article 1A Game of the Week: 1A #2 Kentucky Country Day vs. Lexington Christian

What is a champion? Most of us know that to be a champion you have to win something. To win something, an individual or a team will set forth a goal and try everything in their power to accomplish it. The 1A Game of the Week presents us with two teams who are looking to be champions in Kentucky Country Day and Lexington Christian.

Kentucky Country Day is making their second appearance in the 1A Game of week. Lexington Christian made an appearance last week in the 2A Game of the Week. This game will make the 5th meeting between the two. Lexington Christian holds the series lead 3-1. These teams played in 2003, 2004, 2015, and 2016. The first two games were close and the last two were blowouts in Lexington Christian's favor. Kentucky Country Day's only win came in 2004 and they are sure hoping to add another one in this match up.

The 2017 Kentucky Country Day team is an impressive 5-0. Quarterback Jackson Diaz has thrown for over 700 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jackson's two favorite targets are Air Force commit Josh Lifson and Gianni Minor. These two have accounted for over 500 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns. Kentucky Country Day also hasn't been too shabby in the running game as well. Ashton Robinson and Blake Caldwell are anchoring the rushing attack, accounting for over 500 yards and 6 touchdowns. These numbers are also just through four games as the new stats haven't been posted yet. The defense is also putting up impressive numbers as well. Chris Scott and Jordan West are the leaders on this very stingy defense. As a team, they have a total of 6 interceptions and one of those was taken back for a touchdown. Additionally, they've also recorded 8 fumble recoveries. So, in my opinion, don't put the ball on the ground or try to force a pass or it's going to result in a turnover.

Lexington Christian is also 5-0. They are using a balanced offensive attack so far this season and not just riding the big running back, Dillon Wheatley. The rushing attack with just Wheatley and Logan Nieves have put up over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns this season alone, not counting the other kids who have contributed. Logan Nieves has passed for over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns. Nieves seems to have more than one favorite target as he is spreading the ball around fairly well. Three receivers have accounted for almost all of Logan Nieves' passing yards... Drayden Burton, Wade Drake, and Caelan Lebryk. These three have accounted for over 600 yards and 5 of the 7 touchdowns. I'll tell you what's really scary about these numbers... they're just through four games! I believe LCA has even more weapons who aren't healthy yet. Just wait until the Eagles get all of their playmakers on the field.

These teams seem to be a mirror image of one another. Kentucky Country Day will hope to slow down the fast paced offense of Lexington Christian. Lexington Christian will hope to do the same to Kentucky Country Day's balanced offense and try to keep their big tight-end in check. Who wins this heavy weight battle in the Class 1A Game of the Week?

Have watched the tape on LCA and peeked in numerous times on the live Prepspin broadcasts that have featured the Eagles. They look VERY imposing...as Bac2369 has described, very well balanced, deep for a 2A team, athletic, playing mistake free football. They are very well coached, they know who they are and play hard on both sides of the ball. If you want to beat them, you have to be talented, make no errors and outscore them...because I don't believe you can hold them back offensively.

KCD is talented, but last night's game was not a good springboard to a top notch effort against a juggernaut. Sure, the Bearcats took care of business, rolling over an overmatched Bethlehem squad, resting starters for a big portion of the second half. But the offense was sluggish early-- penalty prone, missed assignments dominated the first quarter.

On defense, Bethlehem moved the chains far too often. Yes, it was shutout, but KCDs talent overwhelmed the Eagles, and the team from Bardstown made some critical mistakes in the red zone.

What's troubling is that the effort last night, just wasn't there. The Bearcats phoned this one in. Equally troubling--KCD is still trying to figure out who it is offensively... the balance just wasn't there against Bethlehem. The running game set a new school record, but not in a crisp, polished kind of way. Instead, big plays ruled the run game, with blocking that was good enough to spring the backs against the Eagles, but won't be nearly good enough against a really good squad like LCA.

So now the challenge is to fix a number of weaknesses in a very short time. KCD can probably beat many 1A teams in the state on talent, but that's fools gold when lining up against the best squads. Play like they did at Bethlehem and the game of the week won't be close at all.

49 LCA

13 KCD

This will be a tough one for KCD. LCA looks like a complete team offensively. They can consistently move the chains behind Wheatley's power running and the short passing game or they can go quick strike to Burton over the top. Their balance and playmakers just put so much pressure on a defense.

I kind of wish PrepSpin would stream this game. I'd like to see a KCD game this year.

This will be a tough one for KCD. LCA looks like a complete team offensively. They can consistently move the chains behind Wheatley's power running and the short passing game or they can go quick strike to Burton over the top. Their balance and playmakers just put so much pressure on a defense.

 

I kind of wish PrepSpin would stream this game. I'd like to see a KCD game this year.

The PrepSpin game to hope for is KCD v Waggener at the end of the year...D1 kids Jarius Brents, Tahj Rice and Manny Harper for the Wildcats and Josh Lifson for KCD reason enough...but I'd expect it to be a closer game with the final outcome in doubt.

The LCA game figures to be maybe a 3 TD spread or more. Calpreps projects LCA 42 KCD 21.

I don't expect this one to be all that close. Too much talent, depth and offensive playmakers for LCA. On the flipside, kudos to KCD for scheduling this type team to help prepare them for the latter playoff rounds. LCA 42 KCD 14

This could be a good game if KCD is on with the pass and run. Your going to have to be solid on both to beat LCA. Walton Verona was too one dimensional but they did try to pass but there line could not give the quarterback time to throw.

Not enough depth and too much offense for KCD. LCA by bunches.

I don't expect this one to be all that close. Too much talent, depth and offensive playmakers for LCA. On the flipside, kudos to KCD for scheduling this type team to help prepare them for the latter playoff rounds. LCA 42 KCD 14

Yep....this is the kind of game that if you exit with your squad injury free AND you played hard with a love for the game,you benefit...and you'll remember it. That's why you schedule tough games. Because you have far too much respect for the game to just run it up every week against the safer squads.

I really think KCD can make a game of this.

I really think KCD can make a game of this.

There's a great deal of excitement at KCD due to this game. Despite being understandable underdogs, like any good team, a number of the kids and the coaches are thrilled to have the opportunity to play a powerhouse in LCA.

Some of the keys to "making a game of this" :

1)First series respect. Whether it's on offense or defense, KCD needs to set a tone of mistake free and physical football. That means no early penalties, something of an issue for the Bearcats in the Walton Verona and Bethlehem games. Scoring on, or stopping LCA on that first series is the dream scenario, but realistically beginning this game with some momentum and success is critical.

2)Make LCA earn each score. The Eagles have a balanced and explosive offense..they will score and score repeatedly...there's little doubt of that. But forcing them to drive to score rather than quick home runs helps keep KCD within striking distance for as long as possible.

3)Feed the horses. Very good teams know the players they can count on in competitive games. KCD should get the ball in its best players' hands early and often on offense...despite the balance the Bearcats have shown on offense thus far this year...it's important to ride your horses when against this kind of talented opponent.

The consensus from many who've looked at this game is that it's blowout city. You can't blame anyone from coming that conclusion.

But having looked at the match up on tape...player per player, it's interesting....there are number of spots where it's pretty even first 11 versus first 11. Lexington Christian has played a tougher schedule, has a winning tradition, has size on its o-line, has swagger and on this upcoming predicted hot Friday night, has much better depth. Yet KCD has some horses too. Here's hoping everyone stays healthy and hydrated and this turns out to be a fun one to watch.

Ttt

I wish this game was on prep spin.

KCD up 14 7 seven left in the first quarter