Rockets fall 21-7 at Caldwell

PRINCETON, Ky. -- There were no Halloween tricks and the customary Caldwell curse was non existent. Still, the Rockets were unable to overcome the quick Tiger defense and lost their final game of the season 21-7 at Princeton.

Crittenden County (7-3) found no surprises in what Caldwell County (6-3) did during the game. The problem was that the Rockets provide little support for senior running back Rodney Robertson's 142 yards rushing and Caldwell won the grudge match with surprising ease.

The Rockets made it a game with a 57-yard, third-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback J.D. Gray to Dustin McConnell. Despite Crittenden pulling to within 14-7 at that point, Caldwell was generally in charge of the ebb and flow of the contest. The Tigers kept Gray at bay, holding him to just 14 yards on the ground and the Rocket quarterback's passes were less than crisp as he over threw and under threw receivers while being chased in the backfield by Caldwell's persistent pass rush.

Crittenden misfired in the red zone twice in the first half, coming up empty as Caldwell scored on two of its three first-half possession for a 14-0 edge.

The Rockets got on the scoreboard after Gray intercepted a Will Barnes pass in the end zone then Crittenden went 80 yards for a touchdown thanks to the long pass and catch by Gray and McConnell. Otherwise, the Rocket offense punted three times and failed on four fourth-down tries in Caldwell territory.

Caldwell bottled up Gray, who has been a major threat when he spreads the field and looks for running lanes. The Tiger defensive speed closed the gaps quickly and they missed very few chances on open field tackles.

Two third-quarter onside kicks recovered by the Rockets - who had grabbed three the prior week against Fulton County - were of little comfort. Despite getting the two balls in Caldwell territory, Crittenden was unable to capitalize against a fundamentally sound Tiger defense.

Save Robertson's rushing yardage and McConnell's long reception, Crittenden managed only a dozen plays for positive yardage. Minus Robertson and McConnell, the Rockets netted just 35 yards. Meanwhile, Barnes threw for 205, completing 17 of 21 passes. 

Crittenden will be off next week as the rest of the state's teams finish the regular season. The Rockets are back in action Nov. 14 at home against Kentucky Country Day in the first round of the Class A playoffs. Caldwell goes to Mayfield next week to finish its regular season before meeting Owensboro Catholic in the 2A playoffs.

Pictured above is Crittenden's Gaige Courtney blocking for Rodney Robertson who is right over his shoulder carrying the ball.


SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden County 0 0 7 0
Caldwell County 7 7 0 7

SCORING PLAYS
Cald-Brandon Sigler 16 run (Glen Gray kick) 2:57, 1st
Cald-Eric Faughn 6 pass from Will Barnes (Gray kick) :21, 2nd
Critt-Dustin McConnell 57 pass from J.D. Gray (J.R. Adams kick) 5:34, 3rd
Cald-Tron Gray 20 pass from Barnes (Gray kick) 7:43, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 9, Caldwell 16
Penalties: Crittenden 5-40, Caldwell 3-30
Rushing: Crittenden 35-154, Caldwell 29-13
Passing: Crittenden 6-13-0, 80 yds., Caldwell 17-21-1, 205 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 234, Caldwell 328
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-0, Caldwell 1-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Rodney Robertson 18-142, J.D. Gray 14-14, Gaige Courtney 2-4, Tanner Nix 1-(-6). Caldwell: Sigler 13-59, Jaquan Glover 5-15, Bryce Boone 1-15, Tron Gray 5-20, Barnes 4-7.
Passing
Crittenden: Gray 6-13-0, 80 yds. Caldwell: Barnes 17-21-1, 205 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: McConnell 1-57, Robertson 2-6, Courtney 1-0, Brian Berry 1-8, Joey Pluskota 1-9.

Defense

A.Berry 6 solos, 4 assists, 3 TFL; B.Berry 2 solos, 2 assists; Clark 3 solos, 5 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Courtney 6 solos, 7 assists; Cudnik 2 solos, 2 assists; Freeman 5 solos, assist; 2 TFL; Pluskota solo, 3 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Long 2 assists; McConnell 5 solos, assist, 2 TFL; Nix 2 assists; Robertson 3 solos, 2 assists; Thornton 3 assists; Urbanowski 2 solos, assist; Werne 2 solos, 2 assists.

Players of the Game: Offense Robertson, Defense Courtney, Lineman A.Berry, Special Teams J.R. Adams.
Records: Crittenden 7-3, Caldwell 6-3

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Trick the coach

Crittenden Elementary School student Briley Brown wore his Halloween costume to school Friday. Brown was masquerading as Rocket football coach Al Starnes, who stopped in to pose for a picture with his Halloween look alike.

Brown's get-up was complete with headset and a faux OVC championship ring like the one coach Starnes wears. They're showing them off in the picture. Brown's game-day play sheet, which he's holding in his right hand, had just two plays on it:

1. Give the ball to Rodney.

2. Let J.D. run it.

Starnes and his Rockets will be looking for treats and no tricks when they play at Caldwell County tonight. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. A halftime score will posted online.

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Power ratings has CCHS the winner

The Massey Power Ratings has Crittenden a 27-24 favorite in Friday's game at Caldwell County.

Click here to see the ratings.

Caldwell Week 10: It's for bragging rights

With the Class A First District championship in the bag and a potential two-game homefield advantage for the playoffs, Crittenden County’s eighth-ranked football team might generally find it tough to focus on a meaningless, non-district matchup the last week of regular season.

