If you're picking up breakfast at the Mayfield McDonald's this early frosty morning before the drive over to Bowling Green for kickoff in five hours, 1430 AM WYMC is keeping you warm while you're waiting with window down in the drive-through:
-- Vince Guaraldi Trio's shimmering "Christmastime Is Here",
-- Rosemary Clooney's graceful "The Christmas Waltz." and
-- David Bowie and Bing Crosby's masterfully made-for-TV "Little Drummer Boy."
All perfect. Like the hometown Cardinals--so far, at least.
Class A: Mayfield (14-0) vs. Hazard (11-2), 11 a.m.
Your recommended route from Mayfield to Western Kentucky University's L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green is, of course, U.S. 68/Ky. 80. If you take the time to get off the four-lane and take the old roads around the downtown squares, this is as good a drive as there is in the country as far as I'm concerned.
Ky. 80 across southcentral Kentucky is the choice for the folks from Hazard, too. "This route passes through a region of primitive beauty and grandeur, where stillness fills the valleys that are shadowed on all sides by blue-green mountains," says the WPA guide, but more on that stuff later.
Class 2A: Glasgow (14-0) vs. Covington Holy Cross (11-3), 3 p.m.
I'm assuming that the more direct 1297 was the first primary route between Glasgow and Bowling Green before Ky. 80 was expanded through Merry Oaks. Not sure that I've driven this.
Similarly, if I've driven much of Ky. 55 through the middle of the state, I don't remember it specifically, but it looks like a heck of a pretty drive from Covington to Bowling Green.
Class 6A: Louisville Trinity (13-0) vs. Scott County (14-0), 7 p.m.
U.S. 31W from Louisville to Bowling Green, part of the "Dixie Highway," is outstanding. And, honestly, given that Trinity's game doesn't start until 8 Eastern, it's just bad planning if you're in Saint Matthew's and end up on I-65 today.
Finally, U.S. 62 from Georgetown to Elizabethtown is a pretty fine route, and then you could do a Scott County dinner pep rally in the Crystal Lake Coffee Shop at Mammoth Cave National Park on your cut south the rest of the way to Bowling Green.
As GoHeath has already detailed, these three games are unlikely to hold much competitive drama, so the Kentucky desk expects to have plenty of time during the action today to dig into these six routes in the comments.
Lots of talk this morning on Mayfield's WYMC about how old Ferlin Husky is going to be tomorrow. Two of the three "Birthday Club" hosts settled on a guess of 95. Nope, the third host pointed out, he's going to be only 86.
ReplyDeleteBut, alas, Mr. Husky appears to have died in March.
Dolly Parton: "Hard-candy Christmas."
ReplyDeleteEric, among the coaches at Madisonville, Fort Campbell, Murray and Mayfield -- who should be coach of the year in Western Kentucky?
ReplyDeleteIf he wins again, then I think it's got to be Mayfield's Joe Morris. I don't follow things closely enough at the who's-graduating level to say how much those other guys had to replace in order to get their teams to where they did, but I do know that Mayfield is in the state championship with a first-year-starter, sophomore quarterback. That's got to pretty much stack up with those arguments for any of the other coaches.
ReplyDeleteThe Northside Baptist Church pastor's daily meditation has been moved up from its regular noon slot to the last 10 minutes before WYMC's pre-game show, which is starting now.
ReplyDeleteAh, they're playing the Cardinal fight song during the pre-game show! Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteThe WYMC guys also believe the private schools should be put into their own division.
ReplyDeleteWYMC: "Hazard comes out with a flag that looks like it's from 1974 and hasn't been brought out in a while."
ReplyDeleteOK, we're up and running in Bowling Green ... Hazard holds Mayfield to a three-and-out possession to open and takes over at its own 42 ...
ReplyDeleteHazard held to three-and-out, as well. Hazard punted directly out of bounds to the Mayfield 39.
ReplyDeleteQ1, 8:05 ... no score ...
ReplyDeleteThird-down pass to Hazard 15 ...
ReplyDeleteWYMC commentator David Morris (who is some relation to the coach, Joe): "Their linebackers are downhill. What I mean by that is that they come to the line of scrimmage on the snap of the ball. ... I know Coach Hatchell (spelling? presumably the offensive coordinator) probably has some play-action in there. ..."
ReplyDeleteField goal: 3-0, Mayfield, with 6:22 to go in the first quarter.
ReplyDeleteMayfield interception ... Cardinals take over at the Hazard 42 ...
ReplyDeleteBut Hazard continues to stuff Mayfield's running game, and it sounds like the Mayfield passing game has not been sharp. Despite good field position throughout the first quarter, the Cardinals' lead remains only 3-0. And when we come back from WYMC's commercials for Mid-Continent University and the Metal Mall, Hazard is driving at midfield after digging itself of a first-and-20 hole deep in its own territory.
