One team stayed unbeaten (just barely), while another took the week off, two rudely had their streaks ended and one
One team stayed unbeaten (just barely), while another took the week off, two rudely had their streaks ended and one continued their mastery over another.
It’s always a little crowded at the top. Elizabethtown, with their gaudy 4-0 record might feel like the king in 3-A after their escape against a stubborn ad talented 6-A North Hardin team, 34-28, but even with both Collins and Central (Louisville) moving on up to 4-A, there are still a few challengers to the new throne. Adair County is out to prove that their 9-win season in 2014 was no fluke and their 27-22 win over Metcalfe County helped improve their record to 4-0.
The Indians have surprised many with an offense which features juniors running backs Lonnie Grant (206-yards / 4-TDs), Jordan Lasley (334-yards / 4-TDs) and senior back Daquan Smith (215-yards / 2-TDs) have been an effective combo, while junior Quarterback Chance Melton (411-yards passing and 6-TDs) and junior receiver Shymez Brabson (11-catches for 266-yds and 5-TDS) have helped pace an offense that has outscored their opponents 156-42 in four games. Coach Travis Gay has helped build a defense that has picked off 5-passes as they await a big showdown against the high flying Panthers in mid-October. It should be quite a game.
Meanwhile, Elizabethtown’s next opponent the Bardstown Tigers would appear to have rediscovered their winning ways. After an opening game loss to Spencer County, in which the defense allowed over 500-yards, have won their last two games and their 27-0 waxing of cross town rival Nelson County was sort of a return to yesterday type scenario. The Tigers broke off three long runs for touchdowns by Tariq Armour (55-yards), Santrel Farmer (53-yards / he had 149-rushing for the game) and Voshon Livers (78-yards) to put the game away and holding the Cardinals to just 239-yards and to stymie several drives deep in Bardstown territory to complete the shutout.
Two teams, who appeared to be over opening game losses were tripped up on the road and are on a collision course this Friday Night. John Hardin was on a two game winning streak until traveling to Pleasure Ridge Park and despite playing close for three quarters simply caved in to a very talented Panthers finally put the game away running up a 28-0 lead in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs got off the floor. The John Hardin rushing defense which played well after week one leaked for over 300-yards forcing quarterback Shay Stone to pass and although he completed 9-passes for 174-yards it wasn’t enough in a 42-13 loss.
Central Hardin, after overcoming a last second loss to Boyle County looked to add on to their two game winning streak, but discovered the same thing that the Bulldogs did on opening night, which is South Warren is REALLY GOOD! Despite a subpar effort by their Quarterback Ryder Litten, who favored a bad ankle and threw two interceptions to the Bruins, the Spartans got it done in other ways including a 92-yards kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kick and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. After that, it was up to the South Warren defense which allowed only a field goal to give Central Hardin coach Tim Mattingly his second career coaching loss, 24-3. It didn’t help that star runner Xavier Arnette strained his MCL in the first quarter and will be out 2 to 4 weeks.
Games to Watch
Central Hardin @ John Hardin – The continuation of one of the top rivalries in the area. Up until last season, the Bulldogs had pretty much owned this one, but their 45-12 blasting of John Hardin in coach Tim Mattingly’s first year as the head man might have been a turning point. Now with both teams in need of a win after two embarrassing losses it should be interesting to see who flinches first. John Hardin loves to run the ball right at you and they run an offense similar to the Bruins, who also like to attack teams with their stable of running backs. Will the absence of Xavier Arnette play a role this weekend should be an interesting question.
Bardstown @ Elizabethtown – The Panthers are unbeaten, but were seriously tested last week against North Hardin when they watched a 21-point lead disappear in the second half and pulled it out on a Trojan kicking gaffe. The Tigers will present a serious threat to Elizabethtown’s dream of going undefeated this season with the running game and a running quarterback who can give them trouble on defense. Meanwhile, Coach Mark Brown will not do anything different leaning on his star duo of running back Bernil Cecil and quarterback Jake Wilson to disrupt the Tigers defense.
The Top Five: 1. Elizabethtown (4-0)
2. Adair County (4-0)
3. Bethlehem (3-0)
4. Bardstown (2-1)
5. John Hardin (2-2)