But that will not be the case this week as the Rockets travel 25 miles down Ky. 91 to meet Caldwell County (5-3). The matchup is one of the most intense rivalries in school history and this season’s game may be one of the best in recent memory.

The Tigers have won three straight over Crittenden but the Rockets have won five of the last 11 encounters.

“It’s going to be a great high school football game,” said Rocket coach Al Starnes, whose team has lost just twice in nine games. Both losses were to ranked Class 4A teams.

The Massey power ratings says the Crittenden-Caldwell game is a virtual tie on paper, although Crittenden is rated slightly above Caldwell in most high school rankings.

“They will try to exploit what may be our weakness on defense,” Starnes said, pointing to a secondary that has been stretched and bruised at times this season.

Caldwell County throws the ball much of the time. Last week, in a 35-23 loss to Trigg County, Tiger quarterback Will Barnes, the coach’s son, completed 18-of-27 passes for 273 yards. Caldwell ran the ball 28 times for 120 yards.

The Rocket defense is choking teams to death on the ground, holding opponents to just 71 yards per game. Meanwhile, opponents have passed for 1,528 yards, an average of 170 per game. Only two teams have rushed for more yards than they’ve thrown for against the Rockets. Those were Mayfield and Fulton County. In five of nine games, the Rockets’ opponent has gained fewer than 60 yards rushing while teams have thrown for more than 200 yards four times. Lone Oak hit the Rocket secondary with 342 yards passing.

Although the Tigers’ bread-and-butter is short routes and screens, Barnes can throw deep. Eric Faughn is Caldwell’s top receiver with 40 catches for 724 yards.

“We’re going to have to mix up the coverages and get some pressure on the quarterback,” Starnes said.

The Rocket coach says that although the district schedule is over, this week’s game is for bragging rights.

“It’s a big rivalry so you can throw everything else out the window,” he said. “This is as big a game for them as it is for us.”

The key Starnes says is sustaining a solid running game and keeping the ball out of Caldwell’s hands.

“Time of possession will be the key to winning this one,” he said.

After the Caldwell game, Crittenden will have an off week on Nov. 7 before opening the playoff schedule at home Friday, Nov. 14 against Kentucky Country Day, a small, private Christian school in Louisville.

Kentucky Country Day is 2-6 this season with victories over Class 4A Atherton and Class A Second District opponent Beth Haven. Atherton and Beth Haven have just two wins between them.

“I know nothing about them,” Starnes said. “Right now, it’s Caldwell we’re focused on.”

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Rockets move up in polls

Crittenden was 9th in both high school polls last week. Now, the Rockets are up one spot in 8th place in both the BluegrassPreps and AP poll.

Kentucky High School Football Rankings for Oct. 28

Bluegrasspreps.com
Class 1A
1. Beechwood -- OPEN
2. Raceland at 3A #6 Russell
3. Lexington Christian -- OPEN
4. Frankfort vs. 2A #8 Danville
5. Hazard vs. Lynn Camp
6. Louisville Holy Cross vs. 6A Butler
7. Bellevue vs. Gallatin County
8. Crittenden County at 2A Caldwell County
9. Williamsburg -- OPEN
10. Fairview at 2A West Carter

Associated Press Poll

Class 1A
Rank-School FPV Rcd TP Pvs
1. Beechwood (17) 9-0 188 1
2. Raceland (2) 8-0 171 2
3. Frankfort - 7-1 144 3
4. Hazard - 6-2 123 4
5. Williamsburg - 8-1 98 T5
6. Lou. Holy Cross - 6-2 95 T5
7. Lex. Christian - 6-3 85 7
8. Crittenden Co. - 7-2 66 9
9. Fairview - 6-2 24 8
10. Bellevue - 6-3 21 10
Others receiving votes: 11, Mayfield 9.
12, Eminence 8. 13, Allen Central 7. 14,
Pikeville 6.

NOTE: This week's Crittenden County opponent, Caldwell County, is unranked in Class 2A. They have been ranked as high as 10th in the Associated Press. This week, Caldwell is 13th in the AP rankings.

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Class A Playoffs

Here are first round matchups with seedings in parenthesis.

First round games are Nov. 14

(4) Kentucky Country Day at (1) Crittenden County
(3) Bethlehem at (2) Mayfield
(2) Caverna vs. (3) Ballard Memorial
(1) Holy Cross vs. (4) Fulton City

Crittenden 58, Fulton County 8

HICKMAN, Ky. -- It was over by the time it started.

Crittenden County took no chances on letting its final Class A First District game turn into anything other than victory, snatching three straight onside kicks to start the game and converting each one into a touchdown.

The Rockets were ahead 23-0 before Fulton County ever touched the ball and went on to an easy 58-8 victory and a perfect 4-0 mark in league play. The Rockets led 51-0 at the half and held Fulton County to just 57 yards total offense.

Crittenden kicker J.R. Adams started off the game with a perfectly executed onside kick as J.D. Gray fell on the ball. Four plays later the Rockets went ahead on quarterback Gray's eight-yard keeper and they never looked back.

Gray fell on the next two onside kicks and he and Brian Berry rushed for two more touchdowns before Fulton's offense ever stepped onto the field.

Crittenden kept the pressure on the hapless Pilots, scoring on all six first-half possession and once on defense. Linebacker Dyllan Thornton picked up a fumble and ran it back 19 yards for his first career touchdown.

