article 1A Notebook 10/3 - Districts

Teams are into district play now. Time to look at how things are expected to play out. Before we go there, let's do a quick review of last week's results.

1. Beechwood lost to 6A #6 Simon Kenton 14-22 - It was a valiant effort by the Tigers. They had two touchdowns called back by penalty and had a run into the end zone from the one yard line ruled a fumble. The Pioneers made the plays they needed to win and the Tigers came up short.

2. Kentucky Country Day had the week off.

3. Hazard beat #9 Pikeville 38-26 - This was a big win for Hazard. The Bulldogs win gives them the upper hand in the district and home field advantage if these two face off again in the playoffs.

4. Paintsville also was off last week.

5. Raceland lost to 2A #6 Somerset 16-13 - Raceland is the latest team to face the 1A measuring stick Somerset. Somerset has now played four of the 1A top ten and Beechwood is the only 1A team able to beat the Briar Jumpers. Raceland came the closest of the other 3 1A opponents to winning. That is good news for Rams fans and has them feeling good about their chances in 1A entering district play.

6. Ludlow beat Bishop Brossart 54-27 - The Justin Blackburn show rolls on. Perhaps the most dynamic player in 1A, Ludlow QB Blackburn led the Panthers to a key win that confirms the Panthers place at #6 in the rankings.

7. Louisville Holy Cross is another team that had their bye.

8. Paris beat Bracken County 34-14 - The Greyhounds post another win and get an important district win. This was the best win of the season for Paris, especially with it happening on the road.

9. Pikeville lost to #3 Hazard 38-26 - Another loss to another tough opponent. This one hurts even more since it was a district battle. However, Pikeville has to feel encouraged by how close the result was and gives them hope they can get revenge in the playoffs.

10. Williamsburg had a bye.

District Previews

District 1 – Crittenden County 3-3, Fulton City 0-7, Russellville 5-2

Russellville has been in control of this district and despite heavy losses of talent from last year's team, the Panthers look like the team to beat again. Fulton City is not a threat. Crittenden County on the other hand could spring the upset. There is one common opponent between Russellville and Crittenden County - Trigg County. Russellville beat Trigg 23-14 and Crittenden lost to Trigg 29-20. Although the results were different the scores were close. Crittenden County is led by one the leading passers in the state, Hunter Boone, but it will take an super game by Boone and the Rockets to get the win over Russellville.

Projected Finish

1. Russellville

2. Crittenden County

3. Fulton City

District 2 – Bethlehem 1-5, Campbellsville 2-5, Caverna 0-6, Fort Knox 0-6

Ouch! District 2 has taken it on the chin in their out of district schedules. Fort Knox has looked a little more competitive than Caverna, so we will give them the edge for the number 3 postion. It is a tough call for the number 1 spot. Both Campbellsville and Bethlehem have played some close games against good opponents but fell short of getting wins. It is a tossup but we will give the edge to Campbellsville. The Bethlehem offense has struggled too much to give to expect them to be able to get the win.

Projected Finish

1. Campbellsville

2. Bethlehem

3. Fort Knox

4. Caverna

District 3 – Frankfort 5-2, Louisville Holy Cross 3-3, Kentucky Country Day 5-1

We move to the opposite side of the spectrum in District 3 with all three of these teams having spent time in the 1A top 10 this season. Number 2 ranked Kentucky Country Day has a senior dominated team that includes a D1 recruit, Josh Lifson. They are the favorite to win the district title. Holy Cross and Frankfort are worthy challengers. RB Tremayne Jones is having an outstanding season for Frankfort but the Panthers have suffered some tough injuries that hurt their chances. Senior RB Mario Convenuto is finishing an outstanding career as a three year starter and leader for Holy Cross. He and his senior teammates hold the edge in wins over rival Kentucky Country Day but it will be a tall order for them to upset the Bearcats this year.

Projected Finish

1. Kentucky Country Day

2. Louisville Holy Cross

3. Frankfort

District 4 – Beechwood 4-2, Bellevue 4-2, Dayton 1-5, Ludlow 6-0

There is a bit of a buzz in District 4. The Ludlow Panthers are the surprise team of the year in 1A and the only undefeated team left in the class. Can QB Justin Blackburn lead Ludlow to a win over Beechwood? The Tigers have not lost a district game in the 6 class era. Bellevue has posted a solid 4-2 record and played two of those games without the fastest man in 1A, WR Seth Evers. Bellevue's win over Brossart tells us they are capable of beating good 1A teams. The Dayton Green Devils were hoping for more this year. They have competed well in most of their games but haven't been able to get wins.

