ASHLAND —
Tonight could be a nailbiter’s delight.
Scanning the schedule, I can’t see another week with so many potential down-to-the-wire games.
Of the 10 area games on the docket, I have no team winning by more than three touchdowns.
And with the bad weather expected to hold off until after the games, according to weather.com, it should make for a pleasant evening to take part in the action from the stands. Just don’t leave early.
Let’s secure that football and plow ahead.
George Washington 27, Ashland 21: The Tomcats stood toe-to-toe with the state runners-up Patriots last season at Putnam Stadium. They’ll do the same again, but GW wins at home. However, if the ’Cats keep racking up takeaways at their current rate (nine in two games), the outcome may be swayed.
Ironton 26, Russell 24: During Ironton’s 14-game winning streak within the series, the Red Devils have been within eight points three times, including last season. Make it an excruiating four, as Russell comes up just short in a thriller.
Boyd County 20, East Carter 17: Morgan County’s good, folks. Don’t let last week’s 38-22 loss be an ominous sign for Boyd County. East Carter being neck-and-neck with Fairview for three quarters? Plenty of positives there too. The Lions have the slight edge up front, so they’ll have the slight edge in Grayson.
Fairview 40, Fleming County 24: Eagles’ run vs. Panthers’ pass. Fairview is athletic, but inexperienced overall, in the secondary. In the end, the Eagles will wear them down with the relentless rushing of Chris Brewer and Devon Turner.
Raceland 34, Pikeville 21: The Rams use confidence gained in last week’s first half against Ashland (trailed only 21-19) as a boost in their home opener. Pikeville won by one and then by 33 in this matchup last season.
Johnson Central 30, Knox Central 24: Johnson Central punished me for going out on a limb by picking Perry Central last week — the final was 44-36. More quality competition is on tap for the Golden Eagles this week, but the winning Central will again be Johnson Central.
Prestonsburg 33, Lawrence County 14: Prestonsburg begins a string of tough opponents for the Dawgs.
Rowan County 22, Mason County 21: Vikings squeak out their first victory as Mason County continues to look for more offense.
Nicholas County 22, West Carter 14: Comets come out of Carlisle with their heads up after a hard-fought effort.
Lewis County 21, Bath County 16: It’s the battle of the Clarks at the QB position — Clark Kissick (Bath) vs. Levi Clark (Lewis). The Wildcats’ rushing attack was led by Timmy Robinson last week, with Kissick doing much of the blocking against West Carter. While that still may be effective, I look for the Lions to get off the schnide with a, you guessed it, close victory because of their skill at running back and wideout.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
Local Sports
AARON SNYDER: Friday finishes might be tight
- Local Sports
-
-
A PERFECT ENDING
With her career coming to an end, everything has come full circle for Boyd County’s Emily Stewart.
Stewart and Ashland’s McKenzie Vanover were honored as the top players on The Independent’s 2013 All-Area Softball Team. -
ALL-AREA BASEBALL: Salow, Prater are back-to-back Jacks
This season’s Player of the Year assumed a starring role in ending the seasons of both coaches who shared top honors on The Independent’s 2013 All-Area Baseball Team.
-
Ditty stands tall in state Hall of Fame
Julie Ditty never felt as small as when standing beside Pervis Ellison, the 6-foot-9 former University of Louisville basketball great.
-
'Blessed' Marsh gets due
The second-largest crowd in Elks Sports Day history came to celebrate Vic Marsh Saturday night.
-
Gullett selected as next honoree
Don Gullett, who is generally regarded as the greatest athlete in northeastern Kentucky history, will be the honoree for the 40th annual Elks Sports Day next summer.
-
Stevens, Taylor in winning mode
For the second straight Saturday, Aaron Stevens found himself as the top finisher at a local 5K race.
-
MARK MAYNARD: Marsh belongs on wall
When Vic Marsh looks up on the Elks Sports Day Wall of Fame, it’s hard for him to picture his photograph being up there with them.
-
Getting more time
Jamal Clark, Austin Allison and C.D. Spight looked liked they'd run the Jumbo play for four years.
The only play the trio tried it was the one that mattered Friday. Spight's 10-yard run — with Clark and Allison blocking — was the last touchdown in the West's overtime 20-14 win in the eighth annual Northeastern Kentucky Senior Bowl at Morehead State University's Jayne Stadium. -
NRP Bluegrass Junior: What a finish
On the 30th anniversary of the Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior, Haylee Harford produced one of the classic shots in tournament history.
-
VIDEO: Faried returns to MSU for camp
Approximately 150 campers attended each of the two-day Kenneth Faried All-Star Basketball Camp on Thursday at Morehead State’s Ellis T. Johnson Arena.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
