Les Miles...Genius or Misunderstood?

LSU video: Les Miles press conference, 10-04-10

Warren East vs. Russell County Preview

This Friday night will take me to Warren East where the Raiders will take on District 2, Class 4A foe, the Russell County Lakers. The Lakers come in with a record of 3-3 (1-1, district) and coming off a district victory in beating Logan Co. last week by a score of 50-21. Warren East enters the contest with a record of 2-5 (1-1, district) after getting handled by Allen County-Scottsville 56-13.

The Breakdown:

- Russell County has a very balanced offensive attack with Running Back #28 Nick Britt leading the way on the ground with 627 yards and 8 touchdowns.

- The passing attack is lead by Quarterback #8 Martin Cross who has passed for 599 yards including 5 touchdowns. Cross has thrown 6 interceptions on the season so I will look for the Raiders defense to focus on stopping the Lakers running game to force more passes and create turnovers.

- Defensively look for Russell County's OLB #23 Jeron Hammond and the rest of the Lakers to put pressure on the Raiders running back duo of #21 Adarius Barnett and #38 Steven Golden.

- As I mentioned the Warren East offense will be focused on the legs of Running Backs Adarius Barnett and Steven Golden. With a nonexistent passing game, it will be interesting to see if the Raiders running game can break through.

- My prediction is Russell County 27, Warren East 14.

*Notes: Stats according to KHSAA for Russell County does not include last week's Logan Co. game. Warren East has not reported any stats so far this year.*

Bourbon County Player Airlifted After Concussion

Bourbon County football player Jarrod Hilander airlifted to UK Medical Center after on field collision. He was moving his extremities before being airlifted and thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Just an example of how physical a game football can be and the toll it will take on your body. Below is a link on the incident:

http://www.trischoolsports.com/10Football/helicopter.html

The South Central Top Ten

Yes, we are in the last month of the regular season for high school football but much like the BCS (Bull Crap System) I have a good idea of the top ten teams in the area covering Warren, Simpson, Logan, Allen, and Barren counties. Here is The South Central Top Ten Rankings:

1. Bowling Green (6-1) coming off a close victory against Grayson Co. 41-27.
2. Allen County Scottsville (6-0) easy victory over Warren East, 56-13.
3. Warren Central (5-2) much improved as the season goes on, close losses to Christian Co. and Nelson Co.
4. Glasgow (5-1) squeaker win over E-town 48-47, only loss is to ACS.
5. Greenwood (5-2) coming off a tough loss to Nelson Co. in a game they should have won.
6. Russellville (4-3) win over Edmonson Co. 30-22. Have won three straight games.
7. Franklin-Simpson (3-3) coming off a huge win over previously unbeaten Monroe Co. 49-35. Also holds a victory over Russellville.
8. Edmonson Co. (5-2) loss to Russellville 30-22. Wins over bad teams like Muhlenberg Co., Butler Co., Adair, and Breckinridge.
9. Warren East (2-5) loss to ACS 56-13. Holds a victory over Russellville and are rebuilding this year.
10. Barren Co. (1-5) coming off loss to Warren Central 39-6. Take your pick at this spot, you also have Logan Co. with only one win.

Cardinals Late Surge Defeats Gators 28-24

photo by Joe Imel/Daily News

The Greenwood Gators established a 17-6 halftime lead as the offense showed their ability to move the ball. Greenwood also took advantage of a mistake, recovering a Nelson County fumble on a kickoff return where the Gators recovered inside the 10 yard line. The Gator offense took advantage of the good field position as Joe Combs scored from 2 yards out.

With over ten minutes to go in the third quarter Greenwood QB Jeff Witthuhn connected with Tanner Spangler on a 41 yard TD pass to give the Gators a commanding 24-6 lead.

One would think all the momentum is on Greenwood's side to this point, right? Well, this is football where momentum can shift swiftly in the blink of an eye. As my eyes blinked, Nelson County's John Harrison picked up a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for a 70 yard touchdown return. Greenwood 24, Nelson Co. 13.

On Nelson County's next possession, running back Quentin Brooks took a handoff and found the sideline where he outran Greenwood's secondary for a 64 yard touchdown run. The two point attempt failed. Greenwood 24, Nelson County 19.

Nelson County quarterback/punter/kicker Daniel Mudd added a field goal with ten minutes to play in the fourth quarter to cut Greenwood's lead to 24-22.

On the Gators ensuing possession they were forced to punt but that kick never came as Travis Casebeer mishandled the punt and fell to the ground giving the Cardinals offense great field position.

Nelson County gives the ball to their leathal weapon Quentin Brooks and he scores on a 17 yard touchdown run. Two point conversion failed. Nelson County 28, Greenwood 24.

Greenwood answers in desperation as Witthuhn connects with Tanner Spangler on a 36 yard pass down the middle of the field and the Gators are on Nelson County's 2 yard line. Going in for the score, Tanner Thompson takes the handoff and fumbles at the goal line and Nelson County recovers in the end zone for a touch back.

There was a lot of questions surrounding the fumble, was Thompson down before the ball came out? Or was it an actual fumble? From my view point I thought he was down by contact but you can't fault the referee's call in that situation, especially without instant replay options.

