Class 4A Playoff Preview

Region 1

Allen County-Scottsville flew under the radar of a lot of football fans for a few weeks, in part because the Patriots' early non-district schedule wasn't very challenging.

Now everybody seems to know about the Patriots, one of only three undefeated teams left in Class 4A.

The Patriots run behind a big, bruising offensive line led by
290-pound tackle Cy Williams and do it very well, with three running backs — Brandon Boards, Hunter York and Jacob Costello — combining for 3,100 yards and 51 touchdowns in 10 games.

All three have been experienced hands in ACS' three-year run that saw the Patriots advance to the regional finals in both 2008 and 2009. This year, they have designs on going farther, and have the luxury of playing host in each of the first three rounds.

Who is likely to travel to Scottsville in the third round? Most
likely, it's Lone Oak — state runners-up in 2007 and 2009 — or a Franklin-Simpson club that fell ACS 49-28 during the regular season.

Franklin-Simpson has had defensive issues for much of the season, especially after a midseason meltdown that led to some dismissals from the team. But the Wildcats can put points on the board, with brothers Darius and Jerrell Wickware combining for more than 2,000 yards in offense and 22 touchdowns.

The Wildcats have also played a tough schedule — all three of their losses have come against highly-ranked teams, including Bowling Green and ACS and a 7-6 loss to Warren Central in which a potential game-winning field goal was blocked in the final seconds.

Lone Oak has had some injury issues, particularly on a defensive front that has been the team's biggest strength.

One end, Nathan Sikes, is only now back in action after tearing an ACL, and tackle Jay Cain has been hobbled for over a month.

A trio of talented receivers — Jared Hill and brothers Joe'Ontre and Joe'Shawn Starks — has eased the transition for freshman quarterback Cole Ousley.

Lone Oak is a regional contender, but will have to win on the road to get back to the final four and perhaps return to Bowling Green — as much as the Purple Flash has accomplished in the last four years, it has yet to win a playoff game on the road in that time.

Projected regional final — Allen County-Scottsville 21, Lone Oak 16

Region 2

Created by a split of Shelby County, the first year of existence for Collins is off to a rousing start — the Titans went 9-1 in the regular season, losing only to district rival Marion County, a final four team a year ago, but going on to win the district title.

Collins relies heavily on quarterback Branden Cresap, who has thrown for 5,000 yards the last two seasons with 65 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions.

Receivers Tavis Elzy and Ben Axline have been his
primary targets, catching 102 passes for 1,768 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The Titans could get a second-round rematch with Marion County, but the Knights will have trouble getting by a talented Fairdale club.

Western won the District 3 title without too much difficulty, but played its best and most notable football against a couple of 6A heavyweights across town — the Warriors lost to Male in overtime and fell 25-23 to Ballard in the last game of the regular season.

Jacorey Ritchey has gained over 1,100 yards this season and Leon Melvin is considered one of the state's top defensive backs. Western has the speed and athleticism to challenge anyone in 4A, but if the pairings go according to form, it would have to win at Collins to reach the state semifinals.

North Bullitt, led by running back and defensive back Zack Reynolds, has won four straight in impressive fashion since losing to Collins and could give Western a tough second-round test.

Projected regional final — Collins 34, Western 28

Region 3

Boyle County, which returns star linebacker Lamar Dawson among 10 starters from last year's state championship team, is the clear favorite here, but Holmes could pose an interesting challenge.

The Rebels closed out the regular season impressive fashion,
improving to 10-0 with a 49-33 win over a talented Christian County club that is a top-five team in Class 5A.

The combination of Devin Cox and Chris Cook has performed well as the replacements for 3,500-yard rusher Rees McShara, combining for 2,159 yards and 25 touchdowns during
the regular season.

Dawson and defensive end Paul Megilligan have been standouts for the Rebels, who held solid clubs like Danville, Lafayette, Lexington Catholic and West Jessamine to a combined 23 points in a four-game stretch at midseason.

East Jessamine played Boyle tougher than any of the other district foes and could get another shot at the Rebels in the second round.

Holmes could face a tough road, opening with a West Jessamine squad that beat Tates Creek earlier this season and a potential second-round date with battle-tested Lexington Catholic.

Holmes features quarterback Jesse Jensen, who has accounted for more than 1,800 yards (passing and rushing), has run for 11 scores and has a 13-1 touchdown-interception ratio.

Receiver DeSean Peterson is a big-play threat.

However, the Bulldogs haven't fared well against the tougher
competition on its schedule. Dixie Heights, a ranked 5A squad, whipped Holmes 47-20 and the Bulldogs were beaten soundly by Cincinnati Withrow.

If they get by West Jessamine, they will probably take on a Lexington Catholic program that handed Holmes walking papers last season.

Lexington Catholic (5-5) has taken its lumps against its always-strong schedule, with sophomore quarterback Kyle Bolin faring well when the offensive line has managed to give him time to throw.

Projected regional final — Boyle County 37, Holmes 14

Region 4

Bell County's stingy defense is just one several indications that the Bobcats could force a "Killer Bs" semiifnal with Boyle County for the third consecutive year.

The only team on the schedule that's really pushed Bell is District 8 runner-up Knox Central, and even Knox Central only managed to score once on the Bobcats, who continue to get standout work from linebackers John Dudley Hilton and Josh Brown.

Tailback Cory Davenport has rushed for 1,311 yards and 23 touchdowns for Bell County, which would have the advantage of hosting in the semifinals. In the previous two meetings between Bell County and Boyle County, the home team won close decisions to advance to the state championship game.

Knox Central actually has a good chance at advancing to the regional finals, but will have to win at a Rowan County club that is 9-1 and has averaged 47 points in the five games since losing Mason County, a top-five team in Class 3A.

Rowan County's offense revolves around speedy back Darrell Cross, who ran for 1,426 yards and 19 touchdowns and also leads the team in receptions.

Knox Central returns 19 starters from a team that lost to Lawrence County in the second round of the playoffs a year ago.

Lawrence County, by virtue of its runner-up finish in District 7, will face a second-round trip to Bell County.

Projected regional final — Bell County 20, Knox Central 7

Projected semifinals — Collins 28, Allen County-Scottsville 27;
Bell County 14, Boyle County 13

Projected championship — Bell County 16, Collins 14