ReplyDeleteThe Cardinals hold and now will be taking over at their 20 early in the second quarter.
ReplyDeleteOne WYMC dude: "We're just dropping the football."
ReplyDeleteThe other WYMC dude: "We're not throwing the football well either."
"We need a little wakeup call out there."
ReplyDelete"We know we're better than this."
WYMC: "Right now--bottom line--they're just outplaying us. ... They're basically wanting this game more than we do."
ReplyDeleteQ2, 8:30: Hazard has a first-and-10 coming from the Mayfield 29 ...
"He throws the fade ... wide open ... touchdown."
ReplyDeleteBulldogs surge ahead, 7-3, with 7:42 to play in the half.
The WYMC ad calls Mid-Continent University, "Western Kentucky's best-kept secret."
ReplyDeleteThe mission statement: "Mid-Continent University is a Great Commission, Baptist, undergraduate and graduate, teaching institution whose primary purpose is to provide Christ-centered quality higher education. Instruction in the Bible and liberal arts is provided to traditional and non-traditional students through on-campus and off-campus programs that equip them for Christian Ministry and service in a diverse society. Furthermore, the University seeks to:
"-- Equip and train students for carrying out the Great Commission of Our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20).
"-- Imbue students with a knowledge and understanding of other cultures and international events.
"-- Provide a quality education in both the arts and sciences and Biblical Studies from a Christian worldview.
"-- Facilitate student development by promoting the synthesis of academic knowledge and Christian values for spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical maturation.
"-- Encourage adult lifelong learning for people of diverse ages and educational levels in our communities.
"-- Provide leadership and service opportunities for our students in our communities.
"-- Foster competency appropriate to the degree level of the student in writing, reading, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, analytical reasoning, computer literacy, and library research."
Metal Mall company values:
ReplyDelete"Our success does not come from proclaiming our values, but from consistently putting our values into action daily!
"Honesty--Honesty is an absolute expectation. It does not exist in degrees, and situations never justify being dishonest. Trust is built over time, lost in a moment, and regained with great difficulty.
"Quality of Life--We will provide a positive atmosphere and create good systems where our customers, vendors, and employees can constantly strive to improve their quality of life.
"To be Servant by Nature--Constantly practice genuine humility by always having other's best interest at heart."
Q2, 6:00: Mayfield pass connection to Hazard 14 ...
ReplyDelete"Just be patient," WYMC says.
Mayfield has to settle for a 25-yard field-goal try ... it's good! With less than four minutes to play in the half, it's now 7-6, Hazard.
ReplyDeleteWow. It's an anxiety-ridden WYMC halftime show ahead for the folks back in Graves County. In the closing seconds of the second half, Hazard advances into field-goal position thanks to offsides and defensive-holding penalties on the Cardinals. On a not-timed down from the Mayfield 14, Hazard executes a 33-yard field goal, and it's 10-6, Bulldogs, at the break.
ReplyDeleteWYMC: "I don't think it's panic time yet."
ReplyDelete@JoeyFreaknFosko: "Mayfield hadn't seen Hazard run wildcat formation on film. Bulldogs may have noted Beechwood's modest success with it. 57 seconds ago"
ReplyDeleteAND THIS JUST IN ... WELL, HECK ... WE'RE BREAKING IN WITH AN HP SPECIAL REPORT FOR THIS ...!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Now that's exciting! Thank you, Mystery Correspondent!
ReplyDeleteAll grins and giggles back in Mayfield yesterday.
ReplyDeleteEarly on in this game, Hazard shifted over Zach Blanton, its top running back (who averaged 11 yards per carry this season) to take center snaps instead of quarterback Evan Whittaker (who threw for 2,284 yards and 28 touchdowns).
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Mayfield has rushed for seven yards in the first half. Jonathan Jackson, the Cardinals' 1,600-yard rusher on the season, did not practice this week because of a knee injury, Joe Jackson reported for WestKentuckyStar.com.
Mayfield pass interference on Hazard third-and-5 on opening possession of second half.
ReplyDelete"It was," WYMC's David Morris says. "... It was a good call."
Hazard, first-and-10 at Bulldogs' 35 ...
Mayfield holds, however, and will now be taking over at its own 33.
ReplyDeleteWYMC's Morris: "If we can just get the lead, I really believe good things will happen."
Hazard's Blanton, the star runner, intercepts at midfield.
ReplyDeleteQ3, 7:30: Hazard, still leading, 10-6, first-and-10 from its own 46 ...
WYMC: "Our cheerleaders look so cheery down there with their matching head bows. The Cardinals have been unable to match their cheer so far."
ReplyDeleteMayfield holds, but Hazard punts to the 1.
ReplyDeleteQ3, 5:55: Mayfield, first-and-10 from its 1 ...
