Class 1A Notebook - Playoff Round 1 Review

District 1

(1) Crittenden County 46 - (4) Caverna 0

Predicted score: Crittenden County 56 Caverna 0

As expected, Crittenden County rolls over Caverna in round 1. One key item for discussion is the Rockets QB situation. Sophomore Luke Crider has taken over now as the starting QB. Crider entered the game against Fulton County on October 18 and led Crittenden County to three second half TD’s in a come from behind win. Crider was 10/17, 166 yards and 4 TD passes in the round 1 win over Caverna.

(2) Russellville 32 – (3) Fulton County 27

Predicted score: Russellville 28 Fulton County 27

So, so close to that long sought after playoff win for the Fulton County Pilots. The Pilots had the lead late in the fourth quarter only to see Russellville come from behind to steal that playoff win away. Russellville QB Lennon Ries ed the way but not with his arm. Ries had 166 yards and 2 TD’s rushing on 12 carries. Ries also added a TD pass to Jackson Hampton.

District 1 Championship: #2 Russellville at #1 Crittenden County

Previous Meeting: Crittenden County 21-14 on 10/25

Preview: The story of the game the first time these two met was Crittenden County piling up 341 yards rushing, led by Xander Tabor’s 218 yards on 28 carries. The Rockets were in control leading 21-12 late in the game when Russellville blocked a punt for a safety then almost cashed in on a last second TD. The weather was not very good in the first meeting. That game was also Luke Crider’s first start at QB for Crittenden County. Look for the Rockets to win with a little more margin this time. Below is our prediction from the playoff preview. We will stick with that here.

District 1 Championship Prediction: Crittenden County 34 Russellville 14

District 2

(1) Louisville Holy Cross 49 – (4) Fort Knox 7

Predicted score: Holy Cross 49 Fort Knox 13

The yardage difference was not as bad this time around for Fort Knox and the score was a TD closer as well. But that is little comfort for the Eagles as their season ends. Holy Cross only attempted one pass in the game. Their 264 yards rushing were all that they needed. RB Luke Davis made the most of his 9 carries, rushing for 132 yards and 4 TDs.

(2) Bethlehem 46 – (3) Campbellsville 38

Predicted score: Bethlehem 35 Campbellsville 28

We have to be honest here. If we had known Malachi Corley was going to play, we probably would have taken Campbellsville to win this one. Corley did play and caught 4 passes for 92 yards and a TD in what turned out to be his final game. However, it was Bethlehem’s QB Ryan Mattingly who looked all state in this one. Mattingly accounted for 5 TDs, throwing for 316 yards and 3 TDs and rushing for 95 yards and 2 more TDs. That effort allowed Bethlehem to avenge their regular season loss to Campbellsville and move on to the district championship game against Holy Cross.

District 2 Championship: Bethlehem at Holy Cross

Previous Meeting: Bethlehem 31-28 on 10/11

This should be an excellent district championship game. This game is going to be the Bethlehem passing attack behind Ryan Mattingly versus the Holy Cross rushing attack behind Luke Davis and QB Chaz Geraghty. Holy Cross gets home field this time around. Will that make the difference? The Cougars are one of the hottest teams in 1A. Here is our playoff preview prediction:

District 2 Championship Prediction: Holy Cross 36 Bethlehem 28

District 3

(1) Kentucky Country Day 50 – (4) Berea 0

Predicted score: Kentucky Country Day 42 Berea 14

It was a disappointing end to a very good season for Berea. Losing the district games forced Berea into facing undefeated Country Day. The Bearcats’ outstanding RB Dorian Heard averaged 22 yards a carry gaining 219 yards on 10 carries and scoring 4 TDs. Kentucky Country Day totaled 357 yards on the ground in the game. Regardless of this loss, congratulations to Coach Aaron Stepp on a turnaround season for the Pirates.