The Rockets went to the bench in the second half and Devin Wallace scored their final touchdown for a 58-0 lead in the third period as the game clock was running continuously -- a mercy rule in Kentucky high school football. The second half was even shortened to two 10-minute periods because the game was so lopsided.

Gray ran for three touchdowns and threw for one. He finished with 94 yards on the ground and 98 in the air. Senior tight end Gaige Courtney caught three passes for 81 yards.

Courtney also became the career tackles leader at Crittenden County, surpassing hall of famer Wompie Stewart on the all-time list. Courtney currently has 300 career tackles. From incomplete records available from the 1980s, Stewart was the school leader with 297.

Rocket running back Rodney Robertson, playing for the first time since Week 2 without a cast on his hand, rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown. Robertson broke his hand in the Lone Oak game.

The Rockets had already clinched the district championship and although the Fulton County game had no bearing on the standings or playoff seeding, Crittenden made sure it finished the district slate on a positive note.

The Rockets will be at Caldwell County next week to close out the regular season in a non-district matchup. After that, Crittenden will host a first round game in the Class A playoffs, likely against Kentucky Country Day.

Pictured above are teammates congratulating linebacker Dyllan Thornton (61) after his fumble recovery and touchdown return in the second period. It was his first career touchdown.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
CC 30 21 7 0
FC 0 0 0 8

SCORING PLAYS
CC-J.D. Gray 8 run (Gaige Courtney run) 8:41, 1st
CC-Gray 17 run (Dustin McConnell pass from Gray) 7:44, 1st
CC-Brian Berry 3 run (J.R. Adams kick) 4:44, 1st
CC-Gray 10 run (Adams kick) :29, 1st
CC-Rodney Robertson 33 run (Adams kick) 9:20, 2nd
CC-Courtney 39 pass from Gray (Adams kick) 7:43, 2nd
CC-Dyllan Thornton 19 fumble recovery (Adams kick), 5:00, 3rd
CC-Devin Wallace 7 run (Adams kick) 4:29, 3rd
FC-Tyler Wilson 42 blocked kick return (Johnathan Burnette run) 5:15, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 11, Fulton 3
Penalties: Crittenden 1-5, Fulton 2-10
Rushing: Crittenden 27-236, Fulton 19-57
Passing: Crittenden 5-7-0, 98 yds., Fulton 0-0-0
Total Yards: Crittenden 334, Fulton 57
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 0-0, Fulton 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Gray 6-94, Robertson 11-90, Tanner Nix 2-29, Andrew Freeman 2-15, Wallace 2-8, B.Berry 2-6, Dustin Hernandez 1-2, Bryce Willis 1-(-8). Fulton: Chris Smtih 7-26, Burnette 7-18, Shun Udley 3-16, Victor King 1-6, Eric McClure 11-(-9).
Passing
Crittenden: Gray 5-7-0, 98 yds. Fulton: 0-0-0.
Receiving
Crittenden: Courtney 3-81, Nix 1-7, Robertson 1-5.

Defense

A.Berry solo, 2 assists, TFL; B.Berry assist; Clark solo, 3 assists; TFL, caused fumble; Courtney 5 solos, assist, 2 TFL, sack; Cudnik 2 solos, assist, fumble recovery; Fletcher 2 assists; Freeman 2 solos, 4 assists; Gray 2 solos; Kirk assist; Long 2 solos, 3 assists, TFL; McConnell assist; Nix 2 solos, 2 assists; Pluskota solo, 2 assists; Sitar assist; Thornton solo, 3 assists, TFL, fumble recovery; Wallace 2 assists.
Records: Crittenden 7-2 (4-0), Fulton County 1-6 (0-4).

Half

CC 51, FC 0

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Junior Pro Playoffs

The Junior Pro Football Jamboree will be this weekend at Rocket Stadium.

Games are all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Here are the pairings:

Third and Fourth Grade Playoffs

Caldwell Gold vs. Webster County, Saturday, 8 a.m.

Caldwell Vegas Gold vs. Crittenden County, Saturday, 11 a.m.
Morganfield vs. Caldwell Gold-Webster winner, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. 

Sturgis vs. Vegas Gold-Crittenden winner, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
Championship is Sunday, 2 p.m.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Playoffs

Morganfield vs. Crittenden County, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

Sturgis vs. Webster County, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Caldwell Vegas Gold vs. Morganfield-Crittenden, Saturday, 5 p.m.

Caldwell Gold vs. Sturgis-Webster winner, Saturday, 8 p.m.

Championship is Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

BluegrassPreps Rankings

Bluegrasspreps.com High School Football Rankings.

