Week 4 includes a marque city-county matchup as Owensboro Catholic hosts Owensboro. In other area action, McLean County will host Hancock County, while Apollo and Daviess County are both at home.
Owensboro 1-2 (Class 5A, District 1) @ Owensboro Catholic 3-0 (Class 2A, District 2)
After blowing out their first three opponents by an average score of 40, the Aces host the Red Devils tonight for perhaps their biggest challenge so far this season. A year ago, Owensboro Catholic came out on top 33-28, scoring the winning touchdown in the final seconds.
“We expect our team to come out and give Owensboro our best effort,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Jason Morris said. “Anytime you play in a city-county game you know you’ll get their best effort also.”
The Red Devils defense will have their hands full trying to limit the reigning 2A Player of the Year Brady Atwell, who scored five total touchdowns against them a year ago.
“Atwell drives their offense. He can make the throws and is capable when the pocket breaks down and can take off,” Owensboro head coach Jay Fallin said. “The offense runs through him and he is surrounded by talented receivers and a strong front.”
Both teams like to run a spread offense and will look to get their skill players involved early. Owensboro will also look to run the ball with Evan Hampton, who is off to a stellar season. Morris stated that his defense will need to close their gaps because Hampton is fast enough to get to the outside and that the Aces will need to track him at all times. At the helm for the Red Devils is QB Trevor Delacey, who Morris called underrated.
“To me, Delacey is what makes their team go in general,” Morris said. “He’s good at extending plays with his feet, keeps eyes downfield, and makes the correct throws. “
Both defenses run a three-man front and will look to capitalize on any turnover opportunities. Both coaches acknowledged that their teams cannot afford any mental mistakes and have focused on preventing any drivekillers.
“I am expecting a great game and it nearly always is,” Fallin said. “Rarely is it not competitive when we face each other. The last two years it’s been a score in the finals few minutes to decide it. I expect another competitive four-quarter game.”
Hancock County 3-0 (Class 3A, District 1) @ McLean County (Class 3A, District 1)
Hancock County is off to an impressive 3-0 start including shutting out Ohio County 52-0 last Friday. Tonight, they travel to take on fellow Class 3A opponent McLean County, whom they lost to a year ago 20-18.
“We know that this is going to be a tough and physical game. It always is,” McLean County head coach Zach Wagner said.
McLean County has relied heavily on their run game, specifically the duo of QB Ayden Rice and running back Aden Bolden. Across their first three games, Bolden has rushed for 582 yards and seven touchdowns, while Rice has added two scores with his legs.
“Ayden Rice and Aden Bolden are both great athletes who are dangerous with the ball in their hands,” Hancock County head coach Bob Eubanks said. “They both can score at any time if they get loose. Containing those two will be a tough task for our defense.”
QB Dylan Morris has been the driving force for the Hornets, completing 10 of 14 passes for 190 yards and scoring four total TDs against Ohio County. On the season, he’s passed for 615 yards and seven TDs.
“Dylan Morris has proven to be deadly with his arm and has a plethora of receivers that he spreads the ball around to that are all equally as skilled,” Wagner said.
Apollo 2-1 (Class 5A, District 1) Vs. Bowling Green 2-1 (Class 5A, District 2)
Quick notes: Apollo is fresh off of back-to-back wins where both games included last-minute heroics. Niles Board has scored seven total touchdowns over their two-game win streak including returning both a kickoff and a punt for scores. Apollo will be facing inarguably their toughest challenge so far this year, hosting reigning 5A state champions Bowling Green. A year ago, Apollo fell to them twice, including in the playoffs 58-6.
Head coach John Edge said: We need to keep getting better. We have a great opportunity to play the best team in 5A. They are very good. It is a test and we’ve improved since Week 1 and now we will see how we match up.
We need to keep sustaining drives and try to play perfectly. Everybody has their own struggles, even undefeated teams. The biggest thing for us is we need to keep improving on our mistakes, which we’ve done over the last couple of weeks. We’ve also minimized penalties.
It will be raining and wet so the game will be slowed down. If it is pouring, then both teams will be attempting to keep the ball dry. the run game will be more creative on both sides. Each team will show stuff that hasn’t been seen yet.
Daviess County 0-3 vs. North Hardin 1-2 (Class 6A, District 2)
Quick notes: The Panthers are off to a slow start and are looking to get some production from the offense to get in the win column.
Head coach Anthony Payton said: North Hardin has dynamic receivers and we need to play sound defense and stick to our fundamentals. North Hardin is wide open when it comes to passing. We want to play our game on offense and we need to prepare for their passing attack. They pass vertically and catch well, but are not run heavy.
We want to play balanced, gain momentum, and stick with it. We want to be aggressive on offense. The last couple of weeks we couldn’t get a foothold. We need to find and ride the hot hand.
Our team needs to continue playing together as a team. Every aspect matters (offense, defense, special teams). I want them in the mindset that everyone is pulling their weight together. Our players need to keep playing with confidence. We are holding them accountable. To beat better teams we need to fine-tune our fundamentals.
