District football will be in full swing this week as all four teams try to position themselves well for the postseason.
In a pair of Class 6A District 1 games, both Apollo and Daviess County will be at home this week. The Eagles will host McCracken County in the final game to ever be held at Eagle Stadium, while the Panthers will square off against Marshall County.
Owensboro, playing their second Class 5A District 1 game of the season, will hit the road to take on Ohio County.
Owensboro Catholic will travel for a big Class 2A District 2 matchup with undefeated Todd County Central.
APOLLO vs. McCRACKEN COUNTY
The Eagles are playing the last game ever on their current home field — they’ll soon have a new stadium — and they’ll try to go out with a win against a tough McCracken County team.
Apollo (2-3) had their best outing in last week’s win, but they’ve still allowed 224 points through five games — the most among 6A teams. They seemed to find some answers a week ago, and they’ll have to keep making big strides to slow down McCracken County.
The Eagles got an immediate upgrade with defensive back Malik Wilson’s debut last week. Wilson had a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown to go along with an interception. He also returned a kickoff for a score.
They’ll need more of the same, and the offense will need another strong performance from quarterback Damian Lovinsky and running back Harold Hogg. Lovinsky had 139 yards through the air, but he’s been most dangerous on the ground. If he and Hogg can find space, they’ve got the speed and moves to make big gains.
The Mustangs (3-2) have a powerful offense that has put up the most points (209) of any 6A program so far this year. Their defense has proved susceptible, but they have the weapons to win a shootout.
A trio of players lead McCracken County, starting with quarterback Elijah Wheat. He’s thrown for more than 1,000 yards and has 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
Franklin Hayes is his primary target, as the wideout has taken 30 receptions for 721 yards and 13 scores. Running back Hunter Bradley is also dangerous, and so far he has 89 carries for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The McCracken County defense has created opportunities with six fumble recoveries and three interceptions, and they’ve got five sacks.
DAVIESS COUNTY vs. MARSHALL COUNTY
They didn’t get the win last week, but the Panthers (1-4) have plenty to be proud of as they are trending upward heading into district action.
DC’s offense is starting to round out into a more versatile attack as quarterback Joe Humphreys fills into his starting role. Though they only scored 17 points last week against Owensboro, it was the most scored against the Red Devils this season.
Humphreys threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, and his ability to move out of the pocket is a difference maker as he continues to get better as a passer.
Shane Riley (88 carries, 643 yards, 7 touchdowns) has been consistent as the lead running back and his ability to establish the run game will again be key for the Panthers. Isaiah Tomes has emerged as the primary receiver and has the only two receiving touchdowns.
The DC defense has given up several touchdowns, but they’ve got seven fumble recoveries and two touchdowns this season. If they can continue to create opportunities and the offense can take another step forward, they’ll have a strong chance against a Marshall County team that struggles to score.
The Marshals (2-3) have only scored more than seven points twice, though both of those wins came against teams that are 0-9 combined.
They don’t have much of a passing attack, as quarterback Quinn Smith only has 17 completions for 345 yards and no receiver has 100 yards yet. Marshall County also doesn’t have a dominant running back, though three different players have at least 100 yards.
The defense hasn’t been able to record a sack yet for the Marshals but they have forced four turnovers. Veteran DC linemen on either side of the ball will be a big key as the Panthers search for their second win.
OWENSBORO at OHIO COUNTY
The Red Devils have been dominant on both sides of the ball, and playmakers all over the field make them a threat at all times. Owensboro (4-1) already has one win in Class 5A District 1 after a week one victory over Breckinridge County, while Ohio County (2-3) dropped their district opener last week to Muhlenberg County.
Led by their stifling defense, Owensboro has greatly limited opponents all season and they’ve forced eight turnovers. Three players — Kobe Skortz, Jaiden Greathouse and Trace Grenier — each have three sacks, while the team has 21 total tackles for loss.
They’ll be able to focus most of their attention on Ohio County’s biggest playmaker in Q Daryius Henry. Henry has accounted for 791 total offense yards — more than 50 percent of the team’s total — and he is respnsible for 11 of the 17 touchdowns for the Eagles.
While the OHS defense has been strong all season, the offense has really taken shape over the last few weeks. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt now has more than 1,000 passing yards to go along with 129 on the ground, and he’s also got 15 total touchdowns.
Ethan Avery has become the go-to guy out of the backfield, complementing a trio of receivers — Tyren Hayden, Treyvon Tinsley and Steven Stevenson — that each have at least 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Ohio County (2-3) is allowing an average of 41 points per game, and they’ve only force three turnovers this season. Though they’ve only got one sack, the Eagles do have 24 tackles for loss.
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC at TODD COUNTY CENTRAL
Catholic (4-1) may face their toughest district opponent right out of the gate, as they take on undefeated Todd County Central (4-0). Though the Rebels are have not lost and they’ve put up big numbers, their opponents so far this season are a combined 1-19.
The Aces are coming off a dominant victory that featured a record-setting nine touchdowns by Drew Hartz, who currently leads the state with 1,655 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Helping Hartz find success is a handful of offensive weapons.
The four leading receivers are Braden Mundy (484 yards, 4 touchdowns), Hagan Edge (467 yards, 7 touchdowns), Dre Thruston (354 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Jackson Staples (233 yards, 5 touchdowns).
Thruston also leads the rushing attack with 20 carries for 190 yards and two scores, while Edge has added 109 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The Catholic defense has created 10 turnovers, though they have given up some big plays and struggled at times against the pass. Todd County Central, though, is a run-first team.
Six players have at least 100 yards on the ground for the Rebels, who’ve totaled 1,583 rushing yards. They are led by JaTwan Graham (530 yards) and Bryce Nolan (344 yards), who each have six touchdowns. Kimahri Briggs has taken four carries for 255 yards but hasn’t scored.
Todd County Central’s defense has also helped along the way. In addition to eight turnovers, the Rebels have recorded 11 sacks and 39 tackles for loss.
The Aces will by far be the most formidable opponent the Rebels have seen so far, and Catholic’s high-powered offense could prove too much to overcome.
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2019 football coverage is presented in part by Drew Cunningham, agent at State Farm.