Class A
1. Beechwood vs. #7 Bellevue
2. Raceland at Nicholas County
3. Lexington Christian vs. #8 Fairview
4. Frankfort vs. Eminence
5. Hazard at Pineville
6. Louisville Holy Cross at Kentucky Country Day
7. Bellevue at #1 Beechwood
8. Fairview at #3 Lexington Christian
9. Crittenden County at Fulton County
10. Williamsburg vs. Lynn Camp

Class 2A
1. Fort Campbell vs. #5 Owensboro Catholic
2. Newport Catholic vs. Lloyd Memorial
3. Corbin at Leslie County
4. Green County vs. #9 Monroe County
5. Owensboro Catholic at #1 Fort Campbell
6. Danville at Washington County
7. Prestonsburg at 6A Cooper (10/25)
8. DeSales at Carroll County
9. Monroe County at #4 Green County
10. Trigg County vs. Caldwell County

Class 3A
1. Belfry at #9 Sheldon Clark
2. Central at Moore
3. Breathitt County vs. Powell County
4. Mason County at #6 Russell
5. Estill County at #7 Harlan County
6. Russell vs. #4 Mason County
7. Harlan County vs. #5 Estill County
8. North Oldham vs. Western Hills
9. Sheldon Clark vs. #1 Belfry
10. Elizabethtown at Shawnee

Class 4A
1. Boyle County vs. East Jessamine
2. Bell County vs. McCreary Central
3. Lexington Catholic vs. West Jessamine
4. Allen County Scottsville at Russell County
5. Franklin Simpson vs. Logan County
6. Calloway County at #9 Hopkins Central
7. Lone Oak at Muhlenberg North
8. North Bullitt vs. Marion County
9. Hopkins Central vs. #6 Calloway County
10. Western -- OPEN

Class 5A
1. Highlands -- OPEN
2. John Hardin at #7 Doss
3. Bowling Green vs. Barren County
4. Owensboro vs. #6 Christian County
5. Johnson Central vs. Montgomery County
6. Christian County at #4 Owensboro
7. Doss vs #2 John Hardin
8. Oldham County at Anderson County
9. Ashland at Bryan Station
10. Hopkinsville at Ohio County

Class 6A
1. Saint Xavier at Pleasure Ridge Park
2. Trinity at Seneca
3. Boone County vs. Ryle
4. Ballard at Eastern
5. Manual vs. Butler
6. Scott County at George Rogers Clark
7. Madison Central vs. Shelby County
8. Male at Fern Creek
9. Daviess County vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins
10. Lafayette vs. Paul Dunbar

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Rockets move up in poll

Crittenden County moved up from 10th to ninth in this week's AP poll.

Associated Press Poll
CLASS 1A
Rank-School (FPV) Rcd TP Pvs
1. Beechwood (17) .............8-0 188 1
2. Raceland (2) ..................7-0 171 2
3. Frankfort ........................6-1 136 4
4. Hazard ...........................5-2 98 3
T5. Lou. Holy Cross ............5-2 88 8
T5. Williamsburg ................7-1 88 7
7. Lex. Christian .................5-3 78 5
8. Fairview .........................6-1 71 9
9. Crittenden Co. ...............6-2 51 10
10. Bellevue ......................6-2 49 6
Others receiving votes: 11, Eminence
14. 12, Mayfield 8. 13, Pikeville 2. 13,
Paintsville 2.

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Robertson on ballot

WPSD-TV has Rocket running back Rodney Robertson on its Player of the Week ballot again. Go to the television's Web site and vote! Click here.

Robertson finished second in last week's balloting.

Rockets weigh in on 4A title

It seems that Crittenden County is weighing in on the Class 4A First District championship. The Rockets'  6 wins loom large for both Calloway and Lone Oak as they fight for what could  be a 3-way tie for the championship. Hopkins Central is also in the mix.

Read more in Joey Fosko's blog.

Rockets defeat Braves 25-16

MARION, Ky. - The mark of a good football team is one that can find ways to win when it's not at its best.

Crittenden County was not perfectly crisp, but was rugged enough to beat a physical Class 3A Union County team 25-16 Friday at Rocket Stadium.

Penalties, a couple of fumbles and a sporadic offense muffled the Rockets (6-2) at times, but their defense knocked Union (3-4) off balance and kept the door open. Defense has become a staple in Crittenden's six wins and Union's generally potent running game was idled by the Rocket clutches. Devin Foster, the Braves highly touted sophomore running back, was held to 60 yards on 22 carries as Union managed to net just 58 on the ground.

While Union's running attack was bottled up, its passing game was pouring from the spigot. QB Jordon Robison stretched the Rocket secondary for 236 yards on 17-of-31 passing, including two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough.

Although it sputtered at times, the Rocket offense found its balance enough to post touchdowns on its first possession of each half. Rodney Robertson rushed for all three Crittenden TDs and J.R. Adams kicked a 30-yard field goal in the third period.

Robertson ran for 160 yards, bolstered by a late 50-yard touchdown run to drop the hatched on the visiting Braves. Robertson's second touchdown of the game to start the third period was set up by a 46-yard pass reception by tight end Gaige Courtney.

Despite a broken hand that kept him sidelined for half of the season, Robertson has amassed 621 yards in four and a half games.

Courtney played a big role on defense, too. It was his pressure on Robison midway through the fourth period that forced an errant throw as Union gave up the ball on downs in Rocket territory. It was critical defensive stand for the Rockets after they had just taken an  18-8 lead on Adams' second field goal of the season, making it a two-possession ballgame with five minutes to play.

Gray stayed on his feet on the next series to move the chains on a crucial fourth-down run that helped milk the clock. Still, Union got the ball back and scored with 2:13 to play, but Robertson took all the fun out the final two minutes for Union when he carried the first handoff of the next series from midfield to the end zone, outrunning the entire Brave secondary.

The non-district victory gives Crittenden a 4-3 edge in the most recent years of the series against Union County. The Braves and Rockets have played some exciting games over the past 8 seasons, but they will not meet in 2009 or 2010 due to a scheduling conflict. Rocket coach Al Starnes has said he would like to renew the border battle in 2011. Union is the Class 3A First District champion this season. The Rockets, winners of the Class A First District crown, have now defeated two teams in that 3A district, including Webster County.

