RocketsFootball.com: AT A GLANCE: GAME 6

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

AT A GLANCE: GAME 6 - MURRAY

BY: ANDY HUNT

Murray Series
Season - Location - Score - CC Result

1963 - HOME - 14-14 - TIE - Playoffs - *Won on Tie Breaker
1965 - HOME - 0-28 - Loss
1966 - AWAY - 6-42 - Loss
1967 - HOME - 12-44 - Loss
1968 - AWAY - 0-38 - Loss
1983 - AWAY - 8-20 - Loss
1984 - HOME - 6-14 - Loss
1987 - AWAY - 0-21 - Loss
1988 - HOME - 10-3 - WIN
1989 - AWAY - 0-20 - Loss
1990 - HOME - 21-27 - Loss - DOUBLE OT
1991 - AWAY - 0-27 - Loss - Playoffs
1999 - MSU - 12-9 - WIN OT
2000 - AWAY - 0-37 - Loss
2000 - AWAY - 14-41 - Loss - Playoffs
2002 - HOME - 18-8 - WIN - Playoffs
2003 - AWAY - 12-27 - Loss - Playoffs
2009 - MSU - 7-24 – Loss
2010 - HOME - 10-21 – Loss
2011 - AWAY - 0-35 – Loss
2012 - HOME - 0-41 – Loss
2013 - AWAY - 0-54 – Loss
2014 - HOME - 0-69 – Loss
2020 - HOME - 35-14 – WIN
2022 - AWAY - 34-27 – Loss

CC is behind in the series 4-20-1 (18.0% winning percentage).
Biggest win in the series for CC, 35-14 in 2020.
Biggest loss in the series for CC, 0-69 in 2014.
CC has been outscored 712-212 in the series.
When CC holds Murray to 13 points or less, CC is 3-0.
CC has not scored a defensive or special teams TD against Murray in the 25-game series.
Even though Crittenden County has only won five times against Murray (technically four if you count 1963 as a tie), the Rockets may have made the most of their opportunities and been victorious in the three most important matchups. The 1963 “tie”, which ended up being with CC taking the win on a tie breaker, was for the Region 1 title. In 1999, the opening game of the season pitted the Rockets against the no. 7 Tigers. The Rockets won in OT on a 21-yard Brad Madden field goal. That win started a streak of eight consecutive wins to start the season which, at the time, was the best start in school history. In 2002, even though favored by seeding, CC seemed to be the underdog in everyone’s mind after earlier in the season CC lost to Ballard Memorial which later would easily be beaten by Murray. Crittenden County pulled out a muddy 18-8 win by holding eventual Murray State All-American player, Nathan Williams, to only 23 rushing yards.

Crittenden County Single Game School Records Versus Murray
(Some Statistical Categories Unavailable)

Passing Yards: 316, Micah Newcom, 2022
Passing Completions: 16, Micah Newcom, 2022
Passing Attempts: 24, Micah Newcom, 2022
Passing Touchdowns: 3, Micah Newcom, 2022
Interceptions Thrown: 4, Buddy McDaniel, 1984
Rushing Yards: 121, Sean Thompson, 2002
Rushing Touchdowns: 2, Dennis Mott, 1963 and Xander Tabor, 2020
Rushing Attempts: 20, Johnny Cirder, 1983 and Xander Tabor, 2020
Receiving Yards: 101, Preston Morgeson, 2022
Receptions: Minimum 6, Kayle Malcom, 1984 and Wes Evers, 2011
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, More Than Five Times
Tackles: 22, Josh Andrews, 1987
Tackles for Loss: 4, Tyler Boone, 2020
Interceptions: 2, Preston Morgeson, 2020
Sacks: 2, Dylan Yates, 2020
Forced Fumbles: N/A, minimum 2
Fumble Recoveries: 2, Alex Summers, 1983
Longest TD Pass: 77, Micah Newcom to Briley Berry, 2022
Longest TD Run: 71 Yards, Tracey Armstrong, 1990
Longest Interception Return for a TD: N/A, none returned
Longest Fumble Return for a TD: N/A, none returned
Longest Punt Return for a TD: N/A, none returned
Longest Kickoff Return for a TD: N/A, none returned
Longest Field Goal: 42 Yards, Brad Madden, 1999
Most Points Scored: 13, Preston Morgeson, 2022