The WYMC guys suggest that Mayfield run a "hitch and roll." The Cardinals do--and are intercepted at their own 30.
ReplyDeleteQ3, 5:49, Hazard, first-and-10 from the Mayfield 30, still ahead 10-6 ...
WYMC: "We got to get our fans involved. We got to get excited."
ReplyDeleteWYMC dude: "Oh, that's crap. That either has to be intentional grounding or a sack."
ReplyDeleteOn a third-and-short, Hazard quarterback-sneaks for a first down at the Mayfield 19 ...
ReplyDeleteWYMC: "We definitely have to hold them for a field goal here. We definitely have to hold them for a field goal."
Touchdown, Hazard ... 17-6 ... 2:52 to go in the third quarter ...
ReplyDeleteWYMC's Morris: "We've got a tough task ahead for us, Vince."
WYMC's Vince: "I'm not sure we can ring the bell."
WYMC's Vince: "We're aggravated, but it's not at the kids. We just haven't seen things like this happen all season long."
ReplyDelete29 seconds to go in the third quarter, and Mayfield fails on a fourth-and-2 from the Hazard 39 ...
ReplyDeleteQ4: Mayfield takes over and quickly advances to the Hazard 38 on a pass against a freshman reserve safety who has replaced the injured star runner, Blanton ...
ReplyDeleteBut now Hazard has the ball back ... not sure what happened, but it remains 17-6 ... got a phone call (correspondents) ...
ReplyDeleteWYMC's Vince: "If you would've told me that we had six points with eight minutes to go, I would've said we were up, 6-0."
ReplyDeleteAnd now the WYMC feed is struggling. This is not a happy Friday back in Graves County.
ReplyDelete3:18 to go ... WYMC Vince is leaving the air now to make the trip down from the Smith Stadium press box to the field, so WYMC Coach Morris is left to call the final moments solo.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone from Heath ever expects Mayfield to lose. This was certainly a surprise to me. Hazard had a whole year to think about revenge, and -- unlike Holy Cross and Beechwood -- they pulled it off.
ReplyDeleteHazard intercepts and returns for a touchdown ...
ReplyDelete2:26 to play: 24-6, Bulldogs.
ReplyDeleteBeing from Heath, I still halfway expect Mayfield to come back and win.
ReplyDeleteFive interceptions by Hazard.
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be a long trip back to Mayfield.
ReplyDeleteWYMC's Coach Morris is, indeed, Mayfield Coach Morris's brother.
ReplyDeleteI think this might've been Hazard's first-ever football championship.
Bing Crosby: "O, Come, All Ye Faithful."
ReplyDeleteGood Mountain News.
ReplyDeleteWCLU 1490 AM from Glasgow is on the air with pre-game for the 3 p.m. Central 2A tilt.
ReplyDeleteRight now, they're interviewing some lively Scotties moms.
ReplyDelete"Let's go, Scottie blue!"
ReplyDeleteOh, this is great. WCLU (apparently) has redone the old Hank Williams Monday Night Football song with lyrics about Glasgow's opponents and players.
ReplyDelete"We're headed to state
ReplyDelete"It's gonna to be a party
"The cheerleaders, band and fans
"Gonna get the party started."
Glasgow Coin & Jewelry ("top dollar guaranteed") is advertising on WCLU against outfits that offer to assess and buy gold and silver in motel rooms.
ReplyDeletePer Saturday's last game ...
ReplyDelete@gravessidesport: "@ANewsJPHerndon You may want to pass this along (from BG student) 'my school just portrayed Anderson as backwoods hicks at our pep rally.' 53 minutes ago"
Per tonight's last game ...
ReplyDelete@LouCathSports: "Three charter buses just pulled away from campus with the Trinity football team. Approx. 35-40 fans and family members on hand for send off. 4 minutes ago"
Glasgow coach Rick Wood on his quarterback on WCLU: "I wouldn't tell him this, but I know he can't hear this before the game. When you get to a game like this, it's just so important that your trigger man plays well."
ReplyDelete@trinitysports: "Rocks are on I-65 and heading to Bowling Green. #khsfb 1 minute ago"
ReplyDelete@heathpostdotcom: "@trinitysports In case you hit traffic, Dixie Highway, U.S. 31-W, is so, so excellent. 10 seconds ago"
Behind the WCLU commentators, you can hear Europe's "The Final Countdown" playing on the L.T. Smith Stadium P.A. system.
ReplyDeleteHe should've taken U.S. 68/Ky. 80 back to Mayfield ...
ReplyDelete@H2OMan2136: "Western Kentucky Parkway doesn't have many exits for food. #Starving 2 minutes ago"
@heathpostdotcom: "Taco John's south of parkway at second Princeton exit. Good local pizza there and at Dawson Springs. Dixie Pan, Nortonville. 19 seconds ago"
ReplyDelete2A final is in progress ... Holy Cross held to three-and-out on first possession ... Glasgow quarterback Parker Cash fumbled on the Scotties' first play, but an offensive lineman recovered for a gain of 12 or 15 yards ... two plays later, Cash completes a 54-yard pass for a first-and-10 at the Holy Cross 17 ...
