[Truth]

I agree the real state championship will be next week. But I disagree cov cath will be playing in it.

I'm saying I believe 4 of the 5 best teams with the 5th being lex cath play In this region. I know you believe Highlands will win it. But for hypothetical say Ashland Beats both cov cath and highlands(remember just hypothetical) would you or would you not say they are the favorites?

I would agree that FTH is the odds-on favorite to win Class 4A. I would agree that CovCath is in the mix. However, I would not remotely entertain the thought that Ashland could beat either LexCath or Boyle County. Ashland and Johnson Central are fine for their area. However, in my opinion, they just don't measure up to the real powers of Class 4A. If Ashland beats FTH at Fort Thomas, a real hypothetical, I would believe that KHSAA better investigate it. Ashland doesn't beat FTH for the same reason that Canada doesn't invade the United States.

[tomcatfan722000]

I would agree that FTH is the odds-on favorite to win Class 4A. I would agree that CovCath is in the mix. However, I would not remotely entertain the thought that Ashland could beat either LexCath or Boyle County. Ashland and Johnson Central are fine for their area. However, in my opinion, they just don't measure up to the real powers of Class 4A.

I don't think area has anything to do with as JC has proven to be Highlands toughest competition the past few years and Ashland has been right there with JC most years I would say both are fine programs for the state. But the good news is that the kids will get to settle it on the field. Should be some good football over. The next couple of weeks.

[Hoot Gibson]

I would agree that FTH is the odds-on favorite to win Class 4A. I would agree that CovCath is in the mix. However, I would not remotely entertain the thought that Ashland could beat either LexCath or Boyle County. Ashland and Johnson Central are fine for their area. However, in my opinion, they just don't measure up to the real powers of Class 4A.

:biglmao: Covington Catholic has not beaten Johnson Central since 2006, and yet people from NKY still believe that a program from eastern Kentucky cannot compete with the "big boys." I think that we will see this same condescending attitude after JC wins its first state championship, whenever that happens. The winner of the Ashland-Johnson Central district has been the second best team in the region for the past three seasons and there is no reason to believe that is not the case this season. Covington Catholic needs to reach the regional finals for the first time in four seasons before you crown them runner-up.

[Blau Vogel]

http://dailyindependent.com/localsports/...le-matchup

ASHLAND — It’s come down to this for Ashland: A cold November Friday night in Putnam Stadium where the stakes are huge and the opponent is a longtime nemesis. These are the games that make the playoffs worth watching.

Not since the year “JAWS” swept the summer box office and then kept biting opponents on the football field that fall in Ashland have the Tomcats defeated Covington Catholic.

The ’75 JAWS Tomcats took a bite out of the Colonels, 56-14, on the way to a 14-1 season.

Since that time the teams have played six times — all Covington Catholic playoff victories. Two of the six were memorable for Ashland even in defeat.

Covington Catholic came to Putnam Stadium in 1988 for the Class 3A state semifinals as a prohibitive favorite — four touchdowns according to most power rankings. But Ashland would have none of that. The Tomcats played a hard-hitting defensive game and battled the Colonels to a scoreless tie after regulation.

It wasn’t to be, though, as CovCath won 6-0 in overtime en route to capturing the state championship that season.

It was so close it ached for the Tomcats and their fans. It remains one of the most remembered and talked about games ever played in the 74-year-old stadium.

Three years later, in 1991, they would meet again on a Saturday afternoon in Park Hills.

The day started out unseasonably warm but turned bitterly cold before the fourth quarter ended. Everything looked better at the start of the game for the Tomcats, who bolted out to a 24-7 lead behind unstoppable running from Chris Hutt. Covington Catholic was simply having a hard time tackling Ashland’s senior running back.

But on one crushing hit, Hutt went down in a heap with a shoulder injury. He came off the field and the Covington Catholic doctors (Ashland didn’t have one at the game) said they were going to monitor him on the sideline, suspecting a numbing stinger injury. But the next thing you knew, an ambulance was called and Hutt was strapped to a board and taken to a local hospital. He was whisked away and with him went the Tomcats’ hopes.

