Aces hoping for chance to take down Mayfield

November 2, 2018 | 2:03 am

Updated November 2, 2018 | 2:03 am

Von Williams and the Owensboro Catholic football team will host Webster County in the first round of the state playoffs. | File photo by Ryan Richardson

No one on the Owensboro Catholic football team has made it past the third round of the state playoffs. Three years in a row, the Aces have lost to Mayfield in the regional championship.

Now, they’re ready to make the next step. OCHS (7-3) once again rolled through district play with ease for a top seed in the playoffs, setting up a fourth consecutive first-round meeting with Webster County (1-9) to be played at Steele Stadium today.

It should be another quick victory for the Aces against a Trojans team that’s been outscored 425-172. In the previous three meetings, OCHS has outscored Webster County 207-14, earning shutouts in the most recent two games.

Head coach Jason Morris isn’t looking past the game, but he has total confidence in his players and will be using the main group sparingly.

“Our main goal in that game is to to get better and to stay healthy coming out of it,” he said. “We’re going to need everybody healthy throughout the rest of the playoffs. We’re getting a lot of young guys reps this week and getting them some quality time.”

With a victory this week, the Aces would then face the winner of Murray vs. Todd County Central before a potential matchup with Mayfield (10-0). Morris said his seniors are looking forward to a chance to finally take down the Cardinals.

“I think our team chemistry continues to get better every week,” he said. “I have a senior group who has lost to Mayfield in the regional finals three years in a row now, so they’re really focused on the job at hand to make a deep playoff run and hopefully get past them.”

Morris said the key to getting to the next level will be eliminating any mistakes. If they can put a solid game together, they have the talent to advance.

“The biggest thing we have to do is stay disciplined and cut out all the silly penalties and any ball security issues to where you’re beating yourselves and it’s not the opponent beating you,” he said. “If we play a good, clean game penalty free, we’ll give ourselves the best shot. Being at our place, it will be a tough game for Mayfield to come in and win.”

OCHS will have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball to rely on during the playoffs.

Offensively, quarterback Drew Hartz has thrown for 2,185 yards and 29 touchdowns with only five interceptions. His biggest help has come from Von Williams, who has rushed for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with 226 receiving yards and three scores as a receiver.

Another favorite target for Hartz is Nick Mills (812 yards, 14 touchdowns), though six different receivers have at least 100 yards and two scores this year.

On the other end, Chris Boarman has led the defense with 106 tackles and a fumble recovery. Jack Hamilton (80 tackles, 3 sacks), Noah Todd (72 tackles, 10 sacks) and Jace Kessler (5 interceptions) have also been key players.

With so many athletes who can step up to make plays, Morris said they’ll ride the hot hand and go whichever direction necessary to keep winning.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to win the game,” he said. “If that means Drew has to throw it 50 times, then that’s what we’ll do to win it. If it means Von is having a good game and we need to run the football, then that’s what we’ll do. We have the players to get the job done.”

November 2, 2018 | 2:03 am

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