Region 1

 

For the past three years, if you wanted to know who was going to win the region you could have just looked to who the District 2 champion was. Three years, three different teams, three titles for the even district, with Allen County-Scottsville and Franklin-Simpson advancing all the way to the state title game in 2010 & 2011 respectively.

 

But as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a-changin'.

 

This year the favorite is from the (further) west district, a member of the old guard. The REALLY old guard, former statewide power Owensboro - BGP's 8th rated team in 4A. The Red Devils enter the postseason at 7-3 and their only losses come to western powers from larger classes - Bowling Green, Warren Central, and Henderson County. Outside of those three losses, Owensboro's offense has flexed its muscle to the tune of 45.86 points per game, with no opponent in their victories holding them under 42 points. Their most impressive win of the year was a 43-0 shutout of rival Owensboro Catholic in the third week of the season. The balanced offense is keyed by a powerful ground attack, a three headed monster of running backs Anthony James (457 yards) and Airius Phillips (357 yards), as well as QB Nick Locher (267 yards). Locher is a threat through the air as well with 822 yards passing with 12 TDs. Owensboro knocked on the door last year with a narrow 14-7 loss to Warren East, and with each team in the first four rounds having to come to forbidding Rash Stadium, this year they'll look to have it answered.

 

The teams appearing to be in the best position to stop Owensboro are fellow District 1 team Madisonville-North Hopkins and District 2 champion Franklin-Simpson. Early in the year it appeared that perhaps the Maroons, not Owensboro would prove to be the favorite, as Madisonville opened with a stunning 27-13 victory over Warren Central. But the situation soured quickly during a three game stretch in late September-early October when they lost to Henderson County, Owensboro, and Paducah Tilghman in consecutive games by an average of 33 points per game. They've bounced back with a strong 3-1 finish to the year to even their record at 5-5, and boast a very athletic team with a powerful rushing attack that makes them a threat to any team that would take them lightly.

 

Franklin-Simpson suffered through some early season woes that saw them fade badly in the second half of each of their losses, but they enter the postseason on a four game win streak and seem to have put those problems behind them with blowouts over each of their district rivals. Second year coach Doug Preston got his first district title and his team is a dark horse for more.

 

Projected regional final: Owensboro 42, Madisonville-North Hopkins 20

 

 

Region 2

 

Last year Collins rode the wave of a scoring attack at the clip of 37 PPG and have scored at the exact same clip this season. The only teams that have knocked off the fourth year program are 6A power Simon Kenton and 6A fringe top team Central Hardin, those losses coming by a combined 6 points. When you add impressive wins over South Oldham and Ballard you have your region favorite - though not necessarily an overwhelming one.

 

The Titans are led by senior signal caller Lawson Page, who carries a 61% completion percentage and an average of 203 yards per game into the postseason. The yards per game is right on the same clip as it was a year ago, while he's gotten more accurate with few errant throws. His 22:2 TD:INT ratio is one of the best in the state. Most crucially, Collins has improved by leaps and bounds on defense from a year ago, when they allowed over 26 points per game. This year that has dropped to just over 14 points per game, and only Central Hardin has scored over 23 points against them. Linebacker Masai Whyte has been the keystone of that defensive improvement, as the senior leads the team in solo tackles and is credited with over 80 assists.

 

The team most ideally placed to chase them is district rival North Oldham, their regular season meeting notwithstanding. When they squared off in the de factor district title game, North Oldham committed multiple fumbles and fell behind quickly 21-3 on the way to a 35-6 loss. Of greater frustration was the Mustangs had 258 yards of offense but failed to convert any points on three trips inside the Collins 10 yard line during the second half. They have only three weeks to improve before a potential rematch, but if they can cut down on the turnovers and finish drives, perhaps they can pull the upset.

