for a great night to watch high school football. Get out and support you favorite team. This border war will be no more than a skirmish. Leonard's loser, Trimble County. Get me outta' here Percy.

If J.V. game is any indication , Friday night's game could get ugly.

Henry Co. JV"s @ Trimble Co. JV's Monday evening 8-31-09 @ 6:00. I'll take Henry in this one.

2-0 Henry vs. 1-0 Trimble. Henry coming off a less than impressive win against South Oldham. Trimble had the week off and will have two weeks to prepare for Henry. Playing this one in Bedford where Trimble won in 2007 with the "Birdman". How 'bout it TB & G, what say you? Gived us poll one this one Guru.

Well, Howdy football fans, Ol' Leonard here, and welcome back for week 2 of the high school season. The little smart pill machine blasted out of the gate in fine fashion last Friday night. Henry Co. bumbled and stumbled for a half but after what must have been a paint peelin' half time talk they righted the ship and came away with a nice win, 20-6. This Friday Coach Clay Holbrook brings his group of over grown fire breathing reptiles into the Cats lair at New Castle. Them big green lizards are having a terrible hard time finding the win column as they have lost 17 in a row going back to 2007. I hope they don't think that Coach E's felines are going to lay down and play dead for 'em. Ain't gonna' happen. Them Wildcats know a thing or two about how to win. I don't figure South would know how to celebrate if they did win. Lot at stake here: Big 5A South vs. the smallest 3A school in Kentucky, bad blood over field striping' duties, rumors of unprofessional conduct by a coach or coaches who will not be named here. But the game still has to be played between the lines. Look for Cat q.b. Luke Magness to have one of his better nights against South. Their press coverage will not be worth 10 cents against the Wildcat receivers. And if Henry chooses they can line up and RUN THE BALL for good yardage. Defense was adequate but not stifling last week. Looking for more improvement and better tackling. South lost to a vanilla Woodford Co. team last week. They will try and bring a lot of defensive pressure from every where all night. They will not be successful. Percy said they had 4 punts blocked last week? Is that right? Gotta' be some kind of a record for bad execution. Ever do any special teams work during the week? When it comes right down to it South could be in for another long season. Won't be no nail biter here. When the dust settles them Dragons will be draggin' their dragon tails back to Crestwood, losing streak intact. Leaonard's loser, South Oldham. Let's go Percy, Git me outta' here!

Can we get a poll on this one?

Can the Dragons break their losing streak in New Castle Friday night? How about adding a poll for this one?

Well, Howdy folks. It's 'ol Leonard here gearing up for another full season of pigskin prognostications. It can't come to soon for me. The creeks are running, the lakes are full to the top, I've worn out two lawnmowers this year and no 90 degree days in July. What's up with the weather? Enough about the unimportant stuff. Let's get right down to it. I've greased up the little smart pill machine, put in some fresh $2.50 a gallon gas and gave her a pull. She's purring like a Wildcat. We are off and runnin'. The Hawks from Pike County Central come flying into New Castle Friday night for a 1st time meeting with them pesky Wildcats of Henry County. Coach Chapman brings in a group of birds looking to improve on their 4-7 record last year. That record is a bit deceiving as their district opponents include always tough Belfry and Sheldon Clark. They lost the first round playoff game to Russell to end their seaon. However, I hear they will bring some real talent to bear against the Cats. Both defensive tackles and a linebacker are the real deal. Keep your eye on #55, he may be the best player on the field Friday. The Hawks defense goes all out to get to the football, the sign of a disciplined unit. Also the Hawks have talented skill position players that could pose problems for the Cats untested secondary. But the cupboard ain't exactly bare at Henry County. Coach Chris Engstrand has quarterback Luke Magness returning for his second year at the helm of the Wildcat offense. He will have several good receivers to throw it around to. Trevor Raisor, Lance Timberlake, Pete Baldwin, Erich Butler and newcomer Robbie McClesky are all capable of making it happen. When the Cats want to run the ball they can call on Baldwin, Zach Rahm and Justin Hartlage to get them tough yardage. A seasoned front five on offense achored by D-1 prospect Chris Price at center bodes well for the Cats. On the defensive side D-1 prospect, linebacker, Erich Butler leads a defense that was highly ranked in the state last year. Dylan Doll, Darien Ingram and Zach Rahm will anchor the front line. This group will have to make a new name for themselves on the gridiron starting Friday night. The Cats' cornerbacks will have to grow up in a hurry or they will have a long night fo' sure. They had trouble in the Cats scrimmage against Oldham County last Friday. The Cats have pack of new coaches prowling the sidelines this fall and it says here they should not be outsmarted with all the credentials they bring to the field. The Hawks just might be the team with the longest road trip in the entire state on Friday night. They could be a bit sluggish from the ride. But at some point they will take flight and this could turn into a dandy. Henry County will have their paws full. Whichever team can survive the opening night jitters and mistakes will get their first victory of 2009. Get out and support your local team this Friday night. It's football time in the Bluegrass! Leonard's Loser in a battle, and with a long ride home to boot, Pike County Central. Come on Percy, Get me home, I got to mow that dadgummed yard again befo' kickoff.........

Which team starts the 2009 football season with a win?

I would not be at all surprised if Ol' Leonard Post Toasties and his pal Percy are back again this year. We are in the final stages of significant contract negotiations in order to have him make his always learned and entertaining prediction for the the Cats again this year.

Henry vs. Oldham was a good test for both. Henry will have to play iron man football this year. A lot of kids going both ways. Appeared in decent condition for this early. Cornerbacks will need a lot of reps to get them up to par. Special teams were also a concern. That is all correctable with good practice time. Good luck to the 2009 Fighting Henry County Wildcats, and to the Colonels of Oldham County. Play hard, Play fast, Play the next play! Pike County Central visits New Castle on Friday night. It's football time in the bluegrass again.

Longtime defensive co-ordinator, Dewayne Douglas, passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, 01-09-09. He was well liked in the Eminence community and loved by all the players he coached. Visitation at Eminence school at 3:00 p.m. Sunday and the funeral is at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the school. The Henry County football family wishes to extend our deep sympathy to the Douglas family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Beechwood in a walk. Yesterday's C-J article won't even be enough to help the Raiders tonight. The All-11 will be All through for the year this evening.

Or is that mud dobbers only?

Do Yellowjackets like mud?

Henry County better stay focused on Central and not be looking past them to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Central is going to be a tough 1st round opponent and is capable of pulling the upset at the "bee hive". Good luck Wildcats.