Coming off of dominant wins in their respective crosstown battles in week two, Owensboro and Daviess County will go head to head for some bragging rights on Friday.
The Red Devils are coming off of a 62-18 win over Apollo, where senior Kenyatta Carbon stole the show with 204 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 17 carries. Senior Kasey Boone also played well under center, throwing for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 7-10 passing.
Carbon also had a receiving touchdown on the night, while senior Khalil Rogers led the receiving core with 65 yards and two touchdowns for his only catches of the game. Sophomore Deion Winstead also chipped in a rushing touchdown, taking his only carry 17 yards to the house.
Looking to secure its first winning streak of the season, Owensboro will look for them to pick up where they left off offensively. On the defensive side they will look to stifle Daviess County’s ground game, as they have multiple weapons that can tally big gains out of the backfield.
The Panthers thrived defensively last week, limiting Owensboro Catholic’s offense in a 32-13 road win. Daviess County forced eight turnovers in the game, with four of them being interceptions from senior Decker Renfrow.
The Panthers know they will need to count on that defense to step up once again in week three, noting that the Red Devils have countless weapons offensively.
“Owensboro is an extremely talented team,” Brannon said. “They have playmakers all over the field and have a very strong offensive line. Boone the QB does a good job of distributing the ball. We must know where Kenyatta Carbon is at all times. He is a shifty back with breakaway speed. They will also throw it to him out of the backfield. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands.”
Renfrow had one of those interceptions turn into a pick six, while also showing out on the offensive side of the ball with 69 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Senior Bryson Parm was also a big threat out of the backfield, rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
“Defensively they are big and fast up front and have an excellent secondary,” Brannon said. “We have to be able to get to the second level and give Parm room to make his cuts. We have to be able to throw the ball down field and take the easy throws that are given to us.”
One area Daviess County will try to clean up is turnovers themselves, as senior quarterback Jack Ball threw two interceptions last week. Brannon knows that his offensive line will also be a key factor in the game, as they will need to give Parm a big lift against a strong Owensboro defense.
“Defensively they are big and fast up front and have an excellent secondary,” Brannon said. “We have to be able to get to the second level and give Parm room to make his cuts. We have to be able to throw the ball down field and take the easy throws that are given to us.”
Brannon believes that if they continue to play great defense and make Boone make quick decisions, then they can slow the Red Devils down. Knowing that the game will have a late season playoff feel that should give both programs good experience competing in a physical and an emotional game, the two are more than ready to go to battle.
“We understand that this is going to be an unbelievable environment and we must ride the waves of emotions and momentum,” Brannon said. “We must limit big plays, continue to create turnovers and protect the football. We cannot afford to make mental mistakes or compound with silly penalties.”
