Region 1

For the third straight year, the State Championship will go though Region 1. Bowling Green is looking to be the three time reigning State Champions. And, quite frankly, they could very possible win the State Championship in any class in Kentucky while carrying the flag for Kentucky High School Football.

 

Bowling Green (9-0) has wadded though almost every thing the state has to offer with their pass heavy offense. With Nacarius Fant, what team wouldn’t be a little pass heavy. Fant has proven to be a valid candidate for Kentucky’s Mr. Football. Fant has amassed over one thousand yards receiving while scoring 17 touchdowns. Even when Fant is not catching passes, defenses have to account for him, making the running game that much more potent. That’s where Blue Tisdale comes in, adding another 14 touchdowns. Getting both Fant and Tisdale the ball is Devin Hayes. Hayes has passed for over two thousand yards and 33 touchdowns.

 

With Bowling Green in the driver’s seat, don’t expect anyone in Class 5A to to give them much competition.

 

The two teams that have upset on their minds are: Warren Central (5-5) and Graves County (8-2).

 

Region 1 Finals: Bowling Green 42 Warren Central 14

 

Region 2

Region 2 has typically been John Hardin and the teams they run through on the way to the state semifinals, and this year appears to be no different.

 

John Hardin continues to feature a potent rushing attack, this year led by Daquan Deville, Khalil Frazier and Patrick Anderson. The Bulldogs appeared slightly vulnerable early on, with their first regular season losses since 2008 to Highlands and Doss. However, during their six game win streak they've outscored opponents by 234-52 and Western is the only team to hang more than 7 points on them in that stretch.

 

If anyone is going to stand in their way, the most likely candidate would be 9-1 Bullitt East in a potential region final matchup. Only Central Hardin has knocked them off on the year, and they average 38.3 PPG while piling up over 315 yards per game on the ground. Dual threat QB Pierce Kelly has rushed for 815 yards and thrown for 661 on the year.

 

Shelby County is the only other playoff team in the region with a winning record, with the Rockets sitting at 5-4.

Region 2 Finals: John Hardin 28 Bullitt East 7

 

Region 3

After taking some heat a year ago for lacking defense and outscoring opponents, Franklin County (9-1) has fixed the problem, but the results are still the same - they are winning games. Franklin County is holding opponents below twenty points per game and outscoring opponents 446-190. Another credit to their defense, the Flyers have 27 take-a-ways with 17 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. They also have two shutouts. Franklin County is playing a much stronger defense, and still putting points on the board.

 

Competing with Franklin County for the Regional Title will be district foe - Anderson County. Anderson County beat the Flyers earlier in the season by two scores. It’s always hard to beat the same team twice, but Anderson County will likely get a chance.

 

Never count Conner with Mr. Football candidate Drew Barker out. Barker has 2,300 passing yards with 29 touchdowns to go with 700 yards rushing and another 9 touchdowns. Conner will be in the mix.

 

Region 3 Championship: Franklin County 21 Anderson County 14

 

Region 4

If you haven’t been paying attention, you may have missed that Pulaski County (10-0) is undefeated. The Maroons have quietly outscored, out played, and out matched everyone on their schedule. How are they doing that? They are doing it by a group effort. The Maroons do not have one running threat. They do not have one receiver threat. The rushing attack is supplied by a three headed monster: Caleb Cox (654 yards rushing), Riley Hall (646 yards rushing) and Aaron Smith (529 yards rushing). Hall has also passed for 2,100 yards. His primary targets are: Jake Johnson and George Gregory.

 

Region 4 Championship: Pulaski County 28 Harlan County 7

 

Semi-Finals: Franklin County 21 Pulaski County 14

Semi-Finals: Bowling Green 42 John Hardin 14

 

5A State Championship: Bowling Green 42 Franklin County 14

While I don't want to get ahead of myself, I fully expect a BG/JH game for the third time in three years in the State Semis. Although I think BG is better than John this year, I will be shocked if they beat them by the amount predicted above. Unless John were to implode like two years ago and have 5 turnovers in the 1st half, they should keep the game somewhat competitive. At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

While I don't want to get ahead of myself, I fully expect a BG/JH game for the third time in three years in the State Semis. Although I think BG is better than John this year, I will be shocked if they beat them by the amount predicted above. Unless John were to implode like two years ago and have 5 turnovers in the 1st half, they should keep the game somewhat competitive. At least that's my story and I'm sticking with it.

