PREP FOOTBALL: Holy Cross has Panthers' attention (09/10)

By NATHANIEL BRYAN nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com ELIZABETHTOWN — The Elizabethtown Panthers are coming off cloud nine, although they’d like to celebrate last week’s thrilling 29-28 home win over crosstown rival Central Hardin a little longer. But there’s no time to celebrate with a tough game looming at 7:30 Friday night against homestanding Louisville Holy Cross (1-1). Like Elizabethtown, the Class 1-A Cougars are coming off a big win last week, beating the 5-A South Oldham Dragons on the road, 35-21. “We have to let it go,” said Elizabethtown senior wide receiver and defensive back Chris Gohman, who had 10 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown against Central Hardin. “It was a really big win for us, but we have to move on and look forward to Holy Cross, because they can beat us if we’re not focused.” Holy Cross, ranked eighth in its class in this week’s Associated Press poll, piled up 311 yards (169 rushing, 142 passing) against the Dragons. But those numbers are a bit deceiving as running back Jimmy Nauert and quarterback Devin Brown combined for 153 yards and four touchdowns on 30 rushing attempts. Although the Panthers, who are ranked fifth in 3-A, aren’t pleased with allowing Central Hardin junior fullback Jeremy Barr to run for 76 yards and three touchdowns and catch five passes for 140 yards and another score, playing Barr served as a good learning tool. “We think we can stop the run. We stopped Central Hardin … kind of,” said Elizabethtown junior linebacker Titus Sublett. “Barr’s a pretty good running back and he’s one of the best juniors I’ve seen and I don’t think they (Holy Cross) have anyone quite like him.” The Panthers’ defensive line views Friday as a big proving game. And they have a big force to go through in Wes Strange, the Cougars’ 6-foot-1, 325-pound junior right offensive guard. “This is a big week for us. Our DTs (defensive tackles) have to step up,” said Elizabethtown senior lineman Justin Butler. “We have to be able to contain him (Strange) and not allow him to push our ‘D’ tackles off the line.” “We have to get our leverage and stay low. We have to keep our heads on a swivel and make tackles,” added Elizabethtown senior lineman/linebacker Josh Perkins. “If we can’t make the tackles, we have to at least make holes that our LBs (linebackers) can fill.” While the Central Hardin game could prove useful when playing Holy Cross, Gohman said the Holy Cross game could prove useful when preparing for their Class 3-A, District 4 opener in two weeks at defending district and state champion Louisville Central. “Louisville Central can run and pass, so seeing a different offense will help us prepare for them,” he said. “Because in the playoffs, you have to be prepared for any type of offense.” Like Gohman, Butler admitted the Panthers have to get over the Central Hardin game. Butler said they’re not quite there yet, but hope to be as the week wears on. “Last week was amazing and I think we’re still kind of tense from it,” Butler said. “But we have to keep our focus on Holy Cross. We definitely can’t take them lightly.” Nathaniel Bryan can be reached

at 505-1758