Crittenden will have a long road trip for next week's district finale at Fulton County. The Pilots are winless in district play and the outcome of the game will have no bearing on the Rockets' winning the title. A Crittenden loss at Fulton County would, however, give Mayfield a share of the championship, but the Rockets would win the postseason's No. 1 seed based on head-to-head competition.

Pictured above is Crittenden's Andrew Freeman (31) and Gaige Courtney (28) bearing down on Union's Devin Foster ... and the referee who was too close to the action.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Union County 8 0 0 8
Crittenden Co. 8 0 10 7

SCORING PLAYS
UC-Brian Bickett 63 pass from Jordan Robison (Devin Foster pass from Robison) 11:48, 1st
CC-Rodney Robertson 31 run (Gaige Courtney pass from J.D. Gray) 11:22, 1st
CC-Robertson 3 run (J.R. Adams kick) 9:00, 3rd
CC-Adams 30 field goal, 5:06, 3rd
UC-Tyler Cullen 29 pass from Robison (Bickett pass from Robison) 2:13, 4th
CC-Robertson 50 run (Adams kick) 2:02, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 10, Union 11
Penalties: Crittenden 6-50, union 1-15
Rushing: Crittenden 37-225, Union 29-58
Passing: Crittenden 5-10-0, 102 yds., Union 11-31-1, 236 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 327, Union 294
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 2-2, Union 4-3

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Robertson 16-160, Gray 15-38, Courtney 5-26, Brian Berry 1-1. Union: Foster 22-60, Robison 4-(-14), Darrian Smith 1-3, Cullen 1-5, Nathan Hedgepath 1-4.
Passing
Crittenden: Gray 5-10-0, 102 yds. Union: Robison 11-31-1, 236 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: Courtney 3-76, B.Berry 1-22, Josh Urbanowski 1-4. Union: Bickett 6-105, Foster 5-61, Cullen 2-31, Michael Bennett 2-21.

Defense

A.Berry 7 solos, 5 assists, sack; B.Berry 3 solos, 9 assists, TFL; Clark 5 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Courtney 8 solos, 6 assists, TFL, fumble recovery; Fletcher solo, assist, caused fumble; Greeman 2 solos, 4 assists, caused fumble; Gray 2 solos, 3 assists, interception, caused fumble; Kirk solo; McConnell 2 solos, 2 assists; Nix 2 assists; Pluskota 5 solos, 4 assists, TFL, sack; Thornton 3 solos, 6 assists; Urbanowski 2 solos, assist; Werne 2 solos, 2 assists, 2 sacks, fumble recovery, blocked kick.

Records: Crittenden 6-2, Union 3-4.

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Rockets remain 9th in Class A

Bluegrasspreps.com High School Football Rankings for the Week of October 14:

Notice that 3 teams Crittenden has faced this year are in the Top 10 in Class 4A.

Rockets remain No. 10 in the Associated Press Class A Poll. Louisville Holy Cross is 8th.

Class 1A
1. Beechwood at 2A Covington Holy Cross
2. Raceland vs. Paintsville
3. Lexington Christian at 3A #3 Breathitt County
4. Hazard at 5A #5 Johnson Central
5. Bellevue at 2A Lloyd Memorial
6. Frankfort vs. 3A Western Hills
7. Louisville Holy Cross -- OPEN
8. Fairview vs. 2A Bath County
9. Crittenden County vs. 3A Union County
10. Williamsburg vs. Harlan

Class 2A
1. Fort Campbell -- OPEN
2. Newport Catholic at 6A Conner
3. Corbin at 5A North Laurel
4. Green County at Christian Academy-Louisville
5. Danville vs. 3A Russellville
6. Owensboro Catholic vs. 4A Warren East
7. Prestonsburg vs. 1A Pikeville
8. Middlesboro at 3A #8 Harlan County
9. DeSales vs. 5A Waggener
10. Monroe County at Glasgow

Class 3A
1. Belfry vs. Pike County Central
2. Central vs. 5A Jeffersontown
3. Breathitt County vs. 1A #3 Lexington Christian
4. Mason County vs. 4A Bourbon County
5. Russell at 6A Simon Kenton
6. Sheldon Clark at 4A #2 Bell County
7. Estill County -- OPEN
8. Harlan County vs. 2A #8 Middlesboro
9. North Oldham vs. 1A Trimble County
10. Elizabethtown at 4A LaRue County

Class 4A
1. Boyle County vs. 5A Mercer County
2. Bell County vs. 3A #6 Sheldon Clark
3. Lexington Catholic at 5A #1 Highlands
4. North Bullitt vs. 6A Bullitt Central
5. Allen County-Scottsville vs. 3A Paducah Tilghman
6. Franklin-Simpson vs 3A Muhlenberg South
7. Western vs. 6A Southern
8. Calloway County vs. 1A Mayfield
9. Lone Oak at 2A Reidland
10. Hopkins County Central vs. 5A Ohio County

Class 5A
1. Highlands vs. 4A #3 Lexington Catholic
2. John Hardin -- OPEN
3. Bowling Green -- OPEN
4. Owensboro vs. 6A Meade County
5. Johnson Central vs. 1A #4 Hazard
6. Christian County vs. 2A Trigg County
7. Doss vs. 4A Fairdale
8. Bryan Station at 6A Henry Clay
9. Hopkinsville -- OPEN
10. Ashland at 4A Greenup County

Class 6A
1. Saint Xavier -- OPEN
2. Trinity vs. Pleasure Ridge Park
3. Manual at #5 Ballard
4. Boone County vs. 5A Dixie Heights
5. Ballard vs. #3 Manual
6. Scott County vs. Tates Creek
7. Madison Central vs. Paul Dunbar
8. Male vs. Butler
9. Daviess County vs. Marshall County
10. Lafayette -- OPEN

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Robertson on WPSD ballot

Crittenden's Rodney Robertson is on the ballot for WPSD-TV's player of the week.