Murray 2023 Schedule

Trigg County (3A, 2-4) – 41-21 – WIN
Calloway County (4A, 2-4) – 35-14 – WIN
Marshall County (5A, 2-4) – 35-6 – WIN
Union County (3A, 6-0) – 27-7 – LOSS
Fulton County (1A, 0-6) – 1-0 – WIN
McCracken County (6A, 3-3) – 38-35 – WIN
Crittenden County (2A, 2-3)
Caldwell County (2A, 0-6)
Mayfield (2A, 5-1)
Madisonville – North Hopkins (5A, 4-2)

Murray 2023 Stat Leaders

PASSING – Collin Wilson (#8, SR) – 68/122, 980 Yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs
RUSHING – Kainoa Olive (#13, SR) – 76 attempts, 455 yards, 6 TDs
RUSHING – Collin Wilson (#8, SR) – 51 attempts, 190 yards, 6 TDs
RECEIVING – Zavion Carman (#6, SR) – 24 receptions, 378 yards, 4 TDs
RECEIVING – Kainoa Olive (#13, SR) – 16 receptions, 263 yards, TD
RECEIVING – Jeremiah Jones (#7, JR) – 14 receptions, 216 yards, TD
KICKING (TEAM) – 19/19 PATs, 1/1 FG
DEFENSE – Simon Rickman (#5, SO) – 44 tackles, 2 TFLs, 4 sacks
DEFENSE – Ben Davis (#57, SR) – 42 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 sacks
DEFENSE – Phalon Richardson (#53, SR) – 39 tackles, TFL, sack
DEFENSE – Jeremiah Jones (#7, JR) – 34 tackles, 3 TFLs, 4 sacks, fumble recovery, interception

Last Week Review

Micah Newcom connected with Caden Howard for a 70-yard TD pass against O’Cath.
That was the longest TD reception since week 1 of 2022 when Newcom connected with Briley Berry for a 77-yard score.
Last week’s TD pass was along the career longest TD reception for Caden Howard.
The TD pass was the 27^th longest in school history and the fourth time a 70-yard pass has resulted in a TD.
In the last nine games, CC has three defensive TDs. The last time CC has scored more than three TDs in a nine game stretch was 2003 (5 TDs).
Rocket opponents have not score a defensive TD in the last 12 games. Since 2012, the only streak longer was a 19-game stretch from week 4 of 2018 to week 8 of 2019.
CC has 32 first downs in the last four games combined. Since 2011, there has not been a four game stretch in the same season where the Rockets have had fewer first downs.
Owensboro Catholic had 17 rushing attempts last week. The last time a Rocket opponent had fewer rushing attempts in a victory over Crittenden County was 2013 against Owensboro Catholic (15).
O’Cath had 40 passing attempts last week. Only one time since 2010 has an opponent had more passing attempts in a game which was in week 7 of 2018 when Ballard Memorial threw 47 times. 47 passing attempts is the most by an opponent in a game.

Single Game Records Versus Owensboro Catholic Broken Last Week

Passing Yards: 188, Micah Newcom, 2023 (Previous: 54, Travis Gilbert, 2012 (Playoff))
Passing Completions: 8 (twice), Travis Gilbert, 2012 (Playoff) & Micah Newcom, 2023
Passing Touchdowns: 1 (three times), Rodney Travis, 1962, Butch McWilliams, 1966 & Micah Newcom, 2023
Receiving Yards: 105, Tyler Belt, 2023 (Previous: 71, Bobby Knox, 2012 (Playoff))
Receiving Touchdowns: 1 (three times), Jamie Champion, 1962, Bill Towery, 1966 & Caden Howard, 2023
Interceptions: 1 (four times), Noah Dickerson 2013 (Playoff), Noah Dickerson 2014 (Playoff), Gabe Keller, 2023, & Brayden Poindexter, 2023.
Longest TD Pass: 70 Yards, Caden Howard from Micah Newcom, 2023
Longest Interception Return for a TD: 18 Yards, Gabe Keller, 2023
Most Points Scored: 6 (four times), Jamie Champion, 1962, Dennis Mott, 1964, Caden Howard, 2023, & Gabe Keller, 2023

