Well, sports fans, Hoptown and Owensboro are both off this week but there are some interesting match-ups around the Western Kentucky area tomorrow night. We here at Kentucky Prep Gridiron, in order to get you ready for the action, will preview the contests and provide our prediction at the conclusion. Here we go:
Madisonville North-Hopkins @ Calloway County
Madisonville-North Hopkins is 3-2 on the year to date with losses to Owensboro and Union County and blow-out wins over Marshall County, Murray and Hopkins-Central. Calloway is 0-3 and has been very consistent, in that they have been boat-raced every time. The teams have had two common opponents in Murray High School and Marshall County. Calloway was blown out by both of the teams, while the Maroons beat Marshall 42-29 and Murray 53-7. This contest shouldn’t be one. KPG predicted winner: Madisonville North-Hopkins
Logan County @ Hopkins-Central
The only Storm in the forecast this year has been Hopkins-Central’s football prospects. Hopkins-Central is 1-4 but did manage to beat the crap out of Webster County in the opener 62-6. As the Storm have lost their two most recent games by a combined score of 68-0 and have been blown out four consecutive games since beginning the season 1-0, either Webster County isn’t playing anything even resembling football or the Storm got their first three strings hurt in the opener. It’s the former and not the latter. Now Logan County appears to be rolling. The Cougars have won 5 consecutive games against what MaxPreps says is the easiest schedule in 4A among its top 25 teams in the Kentucky 4A Power-rankings. However, the Cougars are both ranked (No. 18) by the computer and 5-0 with a win over Russellville; not too shabby for a team coming off a 1-9 season a year ago. Look for Logan County to run its record to 6-0 and assure itself of a winning record. KPG predicted winner: Logan County
Christian County @ Marshall County
The Christian County Colonels come in 4-0 and ranked number 4 in the 5A Power-rankings according to the MaxPreps computer. Marshall County lost its first two games but has won three straight. The Marshall’s three wins, however, are against Ballard Memorial, 0-4; Calloway County, 0-3; and Murray High School, 2-3. The Colonels, on the other hand, have beaten Caldwell County, ranked No. 7 in the 3A MaxPreps Power-rankings for the Tigers only loss this season, 27-10; Hoptown, ranked No. 7 in the 4A MaxPrep Power-rankings, 15-12; and 6A Tennessee perennial powerhouse, Rossview High School from Clarksville 18-7. Still Christian County’s faithful would tell you the Colonels have had an ugly penchant this season for allowing teams it should easily beat to hang around, and that is thought to be a very hazardous practice. We predict the Marshall won’t be so fortunate, they will get absolutely pounded. KPG predicted winner: Christian County in a rout
Paducah Tilghman @ Caldwell County
The biggest contest of the evening, at least around the local area, will pit two 3A heavyweights against each other in a game of significance, going forward, in the 3A State Football Classification. Coming into the year it was thought the Tigers from Caldwell, who unexpectedly had to replace Shane Burns at QB, might struggle a bit turning over the reigns of its offense to Sophomore Jobe Jaggers. That hasn’t been the case. Outside of dropping its opener to one of the top ranked teams in the 5A Classification (Christian County), The Tigers from Caldwell have won over Hoptown on the road and have beaten 5A Graves County 28-10. If you are looking for common opponents, there are two. Paducah lost to both Hoptown and Graves County while Caldwell beat them both. So this should be an easy prediction, right? Well, in the words of Lee Corso from ESPN, not so fast my friend. Paducah Tilghman’s Wing T is difficult to defend and they have the horses in the backfield to shorten the game and keep the Tony Franklin Spread system Caldwell runs so well off the field. Paducah is big up front, similar to Graves County, who Caldwell beat 28-10, but against whom the Tigers from Princeton scored from off of 3 pick-sixes; so let’s not pretend Caldwell was killing Graves with its offense. Caldwell also beat Hoptown with two late touchdowns to come back from Hoptown having a late 4th quarter advantage but Caldwell’s defense also benefitted from an early scoop and score in that game too. It may come down to how much more magic Coach Barnes’ defense has left in the tank. You know the Universe has a way of evening out good fortune with tough luck sometimes. If Paducah Tilghman doesn’t help Caldwell County with turnovers and miscues, the Blue Tornados have enough horses to win this game, even on the road. KPG predicted winner: Paducah Tilghman in an upset
Well, this has been fun and I hope you have enjoyed this and don’t forget to get out and support your local teams. This is Fletcher Long reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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