Friday presents playoff tuneup opportunity
Central is 3-6 but enters this weekend with vastly superior playoff possibilities than this time a year ago. Central is 2-3 in the district and Trigg County, also 3-6 on the year is 1-4 with Webster being winless in district one meaning it’s all over but the crying. Regardless of how this weekend’s games turn out, all parties are finished with district play and the playoff brackets for 3A, District 1 are set. Still, the Storm needs to head into the playoffs on a winning note, for mindset if nothing else, and Fulton County provides an opportunity to do just that.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: The Storm is coming off a rout at the hands of Coach Robert Eubanks’ Hornets from Hancock County. The Hornets had been stirred up the previous week in Morganfield, KY (Union County) and came out of the hive hopping mad.
Central has a really good chance at getting back on the winning side of the ledger heading into a trip to Morganfield for its first round, playoff appearance. These Pilots will not lie down and give it to us, and while they haven’t won but a single game, that one win, a 64-12 pasting of 4A Calloway County, is enough to give Storm watchers some pause.
The Storm will have to play well. However, should the Storm play well, they have an excellent chance to enter the playoffs feeling fairly good about itself.
Scouting the Pilots (1-6)
Fulton County is coming off a 40-12 loss to Russellville. Preston Smith (’27) threw a pair of TDs and was the second leading rusher on the night against the Panthers and has proven himself capable this season, though certainly young.
Zayden Kinney (’26) caught a 48-yard pass for the Pilots when it stretched the Panther defense over the top. Damien Hill (’25) averaged 15-yards a reception on two catches with a TD. Kalon McCauley (’26) caught the other TD.
Wesley Goodman (’28) missed his only PAT attempt. If there is an advantage to be pressed this Friday night, it is in the third phase of a football game where the Storm appears to be advantaged.
Braxton Bridges (C/DT, ’25) is James Bridges’s son and the chip hasn’t fallen too far off the old block, so to speak. Bridges, playing much like dear old dad used to, led the defense with 9-stops and a TFL.
Marcus Bonds (’26) contributed 5-stops, a TFL, and a sack. Bonds, like Bridges, is a defender with whom the Storm will have to reckon to be very successful.
Let’s look at The Storm (3-6)
Against Hancock County, Sylas Gunn (’26) threw for 116-yards and a TD and led the team with 14-tackles. Gunn has continued to impress with his three-phase contributions and the fact he has started at five different positions for the Storm this season alone. Gunn is clearly among the best and most versatile athletes playing 3A football across the Bluegrass.
Isaac Manning (’25) caught 3-balls, had 10-tackles, with two (2) TFLs. Since being called upon to contribute defensively in the face of injuries to other players, Manning is averaging over seven tackles a game. Manning has been fetching added recruiting interest and is, like Gunn, among the best and most versatile athletes playing football in Kentucky’s small school division (1A, 2A, & 3A).
Carlos Mason (’25) had 8-tackles, 1-TFL, in addition to anchoring the offensive front. Mason’s play on both lines of scrimmage has been a tremendous boon for his ball club his senior year.
Isaac Earl (’26) caught 5-passes, one of which was for the team’s only TD and contributed a tackle. Earl has really taken to the slot since moving over from QB.
Blaze Whitaker (’27) made his only PAT attempt. His being a nearly “automatic” conversion in the PAT game may prove to be the difference in the game.
Common opponents
These two teams didn’t play any common opponents this year. Fulton County beating Calloway, who Central didn’t play, 64-12 is cause for concern. I believe Central would be favored in a game with Calloway but don’t believe 48-points would be the predicted margin. Calloway isn’t very good, but they shouldn’t be losing to a cellar-dwelling, 1A, first district team by that margin.
Consulting the experts
The oldest ratings index in all of Kentucky is the DRI (Durden Ratings Index). The DRI doesn’t have a rating for Fulton County.
We have also consulted our index back at the office. We have the Storm as a 14-point favorite, on Morton’s Gap, over Fulton County. Hopkins County Central has an 80% chance of winning Friday night.
Last Year’s Game
Last year’s game was a 32-0 blowout in favor of Central in a game played in Hickman, KY. This year’s game is on Morton’s Gap but the Pilots look to us to be an improved ball club over the one the Storm encountered a year ago.
Our Call
We like the Storm, 38-24, over Fulton County
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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