Owensboro Catholic made a statement in the first round of the 2A football playoffs last week, but they’ll face much stiffer competition tonight when they host a familiar foe with Murray High School.
“Every game gets bigger as the playoffs go on,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Jason Morris said. “We have had a target on our backs all year long. Murray is battle-tested and a tough opponent.”
The Aces haven’t played Murray since 2020, losing to them 28-7 in the third round of the playoffs. Murray also knocked them out of the playoffs in 2018, with the Aces’ last win over the Tigers coming in 2017. Morris isn’t allowing history to cloud his team’s mind, instead keeping them focused on what is at stake.
“They have been a thorn in our side,” Morris said. “We have had several good teams lose in the playoffs to Murray and that will be in the front of our minds. We can’t lose a game because of what has happened in the past or the names on the jersey. We need to take care of the football and execute in all three phases of the game.”
Murray has size on their offensive line, which they put to good use as they run the ball. They also heavily rely on receivers Isaiah Martin and Jeremiah Jones in the passing game, with the duo combing for nine catches, 135 receiving yards, and a touchdown in their first-round win over Edmonson County. But the offense runs through QB Wyatt Robbins, who the Aces will need to keep contained and not allow him to hurt them with his legs.
In their blowout of Crittenden County last week, Catholic QB Brady Atwell threw for 207 yards and four touchdowns — two of them to Miles Edge, who finished with 90 total yards and three total touchdowns.
Last week, Owensboro Catholic fumbled and allowed a massive return on a kickoff — aspects the team has been working on all week to eliminate.
“We need to clean up our kickoff coverage,” Morris said. “Field position is always crucial in big games. We can’t be turning it over to them and we will continue to practice those aspects.”