Projected Finish

1. Beechwood

2. Ludlow

3. Bellevue

4. Dayton

District 5 – Berea 0-6, Bishop Brossart 4-2, Bracken County 5-2, Nicholas County 4-3, Paris 5-1

With this being a 5 team district, we already have some important district games behind us. Paris is the district leader currently at 2-0 and got a big road win at Bracken County last week. Bracken County is probably Paris' biggest threat in the district so losing 34-14 to the Greyhounds is a serious blow to the Polar Bears' hopes for a first place finish in the district. Brossart has a win over Nicholas County, which sest up a very important game this Friday when they travel to Brooksville to take on the Polar Bears. Nicholas County hosts Paris this week in a must win game to keep their district hopes alive.

Projected Finish

1. Paris

2. Bracken County

3. Brossart

4. Nicholas County

5. Berea

District 6 – Fairview 3-3, Paintsville 5-1, Raceland 4-3

District 6 has been the high quality, competitive district in 1A the past few years. With the Fairview Eagles being a little off this season, the race is shaping up as a two team battle between Paintsville and Raceland. Paintsville has a couple more wins but Raceland has played a tougher schedule. This is going to be another must see showdown when these two meet on October 20. Paintsville is led by D1 committed Tyrese Allen who does a little bit of everything for the Tigers while playing RB and DT.

Projected Finish

1. Paintsville

2. Raceland

3. Fairview

District 7 – Harlan 2-4, Lynn Camp 4-2, Pineville 2-5, Williamsburg 3-3

Williamsburg behind the leadership of QB Alec Poore is the clear favorite in district 7. The Yellow Jackets host Harlan this week in their district opener. Harlan has won two in a row so they come into this game with some momentum. Lynn Camp has the 4-2 record but their schedule leaves something to be desired. They open district play this week against Pineville, who is struggling to replace last year's Mr. Everything, Tuck Woolum.

Projected Finish

1. Williamsburg

2. Lynn Camp

3. Harlan

4. Pineville

District 8 – Hazard 4-1, Phelps 3-2, Pikeville 1-4

This is a district where you can't go by the records. If you look at just the records, Phelps is a threat to win the district and certainly finishes second. However, Pikeville has played a much tougher schedule than Phelps. This district race is probably over already. Hazard got the win over Pikeville last week to pretty much clinch the finish. The only thing remaining is seeing if Phelps can pull the huge surprise and get an upset over Pikeville or Hazard.

Projected Finish

1. Hazard

2. Pikeville

3. Phelps

While we are confident in our projected finishes, anything can happen. An injury to a top layer and things can change quickly in class 1A.

Key Games this Week

#2 Kentucky Country Day vs. #7 Louisville Holy Cross - As you just read, this is a big rivalry and very likely a district title deciding game. This is our 1A Game of the Week so be sure to check out the setup and the talk about this game here: http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/1a-game-of-354436.html

Bishop Brossart at Bracken County - This game does not include one of our top 10 teams, but it is a game worth noting. Bracken County suffered a loss in district play last week versus Paris and must win this game to have a chance at a district title. Meanwhile, Brossart needs a win to keep pace with Paris and keep their district title hopes alive.

Excellent work and excellent write up.

Just outstanding stuff and plenty to think over and analyze, VOR.

I'd rank the districts at this snapshot in time:

1)District 4 and 6--top two teams in each district look outstanding

2)District 3--KCD and two other very competitive squads that will be tough outs for most other 1A teams

3)District 8 (Could have put this district in the two slot)--as VOR put it, throw the records out here...Pikeville will not go gently into that good night.

4)District 5--Lots of nice teams in this group

5)District 1--Russellville looks imposing here

6)District 7--Williamsburg will be heard from come playoff time.

7)District 2--Tough year for this district....not a lot of strength shown thus far.

I only count 29 teams in the districts listed. There are several districts with 3 teams and one with 5. Will the KHSAA make any changes or let 2A teams drop down next year to get back to 32 teams in 1A?

I only count 29 teams in the districts listed. There are several districts with 3 teams and one with 5. Will the KHSAA make any changes or let 2A teams drop down next year to get back to 32 teams in 1A?

Newport Central Cath and Owensboro Catholic should be playing in 1A right now. There is such a disparity between 1A. In theory it would be better to move up a bunch of teams up to 2A.

Newport Central Cath and Owensboro Catholic should be playing in 1A right now. There is such a disparity between 1A. In theory it would be better to move up a bunch of teams up to 2A.

How would you like to see New Cath and Beechwood in the same district.

Why is Eminence no longer is a District in 1A? They seem to be having a decent year and will not get to participate in the playoffs makes no sense.

Why is Eminence no longer is a District in 1A? They seem to be having a decent year and will not get to participate in the playoffs makes no sense.

Warriors were tired of finishing 4th and traveling to Beechwood. Coaching staff doesn't feel they can compete.

Oh ok I think maybe they could have competed in their district this year!!! I severely enjoyed their team Touchdown celebration they did last year at Beechwood it was quite comical and even our kids were cheering them!!!!! The refs threw a flag but I think they were cracking up as well!!!!

The Brossart at Bracken County game is Thursday night at 7pm in Brooksville.