 

The District 4 triumvirate of Western, Nelson County, and Doss may also provide some challenge should they face off against Collins. Western has suffered losses against a brutal schedule that includes John Hardin, Central, Ballard, and Butler, but that should leave them battle tested for the most crucial segment of the season. Nelson County was narrowly squeezed out of the district title 55-50 by Western, the only loss the Cardinals suffered in their last five games of the year. Nelson County QB Jonathan Breeding has led an air bombardment with 2,821 yards and 31 TDs, and has beaten teams on the ground as well with 1,153 yards rushing and 24 TDs. Breeding is simply a do-everything player for the Cardinals. Lastly Doss has the most impressive win of any team in the region, a 33-19 win over three time defending 3A champion Central.

 

Projected regional final: Collins 35, Western 21

 

Region 3

 

Same time next year.

 

Boyle County and Lexington Catholic have been in the top half of BGP’s Class 4A rankings the entire season and they are the two regional favorites as we enter the 2013 playoffs. These two teams have made it an annual habit of meeting in the regional finals in Class 4A Region 3 in recent years. In each of the last 5 years they have battled the week before Thanksgiving for the regional crown. Boyle County holds a 3 games to 2 advantage over Lexington Catholic in that stretch, however, the Knights have won the last two after watching the Rebels celebrate in ’08, ’09 and ’10. On paper, 2013 looks to be a repeat as these two teams have proven to be the strongest in the region over the course of the season.

 

Boyle County started the year as a young and inexperienced team with only 6 returning starters on offense and only 2 on defense. They have surpassed all expectations in finishing with a perfect 10-0 record, including wins over highly ranked 5A teams Warren Central and Anderson County. The defining moment for the Rebels was a 20-13 victory over district foe, Lexington Catholic in an early October battle that secured a coveted home field advantage for the boys in black and gold throughout the playoffs. The Rebels have outscored their opponents by an average of 35-11 behind the play of Jr. QB Josiah Robbins who has thrown for over 1000 yards and Sr. RB Seph Burke with nearly 800 yards rushing.

 

Don’t be fooled by Lexington Catholic’s 7-3 record. Besides the aforementioned loss to Boyle County, their only two other losses came at the hands of two of the very best teams in the Commonwealth in the first two weeks of the year. The Knights played respectably in each of those losses but came up short to 5A Bowling Green (48-21) and 6A St. Xavier (49-28). Besides those three losses, Lexington Catholic’s potent offense has put up over 47 points per game against a demanding schedule including several 5A and 6A opponents. The Knights hope to ride the arm of Jr. QB Reese Ryan, who has thrown for over 2100 yards and 26 touchdowns through the first 9 games.

 

Russell County is the one team who has the best shot to upset one of the favorites to take the region. Coach Bill Sharp’s Lakers have burned through the competition on their way to a 9-1 record and have consistently been ranked in the top ten in the BGP polls all season. Russell County’s only loss came to 5A Pulaski County (49-21) and no one else has come close to competing with them. The Lakers’ schedule has not been the toughest, and that seems to have been the only thing anyone can criticize about this Russell County team. The Lakers look forward to the 2^nd round game, where in all likelihood they will host Lexington Catholic in the game that will give them a chance to prove the critics wrong.

 

Projected Regional Final: Lexington Catholic 24, Boyle County 21

 

 

Region 4

 

Whenever you discuss high school football in Kentucky, if the name Fort Thomas Highlands doesn’t enter the discussion within the first minute then something is wrong. If you don’t believe me, just ask them. If you have been around BGP any length of time, then you know that the folks from Highlands know how to talk the talk. That comes with the realization that when their football team hits the gridiron, they also walk the walk.

 

Highlands has won the last 6 state championships in their class, and they are the odds on favorite to repeat for another. Their only loss in 2013 came to Ohio big school perennial power Cincinnati Elder (30-27). If there is a chink in the armor, it would appear that there has been some games much closer than expected throughout the 2013 season. They have made it count when they needed to, however, by defeating their 3 district opponents by a combined score of 190-20, including a 42-6 drubbing of Covington Catholic, who has been a BGP top ten team all season. The Bluebirds are commanded by Sr. QB Drew Houliston, who has thrown for 2700 yards and 35 touchdowns to a plethora of receivers. On the ground, Zach Harris has led the way with over 700 yards rushing in 9 games.

