Lexington Catholic Hooks Win at Boyle, Do They Climb Ladder to Top Ranking?

With just over a minute to go in regulation of a ballgame tied at 24, Friday night's matchup between #1 Boyle County and #6 Lexington Catholic was already shaping up to be another in a long line of close, intense, classic games between the two rivals. When Lexington Catholic quarterback Kirk Fagot completed a nine-yard pass to Donovan Morris just across midfield, you had to think the Knights were making progress toward a potential game-winning field goal. It was what happened afterward that had heads spinning across Kentucky and put the Class 3A rankings, and maybe even the state title chase, into a wild free-for-all. Morris caught the pass and then lateraled to Joseph Ogbogu who went all the way to the end zone, putting Catholic ahead for good and knocking off the state's top ranked team in Class 3A.

 

The statistical breakdown, just like the scoreboard, showed an almost even game. Lexington Catholic (5-3) ran for 127 yards and passed for 281 more, along with four touchdown passes. Boyle (7-1) got 205 yards on the ground (177 from Cory Swanner) and another 216 through the air, although Josiah Robbins completed only 42% of his passes and was picked off twice. The Catholic defense, maligned after tough outings early this season against Ryle, Johnson Central, and Cooper (all ranked in their respective classes) was able to hold a Boyle County offense averaging just over 40 points per game to their lowest total since a season opening win over Central Hardin.

 

With the win, Lexington Catholic gives themselves a slight bit of breathing room in the coming Class 3A playoffs. The Knights still have to beat Garrard County this weekend to assure themselves a district title, but if they can win then they would not have to face Boyle County or Central until the regional final. On the flip side, with the loss, Boyle County is only assured one home playoff game and will now likely have to travel to Louisville to face Central in the second round.

 

Who is #1?

Much of the debate all season has been whether Boyle County or Belfry should be the #1 team in the class. Boyle County hadn't lost a game all season and had only been challenged in their opener with Central Hardin, before succumbing to Lexington Catholic. Belfry roared to a 5-0 start but then lost to West Virginia power Cabell-Midland and was nearly toppled by district rival Lawrence County. The Pirates (7-1) got back to their easy winning ways this weekend over Sheldon Clark, taking out the Cardinals 52-6.

 

What about Central? The Yellowjackets picked up their sixth consecutive win, handling Bardstown 42-7. Central (6-2) has two wins that can stack up with anyone (Christian Academy-Louisville and St. Xavier), but also an odd loss to middling Knox Central. And how about Lexington Catholic? Does a win over #1 make you #1? The Knights beat Boyle and also beat Covington Catholic, but were shut out by Cooper and nearly met with a running clock against Johnson Central.

 

And if you haven't looked, Caldwell County is 8-1 and Elizabethtown is 8-0 and both might have claims to be the best team, themselves. Either way, this week's BGP rankings will be eagerly anticipated and will likely be much debated upon publication.

 

Corbin tops Bell, Solidifies Spot as Best in the Region

On most any other night of the season, a Corbin/Bell County matchup would be considered one of the biggest games in the state. But on a night that saw the Boyle/Catholic thriller, Friday night's battle on Log Mountain had to be the undercard. Bell County (6-2) moved out to an early 13-0 lead before Corbin quarterback Cameron Sizemore scored the first of what would eventually be five touchdowns. Bell would move the lead to 20-13 at halftime, but the Redhounds then put up 21 unanswered points to wrap up the 34-20 victory.

 

With the win, Corbin (5-3) guarantees themselves the top seed in the playoffs and should be considered the Region IV favorite. District 7 has six teams that are fairly equal but none appear to be at the level of Corbin. It looks like there could be a rematch between Corbin and Bell in the third round of the playoffs, this time not on Log Mountain, but rather at Campbell Field.

 

Around the Rankings

#4 Caldwell County (8-1) had no trouble with Fort Campbell, beating the Falcons 50-6 and winning their fourth straight district championship and seventh title in school history.

 

#5 Elizabethtown (8-0) humbled #10 Adair County (7-1) in a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated clubs. Elizabethtown, behind another standout performance from running back Bernil Cecil (261 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns), reached running clock status in the second quarter and would win the game 43-15.

 

#7 Paducah Tilghman (5-3) won easily over Union County, 48-7, in a game that almost guarantees the Blue Tornado the second spot in the district and a first round home playoff game. Sayveon McEwen ran for 135 yards and two scores in the win.

 

Extra Points

Powell County (5-3) beat Knott County Central 44-14, clinching the first district championship in school history.

 

Waggener (4-4) continued their improved play, demolishing Thomas Nelson 68-14. The Wildcats look likely to finish in a three-way tie for second place with Henry County and Bardstown, though the tiebreaker formula will probably put Waggener on the road to start the playoffs.

 

Fleming County (5-3) won a close one over Bath County, 21-19. The Panthers will go for a share of the district crown next weekend when they travel to Pendleton County.

Great article

It's going to be interesting watching this class play out. Any one of 4 or 5 teams could take it depending on some luck and keeping players healthy.

Mark it down now, when its all said and done the Boyle County Rebels will be playing for the State Championship. But as for now I would have Belfry at #1. After Belfry I would have these teams in this order. Boyle, Central, Catholic, Caldwell and then Corbin.

Central, tougher schedule and more impressive wins.

1 - Central

2 - Boyle Co

3 - Belfry

4 - Lex Catholic

5 - Caldwell Co

6 - Elizabethtown

7 - Tilghman

8 - Corbin

9 - Bell Co

10 - Lawrence Co

When an undefeated team is #6 you know you have the toughest class of the 6.

 

In the previous years 4A you could map the path to Bowling Green fairly easily. With LexCath and Boyle in the mix in this 3A set up it will be a dogfight at least from week 2 of the playoffs forward.

 

:popcorn:

When an undefeated team is #6 you know you have the toughest class of the 6.

 

In the previous years 4A you could map the path to Bowling Green fairly easily. With LexCath and Boyle in the mix in this 3A set up it will be a dogfight at least from week 2 of the playoffs forward.

 

:popcorn:

 

Not only that... but Etown is a pretty solid undefeated team at that with wins over North Oldham, North Hardin, and now Adair County.