The Owensboro football team is eager for a chance to advance to their first state semifinal since moving to Class 5A five years ago, and they’ll take on Fairdale today as they try to keep their season alive.
Both teams are 11-1 this year, with the Bulldogs losing in week one and the Red Devils’ loss coming in week two.
Owensboro finished the regular season with the third-highest RPI of any 5A team, and they were helped by their opponents going 51-39. (Note: Based on the KHSAA RPI methods for calculation, Evansville Memorial is automatically given a .500 record because they are out of state. They actually went 7-2 in the regular season, which would bring the opponents’ record to 58-41.)
Fairdale finished with the 14th-highest overall RPI despite only one loss, due in large part to their opponents going 33-67. The Bulldogs played two teams with a .500 regular season record — splitting those contests — and every other team had a losing record.
The Red Devils have made it to the state quarterfinals four out of the last five seasons, but so far they have not made it to the semifinals as members of Class 5A. Head coach Jay Fallin and his team are ready to break through.
“Advancement is always the goal, but there’s something special about playing Thanksgiving week,” he said. “We’ve been knocking on the door four out of the last five years, and we’re excited for another opportunity to go out and win in this round.”
Fallin said being able to play in late November is an opportunity that OHS is not taking for granted.
“Our guys know that this it the time of year that they work for all season,” he said. “The beauty of football is that you only get 10 regular season games, and you work so much for so few opportunities that they’re so precious to you. There’s a different air and different mentality in practice this week and a different level of focus. That’s always the case in the playoffs as you move from round to round.”
OHS and Fairdale had completely contrasting wins in last week’s second-round matchups. While the Red Devils scored 43 points in the first half of a shutout against Graves County, the Bulldogs used a last-minute touchdown to escape with a 33-27 win over Bullitt Central.
Fallin said with the two teams being unfamiliar with each other, they’ll have to be focused from the start and be ready to make in-game changes.
“That’s where you have to rely on your film study and your game plan and your opportunities” he said. “You also have to be a good enough team that if your opponent comes out and gives you something you haven’t seen in your preparation, you can adapt to it on the fly and make adjustments and have success.”
The Bulldogs are an overall balanced team offensively, with 2,572 yards and 39 touchdowns rushing to go along with 2,373 yards and 34 touchdowns passing.
Running backs Mekale Buckner, Earl Cameron and Travis Helm have combined for 31 scores and more than 2,000 yards on the ground. Receivers Tyjuan Walter, Stephen Moore and Matthew Morgesen have added 21 touchdowns on more than 1,500 yards in the air.
For the Red Devils, Gavin Wimsatt has thrown for 2,356 yards and 27 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. He also has a team-high 12 rushing scores with 495 yards on the ground.
Treyvon Tinsley, Tyren Hayden and Steven Stevenson have combined for 23 touchdowns and more than 1,800 yards receiving. Running back Ethan Avery leads OHS with 519 yards on the ground, and he’s got eight touchdowns.
Owensboro’s defense has only forced 24 turnovers to Fairdales’ 42, but the Red Devils have also only allowed 67 points all season compared to 190 given up by the Bulldogs.
The winner will advance to next Friday’s semifinals, though an opponent won’t be known until other quarterfinal games are finished. Click here for a breakdown of possible scenarios.
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