Click here to vote.

This picture of Robertson was taken by local photographer Reese Baker. To view or purchases this or other community photos, click here to go directly to reesebaker.com.

Rockets capture First District title

MARION, KY. - Defense won another championship.

The Rockets stifled Ballard Memorial's running game and held its passing attack in check at critical points en route to a 41-19 victory which sewed up first place in the Class A First District.

It was a sweet victory for the Rockets - their first league title since joining the far western Kentucky district with Ballard, Mayfield, Fulton City and Fulton County.

"This was a big one," coach Al Starnes said after the game. "This gives us home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs."

While the Rocket offense got stellar performances by running back Rodney Robertson and quarterback J.D. Gray, it was the defense that kept Ballard on its heels. Robertson back in the lineup after breaking his hand in the second game of the season, rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Gray scored twice running the ball and finished with 121 yards on the ground. He threw for 85, including one touchdown to senior Dustin McConnell, who had a season-high four catches for 48 yards.

Crittenden's defensive front smashed the Bombers, holding them to just 15 yards rushing. On 14 of Ballard's 25 running plays, Crittenden caught the Bombers in the backfield or stopped them right at the line of scrimmage.

Although Ballard's sophomore quarterback threw for 233 yards, much of that came late in the game with Crittenden back up playing a prevent defense. Ballard scored twice late in the fourth period to make the score more respectable. Crittenden led 34-7 early in the fourth period.

Gray and Aaron Berry picked up a couple of Ballard fumbles. The Rockets scored behind Berry's recovery late in the third period. The Rockets got into the end zone on its first two possessions of the game for a 15-0 lead, but went flat in front of a large homecoming crowd.

Ballard grabbed some momentum late in the first half after scoring on an 83-yard drive, but Crittenden came back in the third period and posted three quick touchdowns before the Bombers answered the bell. The Rockets scored on four of their second-half possessions.

Although Crittenden, 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the district, has one more league game against Fulton County, the Rockets have mathematically captured the championship. Fulton County is winless in the district and Crittenden goes to Hickman to play the Pilots on Oct. 24, its next to last game.

Ballard Memorial, 2-5 overall and 2-2 in the district, is much improved this season and came into the game with hopes of getting a share of the district crown and avoiding a road trip in the first round of the playoffs. None of that worked out for the Bombers. Two Ballard starters were out of the game, one for breaking team rules and the other was involved in a minor vehicle accident earlier in the week.

Ballard finishes third in the district behind second-place Mayfield.

Pictured above is lineman Aaron Berry (53) tackling Ballard's Taylor Edging for a loss.

Click here for homecoming court photos

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Ballard Memorial    0    7    0    12

Crittenden County  15   0   12    14

SCORING PLAYS
CC-Rodney Robertson 19 run (Dustin McConnell pass from J.D. Gray) 8:51, 1st
CC-Gray 25 run (J.R. Adams kick) 6:11, 1st
BM-Taylor Edging 1 run (Steven Mix kick) 1:38, 2nd
CC-Gray 1 run (kick blocked) 6:44, 3rd
CC-Robertson 21 run (kick failed) 4:31, 3rd
CC-McConnell 9 pass from Gray (Adams kick) 10:26, 4th
BM-Steven Pullen 58 pass from Alex Mallory (pass failed) 4:24, 4th
CC-Robertson 1 run (Adams kick) 1:11, 4th
BM-Pullen 25 pass from Mallory (pass failed) :03, 4th

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 16, Ballard 8
Penalties: Crittenden 4-40, Ballard 7-45
Rushing: Crittenden 47-297, Ballard 25-15
Passing: Crittenden 7-11-0, 85 yds., Ballard 12-20-0, 233 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 382, Ballard 248
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 1-1, Ballard 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Robertson 25-164, Gray 17-121, Brian Berry 4-15, Gaige Courtney 1-4, Joey Pluskota 1-(-7). Ballard: Will Mallory 8-10, Alex Mallor 11-4, Edging 6-0, Pullen 1-1.
Passing
Crittenden: Gray 7-11-0, 85 yds. Ballard: A.Mallory 12-20-0, 233 yds.
Receiving
Crittenden: McConnell 4-48, B.Berry 2-43, Tanner Nix 1-(-6). Ballard: Pullen 7-159, Chris Jones 2-30, Edging 1-7, Josh Bourff 1-8, Gregg Gordon 1-16.

