Caldwell County knew it faced an uphill battle against Owensboro Catholic.
The Aces weren’t just the top seed from Class 2A’s 2nd District, but the overall top seed in the class, according to the KHSAA RPI ratings.
Owensboro Catholic blitzed through the regular season, scoring 47 points a game and averaging 460 yards of offense while going a perfect 10-0.
On Friday, Brady Atwell passed for 246 yards and six touchdowns — all in the first half — as the Aces rolled past Caldwell 61-14 in the first-round playoff matchup at Steele Stadium in Owensboro.
The Aces put up 41 points in the first quarter — the most ever by a Tiger opponent — and led 55-0 before the Tigers registered their initial first down of the contest.
Caldwell ends its season with a 1-10 mark.
The Tigers did have some highlights, though.
Caldwell put together a quick seven-play drive to go 65 yards and get on the scoreboard just before halftime.
An 8-yard touchdown pass from Luke Parker to Gus Fox broke up the shutout, with Fox slicing just inside the pylon with 0:00.5 seconds left in the half. Sutton Ritchey kicked the extra point to make it 55-7 at the break.
Caldwell then strung together a 7-minute drive — with a running clock — to open the third quarter.
The nine-play march covered 67 yards, with Parker hitting Fox in the back of the end zone with a 24-yard touchdown pass. Ritchey’s PAT made it 55-14.
But Owensboro Catholic was never threatened after building the big lead early.
Atwell completed 16 of his 20 pass attempts while the Aces were 21 of 26 overall for 333 yards.
Owensboro Catholic had 394 total yards and 17 first downs.
Caldwell had 138 total yards and nine first downs.
Parker was 11 of 22 passing with the two TDs and one interception.
Kam Spikes ran for 27 yards while Parker added 23 yards rushing.
Fox had five receptions for 61 yards and the two scores.
For Owensboro Catholic, William Carrico had four catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard connection.
Mitchell Sims had four receptions for 46 yards and a TD. Noah Rhinerson made three grabs for 34 yards and a score. Waryn Ebelhar had two catches for 48 yards and a 31-yard touchdown. Elijah Blair made two receptions for 22 yards and a TD.
Blair also had a 1-yard touchdown run while Chris Burns also had a 1-yard scoring carry in the first half.
Owensboro Catholic’s only score in the second half came on a 41-yard pass from Dremail Carothers to Riley Harville in the fourth quarter.
The Aces will host Crittenden County in the second round next week. The Rockets (7-4) edged Todd County Central 24-20 Friday night in Marion.
One Response
Owensboro Catholic is a no joke football school they are just as tough to beat now as they was when I played for OHS in 96. Between them and Apollo you always knew you had a tough game ahead of you when we played them but Caldwell County don’t beat yourself up on the season learn from it hit the weight room get bigger and stronger and faster for next season and show those teams the Tigers are coming back better than ever.