2023 Class 2A, District 1 Review

Mayfield (4-1) – Mayfield will roll into Princeton this week. Mayfield by a lot.
Murray (5-1) – Murray took down McCracken County by 3. The Tigers come to Marion this week to decide who will win second place in the district and have a home playoff game.
Caldwell County (0-5) – Caldwell provided Christian County its second win of the season. The Tigers will receive mercy in the first half against Mayfield.

Playoff Preview Class 2A, District 2

Owensboro Catholic (6-0) – OC looks for a big win against district opponent Todd Central. OC by 50.
Todd County Central (3-3) – Todd pulled itself back to .500 with a win over winless Russellville, 41-26. Todd takes on Owensboro Catholic at home this week.
Edmonson County (1-5) – EC is in the middle of a major slide easily losing to perennial doormats Ohio County and Clinton County the last two weeks. Edmonson opens district play with Fort Campbell who should win easily over EC. Fort Campbell by 40.
Fort Campbell (3-3) – Fort Campbell beat a slumping Fulton County team 53-6 last week giving them a two-game win streak. Look for Fort Campbell to win easily and be ready to take on Todd in two weeks where the winner locks up a home playoff game and second place in the district.

Record Breaker Watch

Micah Newcom

Passing Yards – Career

1. Hunter Boone – 6,763
2. Luke Crider – 3,949
3. Austin Berry – 3,744
4. Micah Newcom – 3,285
5. Nick Castiller – 2,814
6. Jamie Curtis - 2,813
7. J.D. Gray – 2,172

Passing Yards – Season

Jamie Curtis (1992) – 1,065
Sean Thompson (2003) – 1,009
Taylon Polk (2006) – 975
Turner Martin (1980) – 971
Zach Brantley (2000) – 911
Micah Newcom (2023) – 887
J.D. Gray (2008) – 871
David Cozart (1987) – 865

With 113 more passing yards, Newcom will have the 13^th season with 1,000 or more passing yards. He will also be the fourth quarterback to pass for 1,000 yards or more in multiple seasons.
Micah Newcom has 248 completions in his career which ranks 3^rd all-time. Next up are Luke Crider with 283 and Hunter Boone with 489.
Passing Completions – Season

Austin Berry (2005) – 83
Nick Castiller (2014) – 77
Al Simmons (1983) – 72
Taylon Polk (2006) – 68
Jamie Curtis (1992) – 67
Brad Gilbert (1989) – 66
J.D. Gray (2008) – 66
Micah Newcom (2023) – 66
Brian Shemwell (1996) – 64

Micah Newcom has 377 career passing attempts during his time as Rocket which is the 6^th most in that category. Next up are Austin Berry (2002-2005) with 396 and Jamie Curtis (1989-1992) with 426.
Passing Touchdowns – Career

1. Hunter Boone (2015-2018) – 84
2. Luke Crider (2018-2021) – 49
3. Austin Berry (2002-2005) – 47
4. Micah Newcom (2020-Present) – 37
5. J.D. Gray (2006-2009) – 24

Yards of Offense (Passing and Rushing Yards) – Career

4. Luke Crider (2018-2021) – 4,502
5. Nick Castiller (2012-2015) – 3,894
6. Austin Berry (2002-2005) – 3,849
7. Micah Newcom (2020-Present) – 3,764
8. Devon Nesbitt (2015-2018) – 3,572
9. Jamie Curtis (1989-1992) – 3,356
10. Jimmy Hopper (1960-1963) – 3,028 (stats incomplete)

Micah Newcom has been responsible for 50 total career TDs in his career. This ranks him 6^th in that category. Next up are Luke Crider with 55 and Austin Berry with 57.

