Class 1A

 

Three of the Top 4 teams in Class 1A closed out the regular season with ranked foes from higher classifications. Beechwood served notice that they will be a factor in the Championship picture by dominating Newport Central Catholic. Raceland succumbed to the power of the two-point conversion for the second straight week against 3A Russell, meanwhile Russellville battled valiantly before eventually falling to 4A Franklin-Simpson to remove them from the ranks of the undefeated. As the post-season begins the premier First Round matchups appear to be in Region III. Bracken County and Fairview should be one of the more evenly matched First Round games, and Raceland will have to find their confidence against a capable Bishop Brossart.

 

1. Paintsville vs. Paris

2. Beechwood vs. Eminence

3. Raceland vs. Bishop Brossart

4. Russellville vs. Caverna

5. Pikeville vs. Lynn Camp

6. Hazard vs. Harlan

7. Kentucky Country Day vs. Dayton

8. Louisville Holy Cross vs. Ludlow

9. Williamsburg vs. South Floyd

10. Nicholas County -- BYE

 

 

Class 2A

 

Top ranked Mayfield had one final tough test heading into their official defense of their Title. The Cardinals passes that test against 3A Caldwell County displaying offensive fireworks. Two of the Top 10 teams fell in surprisingly lopsided fashion as both Glasgow and Newport Central Catholic were over matched. Two "off the radar" scores that may have changed people's perceptions were Owensboro Catholic's narrow win over 6A North Hardin and Leslie County handing 5A Whitley County only their second defeat. The First Round will have a couple competitive showdowns on paper. Ballard Memorial may be able to make Butler County uncomfortable if they overlook the Bombers. Murray has suddenly found their offense, but McLean capable is capable of giving the small school power a rare First Round exit. In the East, Somerset will travel to Prestonsburg but the Briarjumpers should enter as the favorite.

 

1. Mayfield vs. Hancock County

2. Christian Academy- Louisville vs. Green County

3. DeSales vs. Monroe County

4. Owensboro Catholic vs.Webster County

5. Lexington Christian Academy vs. Shelby Valley

6. Danville vs. Allen Central

7. Newport Central Catholic vs. Carroll County

8. Covington Holy Cross vs. Owen County (11/3, at Covington Catholic)

9. Somerset at Prestonsburg

10. Leslie County vs. Middlesboro

 

 

Class 3A

 

It has been two years since Belfry has lost to a team from Kentucky and the rest of Class 3A all watched intently to see if the top ranked Pirates may have a flaw in their armor entering November. Belfry went on the road in a playoff atmosphere to take down 4A's #1 team Johnson Central and in the process sent a message as to why they will be the heavy favorite. A pair of teams in the back half of last week's Top 10 made statement wins as Russell outlasted rival 1A Raceland and Elizabethtown destroyed a ranked 2A Glasgow. Lexington Catholic used a game winning field goal to take down a Top 10 5A Southwestern. Meanwhile both Central and Caldwell tasted defeat against strong foes. As the playoffs open Region II appears to produce the most intriguing Round 1 match-ups. Boyle County's youth will be tested with a confident Louisville Moore, meanwhile Bardstown should not take Western Hills lightly. Region III has a pair of evenly matched foes as West Carter and Pike Central, as well as Lawrence County and Fleming County, may both fall under the "toss-up" distinction. In Region IV two of the State's strongest traditions will play when Bell County and Breathitt County square off in a game that people wish could have happened under better circumstances.

 

1. Belfry vs. Bath County

2. Corbin vs. Knott County Central

3. Lexington Catholic vs. Waggener

4. Central vs. Garrard County

5. Bardstown vs. Western Hills

6. Russell -- BYE

7. Caldwell County vs. Hart County

8. Boyle County vs. Moore

9. Elizabethtown vs. Fort Campbell

10. Casey County vs. Powell County

 

 

Class 4A

 

Each of the Top 3 teams in last week's Class 4A Top 10 knew they would face tough opponents. Franklin-Simpson had 1A Russellville and for Three Quarters saw exactly what the 1A Title Contender was made of before pulling away late. Top ranked Johnson Central was impressive on the stat sheet, but could not close out red zone opportunities against Class 3A's top team. South Warren traveled across the border and fell to a Tennessee Private school that gave the Spartans issues at the line of scrimmage. John Hardin did not end their season the way they would have liked as they took it on the chin to 5A Christian County. Previously undefeated 5A South Oldham became the victim of Shelby County who seems to once again be peaking at the right time. With the brackets released a handful of Round 1 games catch the eye. In Region III the Battle of the Cardinals should be interesting as Taylor County and Wayne County square off. Knox Central is a team needing confidence, but Mercer County could be ripe for an upset if the Panthers can find Offense. Two other games that have some intrigue will be Allen County-Scottsville taking on Calloway County as well as Collins travelling to Western.

 

1. Johnson Central vs. Scott

2. Franklin-Simpson vs. Hopkins County Central

3. Hopkinsville vs. Warren East

4. Rockcastle County vs. West Jessamine

5. South Warren vs. Madisonville-North Hopkins

6. Wayne County vs. Taylor County

7. Shelby County vs. Breckinridge County

8. John Hardin vs. Franklin County

9. Ashland vs. Mason County

10. Spencer County vs. Valley

 

 

Class 5A

 

Class 5A's Top 10 did not close out the regular season making the statement they had hoped for. Bowling Green and Christian County held up their end of the bargain by looking very impressive against 6A McCracken County and 4A John Hardin respectively. The highlights ended there though as Covington Catholic dropped a tough battle with 6A Scott County, Southwestern saw a Field Goal sail through the uprights to lose to 3A Lexington Catholic, and South Oldham's perfect run came to an end against 4A Shelby County. As we enter November a couple opening round games stand out. South laurel has rallied to become one of 5A's most pleasant surprises and they will have a chance to avenge an early season loss to cross-town rival North Laurel. Highlands regular season was a disaster by their rich standards, but an almost unthinkable First Round road match will have them travelling to Louisville against a Doss team with lots of individual talent.

 

1. Bowling Green vs. Marshall County

2. Covington Catholic vs. Fairdale

3. Owensboro vs. Grayson County

4. Christian County vs. Barren County (11/3)

5. Greenwood vs. Graves County

6. Southwestern vs. Letcher County Central

7. Fern Creek vs. Grant County

8. Pulaski County vs. Harlan County

9. Dixie Heights vs. Southern

10. South Oldham vs. Woodford County

 

 

Class 6A

 

The Class 6A Top 10 held their ground in the Final Week with the exception of St. Xavier who could not topple their GCL doppelganger from Ohio. Scott County, Ryle, PRP, and Madison Central all secured signature wins against quality lower class foes. Powerhouse District 2 will be the story of Round 1 as they will look to pull off the rare sweep. Male and St. Xavier will both be decided favorites, but fellow Top 10 teams Pleasure Ridge Park and DuPont Manual will hit the road in hopes of the gang all getting back together for Round 2 battles. In Region III keep an eye on the Cooper challenge to home standing Bryan Station. The Defenders haven't exactly lived up their name and Cooper has to feel they have some pride to restore after finishing third in their District despite very high expectations.

 

1. Trinity vs. Ohio County

2. St. Xavier vs. Muhlenberg County

3. Male vs. Daviess County

4. Ryle vs. Henry Clay

5. Scott County vs. Jeffersontown

6. Simon Kenton vs. George Rogers Clark

7. Lafayette vs. Butler

8. DuPont Manual at Henderson County

9. Conner vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar

10. Pleasure Ridge Park at McCracken County

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