Hutt came back in the fourth quarter and the injury was nothing more than the stinger, a painful nerve injury that most of the time goes away after a short time. He could have stayed on the sidelines for a couple of series and probably been fine to return. But by the time he was able to get back to the game, it was over for the Tomcats.

Covington Catholic went on to win 41-24 in the regional championship game. Bell County defeated the Colonels the following week in the semifinals en route to the state title.

Aside from those matchups in 1988 and 1991, Covington Catholic vs. Ashland has mostly been a mismatch. The Tomcats were 0-5 in the 1990s and fell 43-19 last season in the opening round.

But this year, things look different. If anything the teams look fairly even. Both of them have experienced quarterbacks, good offensive lines, good defensive lines and some playmakers to call upon. This one has the makings of another classic.

Rowan County played the Colonels to a 7-7 tie in the first half before CovCath rallied (woke up?) to outscore the Vikings 31-0 for a 38-7 victory. Ashland may have found some confidence from what happened last Saturday.

Ashland’s defense has not given up more than 18 points in any game this season. That streak ends tonight — but not by much.

If the Tomcats do win, they’ll likely play Highlands in the regional finals. Ashland hasn’t beaten the Bluebirds since 1954 (although they did tie in 1955).

But one giant hurdle at a time …

Here we go with predictions for Week 2 of the playoffs:

Ashland 22, Covington Catholic 20: Tomcats snap a six-game losing streak to the Colonels with a JAWS-like performance on defense at the finish.

Highlands 42, Johnson Central 21: The Bluebirds look too good for everybody in Class 4A. Not even a heavy dose of J.J. Jude can save the Eagles.

Garrard County 28, Russell 14: Red Devils have a long road trip ahead against a 10-game winner. It will be a longer ride home.

Belfry 35, Lawrence County 6: The Bulldogs won’t be able to keep the run-run-run Pirates from the regional championship game.

Pikeville 28, Raceland 24: For the second time this season, the Rams will be returning from Pikeville with a tough loss. This one is season ending.

Fairview 38, Nicholas County 0: Eagles struggled a little in the first half of the first meeting with the Bluejackets three weeks ago. It will be no sweat this time around with a school-record 12th consecutive win — and another shutout — in their sights.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at [email]mmaynard@dailyindependent.com[/email] or (606) 326-2648.

[JCHS Alumni Eagle]

And people wonder why us people from Eastern Kentucky think that "our KIDS and thier RECORDS and our TEAMS" are shafted so many times... Its because we are constantly being told this crap... If we could all pick up and move our entire community 2 hours North we would all be mentioned as being such great programs on the cusp of moving to the next level on any given year. Its truely a shame!

Good Luck Ashland! Make Eastern KY Proud tonight.

[Devil09]

There is no place like Putnam Stadium. Yes there are ghost from the past on the historic field. I'll write more later. GO CATS.

[Devil09]

“You can go to any High School
in the country and be an athlete
for four years or you can go to
Ashland and be a Tomcat
for the rest of your life!”

[Patriot93]

Ashland in a close one 24-21 on my way to save my seats now ready for some football......

[Can you dig it?]

Money is being raised to greatly modify the old stadium and add a lot of "Tomcat" nuances. As one who doesn't partake of the maroon kool-aid, I believe it will lessen the appeal of the stadium considerably.

That's what I was reading. I think you're right about it changing it for the worse, but I guess we'll see.

[Double Lab Trouble]

I like the Colonels to win: 34-20 :Thumbs:

[Wise one]

Will this game be on the internet? If so, where?

[Stardust]

^ I'm pretty sure all game are on IHigh.com

[Wise one]

I asked because it was not listed in the thread at the top of the forum.

Normally I would be at the Highlands game tonight, but I broke my ankle last month and am not getting around without a wheelchair, crutches or rollabout yet. I'll be listening to the HHS-JCHS game, but would like to check out others that I am interested in and am looking for the CCHS game.

I did find it at ezstream link is http://ibn.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?f...N=57377022

[bluedad1]

“You can go to any High School
in the country and be an athlete
for four years or you can go to
Ashland and be a Tomcat
for the rest of your life!”

...so much for the Putnam magic.

[Stardust]

^ and this was the best Ashland team in 6 years.