Class 1A Playoffs: #3 Paintsville vs. #4 Raceland Predictions/Updates

Who wins this district championship matchup? Paintsville got the win over Raceland in the regular season 19-15. Raceland hopes to yet again come into Paintsville and steal a win when it matters the most. Does Paintsville keep that from happening, or Does Raceland have the magic to do it again?

Ttt.

Phelps is back and will lead his Tigers past the Rams.

Past years Raceland has had the Tigers number in the playoffs. I think that happens this year as well. When these two get together the environment is usually crazy.

Rams win 28-14.

Phelps is back and will lead his Tigers past the Rams.

Phelps is important but Paintsville's hopes are on the shoulders of Jake Hyden.

Death. Taxes. Raceland and Paintsville playing twice every season.

This will be the fourteenth meeting since 2013. There can't be many, if any, coaching staffs in the state more familiar with each other than these two. For that very reason, I always anticipate a tightly contested battle up for grabs in the fourth quarter, at which point, anything can happen.

In an attempt to find a reason why Raceland can/will win this game, I'm looking at Jake Heighton. The first time they played was his third game back from a shoulder injury, but his first time seeing that level of talent and game speed from an opponent, with respect to Betsy Layne and Fairview. He didn't look anywhere near his best that night and may have still had some rust to shake off. In fairness, you've gotta credit Paintsville's defense for some of that too. If he's back to being the Jake Heighton Raceland fans are accustomed to seeing, I think they leave Paintsville with a win.

Poll is fairly close for this one.

Calpreps has this one projected at 20-14 Paintsville on a neutral site.

ttt

13-6 Paintsville, per Zack Klemme.

3:28 to go in the 1st quarter.

19-6 Paintsville after a scoop and score from JW Phelps. That's the end of the 1st quarter.

Raceland 30 yard FG

Paintsville 19

Raceland 9

7 to go in second quarter

Paintsville stoped on 4th down on their side of the 50. Raceland ball.

First play from scrimmage, TD Raceland. Called back on a block in the back.