 

If any team in Region 4 believes that this is the year they can compete with Highlands, it is the Johnson Central Golden Eagles. Coach Matney’s team is experienced and physical and most folks in Paintsville think this is the best team the Eagles have ever fielded, especially offensively. Johnson Central closed out the regular season by thumping district rival Ashland (42-7) and then crushing the #1 team in 3A, Belfry (54-28). They are a true wishbone team, and they run right at you and dare you to stop them. Sr. QB Zach Gound runs the offense well and has a stable of talented backs in Sr. Jordan Young and Juniors Dalton Adkins and Daymion Belcher. Johnson Central has arguably the best kicker in the state in So. Tyler Pack. Pack kicked a new state record 60 yard FG earlier this year and is a weapon from anywhere inside the 50 yard line.

 

Covington Catholic looks to spoil the Johnson Central celebration as they will likely have to travel to Paintsville, affectionately named Johnsonville by many of the NKY fans a few years ago, in week 2. The Colonels have been decimated by injuries, yet have been able to win the games they were supposed to win and their only losses were to Cincinnati Moeller and Highlands. The Covington Catholic / Johnson Central matchup in round 2 if it happens, would be one of the more interesting games in 4A to date. The winner will likely get a trip to Fort Thomas for the regional championship match.

 

Projected Regional Final: Fort Thomas Highlands 48, Johnson Central 38

 

Projected semifinals: Collins 28, Owensboro 17

Projected Semi-Final: Fort Thomas Highlands 42 Lexington Catholic 24

 

Projected Class 4A State Championship: Fort Thomas Highlands 42, Collins 14

"behind the play of Jr. QB Josiah Robbins"

 

Just for the record…Boyle's Josiah Robbins is only a Sophomore.

"behind the play of Jr. QB Josiah Robbins"

 

Just for the record…Boyle's Josiah Robbins is only a Sophomore.

That has to be particularly comforting for Boyle County fans. How has he progressed over the course of the season? What are his strengths?

That has to be particularly comforting for Boyle County fans. How has he progressed over the course of the season? What are his strengths?

 

Boyle has a quarterback now like Duggins, and Smith. A person who can pass or just tuck it in and run the ball. What Boyle has missed the past years is that extra person in the backfield that is a threat to run at anytime. Robbins speed makes him very hard to defend. His strength is, that he's smart with the football and doesn't turn it over. He plays like a Sr. With all the young players playing this year, the next 2 years look to be bright with him.

Boyle has a quarterback now like Duggins, and Smith. A person who can pass or just tuck it in and run the ball. What Boyle has missed the past years is that extra person in the backfield that is a threat to run at anytime. Robbins speed makes him very hard to defend. His strength is, that he's smart with the football and doesn't turn it over. He plays like a Sr. With all the young players playing this year, the next 2 years look to be bright with him.

 

Very bright.

I expect and hope for a Boyle County/Highlands game this Thanksgiving.

I expect and hope for a Boyle County/Highlands game this Thanksgiving.

 

Planning to make the journey if this happens.

If Highlands can get healthy in the next couple of weeks I like the projections except I believe Boyle will take down Lexington Catholic in Danville.

Planning to make the journey if this happens.

 

 

I'm going to miss it if it happens. Going to visit my dad in PA for Thanksgiving.

I'm going to miss it if it happens. Going to visit my dad in PA for Thanksgiving.

 

I don't blame you PP. I wish I could go back and visit my Mom every holiday. Makes me feel guilty when I had the chance but didn't. Hope you have a great time and be safe.

I don't blame you PP. I wish I could go back and visit my Mom every holiday. Makes me feel guilty when I had the chance but didn't. Hope you have a great time and be safe.

 

Thanks. It is the first holiday I will have spent with my dad since I was around 25 years old.