We scout the Somerset “BriarJumpers” at Christian County Tigers game this coming Friday
The Tigers have been a mystery this season. Some weeks the team looks like a contender and other weeks not so much. The Tigers looked, in the game with McCracken, like a real threat to stay around a few rounds when the playoffs arrive. This Somerset game is a trap. Somerset is ranked the 22nd best team in KY (MaxPreps, All Classes) and will likely be ranked around 3rd to 4th when the new media poll is posted. Still, Somerset is a 2A ball club which will have a considerable bus ride to undergo before kickoff. Small schools have a difficult time with large enrollments and the resulting rosters and player sizes. We’ll see if that becomes the case here.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Assistant Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
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Hopkinsville, KY: The Tigers are hot, coming off a stirring, overtime victory, over district heavyweight, McCracken County (5-3). We hate to mention it, but if you will look at last week’s article, Lasaters Coffee & Tea disagreed with me and predicted a Tiger victory. Maybe Lasaters should have its own radio show!
The Tigers get another tough customer this Friday night in the Somerset Briar Jumpers. Somerset is 7-1 on the year with its lone loss being to a traditionally tough Ohio team in Ironton High. Incidentally Ironton is 8-1 and ranked the 32nd best team in OH (all classes) so it isn’t as if they are some bunch of Joe Slappies.
Somerset has wins over the likes of South Laurel (7-2, 5A, John Hines team), and Southwestern (5A). Somerset has played up a few times this year, as they are a 2A title contender, but Christian County will be the Jumper’s first 6A opponent on the year.
It looks as if the “new school” is getting hot at the right time of year. As the playoffs loom, the Tigers have earned a win over the class of its district in its overtime thriller over McCracken County, 24-21, on Jayleigh Campbell’s winning 24-yard FG.
Beating this tough, Class 2A contender would be a boost. We are going to break down this match-up, picking a winner and a score.
Somerset High (2A, 7-1) at Christian County Tigers (6A, 3-5)
Game Analysis & Handicapping
- The Matchup: The Somerset Briar Jumpers come into this non-district showdown flying high with a stellar 7-1 record and a #22 state ranking in Kentucky. Meanwhile, the newly unified Christian County Tigers sit at 3-5.
- Statistical Breakdown: Somerset features an elite defense that has given up only 80 total points all season (10 points per game) while scoring 320. Christian County has struggled defensively, surrendering 245 points over 8 games but has looked much improved, of late, particularly with the fine game it played during a Homecoming win over McCracken County.
- Pick: Somerset wins 42-14. Computer models like On3 project a 93% win probability for the Briar Jumpers with this exact score.
While most of the online pundits pick the Somerset Briar Jumpers to win by a 27-28-point margin, we just don’t believe that will be the case. We may not be willing to predict a Tiger victory here, we believe the margin will be much closer than the computer’s 42-14 analysis.
KPGFootball Predicts: Somerset 28, Christian County 24
* Be wary of another Tiger upset here; but, the Tigers could get caught looking ahead to the Paducah Tilghman regular season closer. This game with Somerset, placed between the homecoming game with McCracken and the season ender against The Blue Tornado is quite the trap.
Star Players to Watch
Somerset Briar Jumpers
- Guy Turner (SR / QB): The 6’3″ senior signal-caller captains a highly efficient offense that averages 40 points per game.
- Xavier Hudson (JR / FB, MLB): A punishing 6’1″, 210 lbs two-way starter who controls the middle of the defense and clears lanes on offense.
- Austyn Lawless (SR / OLB, TE): A veteran edge presence anchor for a defense that surrenders just 10 points per game.
- Julian Carroll (JR / K, P): An elite special teams weapon who reliably flips the field and handles placekicking.
Christian County Tigers
- Jaylen Ray (SR / WR, CB): The explosive 6’3″ wideout is a major big-play threat, averaging an incredible 167.0 receiving yards per game.
- Deasian Harris (SR / RB, NG): A physical 196-pound playmaker who paces the Tigers ground game with 93.0 rushing yards per game.
- Nehemiah Bailey (QB): The primary engine under center who pilots the offense and looks to exploit mismatches through the air.
- Hakim Skanes (SR / RB, DE): A quick-twitch veteran end who provides essential pass-rush pressure.
- Tristin Dillard (’27 RB/LB): This kid is a natural RB in that he instinctively makes cuts other kids don’t. Dillard is a likely Valedictorian candidate academically and hopes to be a doctor. If we can’t celebrate this kid, what are we doing?
- Jayleigh Campbell (’27 PK): The senior placekicker became the ultimate hero of the night by kicking the game-winning 24-yard field goal in overtime against a McCracken team which entered the game among 6A’s more highly regarded teams.
Join us next week as we honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, get on down to one of our Christian County area locations and remember, our products are superior and one of kind; just like our Christian County Tigers.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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