ReplyDeleteCash is intercepted in the end zone. Roller-coaster start for Glasgow coach Wood's key "trigger man."
ReplyDeleteHoly Cross is facing a fourth-and-inches from its own 39 ... lining up to punt ... trigger-man Cash is dropping back deep to receive ... Glasgow will have first-and-10 at its own 31.
ReplyDeleteJalen Sublett (whose mom was one of those interviewed by WCLU before today's game) runs for a 28-yard touchdown, and Glasgow puts together a six-minute, 30-second drive to take a 7-0 lead with less than three minutes to go in the first quarter.
ReplyDeleteSublett's last three carries of the first half, however, each went for negative yardage, and Holy Cross now leads, 12-7. Eric Walker caught both touchdown passes and has an interception to boot.
ReplyDeleteAfter the first Holy Cross touchdown, a 6-foot-4 Glasgow receiver blocked the extra-point attempt. The Indians then failed on an attempted two-point conversion.
Sublett returns the second half's opening kickoff to the Scotties' 48, and now Glasgow--trailing, 12-7--has a first-and-10 at the Covington Holy Cross 36.
ReplyDeleteThe Scotties face a fourth-and-4 from the Holy Cross 30 ... going for it ...
ReplyDeleteTried to draw offsides ... Indians resist ... Scotties timeout ...
ReplyDeleteMmmm ... Colton's Steakhouse and Grill (in Glasgow, Campbellsville and Radcliff) sounds delightful ...
ReplyDeleteGlasgow illegal procedure ... now fourth-and-9 ...
ReplyDeleteWCLU reports that tight end Hunter Bowles dropped to one knee to take in trigger man Parker Cash's 11-yard pass for the firs time ...
ReplyDeleteNow fourth-and-7 for Glasgow ...
ReplyDeleteScotties can't pick it up, and Holy Cross will take over at its 21 ...
ReplyDeleteAnd Holy Cross quickly take advantage ... 68-yard touchdown pass makes it 19-7 with about five minutes to go in the third quarter ...
ReplyDeleteThat's the end of three quarters. Still 19-7.
ReplyDelete@zach_greenwell: "Covington carving up the Glasgow defense with big pass plays at key times. Indians in the red zone again. 3 minutes ago"
@nkysportsblog: "Holy Cross has worn down the bigger Glasgow defense. The offense played with great pace all game even when they struggled early on. 59 seconds ago"
Final: 33-14, Covington Holy Cross over Glasgow.
ReplyDeleteOne WCLU dude: "Folks, the Scotties are back, and I really think we'll see Glasgow back here in Smith Stadium."
ReplyDeleteAnother WCLU dude: "Certainly one of the three or four best Glasgow Scotties football teams in history--no question."
Glasgow will be honoring its Class 2A state runners-up in a celebration at 6:30 tonight at the Barren County Courthouse, WCLU reports.
ReplyDeleteScott County's fan busses left Georgetown at 4 and 4:15 Eastern today.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Trinity Kung Fu Club and National Honor Society rescheduled.
ReplyDeleteOh, my ... Scott County leads Louisville Trinity in the 6A championship, 7-0, with 11:05 to play in the first quarter. On the opening possession of the game, its quarterback ran for 62 yards to the Trinity 18. Then Scott County called timeout. And then it got an 18-yard touchdown run.
ReplyDeleteWith 11:33 to play in the second quarter, however, Trinity leads, 21-7.
ReplyDelete28-7.
ReplyDeleteIn Bowling Green: 49-14, Trinity over Scott County, early in second half.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in Hazard, per@DerekWYMT: "Hazard football team is headed to the football field as we speak 16 minutes ago"
Hazard's Daniel Field might well be the most photog-friendly stadium in the state, by the way.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think they might have canceled Christmas in Mayfield after yesterday's loss. All week, WYMC played Christmas songs about 75 percent of the time. So I tuned in a little after 8 this morning to see if they were doing a Joe Morris coach's show from McDonald's, and they are apparently not. The tunes I've heard instead are "I Got a Woman" by Ray Charles, "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" by Johnny Cash, "Wildfire" by Michael Martin Murphy, "Love Me, Do" by the Beatles, "I Saw Her Standing There" by the Beatles (a rare double play from WYMC) and now a version of "Delta Dawn" by Bette Midler that I'd never heard. Anyway, nary a holly jolly in the last half-hour.
ReplyDeleteI imagine driving through Mayfield this morning, and all these still fresh Christmas trees with stray strands of tinsel strewn along the curb in front of dark houses.