Region 1

 

Is this the year South Warren finally breaks through to the Final Four? The Spartans have been regional runners-up the last two seasons, losing to Monroe County in 2012 and suffering a controversial loss to Paducah Tilghman on a late safety in 2013. South Warren is outscoring their opponents by an average of 40-9 and has only played one game decided under twenty points.

 

The biggest question many have in regard to South Warren (10-0) is schedule strength. District 2 was expected to produce a challenger in Monroe County, but the Falcons fell flat, finishing fourth in the district. Adair County (8-2) generated their best season in school history, but the Indians were routed by South Warren, 42-12.

 

If there is a challenger in Region I, it might just be the Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado. Always a contender, Tilghman started the season losing five of seven under first year coach Mike Rogers. Like most seasons, the Blue Tornado faced a stout schedule chock full of big-school powers (McCracken County, Highlands, Madisonville) and traditional giants (Mayfield). Tilghman outscored their district opponents 160-24 and seem to be honing in on a deep playoff run. The biggest question is have the young Tornado improved enough to go on the road and win a regional title at South Warren?

 

Region 1 Championship: South Warren 35 Paducah Tilghman 21

 

 

Region 2

 

You know who it is before you even read this article. Region II has been the playground of the Louisville Central Yellowjackets since the move to a six-class system in 2007, with the Jackets (6-4) from West Chestnut Street winning six straight regional titles before falling to Wayne County last season. This year’s edition has four losses to top caliber 6A teams in Manual, Lafayette, St. Xavier, and Pleasure Ridge Park, but has yet to lose a game within the class. Both Elizabethtown (7-3) and Henry County (7-3) have rebounded well after a couple subpar seasons, but the Panthers and Wildcats seem a distant runner-up to Central.

 

If the Yellowjackets are to be eliminated from the playoffs before the State semi-finals, it will likely come at the hands of one of two traditional powers from southeast Kentucky. Corbin (9-1) won their 29th district championship this season, but first since 2010, under new head coach Justin Haddix. The title was clinched by virtue of a 21-20 overtime win over recent stumbling block Bell County (8-2). The Bobcats chose to go for two in overtime and came up short against the Redhounds, giving Corbin home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Bell County has seen their last three seasons end at the hands of Louisville Central and would have to win in the Derby City this season to keep up their quest for a third state title. Corbin has three state titles, but none since 1982.

 

Region 2 Championship: Central 27 Corbin 21

 

 

Region 3

 

It took ten weeks and several calculators but after the tiebreaker was applied to District 5, Garrard County (8-2) came away with the top seed. Estill County (8-2), who won at Garrard, finished second, while Bourbon County (7-3) finished third. Now the question is who makes a run in the playoffs? And whoever it is, the playoff road will lead through Flatwoods and the resurgent Russell Red Devils (8-2), unless, of course, Fleming County (7-3) or Mason County (8-2), make a push. Bottom line, this region is wide open.

 

The bracket may help determine the winner as much as anything. Football is all about matchups and it will be interesting to see who opposes whom. Garrard County, with their power rushing game, will likely host either the pass-happy Fleming County Panthers or the multi-dimensional Bourbon County Colonels. Russell should comfortably dispose of Western Hills (5-5), but a second round meeting with either Estill County or Mason County would present a challenge.

 

Region 3 Championship: Russell 21 Garrard County 14

 

 

Region 4

 

Look, it’s going to be Belfry. We can (and will) discuss the merits of some of the regional challengers, but the Pirates from Pond Creek seem primed for a fifth consecutive regional championship, and eleventh in twelve seasons. While we can likely pencil in Belfry (8-2) for three consecutive wins to open the postseason, will their health hold up for another trip to WKU? The Pirates have been a MASH unit nearly all season, with a new player seemingly going down every weekend. While the early round playoff games may give Coach Philip Haywood’s boys a chance to heal up, will there be enough there for late November?

 

If it isn’t Belfry, then who might be able to make a run? The Lawrence County Bulldogs (7-3) have had a stellar season and played Belfry close in mid-October, losing 34-19. Lawrence County’s schedule has been suspect, however, and asking them to win a playoff game at Belfry might be a little too much. Magoffin County (6-4) won their first district championship in school history, dethroning a Breathitt County (4-6) program that had won seven straight district crowns. While the Hornets from Magoffin County aren’t yet at the level of some of their regional brethren, with a sparkling new facility and back-to-back winning seasons, things are looking up in Salyersville.

