Last week was a calm one in 1A. Everything went true to expectations with the only top ten team to lose being #8 Fairview, who lost to #2 Paintsville. This week should be a little more interesting with some key district battles happening that could shuffle the rankings and playoff lineups. Who will be the winners and losers this week in 1A?

 

The #1 ranked Beechwood Tigers should have no problem continuing their winning ways. This week's opponent, the 5-3 Ludlow Panthers, might be their toughest district opponent but Beechwood is still a big favorite. Beechwood's defense finally got it done in shutting out Bellevue last week. It will be interesting to see if that defense can step it up again this week versus Ludlow.

 

Our #2 team, Paintsville, posted that solid win over district opponent Fairview. Paintsville gets this week off to go watch next week's opponent Raceland take on that same Fairview team.

 

Not much to report on #3 Pikeville. Last week was their off week and this week they face winless district foe Phelps. This one could get ugly. Pikeville should cruise the next couple weeks on their way to a district title.

 

The #4 Raceland Rams get their first district game by hosting #8 Fairview. The Rams put up a nice win over a tough Lawrence County team last week. That should have them ready for their 1A rival Fairview. Fairview needs to make some noise in this one to get back on track and show themselves they are still in the race in 1A.

 

Russellville gets one more tuneup game before they take on their main district competition next week. Last week Russellville had no trouble with Fulton County and this week it should be the same story as they face Fulton City.

 

The game of the week features two undefeated 1A teams - the #6 Paris Greyhounds hosting the #10 Bishop Brossart Mustangs. Paris struggled to a 12-7 win over Nicholas County last week. Brossart has a win over Nicholas County too. That Paris score has Mustang fans excited for their chance to prove once and for all to everyone that the undefeated Mustangs are for real and not a product of a weak schedule. Paris will certainly be the best team Brossart has face this season. This is the must see game of the week.

 

Another possible district shuffle game features #7 Campbellsville hosting their district rival Bethlehem. Like Brossart, Campbellsville wants this win to prove the injuries suffered by their team have not side tracked their title hopes. Campbellsville had last week off to get ready for this one. The winner of this game gets the district title and higher seeding in the playoffs.

 

The remaining top ten team we have not discussed is the #9 Hazard Bulldogs. Looking at the Bulldogs remaining schedule we don't see much left other than preparing for a playoff run. Last week they beat winless Phelps, this week should be no threat facing a 2 win South Floyd team, then an open week before concluding the year versus 2 win Breathitt County.

 

There is one more interesting district game this week just outside the top ten. Louisville Holy Cross hosts the Frankfort Panthers. Holy Cross got a big district win last week versus Ky. Country Day while the young Frankfort team got their first win of the year in impressive fashion, 48-0 over then 4-2 Eminence. I believe it has been 10 years since Frankfort lost a 1A district game. That streak is on the line this week.

 

This is a pivotal week in 1A with the key district battles listed above. Friday night could be district shuffle night as teams start to line up their seeding for the playoffs.

Watched the tape on both teams in the upcoming HC/Frankfort game. I believe Frankfort's athleticism will be too much for a very disciplined HC team. No one has weighed in yet if Robinson plays for Frankfort on Friday. He did not play last Friday, but scuttlebut had him emerging from injury right about now. He would be extremely dangerous against HC.

Watched the tape on both teams in the upcoming HC/Frankfort game. I believe Frankfort's athleticism will be too much for a very disciplined HC team. No one has weighed in yet if Robinson plays for Frankfort on Friday. He did not play last Friday, but scuttlebut had him emerging from injury right about now. He would be extremely dangerous against HC.

 

How healthy would Robinson be if he did play?

How healthy would Robinson be if he did play?

 

And that's another wonderful mystery. Frankfort has some young men with raw athletic talent, a great tradition within the district and the wild card of "when's he gonna show up again, and what's he capable of." Kinda fun all the way around.