The Week in Football (Week 1)
Week One had some surprises.Two teams looking to bounce back from off seasons were Central Hardin and Elizabethtown. The Bruins were coming off an injury riddled 2018 showed the world that this will be a different season with a 49-10 blowout against Daviess County. Senior wideout and defensive back Gavin George was a one man wrecking crew scoring a 47-yard touchdown on a catch and run from Chase Elmore, returned the second half kickoff for a 88-yard touchdown and intercepted two passes returning one for a score (which was cancelled out by a penalty). The 370-yards of offense helped the Central Hardin defense play with a lead and shutdown the Panthers attack. The 39-point win over a quality opponent helped wipe the nasty taste of a 3-8 2018 season as the Bruins prepare for John Hardin next week.
Elizabethtown is another team, which is trying to forget a rocky 2018 and a 42-0 win over Allen County-Scottsville was a great way to start the season. After throwing 39-times last season in their opening game loss to Franklin-Simpson, Quarterback Clay Games completed all eight of his throws for 88-yards and a score and Joesph Becherer totaled 168-yards rushing on just 10-carries and a score. Cam McNeil had the game of his life scoring four touchdowns twice on short runs, a 16-yard pass reception and a long fumble recovery. Just as important is the job the defense did holding their opponent to zero points in the Scottie Bowl.
North Hardin continued their torrid pace continuing from last season with a 48-14 opening day win over Waggener at Fairdale high school in the King of the Bluegrass Bowl. It was also the opening game debut for junior quarterback Logan Coleman, who had quite a game throwing for five touchdown passes to four different receivers and running back Lavell Wright scored twice as the Trojan offense was in high gear despite turning the ball over three times in the first half. The North Hardin defense was just as impressive allowing only one score (the other was on a fumble recovery).
LaRue County opened their defense of their Region Title with a tough 35-13 loss to a talented Glasgow team. After taking a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Hawks allowed 35-straight points by the Scotties Senior running back Nick Mitchell did most of the damage rushing for 168-yards and four touchdowns.
Hart County was trying to build on the success of last year’s winning season and produced their first opening day win since 2015 with a 44-12 victory over Caverna.
Fort Knox played hard, but that wasn’t enough against Paris and lost, 22-6. Still, there were a few bright spots with Jayden Thorpe’s 84-yard touchdown return of a kickoff and cornerback Sidney Gradney’s 10-tackles.
Games to Watch in Week 2:
North Hardin (1-0) @ Elizabethtown (1-0): The fifth game since the series was reinstated back in 2015. Since then, the Panthers have won both games at home and North Hardin has done the same so guess where it’s being played Friday Night? Key for the Trojans is to stop the big play potential of Becherer and the controlled passing of Games. Elizabethtown must be able to control the big Trojan D-Line and not allow Coleman to get in a comfort zone offensively. When that happens, North can just run the ball and control the tempo with Wright. Last year, North eventually pulled away in a game which was continued after weather forced a game stoppage.
Central Hardin (1-0) @ John Hardin (0-1): Like their ET-NH counterparts, this is a game which for some reason can dictate the direction the winner goes in. Last season, John Hardin won a very controversial game on a disputed touchdown pass that set Central spiraling downward. John finished with a 8-4 record and a second round playoff game. The past three seasons, the winner has made a Final Four appearance (CH won 2/JH won 1), so you see the importance of this series. The Bruins will run and try to control things defensively like they did in last weeks win. The Bulldogs are reeling after a tough loss to Danville.
