5th Region champ Bethlehem hosts 8th Region champ Simon Kenton in semistate play Monday at Nelson Co HS at 7pm.

 

I've seen Bethlehem a bunch — they're fast and skilled. Tell me more about the Pioneers team I'll be seeing in two days.

 

Bethlehem is No. 18 in the most recent Maher Rankings, while SK is No. 9. Seems like Bethlehem's schedule is better.

Sk has a little tougher schedule according to the Mather rankings. I have not seen Bethlehem play so hard for me to comment directly. According to a few that have seen both in limited games, I was told that they felt sk was better. I haven't seen sk a lot this year but they have talent and speed as well. They have been hampered by some injuries but they were early in the season so they haven't had to adjust much from what I have been told.

They also said they felt it could be either teams game and thought it could come down to whoever plays the best that night. The Zoeller girl could be the difference in the game.

Kind of hard to say who played the tougher schedule.

 

Maher says SK played tougher schedule, MaxPreps says Bethlehem was challenged more.

 

Can't say common opponents because both teams have a two-goal win against their only common opponent (South Oldham).

 

According to Maher:

 

BB best wins: 13-Greenwood, 19-Male

SK best wins: 6-Highlands, 8-Lexington Catholic, 21-Tates Creek

 

BB's schedule is boosted with five games (all losses) to top-three teams (0-1 against 1-Sacred Heart, 0-2 against 2-Murray, 0-2 against 3-Boyle County).

 

SK's strength of schedule doesn't include a neutral win over a pretty solid Avon, Indiana team.

 

BB has played more of the best overall teams (BB five games against top-3 teams, SK 0 games against top-3 teams).

 

But SK has two wins over teams ranked higher than BB's best single win (although BB has one regulation tie each with 2-Murray and 3-Boyle).

 

Plus, SK has a long road trip and hasn't played outside the friendly confines of the NKY in like a month.

But Bethlehem is playing on a rival's turf field instead of its cozy grass complex (past Hardin County boys teams know how hard it is to win at Bethlehem's Lally Field grass pitch).

 

So who knows.

 

Should be a good game either way. Both teams are capable. Both teams have been on the rise the last two years.

I thought these teams played each other in the bluegrass games? If they did it doesn't matter now as I'm sure a lot has changed since then for both teams.

SK won 1-0.

 

Per KY Standard Sports

Simon Kenton was able to take Bethlehem's high-scoring offense out of the game by aggressively taking it to the Banshees' defense and forcing their midfielders and forwards to play back more than they're used to. Bethlehem's cause was made more difficult by injuries to Abigail Proctor (hand), their top goal-scorer, and top assist-maker Haley Nelson (head), with both players missing big chunks of game time.

 

Hannah Allen broke through with a header off a deep throw-in during the 55th minute. Bethlehem got a few looks at an equalizer but the SK defense was too good, forcing contested or rushed shots. Pioneers had a big advantage in shots on goal, 24-9.