Defense

A.Berry 5 solos, 3 assists, sack, 2 TFL, caused fumble, fumble recovery; B.Berry 3 solos, 6 assists, fumble recovery; Clark 4 solos, 4 assists, sack, TFL; Copeland solo; Courtney 6 solos, 6 assists, sack, TFL, caused fumble; Cudnik solo, 3 assists; Fletcher assist; Freeman solo, 6 assists, fumble recovery; Gray solo, assist; Henandez solo, assist; Kirk assist; Lee 2 solos, TFL; Nix solo; Pluskota 2 solos, assist; Thornton 4 solos, 3 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Urbanowski solo, assist; Wallace 3 assists; Werne 3 solos, 3 assists; Willis assist.
Records: Crittenden 5-2 (3-0), Ballard 2-5 (2-2).

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Convenient Car Care Friday Kickoff Show

Friday Kickoff Show with coach Al Starnes

and Rocket players Dylan Clark and Aaron Berry

Sponsored by Convenient Car Care, Rommell Ellington Jr, owner

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Convenient Car Care Special Kickoff Show

This is a special edition of the Rocket Kickoff Show

with guests Joey Fosko of the Paducah Sun and

Ballard Memorial head coach Chris Cooper.

This podcast is sponsored by Rommell Ellington Jr.

at Convenient Car Care in Marion, Ky.

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Convenient Car Care Rocket Report

Tuesday's Rocket Report is sponsored by

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Rockets 9th in BluegrassPreps

Bluegrasspreps.com Kentucky High School Football Rankings for October 7

Class 1A
1. Beechwood vs. 2A #3 Prestonsburg (10/11)
2. Raceland vs. Paris
3. Lexington Christian vs. Nicholas County
4. Hazard -- OPEN
5. Bellevue vs. Dayton
6. Frankfort at Trimble County
7. Louisville Holy Cross at Bethlehem
8. Fairview -- OPEN
9. Crittenden County vs. Ballard Memorial
10. Campbellsville at Williamsburg

Class 2A
1. Fort Campbell at Hancock County
2. Newport Catholic at Newport
3. Prestonsburg at 1A #1 Beechwood (10/11)
4. Corbin at #8 Middlesboro
5. Green County at Metcalfe County
6. Danville at Bardstown
7. Owensboro Catholic vs. Todd County Central
8. Middlesboro vs. #4 Corbin
9. Monroe County -- OPEN
10. DeSales at Christian Academy of Louisville

Class 3A
1. Belfry vs. Magoffin County
2. Central vs. Shawnee
3. Breathitt County at Fleming County
4. Mason County -- OPEN
5. Russell at Lewis County
6. Sheldon Clark at Pike Central
7. Estill County at 1A Phelps
8. Harlan County at Powell County
9. North Oldham at Spencer County
10. Elizabethtown vs. Moore

Class 4A
1. Boyle County at West Jessamine
2. Bell County vs. Madison Southern
3. Lexington Catholic at East Jessamine
4. North Bullitt at Bullitt East
5. Lone Oak vs. #10 Hopkins County Central
6. Calloway County - OPEN
7. Allen County-Scottsville at Logan County
8. Franklin-Simpson - OPEN
9. Western vs. Valley
10. Hopkins County Central at #5 Lone Oak

Class 5A
1. Highlands at Scott
2. John Hardin vs. Iroquois
3. Bowling Green at Grayson County 10/9
4. Owensboro - OPEN
5. Mercer County vs. Hopkinsville
6. Johnson Central - OPEN
7. Christian County at Evansville North, IN
8. Woodford County at Ashland Blazer 10/11
9. Doss at Waggener
10. Bryan Station at Montgomery County

Class 6A
1. Saint Xavier at Butler
2. Trinity vs. #6 Ballard
3. Madison Central at #7 Scott County
4. Manual vs. Pleasure Ridge Park
5. Boone County at Simon Kenton
6. Ballard at #2 Trinity
7. Scott County vs. #3 Madison Central
8. Daviess County at Apollo
9. Male vs. Southern
10. Lafayette at Tates Creek

Rockets crack AP Top 10

Associated Press Top 10 poll:
Class A
1. Beechwood
2. Raceland
3. Hazard
4. Frankfort
5. Bellevue
6. Lexington Christian
7. Williamsburg
8. Fairview
9. Holy Cross
10. Crittenden County

Crittenden has been No. 13 the last 3 weeks after starting the season at No. 11. This is their first time in the Top 10 this year.

First Region Class A Standings

FIRST DISTRICT CLASS A
Team            Overall / District

1. Crittenden 4-2 / 2-0
   
2. Mayfield 2-3 / 1-1
   
3. Ballard Memorial 2-4 / 2-1
   
4. Fulton City 2-3 / 1-2
   
5. Fulton County 1-4 / 0-2
   

SECOND DISTRICT CLASS A
Team       Overall / District

1. Holy Cross 4-2 / 2-0
   
2. Caverna 3-3 / 2-1
   
3. Bethlehem 1-4 / 1-1
   
4. KY Country Day 2-4 / 1-2
   
5. Beth Haven 1-5 / 0-2
   

Convenient Car Care Rocket Report

Monday's Rocket Report with head coach Al Starnes

and defensive coordinator Vince Clark

Sponsored by Rommell Ellington, Jr., at Convenient Car Care in Marion, Ky.

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Gray, Courtney on ballot

Vote for J.D. Gray and Gaige Courtney for WPSD-TV Player of the Week.
Click here to vote

Rockets complete mission

DIXON, Ky. - Mission accomplished.

Crittenden County's football team went to Webster County Friday night with one objective - to avoid a major letdown following its highly-celebrated victory the week before at Mayfield.

The Rockets completed their coach's commission, making easy work out of the Trojans 34-0.