 

Region 4 Championship: Belfry 38 Lawrence County 12

 

 

Semi-Finals: South Warren 31 Central 14

Semi-Finals: Belfry 28 Russell 12

 

State Championship: South Warren 22 Belfry 21

*Preview complied by BGP Staff Members

Well done!

 

The one team that intrigues me that didn't get a lot of love is Estill County.

 

Trevor Jones is a gamer at QB and makes plays. In a region where offense is at a premium having that guy who can change the game with his ability to extend plays makes Estill County a team to keep an eye on.

I'm not sure who Adair Co. played to get to 8-2, but losing to Casey Co by a score of 25-7 makes me think they didn't beat any good, or maybe even average teams. It also tells me that Tilghman and South Warren will have cakewalks to the region finals.

I'm not sure who Adair Co. played to get to 8-2, but losing to Casey Co by a score of 25-7 makes me think they didn't beat any good, or maybe even average teams. It also tells me that Tilghman and South Warren will have cakewalks to the region finals.

 

I think that they will too.

I'm hearing that Central has only 6 seniors on their team. For them to get to the semi's would be a nice accomplishment.

I'm hearing that Central has only 6 seniors on their team. For them to get to the semi's would be a nice accomplishment.

I think you are right. I talked with Coach Scroggins last year at Bowling Green and he told me his Jr class was really small.

 

Belfry is in about the same boat, I think they only have 7 seniors, of which only 6 really play.

Guru,

 

I like your predictions however I don't think the finals will be as high of scoring as you have it. I feel if those two teams meet in the finals it will be a low scoring game. Over the last 4 games South has given up 12 to Daviess in the rain fest, 12 to Adair and one was a fumble return, 14 to Monroe and the last TD was against the JV and 22 to Russellville and the last 8 was against the JV. I feel that there defense will keep the scores low from here on out. My question and concern for South is their offense and protecting the ball and stopping the penalty bug will be huge for them if the games get closer in the playoffs.

BGP is 7 of 8 in 3A regionals. The only miss is Bourbon County instead of Garrard County.

BGP picks all four of the final four!

Guru,

 

I like your predictions however I don't think the finals will be as high of scoring as you have it. I feel if those two teams meet in the finals it will be a low scoring game. Over the last 4 games South has given up 12 to Daviess in the rain fest, 12 to Adair and one was a fumble return, 14 to Monroe and the last TD was against the JV and 22 to Russellville and the last 8 was against the JV. I feel that there defense will keep the scores low from here on out. My question and concern for South is their offense and protecting the ball and stopping the penalty bug will be huge for them if the games get closer in the playoffs.

 

I missed this post, our staff put the preview together, not me.

Understand guru, still think that the BGP staff that put it together has points to high. If Souths first team defense gives up more than 20 then they are in trouble.

Even the games like Trigg where they gave 28 the first team only gave 14 and clock was running. Then they shut our PT last night.

I didn't see that coming. Pt did move ball well in first half and south defense stepped up with some big plays.

It's going to be interesting from here on out. South enters situations and preasure it's not been in Semi Final against a team and staff that has been here many times over the last few years. Looking for a great game Friday night.

It's going to be interesting from here on out. South enters situations and pressure it's not been in Semi Final against a team and staff that has been here many times over the last few years. Looking for a great game Friday night.

 

Couldn't help but think about your post while watching the Central/South Warren game on Friday. It was obvious that was the first time South Warren had been in a pressure situation. I think Brandon Smith is going to be a terrific coach but there was some questionable clock management and some interesting play calling. Originally South Warren was run with the quarterback, then run with the tailback, then fullback, then pass, but never a good mix. I know Central did a better job of shutting down the quarterback run after the first two drives, but South seemed to abandon their offense too quickly when in reality they were never more than 1 score down. Scroggins, on the other hand, stuck with his gameplan and it worked. I don't mean this as a knock on the South Warren staff because I know they are good, but rather proof as you mentioned that coaching in close games isn't something South has even had to do.