Madisonville North Hopkins (6-1) beats the Mustangs (Muhlenberg County, 5-2) 48-14
Not all programs have the same pedigree. Not all programs are capable of progressing along the same pathway or arch. Some programs have to sort of ‘baby step’ their way toward the top of the district while other programs are seemingly always there. Madisonville has a long history of playing winning football. Madisonville, the home of Alfred “Sonny” Collins, one of UK’s all-time RBs, has tons of talent and wins lots of games most seasons. Muhlenberg doesn’t enjoy the same history but the Mustangs are progressing, the ‘Stangs are getting better and more competitive with the upper-echelon of its district, yearly. The next step is for the ‘Stangs to learn to pour on more steam when the breaks fall against them. It was a lesson they could have used in Thursday night’s game.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Ass. Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Madisonville, KY: I know many people think of Nick Saban as Alabama’s greatest all-time coach. It will always be Paul “Bear” Bryant to me. That is just an indication of my age, I suppose.
There is no question the University of Tennessee’s all-time, greatest coach is General Robert Reese Neyland. Bryant never could seem to beat Neyland.
Bryant once said of his apparent jinx regarding his inability to beat Neyland in a football game, “It was no jinx. [Neyland] was a better coach, and he had better football players — and I couldn’t stand it!”
Neyland had Game Maxims he required his Tennessee teams to recite before every ball game. The Tennessee team recites these maxims before ball games even still. The Vols will recite these maxims, later today, when they play Auburn in Knoxville.
The Maxims, the brainchild of Neyland, were (and still are) as follows:
- The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
- Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way—SCORE.
- If at first the game—or the breaks—go against you, don’t let up . . . put on more steam.
- Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.
- Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle for this is the WINNING EDGE.
- Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
- Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 [for HS purposes, 48] minutes.
Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes
Robert R. Neyland
I would like to talk about Maxims 3 and 7. Let’s start with No. 3 which is, If at first the game—or the breaks—go against you, don’t let up . . . put on more steam.
The Mustangs could have used this advice on Thursday night, according to our conversation with Muhlenberg’s intrepid Defensive Coordinator, Matt Day. Coach Day is the architect of Muhlenberg’s Dooms-Day-Defense which has played superbly all season to this point.
The score was 12-0 at the half. When you have the offensive weaponry boasted by the Maroons roster, including Mr. Football candidate, Ryder Sandidge, who is averaging close to a couple hundred yards a night rushing from scrimmage, in addition to his copious contributions to the defense and the return game on special teams, holding that offense to 12-points, in a half, is noteworthy. It is, rightfully, bragging material.
Sandidge is far from alone when it comes to offensive weaponry carried on the Madisonville North Hopkins play roster. Alex Richards (QB) threw for 383-yards and three (3) TDs on 20-completions and rushed for another 119-yards and a pair of scores on just nine (9) carries by night’s end. Jeremyah Sharp caught four (4) passes for 185-yards and two TDs before he hit the showers.
Of the initial points surrendered, one was on a long pass play where the DB from Muhlenberg got his hands on the ball but was unable to come up with it. That pass bounced into Maroon hands for the score.
With 3:36 to go in the 3rd-Q, the score was 20-14, Madisonville. It was 20-14 to start the 4th-Q. From there the Mustangs just fell apart.
Therein lies the issue. The breaks started falling Madisonville’s way in the fourth quarter and, instead of “pouring on more steam,” the ‘Stangs just sort of imploded, just kind of mailed it in, thus the final margin.
To the credit of Coach Josh Staples and his Mustang staff, you have to get there, to 20-14 at the beginning of the 4th-Q, before you can possibly learn what to do once you arrive. Teams have to learn how to finish. Teams have to learn to carry the fight to [the] opponent and keep it there for [48] minutes.
Last night the Mustangs were right there; playing one of 5A’s elite teams, blow for blow, on a Thursday night. The let down was Muhlenberg’s failing to continue to carry the fight to a superior opponent the full 48-minutes.
Madisonville played a 48-minute game. Madisonville knows a football game is four quarters. That is why they are Madisonville.
Muhlenberg has made progress. Muhlenberg hung around for over three-quarters with a Madisonville team that has run the clock on the ‘Stangs in the first quarter in previous seasons. The ‘Stangs just have to learn to finish.
The program at Muhlenberg is taking steps. The Mustangs are making progress. We are sure Madisonville would agree.
The final score was Madisonville 48, Muhlenberg 14. Madisonville scored late in the game. That is not a criticism.
Don’t forget the 7th maxim, Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for [48] minutes. That is what the Maroons did. It is a four-quarter game. They played them all like the score was knotted at zeros.
That is why Madisonville North Hopkins is an elite team in the KHSAA’s 5A classification challenging for titles yearly. That is to where Muhlenberg County is aspiring to go.
They are getting there. Stay the course, and the Mustangs will arrive and fairly soon.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball; reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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