(2) Eminence 34 – (3) Frankfort 14

Predicted score: Eminence 45 Frankfort 35

The improvement in Frankfort showed as we expected but Eminence showed some resilience and pulled away in the second half. After losing 60-30 in the first meeting, Frankfort put a big scare into the Warriors taking an 8-6 halftime lead. Eminence scored twice in the third quarter but Frankfort came right back with a score of their own making it a one score game with Eminence leading 20-14 heading into the fourth quarter. It was a valiant effort by Frankfort but Eminence added two more TDs in the fourth quarter to get the win.

District 3 Championship: Eminence at Kentucky Country Day

Previous Meeting: Kentucky Country Day 62-13 on 10/25

It has been a great season for Eminence returning to KHSAA playoff action after taking the last two years off. They added onto an 8-2 regular season with their first playoff win in 10 years in round one. The bad news is that much like that playoff win 10 years ago where they lost to Beechwood 58-0 in round two, they have to face a formidable opponent. Kentucky Country Day steamrolled Eminence in their regular season meeting taking a 35-0 lead early in the second quarter. Eminence should be able to show better than that but Kentucky Country Day is too much for the Warriors.

District 3 Championship Prediction: Kentucky Country Day 50 Eminence 20

District 4

(1) Newport Central Catholic 52 – (4) Dayton 14

Predicted score: Newport Central Catholic 45 Dayton 7

As we mentioned in the playoff preview, revitalized programs have been a big theme in 1A this year. The last time Dayton had 4 or more wins in a season was 12 years ago. The Greendevils fans have to feel good about what Coach Jesse Herbst was able to do in his first year. As to the game, it was all Thoroughbreds as they return to 1A playoff action under realignment and win big.

(2) Ludlow 43 – (3) Bellevue 20

Predicted score: Ludlow 49 Bellevue 21

The final score may not show it but this game was not without drama. Ludlow rushed out to a 21-6 first quarter lead only to see Bellevue come back to make it 21-20 at halftime. It was all Ludlow in the second half though as the Panthers get the win.

District 4 Championship: Ludlow at Newport Central Catholic

Previous Meeting: Newport Central Catholic 49-10 on 10/10

Newport Central Catholic met no resistance in regular season district play. Ludlow enters this game at 8-3 to the Breds’ 9-2. Those records seem to make this a great matchup. However, the first game tells us different. The only hope for Ludlow is to find a way to get production running the ball behind RB Cody Kramer and QB Ian Vallandingham. Those two only accounted for 50 yards rushing in the first game. If they can get that running game going, they might be able to hang in there. The Thoroughbreds are too strong though.

District 4 Championship Prediction: Newport Central Catholic 42 Ludlow 17

District 5

(1) Nicholas County 46 – (4) Bracken County 0

Predicted score: Nicholas County 49 Bracken County 6

This is another one of those games where the outcome was known before it started. Bracken County needs to look at the success of those turnaround programs we have been talking about – Eminence, Berea, Fulton County, Dayton. Go to work in the off season and get it done. Cain Saucedo rushed for 128 yards and 4 TDs for Nicholas County.

(2) Bishop Brossart 36 – (3) Paris 0

Predicted score: Brossart 41 Paris 21

Brossart christens the first playoff game in their new stadium with a win. The Mustangs used their running game featuring Trevor Schadler, 114 yards and 3 TDs, and QB Jacob Leicht, 78 yards rushing to get the round 1 victory.

District 5 Championship: Brossart at Nicholas County

Previous Meeting: Nicholas County 28-6 on 10/25

If like old style ground and pound offense, this is a game for you. Nicholas County will certainly repeat what they have done all year – hand it to Cain Saucedo. Brossart could change things up and try to go to the air. They didn’t have any luck running it the first time they played Nicholas County, being held to 5 yards rushing. Look for the Mustangs to make this game closer.

District 5 Championship Prediction: Nicholas County 21 Bishop Brossart 14

District 6

(1) Paintsville 67 – (4) Fairview 0

Predicted score: Paintsville 55 Fairview 0

Efficient offense for Paintsville was the story here. QB Jake Hyden was 3/3 for 80 yards and 2 TDs. RB Harris Phelps gained 124 yards and 2 TDs on 6 carries. John Phelps also scored twice on 4 carries, gaining 82 yards. Justin Ramey added 2 TDs as well on 6 carries.

