Written By: JMF
It’s win or go home time in high school football. The Fall weather has set in, the leaves are falling, and there is a chill in the air. Pots of chili sit on stoves with some grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwiches that are ready to be served. For the high school seniors, this could very well be the final time they put on the pads and helmet and walk out on the football field. All across the Bluegrass, fans will file in to cheer on their favorite team. It’s playoff time!
The Ashland Blazer Tomcats (9-1) have been a best all season. Their only blemish came two weeks ago on the road at Johnson Central. They bounced back with a nice come-from-behind win over Simon Kenton last week. This week they welcome the Harrison County Thorobreds (6-4) to town.
The Thorobreds are riding into town on a two-game winning streak. The Thorobreds are averaging 34.9 points per game this season. Only two times this season have the Thorobreds scored less than 31 points. Harrison County is allowing 34.6 points per game this season. The Thorobreds have only held their opponent to less than 31 points three times this season.
The high-powered offense is led by Kaydon Custard. Custard has completed 135 of 258 passes for 2,291 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 INTs. Custard is very much a dual threat quarterback. In addition to the 2,291 passing yards, he has ran the ball 158 times for 1,154 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Jashon Lewis has 38 receptions for 807 yards and 6 touchdown receptions for the Thorobreds. Tanner Tumey has 35 receptions for 537 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jaxson Zink and Taylor Conway both have 4 touchdown receptions each. Jessie Mitchell has 2 touchdown receptions this season.
Jessie Mitchell has 65 rushes for 358 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. Jaxson Zink has 105 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown for the Thorobreds.
The Tomcats are an explosive and fun offensive team to watch. They enter the game averaging 45.4 points per game. Their lowest scoring output of the season was their season-opener when they scored 28 points. Since that game they have only scored less than 42 points in one game.
The Tomcats are averaging 246.8 rushing yards per game this season and 171.1 passing yards per game. Ashland has scored 39 rushing touchdowns and have thrown 19 touchdowns.
Tomcats’ QB, Labryant Strader, has completed 60 of 97 passes for 1,402 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 1 INT. Brandon Houston has 23 receptions for 531 yards and 5 touchdown receptions. Braxton Jennings has 16 receptions for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cameron Davis has 16 receptions for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. Asher Adkins has 13 receptions for 249 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Tomcats’ rushing attack is led by Braxton Jennings. Jennings has 92 carries for 704 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Atayveon Thomas has 59 carries for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns. Cameron Davis has 38 carries for 428 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. Maverick Ashby has 24 carries for 309 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns. Brandon Houston has 159 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. LaBryant Strader has 125 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.
The Tomcats’ defense is only allowing 18.9 points per game this season. The Tomcats have 4 pick-six’s this season. Maverick Ashby, Braxton Jennings, Cameron Davis, and Atayveon Thomas each has a pick-six. In total, Ashland has forced 10 interceptions this season.
Will the Tomcats be able to bridle the Thorobreds? Can the Thorobreds be able to slow down the racin’ Tomcats? Both defenses are facing high-powered offenses.
The defense that is able to slow down the opposing offense and force some takeaways will be the key to the game. This should be an exciting and fun game to watch. You will want to get to Ashland this Friday, Nov. 3rd for this matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
