article 3A Notebook - Done with the Appetizers, Lets Get to the Main Course

When you sit down at the restaurant for a meal and the waitress hands you the menu, you always look at the appetizers. Do I want cheese sticks? Should we get that Bloomin' Onion? How about the Pick Three trio? Everything looks pretty good, but you didn't come here for that. You came for the big steak or the ribs or the chicken. Well folks, last Friday night was the appetizers. But this week - this is what you came for.

Last week saw the top seeds win all but two games and the two teams that won on the road were favorites. This week's eight games feature each of the top 14 teams in Class 3A, along with two others that have been just on the outside of the Top 15 all season. We'll have two games pitting top 10 teams against each other. And we will also have what could be one of the two best games in the state of Kentucky. The steaks are here!

Region I

All four top seeds won comfortably to advance to the second round. The one game expected to be close ended up in a blowout as Adair County romped over Union County 62-23. The Indians (10-1) will travel to #5 Caldwell County (9-2), who was victorious over Hart County by a score of 50-15. The second semifinal will feature #7 Paducah Tilghman at #6 Elizabethtown. Tilghman (8-3), who beat Edmonson County 42-3, has been much better defensively the second half of the season, allowing only 6.2 points per game since losing to Caldwell County on September 25. Elizabethtown, however, will be the biggest challenge the Blue Tornado have faced in that time. The Panthers, undefeated at 11-0 after knocking off Fort Campbell 53-14, have continued to pile up yards on the ground and through the air.

Predictions

-Caldwell County 38, Adair County 28

-Elizabethtown 31, Paducah Tilghman 27

Region II

No real disappointments from what has been the strongest 3A region all season, although two games were very close and another was methodical more than a blowout. The biggest surprise was #1 Central (9-2) struggling with Western Hills. The Yellowjackets had only 197 yards of total offense, while allowing 189. Central did force two turnovers which helped seal the victory. Could the Jackets have been looking ahead to Boyle County? Boyle played close with resurgent Waggener for three quarters before putting it away in the fourth, winning 42-14. The #4 Rebels (10-1) now travel to Central for what could be the best game in Kentucky.

On the other side of the bracket, #3 Lexington Catholic had its way with Bardstown, winning 55-13. Now Catholic (8-3) will host Garrard County for the second time this season. In the regular season matchup, Catholic rushed out to a 21-0 lead before holding on to win 28-16 after forcing a late turnover. Garrard County (7-4) won a tight contest at Henry County on Friday night, scoring late in the fourth to win 12-6.

Predictions

-Central 24, Boyle County 21

-Lexington Catholic 28, Garrard County 18

Region III

Defending champion and second-ranked Belfry (10-1) had little trouble dispatching Bath County 62-0. Coach Phillip Haywood will look to pick up his 400th career victory this Friday at home against Russell. Russell and Belfry have played six times in the postseason since 2004, with the Pirates holding a 4-2 edge over the Red Devils. Russell (8-3) was convincing in beating Pike County Central 43-13, but will need a strong effort to win at Belfry this Friday.

West Carter picked up their first playoff win in school history after their first seven tries proved unsuccessful. The Comets (9-2) dismantled Sheldon Clark 40-3 and will get a second straight home game, this time against #8 Lawrence County. Lawrence County (8-3) defeated Fleming County 49-30, but that score was probably closer than most expected. Lawrence played Belfry closer than anyone else in Kentucky this season and could provide a scare in the regional final, but the Bulldogs will first have to take care of business in Olive Hill, something that is proving to be no easy task.

Predictions

-Lawrence County 31, West Carter 28

-Belfry 40, Russell 12

Region IV

Finally, in what could be called the forgotten region of Class 3A, two powers won, one team won on the road, and a fourth team won their first ever home playoff game. As expected, #9 Corbin and #10 Bell County had little trouble, with the Redhounds beating Knott County Central 42-21 and the Bobcats winning over Estill County 41-8. Corbin (7-4) will have a second home game in as many weeks, hosting Casey County (5-6). Casey romped at Breathitt County 42-14 but will be a major underdog this week attempting to close a 40-point deficit at the hands of Corbin three weeks ago. Bell (9-2) will venture to Powell County to face the district champion Pirates who ran over Jackson County 41-6. Powell (8-3) has won eight consecutive games.

Predictions

-Bell County 38, Powell County 14

-Corbin 35, Casey County 7

Great article! I feel your predictions are pretty much spot on, scores and all.

Etown won't be able to handle the speed of Tilghman. I think it's close by Etown comes up short

I agree. PT wins this game by at least a touchdown.

A good job as always! I know it's been said many times but Region II is so stacked it's unreal. Look forward to Friday and I really wish I could catch the Boyle/Central game. However, I'll be working the Mercer/Knox Central game.