MIKE MARSEE

Contributing writer

The Danville Admirals are ready to move on.

Following a loss to Boyle County in one of the most-anticipated games of the season, it was full speed ahead for the Admirals early this week as they began working toward their next game Friday at Mercer County.

“We’re just moving right on to Mercer County,” Danville Coach Mark Peach said. “We’re just going to hit the field running.”

Danville (2-1) will run headlong into another challenge Friday in Harrodsburg. Mercer (1-2) is coming off its first win under first-year coach Craig Yeast, a 49-17 drubbing of Anderson County that followed losses to Tates Creek and Lexington Christian.

“I think they’re very good,” Peach said.

Peach is particularly impressed with dual-threat quarterback Thaddeus Mays, who has thrown for 424 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 359 yards and five TDs.

“He throws it well, he scrambles well, he runs well. He’s as good a quarterback as we’ll see all year,” Peach said. “I’ve really been impressed with his decision-making, his improvisations, how he’s able to extend plays.”

Running back Denim Griffieth has 228 rushing yards, and six different receivers each have at least three catches.

Peach said Mercer is running the spread offense well and making good use of run-pass options in its first season under Yeast, a Harrodsburg native.

“We’ll have to have a good week of preparation. Everybody’s got to buy into their role and know what their assignments are,” he said.

This is another opportunity for Danville, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by Bluegrasspreps.com, to earn valuable RPI points by beating a team from a higher class. The Admirals got two wins against teams from higher classes before their 41-7 loss to Boyle, and all seven of their non-district games are against teams above their class.

“We’ve got two wins over teams from higher classes. That helps your RPI … and this is the next opportunity for us,” Peach said.

This is the first meeting between Danville and Mercer since 2013, when the Titans beat the Admirals 28-20 in Danville’s bowl. It is Mercer’s only win in 14 games between the teams.