The operation went as planned as Crittenden got ahead early and coasted through the second half while several of its regulars rested on the sideline late in the game. Their attention no doubt turned to the Class A First District race, which reaches an apex next week with a homecoming showdown against Ballard Memorial at Rocket Stadium.

A victory against Ballard would ensure the Rockets of first place in the league and a home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Webster County had no answer for Rocket quarterback J.D. Gray nor his offensive companion Gaige Courtney.

Gray scrambled out of the pocket for 113 yards, including a touchdown. Courtney, a senior tight end, caught four passes for 72 yards, including three touchdowns. Gray finished 8-for-14 through the air for 145 yards.

Tanner Nix rushed for the Rockets' final touchdown and emerging running back Brian Berry rushed for 74 and caught a 58-yard pass.

The Rocket defense recorded its first shutout of the season, forcing five turnovers and holding Webster to just 54 yards on the ground. Turnovers set up four of the Rockets' five touchdowns as Crittenden capitalized on good field position. Courtney and Nix each picked off a Trojan pass thrown by Jered Collins.

Webster, a non-district Class 3A opponent, had trouble getting anything going against the Rocket defense. The Trojans managed just one first down in the second half.

Crittenden is 2-0 in the district and 4-2 overall. Its only losses have been against Calloway County and Lone Oak, both ranked among the top Class 4A teams in the state.

The much improved Ballard Bombers will be looking to pull off the upset next week as they bring a 2-1 league record to Marion. The Bombers nearly upset Mayfield earlier this season, but lost in the fourth period. Homecoming festivities being at 7 p.m., with crowing on the queen prior to next week's game.

Pictures above is Brian Berry (3) gaining some tough yards in the second half.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crittenden County 7 14 13 0
Webster County 0 0 0 0

SCORING PLAYS
CC-J.D. Gray 40 run (J.R. Adams kick) :00, 1st
CC-Gaige Courtney 23 pass from Gray (Adams kick) 1:45, 2nd
CC-Courtney 9 pass from Gray (Adams kick) :58, 2nd
CC-Tanner Nix 1 run (Adams kick) 4:39, 3rd
CC-Courtney 20 pass from Gray (kick blocked) 3:01, 3rd

TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 10, Webster 6
Penalties: Crittenden 6-45, Webster 1-5
Rushing: Crittenden 37-228, Webster 36-54
Passing: Crittenden 8-14-0, 145 yds., Webster 7-16-2, 96 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 373, Webster 150
Fumbles/Lost: Crittenden 3-2, Webster 4-3

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Crittenden: Gray 10-113, Brian Berry 7-74, Dustin Hernandez 5-18, Tanner Nix 5-12, Courtney 2-6, Joey Pluskota 1-6, Andrew Freeman 6-1, Devin Wallace 1-(-2). Webster: Adam McClure 10-28, Steven Hargrove 15-21, Nick Hoover 4-9, Jamie Kennada 2-(-2), Trevor Warren 1-5, Jered Collins 2-(-10).
Passing
Crittenden: Gray 8-14-0, 145 yds. Webster: Collins 7-15-2, 96 yds., Landon Harding 0-1-0.
Receiving
Crittenden: Courtney 4-72, Pluskota 1-7, Nix 1-5, B.Berry 1-58, Robert Cudnik 1-3. Webster: Warren 5-83, Kennada 1-6, James Nance 1-7.

Defense

Atwell assist; A.Berry 5 solos, 2 assists; TFL; B.Berry 2 solos, 6 assists; Clark 2 solos, 4 assists, TFL, fumble recovery; Copeland 2 solos, 5 assists; Courtney 6 solos, 6 assists, interception, 2 TFL, fumble recovery; Cudnik 4 solos, 3 assists, 2 fumble recoveries; Fletcher assist; Freeman 5 solos, 2 ssists, TFL, fumble recovery; Gray 5 solos, 5 assists, caused fumble; Kirk solo, assist; Long 3 solos, 4 assists; McConnell 3 solos, 2 assists; Nix interception; Piper assist; Pluskota 2 solos, 4 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Thornton 6 solos, 2 assists; Urbanowski 2 solos, 3 assists; Werne 6 solos, 3 assists, TFL, sack; Willis 2 assists.

Records: Crittenden 4-2, Webster 2-3.

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Yarbrough Insurance Kickoff Show - Webster Game

Crittenden County Rockets Kickoff Show with

Coach Al Starnes and Rockets J.D. Gray and Brian Berry

Sponsored by Yarbrough Insurance Agency in Marion, Ky.

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Go figure...

Rockets beat Mayfield, but still trail Cardinals in Class A Poll.

Last week, Mayfield as 9th and Crittenden 13th. Go figure.

Kentucky Associated Press High School Football Poll.
Class 1A
Rank-School FPV Rcd TP Pvs
1. Beechwood (20) 5-0 227 1
2. Raceland (3) 4-0 204 3
3. Hazard - 4-1 163 4
4. Lex. Christian - 4-1 153 2
5. Lou. Holy Cross - 4-1 131 5
6. Frankfort - 4-1 94 6
T7. Bellevue - 4-1 77 7
T7. Williamsburg - 4-1 77 8
9. Paintsville - 4-1 45 10
10. Eminence - 5-0 39
11. Fairview 27. 

12. Mayfield 11. 

13. Crittenden Co. 10. 

14. Campbellsville 4. 

15. Pikeville 3.