It’s Football Playoff time in Kentucky. Teams from all over the state are preparing to advance all the way to the State Championship game. The one seeds are expecting two rounds of easy games and the three and four seeds are poised for an upset in round one, then anything is possible with every four seed wanting to do the impossible.

 

One team in North-Eastern Kentucky has a true chance of advancing to the Regional Championship game and possible to the State Championship Game - Raceland. By being the one seed in 1A District 7, the Rams will be assured three home games, so long as they continue to win and the opportunity to host the Regional Championship.

 

The other Playoff teams in the area will have a hard road to their Regional Championship. But, anything is possible, right?

 

For four area teams, the season has already ended. Seniors have played their last High School game, and underclassmen are already preparing for a better season in 2014.

 

 

Class 1A

Raceland (8-2) vs. Phelps (1-9)

The Rams will face an outmatched Phelps in round one. Round two should be a rematch with a dangerous Paintsville team that Raceland defeated two weeks ago 32-10.

 

With wins in the first two rounds, the Rams will face Pikeville for the Regional Championship. Pikeville has been putting up big numbers all season with their only loss coming at the hands of a State Championship Contender - Belfry. Raceland’s defense has steadily improved over the season, ending the regular season with a rare shutout of Ironton, Ohio. Will the Ram’s defense be able to hold Pikeville to under 20 points? Look for Pikeville to stack the box against the Rams and Raceland will have to utilize the pass to open up the run. A key matchup will be in the trenches with Raceland dominate line versus Pikeville’s line who will probably rush seven to contain Raceland’s running game and rush the pass.

 

If the Rams get by Pikeville, they will likely play Williamsburg in the State Semi-Finals. Like Pikeville, Williamsburg has been putting up big numbers on offense. Will the Ram’s defense be able to contain the potent Williamsburg scoring machine?

Class 3A

Russell (6-4) vs. Estill County (5-5)

Russell has taken on a workman’s approach in 2013 without a true playmaker and the absence of a passing game. Russell utilizes several running backs and relies on a ball control/clock management style to hopefully put themselves in a position to win at the end.

 

The first round game versus Estill County will prove to be a competitive game that either team could win. If Russell is able to run and control the clock, they will likely meet up with Bourbon County in round two, a game that will prove to be a huge mountain for the Red Devils to clime.

 

Russell surprised many with their success in 2013, but the next Regional Championship for the Red Devils will have to wait.

 

Lewis County (7-3) at Garrard County (6-4)

The Lions faithful have said all offseason that 2013 would be a good year. Not many paid attention or believed them, but they have proven themselves correct posting only their second seven win season is quite some time. Being the underdog is nothing new for Lewis County, and they will play that part again in every round of the playoffs they get to compete in.

 

The Lions travel to Garrard County for Round one of the State playoffs. No surprise, they are considered the underdog. But, this game is at best a draw, pitting two similar teams against one another. Anything is possible. Can the Lions get a playoff win? Be assured, the Lions faithful think so, but few others.

 

Lawrence County (7-3) at Magoffin County (6-4)

Oh, what difference a year makes. Or, does it? Time to explain. The Dawgs struggled in 2012 with a young team. In 2013 they have raddled off seven wins and scored over 45 points five times. The level of maturity is apparent, and that happened over one year. Even though Lawrence County is the number three seed, they are probably considered the favorite over the number two seed Magoffin County. Look for Lawrence County to advance to round two.

 

Time for the, “Or, does it?” part: in 2012 the Dawgs ended their season in round two with a loss to Belfry. 2013 will prove to be the same ending for Lawrence County.

Class 4A

Boyd County (1-9) at Highlands (9-1)

There’s no way to sugar coat it, the Lions will lose by what ever Highlands wants to score. Calling this a mismatch is like saying, “Texas is a little bigger then Rhode Island”.

 

The Lions are small and play virtually everyone on both sides of the ball. They have struggled against everyone on their schedule, squeaking out a win over Greenup County, who briefly held the longest losing streak in the state earlier this year, for their only win of the season.

 

Ashland (7-3) vs. Holmes (5-5)

The Tomcats are not the same team that begin the season. They started out with a lot of inexperienced starters on the field and everyone was expecting the only returner in the backfield to have to carry the entire weight of the offense. Those inexperienced players are now seasoned and Ashland has developed several offensive weapons to spread the offense to more then one player.

 

The Tomcats will win their first round game against Holmes. Not, that that will get them in a better position to advance, setting them up with a second round game against Highlands. A game they can not win.

Did not Qualify for Playoffs:

Greenup County

East Carter

West Carter

Fairview

Good stuff Ram. I think the Russell/Estill County game will be better than most think.

Good stuff Ram. I think the Russell/Estill County game will be better than most think.

I agree. Should be one of the better first round games in this half of the state.

Class 3A

 

Lewis County (7-3) at Garrard County (6-4)

The Lions faithful have said all offseason that 2013 would be a good year. Not many paid attention or believed them, but they have proven themselves correct posting only their second seven win season is quite some time. Being the underdog is nothing new for Lewis County, and they will play that part again in every round of the playoffs they get to compete in.

 

The Lions travel to Garrard County for Round one of the State playoffs. No surprise, they are considered the underdog. But, this game is at best a draw, pitting two similar teams against one another. Anything is possible. Can the Lions get a playoff win? Be assured, the Lions faithful think so, but few others.

 

No matter how you slice this one, the Lions will definitely win. Now which set, that's a different question...

Sounds about right to me. I believe Raceland has a shot at winning it all in their class. Ashland played Highlands well last year for a half, but still lost the game by a large margin. They still need more experience before they could even give highlands a good first half at this point, but even then they will run out of depth.