Caden Howard

Career Receiving Yards

Caden Howard became the 26^th player to have 500 receiving yards in their time as Rocket this past week. He is believed to be the youngest player to achieve this feat.
Jerry Jessup (1986-1989) – 622
Tyler Boone (2017-2020) – 615
Jared Champion (1996) – 594
Kayle Malcom (1981-1984) – 586
Alex Cosby (2012-2015) – 585
Caden Howard (2022-Present) – 568
Devon Nesbitt (2015-2018) – 554
Rodney Robertson (2005-2008) – 546

Career TD Receptions

Chad Perryman (1990-1993) – 15
Jamie Champion (1961-1964) – 11
Ethan Hunt (2013-2016) – 10
Jerry Jessup (1986-1989) – 10
Preston Turley (2018-2020) – 10
Caden Howard (2022-Present) – 9

Career Receptions

Preston Turley (2018-2020) – 49
Bobby Knox (2009-2012) – 48
Alex Cosby (2012-2015) – 44
Gaige Courtney (2005-2008) – 43
Rodney Robertson (2005-2008) – 43
Maeson Myers (2013-2016) – 42
Caden Howard (2022-Present) – 42
Cody Belt (2014-2017) – 41
Jared Champion (1996) – 40
Shawnte Moss (2001-2004) – 40
Tanner Nix (2008-2010) – 40

Consecutive Games with a Reception

4. Kaleb Nesbitt – 16 (4- ’21; 13- ’22)
5. Alex Cosby – 15
6. Caden Howard – 14 (9- '22; 4- '23)
7. Dylan Hollis – 13
7. Cody Belt – 13
7. Payton Riley – 13
7. Kaleb Nesbitt – 13
11. Bobby Knox – 12 (1 reception - 2011; 11 receptions - 2012)

Tyler Belt

Career Receiving Yards

Tyler Belt is 54 yards away from being the 30 player to have at least 500 career receiving yards.

Career Receptions

Tyler Belt is 12 receptions away from being the 15^th Rocket player to have 40 career receptions.

Receptions in a Season

Tyler Belt is 12 receptions from the being the 30^th player to have 25 receptions in a season.

Gabe Keller

Receptions in a Season

Gabe Keller is 13 receptions from the being the 30^th player to have 25 receptions in a season.

Interceptions in a Career and Season

Gabe Keller needs two more interceptions to qualify for the record lists for interceptions in a Career and a season.

2A Stat Rankings for Rockets

Micah Newcom’s Statistical Ranking in 2A:

Passing Yards Per Game – 9^th (177 YPG)
Passing Yards – 10^th (887)
Passing Touchdowns – T-12^th (7)
Passing TD to INT Ratio – 2^nd (7/1)
Completion Percentage – 9^th (62.3%)
Completions – T-7^th (66)
Attempts – 10^th (106)

Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) – Trying to Figure it Out
Currently, Crittenden County ranks 7^th in RPI for 2A. Our RPI went up after the loss to Owensboro Catholic but we did drop one position in the rankings.

Crittenden County is by the highest ranked team with a losing record. The closest team is Monroe County (2-4) at 12^th with an RPI of 0.78093.

There are a lot of factors in play but most likely our RPI rating will drop with a win or loss against Murray. The main factor being Murray’s opponents’ win % (OWP) is significantly lower than our “opponents’ opponents win %” (OOWP) is currently. As of now, our OOWP is 0.90 and Murray’s OWP is 0.84. Once Murray’s opponents’ win % is taken into account it will pull our RPI rating down.

Even Murray at 5-1 will pull down our own OWP once their record is added in as they are at 1.12 and our OWP is 1.44.

To explain how much our opponents’ win-loss records are helping our RPI, if we had Caldwell County’s OWP of 0.89769 instead of our own (1.44316), we would drop from 7^th to 15^th in the overall RPI rating (0.75301).

This is a link to KHSAA webpage which explains the RPI calculation.