article 1A Notebook 10/25 - Big Tuneups

Last Week

District play has wrapped up and week 11 is here. The final week of district play was a little anti-climatic as most district champions were already decided. However, we did have two big games with district titles at stake and both were instant classics.

First we will discuss Nicholas County at Bracken County. Nicolas County traveled to the Polar Bears den undefeated and full of confidence. And why not? The Bluejackets had handled district challenger Bishop Brossart, a team that defeated Bracken County by 3 touchdowns. Nicholas County had that top seed, district title and undefeated season in clear view. But Bracken County came to battle with just as much confidence. This was a close game throughout, 7-6 at halftime and tied at 14 entering the fourth quarter. Nicholas County took a 21-14 lead but Bracken County responded with a TD and 2 point conversion with 5 minutes to go. They then shut down Nicholas County and ran out the clock for the win. That victory threw the district into a 3 way tie between these two and Brossart. Now we have to wait and see who wins this Friday and muddle our way through the complicated tie breaker system to figure out who wins this district.

The other top game was the much awaited battle between Paintsville and Raceland. These two teams are at the top of the class. Both teams were undefeated at kickoff and had played challenging schedules. Raceland had the home field advantage and that was an edge they hoped would help them get the win. Raceland took a 7-0 lead with a first quarter TD but Paintsville charged back with 2 scores in the second quarter to head to the locker room at halftime up by 7. Raceland came out in the second half and put up two straight touchdowns of their own to take a 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter. Paintsville responded again to tie the game at 21 and this game headed to overtime. Paintsville took the ball first and scored but missed the extra point. The opportunity was there for the Rams but Paintsville’s defense rose to the challenge and kept Raceland out of the end zone to earn the victory. What a game!

This Week

It is interesting to see how teams set their schedules for this last week of the season. Some teams use this game to challenge themselves against an opponent that will take their very best effort to beat and see if they are ready for the tough postseason matchups that are sure to come. Other teams schedule less challenging opponents who should be only a slight threat and ease their way into the post season. This week three of the top four are putting themselves to the test against ranked larger class opponents.

Russellville vs. 4A #2 Franklin-Simpson – This year’s schedule has turned into one of extremes for Russellville. Some opponents expected to be tough games had bad years weakening the Russellville schedule. On the other hand, Franklin-Simpson is having one of the best seasons in the program’s history. This game will be versus an opponent who is arguably better than anyone Russellville will face in the 1A playoffs. Russellville needs this game to be pushed to finding out weaknesses and strengths. Even if Russellville doesn’t get the win, this game will be good preparation for those games deep in the playoffs.

Raceland vs. 3A #7 Russell – Not time to feel sorry for yourself for the Rams. This week’s opponent is right there with the best the Rams have faced. Raceland has played one of the most difficult schedules in 1A and there is no let up here. From Russell’s side, Raceland is the best team they have faced. Raceland is the slight favorite in this game and they could use a win to gain their confidence and feel good back following last week’s deflating loss.

Beechwood at 2A #5 Newport Catholic – This is one of the best rivalries in the state. Both programs are among the leaders in state championships and both are having very good seasons. Newport Catholic is well prepared for this game after playing a schedule that includes 3 of the top 20 teams in the entire state. Beechwood will be facing their second most difficult opponent. If you look at common opponents, Newport Catholic looks to have the edge and would be a one touchdown favorite against the Tigers. But this game is one of those rivalry games that you have to throw how it looks on paper out the window. It will take Beechwood’s best game of the year to win this one.

Next Week

Next week will be the post season preview. The three games above are going to be important in telling us which teams are most capable of taking home that championship trophy.

^^"Now we have to wait and see who wins this Friday and muddle our way through the complicated tie breaker system to figure out who wins this district."

We will have to wait and see who wins this Friday and muddle our way through who gets the 1, 2, and 3 seeds, however, the district champion is determined by record and not tie-breaker, creating a three-way tie for District Champion - Nicholas County, Bracken County and Brossart.

I did not know that Mustang. What happens if it is a two way tie and one team beat the other? Is that still co-winners of the district?

Three co winners of district just waiting to see how seeding will be after Friday.

The way I see it with everything that has to happen for Bracken to get the one seed seems highly unlikely the seeding should go as follows

1. Nicholas

2. Bracken

3. Brossart

4. Paris

Nicholas gets the bye unless Berea wants to be the fourh seed in the 3 team district and would play Nicholas first week of playoffs.

Bracken would host Faiview week one of the playoffs. Brossart would travel to Raceland and Paris will go to Paintsville.

Like I said earlier a lot of games to be played but there are several things that have to happen for anything different that what I posted to happen. Bath would have to beat Nicholas first and foremost. Then even at that some teams would have to win games that are unlikely for them to win.

It's my firm belief that the teams are preparing for the situation above to play out this way.

I did not know that Mustang. What happens if it is a two way tie and one team beat the other? Is that still co-winners of the district?

To the best of my knowledge your record within the district determines placing with head on competition not entering into it.

The point system also determines the district Championship there isn't any Co-Champions. Threw the grapevine I hear Bracken Co. Is having district Championship shirts made, may want to wait until all games are played.

The point system only determines seeding for playoffs, Bracken earned a share of district title with their win last Friday. Nicholas had a chance to be outright champion...

Not so fast my friends...I believe there has to be a District Champion, per KHSAAA Competition Rules. Section C, on Page 2, clarifies that a District will declare a "champion" using the tie breaker provisions listed. If all provisions are exhausted, then the Commissioner declares a champion.

Points system clarifies the Champion which in turn also clarifies the seeding for playoffs, based on the bracket setup.

https://khsaa.org/handbook/competitionrules/fbcompetitionrules.pdf

Not so fast my friends...I believe there has to be a District Champion, per KHSAAA Competition Rules. Section C, on Page 2, clarifies that a District will declare a "champion" using the tie breaker provisions listed. If all provisions are exhausted, then the Commissioner declares a champion.

 

Points system clarifies the Champion which in turn also clarifies the seeding for playoffs, based on the bracket setup.

 

https://khsaa.org/handbook/competitionrules/fbcompetitionrules.pdf

Hummmmm!!!

Sounds like useless shirts to be burned...