(2) Raceland 77 – (3) Betsy Layne 0

Predicted score: Raceland 50 Betsy Layne 0

Raceland didn’t rack up 565 yards this time, but they did hold Betsy Layne to 5 total yards in the game. The Rams emptied the bench and spread the wealth. Nine different players carried the ball and seven different players caught a pass.

District 6 Championship: 2 Raceland at Paintsville

Previous Meeting: Paintsville 19-15 on 10/25

Can these two do it again? It seems like every time they play it is an instant classic. The last two years the team that won the regular season game lost the playoff game. Paintsville will pay no attention to that. On paper this looks like a low scoring game dominated by the defenses. These two know each other very well and that should further lend itself to a low scoring contest. When you get teams that are evenly matched, the factor that often turns the tide one way or the other is turnovers.

District 6 Championship Prediction: Paintsville 21 Raceland 17

District 7

#1 Pikeville (10-0) has a BYE in round 1.

(2) Hazard 36 – (3) Phelps 8

Predicted score: Hazard 52 Phelps 7

Hazard emptied the bench in this win. Five different Bulldogs threw passes and seven different Bulldogs ran the ball. Kudos to Phelps QB Dominick Francis who carried the ball 17 times for 183 yards.

Projected District 4 Championship: #2 Hazard at #1 Pikeville

Previous Meeting: Pikeville 42-0 on 10/18

Much like District 6 rivals Paintsville and Raceland, Hazard and Pikeville know each other well and have played some entertaining games. The first meeting this year did not go that way. Pikeville has been the #1 team in 1A all year but they looked vulnerable in close wins over Paintsville and Raceland. Hazard had also defeated Paintsville prior to the first game and that caused speculation that the Bulldogs could pull off an upset win over Pikeville. The Panthers removed doubts with a lopsided win. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Most doubt Hazard can post much of a challenge in this game. Those who know Hazard football history can tell you the Bulldogs often thrive in these types of games and know how to pull off surprising upsets. The Panther better not come into this game complacent.

District 7 Championship Prediction: Pikeville 36 Hazard 14

District 8

(1) Williamsburg 48 – (4) Harlan 8

Predicted score: Williamsburg 54 Harlan 6

The Williamsburg season long offensive onslaught did not slow one bit in this round 1 game. QB Dalton Ponder did his thing with 5 TD passes. More importantly for Williamsburg’s post season prospects, their defense held Harlan to 118 total yards in the game.

(3) Lynn Camp 40 – (2) Pineville 34

Predicted score: Pineville 24 Lynn Camp 7

The only upset in round 1 of 1A was provided by the Lynn Camp Wildcats. Lynn Camp went to an unexpected resource to get the upset – throwing the ball. Pineville and Lynn Camp were both run first offenses. In the first meeting, Pineville rushed for almost 300 yards. In this game. Lynn Camp put the ball in the air and So. QB Tylen Smith got it done throwing for 192 yards and 2 TDs. This game was one of the more exciting games of the season. It was a back and forth one score game the entire way with each team responding to scores by the other. Mid way through the second half, Lynn Camp scored to take a 33-26 lead then pulled off a surprise by recovering an onside kick. The Wildcats took that possession into the end zone to go up 40-26. Pineville came right back as they had all night. They scored to get it to 40-34. Then the Mountain Lions recovered an onside kick of their own and began the march toward a potential game winning TD. But the Lynn Camp defense was able to make the goal line stand, stopping Pineville at 3 to preserve the upset win.

District 8 Championship: Lynn Camp at Williamsburg

Previous Meeting: Williamsburg 43-22 on 10/25

This is one where we will need to make a new prediction as we had Pineville facing Williamsburg. Lynn Camp revved up the offense to get the upset win in round 1 and they will need to shift that offense into a higher gear to get another upset in round 2. Lynn Camp did manage to put up 22 on Williamsburg in the first meeting. As much momentum as Lynn Camp may have from the round 1 upset win, Williamsburg’s offense will be too much for the Wildcats.

District 8 Championship Prediction: Williamsburg 54 Lynn Camp 20