Middletown, KY – Oldham County needed a win in the worst way; Eastern was determined to establish themselves as the primary threat to Trinity’s reign in the District. Oldham wanted to prove last year’s loss to the Eagles was a fluke; Eastern wanted to duplicate 2001, when Oldham upset Danville, only to be upset by the Eagles the following week.

Regardless, in typical Oldham-Eastern fashion, it was close.

For the third straight year, the Oldham-Eastern game was decided by less than a field goal. And for the third straight year, the defenses ruled, albeit with a little help from Mother Nature this year.

In fact, in the last three games, only five touchdowns have been scored TOTAL between the two teams, and the average margin of victory has been three points.

This year, the defenses settled in early on a sloppy field, but looking forward to what was expected to be clearing skies and dry weather. Neither team had threatened to score, when suddenly the second quarter was interrupted by a most "un-football"-like weather condition – a tornado warning. The field and stands were emptied for nearly an hour while the severe weather passed. In fact, a tornado was later confirmed to have touched down near the Springhurst area off Westport Road and Highway 22, about five miles to the north of the field.

When play was resumed, in a driving rain, both teams managed to maneuver for field goals. Kevin Reetz’ gave Eastern the lead at 3-0 with a 29 yard kick, but Oldham’s Nick Hoover matched it with a 29 yarder of his own to tie it at three as the half came to a close.

The field condition steadily worsened in the second half, and neither offense gathered much steam. In fact, the two teams combined for barely 250 yards in offense in 48 minutes of regulation play and two overtimes.

Oldham seemed to catch a break when they intercepted a Lee Morris pass at the Eagle 22 late in the game. But the Colonels failed to move the football, and in lieu of attempting about a 40 yard field on fourth down, the Oldham coaching staff went for the first down. The Colonels failed to convert, and the score remained tied at 3.

Eastern got the last hurrah of regulation. After getting the ball in short field position, just inside the Oldham half of the field, the Eagles got a long pass play inside the Oldham 15. But the Colonel defense held, forcing Reetz to attempt another 29 yard field goal that would have probably won the game. But the kick missed – by inches – and the two teams headed to overtime.

Oldham got the ball first at the Eastern ten yard line, and immediately went into reverse. By the time the Colonels lined up for a fourth-down field goal attempt, they were looking at about a 35 yard attempt. But the snap was poor, and Eastern took down Seth Berry, the holder, before he could even get off a pass attempt.

The Eagles then lined up for a 27 yard field goal attempt on first down from the ten. After Eastern took a time out, Oldham took three consecutive time outs to "ice" the kicker. The move appeared to work; Reetz hooked the ball badly to the left and the game went into its second overtime.

This time, the Eagles went first, and – although unable to score a touchdown, they got a field goal to go up, 6-3. Oldham needed a touchdown to win or a field goal to tie when they took over on the Eagle ten. On first down, Kevin Bramblett went off tackle for three yards – but he fumbled the ball to Eastern, and the game was over…

Oldham County falls to 3-4 on the season, 1-3 in the District. Eastern improves to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the District, tied with Trinity for first place.

Trinity 4-0 (clinched playoff berth)

Eastern 4-0 (clinched playoff berth)

Ballard 2-2

S. Oldham 2-2

Shelby Co. 2-2

Oldham Co. 1-3

Fern Creek 1-3

Jeffersontown 0-4

Both Oldham County and South Oldham are IDLE this week. The next Sports Zone broadcast will be on October 18, 2002. Note that broadcast will be on our FM station, 105.7.

If Oldham loses, their playoff hopes become slim, indeed. On the other hand, a win over Ballard would give the Colonels a great shot at the playoffs, with a game against winless (in District play) Jeffersontown the following week. Wins over both the Bruins and the Chargers would put the Colonels in command of their own fate against a tough South Oldham squad in the regular season finale.

South Oldham faces Jeffersontown on 10/18/02, a game the Dragons need to win, with season-ending games against Ballard and Oldham County. The Dragons need to beat J-Town and upset either Ballard or Oldham to gain a playoff berth.

Shelby County, though 2-2, is in a deceptively difficult position with games yet to play against Trinity and Eastern. Unless the Rockets can upset one of the District’s top two teams, Shelby will probably be on the sidelines when the playoffs start.

Fern Creek, at 1-3 in the District, is still mathematically alive. Unlike Oldham County, however, which has three winnable games left, the Tigers must still tangle with Trinity and Eastern in their final three games. Any loss eliminates Fern Creek from the playoffs.