article 3A Notebook: Allen and Robinson Shine in Another LexCath/Western Hills Shootout

Lexington Catholic Comes From Behind to Topple Western Hills

For the second year in a row Lexington Catholic and Western Hills traded blows all night before Catholic finally picked up the victory, besting the Wolverines, 49-42, on Friday night. Tenth-ranked Western Hills' Wandale Robinson rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns, had 37 yards receiving, passed for 64 yards, forced three fumbles, returned an interception 98 yards for a score, and compiled 14 tackles. It wasn't be enough, however, as fifth-ranked Lexington Catholic, behind star junior quarterback Beau Allen's 203 yards passing and a score, plus 125 yards rushing and three touchdowns, came back from an early 21-7 deficit to get the win.

After both teams traded scores in the first quarter, Robinson gave the hosts a two touchdown lead with a 29-yard touchdown carry and the 96-yard interception return. Allen responded in kind with two touchdowns runs, followed by a 37-yard touchdown from Robinson and a 45-yard touchdown run from Allen to send the game to halftime tied at 28. Lexington Catholic (5-2) took the lead on Philippe Ilumva's third quarter touchdown run and wouldn't trail again.

Both teams face significant district games this week. Lexington Catholic will play host to undefeated Boyle County in a game that could determine the district champion. Western Hills (5-2) will travel to Garrard County needing a win to keep hope alive of a first round home playoff game.

However, there were many in the crowd in Frankfort hoping this wouldn't be the last time Robinson and Allen were on the field together. Both Robinson and Allen are being recruited by the University of Kentucky among other schools. Wandale Robinson, for his part, tweeted this after the game.

With the talent shown by both so far this year and throughout their careers that has to be a sight Mark Stoops would love to see!

Caldwell County Seals another District Championship

For a seventh consecutive year Caldwell County can claim a district championship. That's because for a sixth consecutive year they defeated rivals Trigg County in the 139 Bowl. Caldwell used eight plays of over twenty yards, including three for touchdowns, to whip the Wildcats, 51-26.

Joby Jaggers passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns on the night, including three to Oliver Parker. DeEric Hollowell contributed 96 yards on the ground along with two touchdowns on only 10 carries. The win gives sixth-ranked Caldwell County (6-2) an all-time series lead of 43-22-1 over their old rivals.

Now for Caldwell County the question is whether they can clear the regional playoff hump that has stopped them in years past. Caldwell travels to Fort Campbell next week before hitting the road to Mayfield for the season finale. There could be yet another road trip ahead in a potential regional final matchup at Elizabethtown, a team that has eliminated Caldwell in each of the last three years.

District Two Running a 4-3

One of the more common defenses used in football is the 4-3. In a statistical oddity, four teams in District 2 also find themselves with a record of 4-3. Elizabethtown, Larue County, Edmonson County, and Hart County each share matching marks after seven games (only Adair County, at 1-7, has a different record).

Much like how not all 4-3 defenses are the same, neither are all 4-3 records. Elizabethtown, the preseason favorite, lost three in a row to start the season before winning their next four. Three of the four victories came over district opponents, including a 56-14 victory over Adair County on Friday night. However, the tenth-ranked Panthers' biggest district game has yet to be played. This Friday, E'town will travel to Hodgenville to face a Larue County team that is also 4-3, and also undefeated in the district. An Elizabethtown win guarantees a district championship, while a Larue win coupled with an Edmonson County loss would give the Hawks the district crown.

Edmonson County does still hold a mathematical shot at their first district championship in seven years. The Wildcats, also 4-3, would need Larue to beat Elizabethtown while at the same time they are winning at Hart County, then beat Larue County next week. That would push the district champion race to a tiebreaker.

Finally, 4-3 Hart County, can't win a district title but just needs to win district games in order to make the postseason. Losses to E'town and Larue have the Raiders 0-2 in the district, but a win over Edmonson this week or Adair next could be enough to ensure a fourth straight playoff berth for the first time in school history.

Around the Rankings

#1 Boyle County withstood an early lightning storm to beat Garrard County, 49-6. Reed Lanter passed for 243 yards and five touchdowns on the night for the Rebels (7-0).

#2 Corbin had no trouble with Jackson County, coasting to a 48-0 victory. After two consecutive shutouts for the Redhounds (6-1) the road to a district championship gets much tougher with back-to-back games against Bell County and Casey County.

#3 Central pitched their third shutout of the season beating Waggener, 39-0, on Thursday night. For Central (5-2), Malik Goodall was again a star, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for two more. The Yellowjackets defense held Waggener to negative-40 yards rushing!

#4 Belfry jumped out to a commanding three score lead before settling for a 36-28 victory over Cabell Midland (WV). The Pirates (6-1) can clinch an eight straight district championship with a win at Lawrence County next week.

#7 Bell County continued their torrid offensive display, torching Clay County, 72-14. Undefeated Bell County is outscoring opponents by 42 points per game but the schedule will pick up big-time this Friday night when the Bobcats travel to Corbin.

Extra Points

Lawrence County ran for 325 first half yards on the way to a commanding 38-7 victory over Pike County Central. The Bulldogs (5-3) play host to Belfry this Friday with a chance at a district championship on the line.

Fleming County topped West Carter, 19-16; one week after the Comets had pulled a shocker of their own against Bath County. Jonathan Maher had three rushing touchdowns on the night for Fleming (3-5). A Fleming win over Bath next week would all but assure a first round home playoff game for the Panthers.

Breathitt County continued their streak of impressive play, winning a fifth straight game, this time beating Morgan County, 31-12. After allowing 55 points to Montgomery County and 54 to Perry County Central to open the season, the Bobcats (5-3) are allowing just 14.8 points per game since, a major reason why they're playing Powell County this Friday with a chance to win a district title for the first time since 2013.

Three to See

(Each week the 3A Notebook will preview the three best games featuring Class 3A teams for the coming week)

1. Boyle County at Lexington Catholic. One of the fiercest rivalries in the state flares up again this week as Boyle County travels to Lexington Catholic. Boyle leads the series 14-13, including two victories last season on their way to a state championship. Do Boyle County's injury issues bite them on the road?

2. Bell County at Corbin. While most expected Bell County to be improved, few expected their game with Corbin to be a real contest. Dudley Hilton's magic has worked again, though, and the Bobcats can clinch a district title with a win over the Redhounds. Will Corbin's battle tested crew prevail over a dominant, but lightly challenged, Bell County team?

3. Elizabethtown at Larue County. Elizabethtown has owned this district for years and can again win a championship with a victory over Larue County. E'town has won four in a row, while Larue has been up and down on offense, scoring 47 points per game in wins and only 6.3 in losses.

Just One More

(Tired of the same teams every week? Want to go off the beaten path for a 3A game this Friday night? Each week we'll look at an under-the-radar matchup to watch in Class 3A)

Jackson County at McCreary Central. In a district with three powers, Jackson and McCreary will fight for a fourth and final playoff berth. The Generals enter with one victory, a season opener over Berea, before losing their next six. McCreary is winless in eight starts thus far. A win sends Jackson County to the playoffs for a sixth straight season while McCreary Central is looking for their first playoff bid since 2009.