Tuesday, October 21, 2008
For the second time in as many weeks, the Hopkins County Central football team appeared in the weekly Associated Press Class 4A rankings, but this week’s rankings have the Storm higher than the team has ever been.
On Monday, the AP awarded Central (5-2) 77 points, which bumped the team up one spot from last week’s poll to seventh place – its highest in school history.
“It’s great for the kids, but the bottom line is where you’re ranked at the end of the season,” coach Rick Snodgrass said of the honor. “We don’t look at the rankings that much, we just look at our opponents...it’s good recognition for the hard work they put in this season, but we’re interested in how the polls are ranked at the end of the season.”
Snodgrass added the last time Central was ranked occurred in 1999 when the team reached as high as eighth.
“We ended up going to the playoffs and getting beat by Owensboro Senior 14-7 that year,” Snodgrass said. “(Owensboro) ended up going on and getting beat by Ft. Thomas Highlands in the championship game.”
This season’s squad ranks among the state’s best in both offensive and defensive categories.
Entering Friday’s 35-0 thrashing of Ohio County, the Storm maintained 4A’s fifth-best scoring average (33.2/game) and average yardage allowed per game (116/game).
Central’s Jacob Powell and Keith Couch have been two of the Storm’s deadlier weapons thus far. Couch is tied for the fifth-best individual scoring average per game at 10.3. Powell, at quarterback, has completed approximately 55 percent of his passes.
The Storm have used their high-powered offense to knock off some of western Kentucky’s most explosive teams, including a 35-31 win against fourth-ranked Lone Oak on Oct. 10.
“The Lone Oak win a couple weeks ago was a big win for the simple fact that it gave us an opportunity to play for the district championship on Friday night,” Snodgrass said. “I would think that would have to be the signature win.”
Snodgrass said he thinks what sets this year’s team apart is the players’ work ethic.
“This senior class has really put in the time and dedication in the weight room and the offseason,” he said. “We got a good group and they’re good leaders.”
They set their goals high and we’re trying to obtain those goals. With winning some, comes your rankings and we just hope to continue to win. Our ultimate goal is the district championship. We’re hoping to get that done and take care of business.”
Central has never won a district championship, but with a win over Calloway County at 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Storm could accomplish another first for the program.
Calloway will come to Storm Field just outside the top 10, ranked 12th overall, but the game plan will not change for the home team.
“I think the key is kind of what we have been doing all year,” Snodgrass said. “We have to play good football. We can’t turn the ball over. We just got to continue to defensively play well, just come ready to play and hopefully we can get a win.”
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