The 4A playoffs basically summed up in a single image. We're through two rounds of the 4A state playoffs. Two road teams have won in the sixteen games played, one in each round. One of those was #3 Ashland knocking off Harrison County, which while against seed, was 100% expected. The other was a 24-0 shutout by Hopkinsville over Warren East in the first round. The margin may have been unexpected, but those were two teams that were considered basically even. But that is what passes for an upset this year. Not a single game has gone against rank as of yet. Hey, it's gratifying to know we had it right, but boy, is it not exciting. Last year saw two #3 seeds advance to the third round. This year, the region finals this week will be contested with seven #1 seeds and one #2.

 

In region 1, the second round matchups were decided by a combined 75-19. Madisonville-North Hopkins is back in the region finals for the first time since 2014 after a 20-0 win over Hopkinsville. In two matchups this season, the Maroons shut out the Tigers by a combined 34-0. They're the only two shutouts this season for Madisonville. They held the Tigers to just 135 yards of offense. Meanwhile, Franklin did Franklin things, gaining yet another running clock by halftime on the way to a 55-19 win over Logan County. The Cougars saw their season end in the second round via blowout fashion yet again. Tre Bass had 215 yards on 14 rushing attempts. Just your standard 15 yards per carry, no biggie.

 

Region 2 was decided by a combined 49-2 score. Mercer County's safety against #8 Moore was the only score by a losing team. For Moore, it continues a dream season that was not really expected. They've won 7 in a row and are now 11-1 on the season. Their lone loss was at Johnson Central, which is incredibly forgivable. They'll visit #10 Taylor County, who are 11-1 as well after a 23-0 win over John Hardin for their 9th straight win. Unlike Moore, this is exactly what we expected of Taylor County. They rushed it FIFTY-FIVE (!) times with just 7 pass attempts, led by Wes Oliver's 122 yards. Neither team will be favored against what will almost certainly be Franklin-Simpson in the state semifinals, but honestly, this region will produce the most feel-good story for the season. These are two teams that do not enjoy this type of success.

 

Ah, a competitive region. Both games were decided by six points. Region favorite #4 Franklin County knew they'd have a tough test, matching with #6 Wayne County. The Cardinals have been formidable for years, and their losses on the year are top shelf names like Federick Douglass, Boyle County, and Knox Central. Wayne County drew first blood with a Sloan touchdown run before 14 straight by Franklin County as Broyles scored on a run and then hit Lee for a 38 yard touchdown pass. After a Weaver to Weaver 15 yard touchdown from Wayne County, it was 14 all at the half. The Weavers did it again midway through the third to take a 21-14 lead, and it began to seem like the Cardinals would pull it off again. An interception at the end of the quarter gave Franklin County the ball still trailing 21-14, and that catapulted them to two fourth quarter scores, including a Cameron Phelps touchdown reception with just over five minutes remaining. Wayne County had one last chance after a blocked punt set them up on the Franklin County 36 yard line with 13 seconds left, but two incomplete passes ended it. A true classic and a 27-21 Franklin County win. Meanwhile, #5 Knox Central took on a dangerous Shelby County team. The Rockets were an unimpressive 6-5, but gave Franklin County a tougher game than Knox Central did, and immediately showed their mettle with touchdown off a blocked punt at the end of the first quarter. Knox Central answered with 14 straight including a Worley to Martin 74 yard bomb. Knox would never trail again, but were tied at half time 14 all. The Panthers gained the clinching score on a Tucker Holland four yard run for a 20-14 difference. Brady Worley only completed six passes, but netted 218 yards on them to fuel over 300 yards of offense for the Panthers. So they've earned a rematch with Franklin County, who won the first matchup in Frankfort 42-20. Knox will get to host this time around, which may prove crucial. They'll have to tighen up on defense - Franklin County posted 486 yards the last time around.

 

Finally we arrive at region 4, with its two games decided by a combined 77-13 score. It's here that we find the lone lower seed to win in the round, as #3 Ashland knocked off homestanding Harrison County 27-6. Again, this was entirely expected despite the seeding, as the Tomcats are 11-1 with the lone loss coming to #1 Johnson Central. Ashland never trailed, but didn't quite put the game away the way you'd have thought they would. Part of that was due to Harrison County's clock controlling ground attack, which kept the pace down and chewed up yardage, but also time. They held the ball almost the entire fourth quarter with a 21 play drive, but showed little urgency despite trailing by 21 points. They also failed to score on the drive. But the score stayed respectable. The same could not be said for the other game where Johnson Central posted their second straight 50+ point game in a 50-7 blowout of Scott. Those two teams played a classic three years ago where a miracle touchdown as time expired put Johnson Central through to the state semifinals. No need for those heroics here as they won their eleventh in a row. Joe Jackson had 134 yards on 10 rushes. Devin Johnson decided to one-up him in the YPC department - he scored twice on five carries for 123 yards, just a shade under 25 yards per carry. They continue to enjoy homefield advantage, which they'll have in all games before the state finals. They beat #3 Ashland 47-24 just under a month ago, and will be favored to do it again. All signs continue to point to Johnson Central-Franklin-Simpson III.

Taylor County has been ranked way too low all year long. Their crosstown rival loss to a Campbellsville team that has all kinds of speed, plus it being a rivalry game has been held against them for way too long. I’m not sure who they go above because FS and JC just seem to be clear cut above the rest, but Taylor can play.

Taylor County has been ranked way too low all year long. Their crosstown rival loss to a Campbellsville team that has all kinds of speed, plus it being a rivalry game has been held against them for way too long. I’m not sure who they go above because FS and JC just seem to be clear cut above the rest, but Taylor can play.

 

Watched a little bit of Taylor. They looked really good.

 

 

A bit more on Tre Bass:

 

Opened the game with an 89 yd KOR for a TD

14 Rushing attempts for 215 yards and 4 TD

Caught a pass (yes, FS threw a pass) for 24 yds.

 

That is 328 All purpose yards and 5 TDs.

 

Carlos McKinney had 18 carries for 134 yds and 2 TDs. Not a bad night.

Watched a little bit of Taylor. They looked really good.

 

 

A bit more on Tre Bass:

 

Opened the game with an 89 yd KOR for a TD

14 Rushing attempts for 215 yards and 4 TD

Caught a pass (yes, FS threw a pass) for 24 yds.

 

That is 328 All purpose yards and 5 TDs.

 

Carlos McKinney had 18 carries for 134 yds and 2 TDs. Not a bad night.

 

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but even though I had seen Carlos in the past, for some reason I wasn't properly struck by how massive he is until I saw him against Allen County earlier this year. He is a mountain - a mountain that runs directly at you.

I would not have relished tackling him play after play back in the day. It doesn’t take long for most defensive teams to weary of his constant pounding.