Class 1A continued its winning roll through upper class matchups in week two. Out of the top ten, only Kentucky Country Day lost a game against an upper class opponent as they fell to 2A #7 Lexington Christian 56-20. The other two top ten losers - Frankfort and Fairview - were defeated by 1A top ten teams.

 

The most impressive win of the week went to #4 Raceland. The Rams got a rare win over their area rival 4A Ashland by a 20-13 score. Even more impressive is the Rams got the win at Ashland. This could be the win that propels the Rams on to that special season Raceland has seemed to be close to more than once in recent seasons.

 

Our top two teams had no trouble disposing of big school opponents. Pikeville rolled over 5A Letcher County Central 30-6 with only a last minute touchdown preventing a shutout win. Second ranked Russellville had even less trouble in defeating 3A Fort Campbell 41-6.

 

As we go deeper in the rankings there were three games between ranked opponents. The #4 ranked Beechwood Tigers opened their season with a win over 2A #10 Lloyd by a score of 12-0. The other two ranked games were between 1A top ten teams. The #5 Hazard Bulldogs were finally able to pull away from #10 Fairview and get a 41-28 victory. Paintsville put it's #6 ranking on the line versus #7 Frankfort. This game looked on paper to be the matchup of the week in 1A but Paintsville had no trouble as they overwhelmed Frankfort 42-6. Our final top ten team #9 Nicholas County continued 1A's victory march over higher class teams with an easy 21-0 victory over 3A Pendleton County.

 

Featured Week 3 Games

 

There is no doubt what the headline battle in week 3 is - #1 Pikeville vs. #5 Paintsville. These two teams have played some classic games the past few seasons and this one looks like more of the same. Both teams come into this contest with convincing victories and 2-0 records. Pikeville has played the tougher schedule and the defending champs are the favorite on their home field. There is a bit of role reversal as we look at the key players on each team. Last year it was Paintsville being led by a top QB and Pikeville with the RB. This year it is Pikeville QB Wyatt Battaile leading the way versus Paintsville RB Kent Phelps. This is a game you don't want to miss.

 

#2 Russellville will face by far their stiffest challenge of the year when they host 2A #9 Butler County. Both teams have strong offenses which should lead to a high scoring and entertaining game. Butler County QB "King" Rex Henderson is one of the best in the state. Russellville will counter with experienced and talented QB Jaylyn McMurry and RB's Johnny Drumgole and MJ Jones.

 

#3 Beechwood once again will host a top 2A opponent when the Somerset Briar Jumpers visit the new turf in Ft. Mitchell. The Tigers hope to get their offense on track this week to help out their defense, which got the shutout win last week. Somerset comes into the game at 2-0 with a win last week over 1A Williamsburg. Somerset RB Jordan Doan will be counting on his line to get him room to run on that Tiger defense. Last year Beechwood won a clear 48-14 victory but this game should be a much closer contest this year.

 

In the rest of 1A there are once again several games between 1A top ten teams and teams from higher classes. This is how the best in 1A get ready for district play and the playoffs. They challenge themselves with tough out of district games. It will be interesting to see if the leaders in 1A can continue their winning ways this week.

 

Here are the rest of your top ranked 1A teams' games in week 3:

 

Raceland vs. 4A East Carter (9/3)

Hazard at 5A Letcher County Central

Nicholas County at Eminence

Fairview vs. 3A Lawrence County

Holy Cross (Louisville) vs. Providence IN

Frankfort at 3A Estill County

Great job VOR!