For a third straight year, Owensboro Catholic is set to square off against Somerset, this time in the 2A quarterfinals. A year ago, the Aces held off the Briar Jumpers 27-14.
“We have played them deep into the playoffs the last two years, in the final four,” Owensboro Catholic Head Coach Jason Morris said. “This year we will be playing them a round earlier. They are just a year older and even better than they have been in the past and we will have to be ready for it.”
Through their first two playoff games, the Aces’ offense has been near unstoppable, with Dre’mail Carothers leading the way. The junior has thrown for 579 yards and 10 touchdowns, finding four different targets in the endzone. Miles Edge has led the ground attack, rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown.
The Aces high-powered offense will be tested tonight against a Briar Jumpers defense that is fifth in 2A in points allowed (14.6), seventh in rushing yards allowed (62), and 26th in passing yards allowed per game (117).
Somerset excels at getting after the QB, ranking sixth in 2A with 33.5. Leading the way is Jacob Bartley, who is second in 2A 13.5. They are also great at causing turnovers, forcing six fumbles, and picking off eight passes.
Morris is expecting Somerset’s offense to line up in the wildcat formation, with multiple tight ends and power backs. The Briar Jumpers QB Kris Hughes is a threat in both the pass and run games, throwing for 970 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 1,956 yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground.
While the Aces have been playing at a high level, Morris wants to see his team to clean everything up on both sides of the ball.
“I want to play a good, clean game,” Morris said. I want to make sure we don’t turn the football over and can force turnovers when we’re on defense. I think whoever wins the turnover battle will win this game.