Nelson County's Daniel Mudd sealed the deal with 19 yard run and the clock expired on this comeback thriller. If these two teams played ten times they would probably win five games a piece, they were that closely matched in talent.

Gameday Knowledge

Nelson County's whole offensive scheme ran through quarterback Daniel Mudd rolling out looking for a pass then tucking the ball and running down field. The Cardinals were able to pick up huge chunks of yards with this type of play calling.

Running back Quentin Brooks ran wild over the Gator defense the whole night accounting for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is an effortless runner that makes his cuts, fakes, and spins look as easy as if he were strutting down the street.

Nelson County has 19 seniors on their roster and they showed no panic when they were down 24-6 early in the third quarter. Experienced teams have been there and done that, they simply know how to win.

I have a feeling that these two teams will meet again come playoff time.

We're Getting Closer...USF 24, WKU 12

RECAP

- The defense put together their best effort so far this year only allowing 283 yards of total offense to USF. We were able to sack QB B.J. Daniels three times and only allowed 57 yards through the air.

- Congratulations to safety Kiante Young for hauling in the Hilltoppers first interception in seven games. We have gone seven games without a defensive interception? When breaking negative streaks it is important to start off slowly.

- Although USF failed to move the ball through the air, they exploited our weakness in the run defense gaining 226 yards on the ground. Running back Demetris Murray led the way for the Bulls with 15 carries for 115 yards.

- Special teams allowed another big punt return of 67 yards by USF's Terrence Mitchell to set up a touchdown run by Daniels.

- Punter Hendrix Brakefield had a good game averaging 43.3 yards per punt on four attempts for the Hilltoppers. He has stepped up his game since the beginning of the season.

- Speaking of the kicking game, Casey Tinius had a game to forget missing on his field goal attempts (47, 50, and 45) and an extra point attempt. I know those are long field goal attempts but leaving points off the board after the offense puts together a good drive is a momentum killer.

- The Hilltoppers offense out gained South Florida 314 to 283 yards on the night that included Bobby Rainey being held to only 64 yards on 21 carries.

- Dreams do come true as Kawaun Jakes passed for 221 yards on 19-37 through the air. The coaching staff established the passing game early realizing the Bulls game plan was to stop Bobby Rainey.

- Tight end Jack Doyle had a career game with 7 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. He was involved early and often in the offense and scored on a 25 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth.

CONCLUSION

- Overall the offense showed their ability to move the ball throughout the entire ball game. WKU put together good drives early but could not capitalize due to missed field goals by Casey Tinius.

- The defense gave their best effort tonight by getting three sacks, an interception, and allowing USF punter Justin Brockhaus-Kahn to make a couple of cameo appearances.

- The Hilltoppers get a well deserved week off after a tough four game stretch to open the season. Now it is time for Sun Belt Conference play and victory is just around the corner but maybe a couple of blocks up!

END THE STREAK AND GO TOPS!

Trinity Survives Bowling Green 14-12

- This game had all the makings of a classic between two of Kentucky's best high school programs. When the dust finally settled on this battle royal the Trinity Shamrocks walked away victorious but got all they could handle from the Purples.

First Quarter

- The Shamrock's opening drive ended in a turnover when Chase Proctor intercepted a Travis Brown pass and returned it to the Trinity 25 yard line. That set up a Peter May 45 yard field goal and the Purples take a 3-0 lead.

- May adds a 44 yard field goal after the Purples defense forces and three and out. It is now 6-0

Second Quarter

- Trinity puts in Jackson Noe at QB and the results are positive as he leads them on a 10 play, 71 yard drive for a score. Trinity 7, Bowling Green 6.

- That drive proved to be a big momentum swing, as Trinity had a first and goal from the 3 yard line RB Derek Bishop got the ball and was stripped. As the ball rolled on the ground a Bowling Green defender tried to scoop up the fumble and score but mishandled the ball and Trinity recovered then scored on the next play. HUGE momentum swing on that key play.

- Trinity was driving toward the end of the half but was intercepted in the endzone by the Purples' Devon Daniel to end the half.

Third Quarter

- Bowling Green's opening drive saw a 52 yard run by Brandon Green to set up a 38 yard field goal attempt.

- BLOCKED, BLOCKED, BLOCKED...by Trinity's Ryan White. The Shamrocks respond with a 10 play drive where RB Derek Bishop ran all over the Purples' defense with 7 carries for 71 yards on the drive. Bishop capped it off with a 2 yard TD run for a 14-6 advantage for the Shamrocks.

Fourth Quarter

- Bowling Green caps off their drive in the 4th quarter with a 21 yard TD run by Brandon Green to cut it to a 14-12 advantage for Trinity.

- The Purples attempt a two point conversion to potentially tie the game. QB Scooter Hollis rolls right and can't find a receiver so he tries to speed to the corner but is stuffed by the Shamrock defense.

- Bowling Green's defense steps up and forces Trinity to punt the ball with five minutes to go in the game. The Purples are able to get a couple of first downs before failing to convert on a 4th and 18.

- Trinity runs out the clock and walks away with a fantastic victory in a really hard fought game.