By Perry Swack – Sporting Times Reporter
Monroe County Falcons (2-3) @ Warren Central Dragons (0-5)
Joe Hood Field – October 23, 2020 – 7:00pm
Last Week
Monroe County lost at Metcalfe County, 32-0
Warren Central lost to Franklin-Simpson, 49-20
2019 Meeting
Monroe County defeated Warren Central behind a heavy dose of running back Jordan Page. The then-sophomore ran 32 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Curtis Petett only threw for 121 yards on the evening, but he tossed three touchdowns to lead the Falcons to a 35-12 win. Warren Central was led by Deanglo Patterson’s 93 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.
Last Three Matchups
2019 – Warren Central 12 @ Monroe County 35
2018 – Warren Central 14 @ Monroe County 20
2017 – Monroe County 21 @ Warren Central 14
Class 2A, District 3 Standings
Edmonson County 3-0
Monroe County 2-2
Metcalfe County 1-1
Clinton County 0-1
Green County 0-2
Class 4A, District 2 Standings
Russell County 3-0
Allen County-Scottsville 3-0
Franklin-Simpson 1-2
Warren East 1-2
Warren Central 0-4
Preview
With both the Falcons and Dragons completing district play last week, the two schools look to rebound this Friday after suffering blowout losses. Monroe County was shut out by Metcalfe County, 32-0, while Warren Central lost to Franklin-Simpson, 49-20. Monroe County, at 2-3, has alternated wins and losses every other week throughout the course of this season. A loss last week would infer that the Falcons are due for a win this week. The Dragons are also desperate to find themselves in the winning column. The Dragons – at 0-5 – have seen their offense revived in its last three games, as the team is averaging 16 points per game in each of the last three contests (after beginning the season with back-to-back shutouts).
Dragon quarterback Jace Carver had arguably his best game of the season last week: the senior completed 15-of-27 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Demetrius Barnett entered last week’s contest with only four catches for 35 yards on the season. He broke out in a major way, catching eight balls for 120 yards and a score. His contributions were timely with the Dragons missing leading receiver Omari Glover last week due to injury.
Monroe County relies heavily on the run game, led by Jordan Page at 213 yards on the season. Quarterback John Harlin leads the team in rush attempts (48) and touchdowns (4) though. After finding the end zone eight times in 2019, Page has yet to hit paydirt in 2020. Defensively, senior safety Jacob Wood is a stalwart in the back, tied for the Class 2A state lead with four interceptions, as the Falcons are also tied at the top of the class with seven on the season. We give a weekly shoutout to the Monroe County linebackers, whose top four tacklers all hail from the linebacker unit. Cade Turner now leads the group with 39 tackles, followed by Bryce Baxter and Jameson Petett at 37, and Page at 33 tackles.
Prediction
Perry S. Monroe County 19, Warren Central 10
Doug T: Warren Central 21, Monroe County 17,
Neither team has found a solid footing offensively on the season, and I do not predict they do this week either. I think a defensive showdown is in order as the Falcons ferocious linebackers match up against the likes of Carver, Barnett, and Deanglo Patterson. When Monroe County has the ball, it will line up against one of the top tacklers in the entire state, TySeam Day. The junior has 61 tackles on the season, good enough for third in Class 4A.
This is a tough pick, I have the Falcons winning the game, but Publisher Doug Thompson weighs in with a win for the Dragons, turning the page on an 0-50 record.
Next Week
Monroe County hosts Allen County-Scottsville on October 30
Warren Central has a bye and will return to action on November 6 for a home date with Trigg County
