article 1A Notebook 10/17 - Set the Stage

We are getting closer and closer to showtime. This week will wrap up the district races and set the stage for playoff time and elimination football games. The top teams in the rankings did what was expected with no major upsets. Here is where we are district by district.

District 1

Crittenden County continues to roll on. They had no problem with Fulton County in a 59-8 win. Sr. RB Devon Nesbitt led the way in this win with 189 yards on 18 rushes and four touchdowns. Pilots RB Caleb Kimble continued adding to his season totals with 104 yards rushing and a touchdown. Kimble is second in the state in 1A rushing with 1,455 yards for the season. Meanwhile, Russellville likewise had no problem with Fulton City winning 48-8. That win got Russellville to .500 on the season at 4-4. They will host Crittenden County this week with the #1 seed and district title on the line. Crittenden County is a heavy favorite to win this game and repeat as district title winner.

District 2

Campbellsville had no problem with Bethlehem in a 44-16 win. The leading receiver in 1A, Malachi Corley, caught eight passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns and Charlie Pettigrew had 142 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the win. Campbellsville earned the district title with the win regardless of what happens this week versus Caverna. Bethlehem will travel to Fort Knox to decide the #2 seed. That game is up for grabs and should be an entertaining high scoring contest.

District 3

Frankfort got a big win over Louisville Holy Cross 14-0 and that sets up a district title battle at Kentucky Country Day this Friday. Frankfort has now won three in a row and Kentucky Country Day has won five of their last six games. This will be one of the top games in 1A this week with two teams moving up the 1A rankings and playing their best football of the season. This game is too close to call!

District 4

Beechwood continued their dominance of their district. The Tigers took out the top threat in the district, the Ludlow Panthers, by a score of 62-13. A win this week over Dayton and Beechwood will finish regular season play in this 1A district with never having lost a district game since the state went to six classes. Next year the Tigers will move up to class 2A. Ludlow and Bellevue meet up at Bellevue to determine the #2 seed in the district. That will be another entertaining two seed battle with Ludlow the slight favorite on the road.

District 5

The Paris Greyhounds fought through the adversity of losing one of their top players to injury to take the district crown with a 28-0 win over Bishop Brossart. RB Jamaun Clark had another outstanding game for Paris rushing for 140 yards but the story for the Greyhounds in district play was their defense. They only allowed two touchdowns in four district games as they swept through the district undefeated. Nicholas County sits in the #2 position in the district but needs a win at Bracken County to lock in the #2 seed in the district. A Bracken County win will make it a three way tie for the #2 seed between these two teams and Bishop Brossart.

District 6

The top game in 1A this week takes place in Raceland’s revamped stadium as the Paintsville Tigers come to town. Paintsville served notice that they are ready to take on the #2 ranked Rams with a hard fought 38-37 win over then #4 ranked Hazard. Paintsville moved into the #4 slot in 1A with the win. A big focus in this year’s goals for the Rams is to exorcise the "Tiger demons" from the 2017 state runnerup season. Last year Paintsville won the district crown 32-18 and the Rams are looking to turn the tables on these Tigers in 2018. This is must see football and the stadium will be jumping in one of the most anticipated games in 1A in 2018.

District 7

What a night it will be this Friday at Lynn Camp as the Wildcats put their undefeated season on the line against Williamsburg in a district title game. Hearts will be heavy and emotions high due to Lynn Camp’s loss early this week of Assistant Coach Brian Justice in a car accident. Our hearts and prayers go out to Coach Justice’s family and all those impacted by his loss. Couple that tragic situation with everything on the line in this game for Lynn Camp and it is hard to imagine a more emotion packed situation. Williamsburg will also have to fight through the emotions of the evening to stay focused on the game and their goal of winning another district title. Good luck to both teams on a night that will be memorable to all for more reasons than what happens on the football field.

District 8

District play finished last week in District 8 with the Pikeville Panthers winning the district in a 47-0 win over Phelps. Pikeville had defeated Hazard the week before 33-27. That makes the Panthers 2-0 in the three team district and earns them the #1 seed in the playoffs. Hazard defeated Phelps 35-6 two weeks ago. That win makes Hazard the #2 seed out of the district.

Friday’s Schedule

Entering this Friday’s games there are four districts that will have winner take all district title games. Those game are highlighted in the schedule.

1. Beechwood at Dayton

2. Raceland vs. #4 Paintsville

3. Pikeville at Grundy, VA

4. Paintsville at #2 Raceland

5. Hazard vs. 2A Leslie County

6. Campbellsville vs. Caverna

7. Crittenden County at Russellville

8. Williamsburg at #9 Lynn Camp

9. Lynn Camp vs. #8 Williamsburg

10. Kentucky Country Day vs. Frankfort

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