 

How do you see John Hardin matching up against Bowling Green?

On the defensive side, the same game plan that was used last year will most likely be utilized again this year. John's front four is very good (same front four as last year) and will have to get pressure on the BG QB. John's two cornerbacks are also good but where John will have problems will be with their two outside linebackers trying to cover the BG receivers. Coach Lewis may have to put in extra defensive backs which I haven't seen him do much this year. John's strength is stopping the run, but unfortunately for them, their weakness is playing against teams that routinely use 4wide receivers (Highlands). My question for any BG fan is how good is Hayes at reading his progressions if his first option is not open? This is where the Highlands QB killed the John defense.

 

On offense, it will be a real struggle for John like the last two years. This year's group is not as explosive as year's past and they make a lot of mental errors I am not used to seeing. I think ultimately it may come down to how does QB Patrick Anderson perform. He is inconsistent but when he is on, it is a thing of beauty. On the other side, when he is off, it is ugly. Either way, his ability to scramble and fit the ball into tight windows is a must if John has any change of an upset.

On the defensive side, the same game plan that was used last year will most likely be utilized again this year. John's front four is very good (same front four as last year) and will have to get pressure on the BG QB. John's two cornerbacks are also good but where John will have problems will be with their two outside linebackers trying to cover the BG receivers. Coach Lewis may have to put in extra defensive backs which I haven't seen him do much this year. John's strength is stopping the run, but unfortunately for them, their weakness is playing against teams that routinely use 4wide receivers (Highlands). My question for any BG fan is how good is Hayes at reading his progressions if his first option is not open? This is where the Highlands QB killed the John defense.

 

On offense, it will be a real struggle for John like the last two years. This year's group is not as explosive as year's past and they make a lot of mental errors I am not used to seeing. I think ultimately it may come down to how does QB Patrick Anderson perform. He is inconsistent but when he is on, it is a thing of beauty. On the other side, when he is off, it is ugly. Either way, his ability to scramble and fit the ball into tight windows is a must if John has any change of an upset.

 

Hoss (and Ram),

 

I look for this game to be tight in the first half. There will be a lot on the line and these are high school kids so it may take them a little time to get going and get the nerves out.

 

Hoss, last Friday was the first time other than last years JH game that I had seen Devin Hayes struggle. Last Friday the Blackman DLine put alot of press on Hayes; sacked him multiple times and made him erratic in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters. I think JH last year played great defense, doubled Fant and dared Hayes to find somebody else.

 

Ultimately, the two keys for JH D are pressure and containment. You must pressure Hayes to make him uncomfortable or he will just play pitch and catch football. You don't want that. ALSO after you pressure him you must have others around who can contain him. St X pressured him, but couldn't contain him and Hayes ran all over the place.

 

I respect JH. They will play BG tough because those players remember last years VERY difficult defeat. I was there. I felt bad for JH because you played a great game. Wasn't meant to be.

Hoss (and Ram),

 

I look for this game to be tight in the first half. There will be a lot on the line and these are high school kids so it may take them a little time to get going and get the nerves out.

 

Hoss, last Friday was the first time other than last years JH game that I had seen Devin Hayes struggle. Last Friday the Blackman DLine put alot of press on Hayes; sacked him multiple times and made him erratic in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters. I think JH last year played great defense, doubled Fant and dared Hayes to find somebody else.

 

Ultimately, the two keys for JH D are pressure and containment. You must pressure Hayes to make him uncomfortable or he will just play pitch and catch football. You don't want that. ALSO after you pressure him you must have others around who can contain him. St X pressured him, but couldn't contain him and Hayes ran all over the place.

 

I respect JH. They will play BG tough because those players remember last years VERY difficult defeat. I was there. I felt bad for JH because you played a great game. Wasn't meant to be.

 

I must say, I think you are right on Purple. My two big concerns are obviously John's offense going 3 and out, committing stupid penalties and turning the ball over. They have done this all year and they have not seen a defense like Bowling Green's. Second is the big play ability of BG. Even if John's defense plays great most of the game, if you have even one mental mistake against BG, it will most likely cost you a TD. People may not remember Fant's 1st TD in last year's game, but John's safety should have made a play and knocked the ball down, but he took a bad angle and missed the ball by maybe a foot. He was a Junior last year so I hope he has learned from that.

 

But overall, I think it may be competitive for the 1st half but BG's talent will eventually take over.