Final from Putnam Stadium. The young Tomcats pounced early and never looked back.

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Outstanding Offensive Player: Daylen Farrow (RB)
Outstanding Defensive Player: Luke McCoy (DE)

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Outstanding Offensive Player: Blake Sexton (RB)
Outstanding Defensive Player: Colton Tussey (DB)

A great win for Ashland and a tough loss for Boyd County, but putting it into deeper perspective both sides can take a lot of positives from it. 

Ashland was typical Ashland - ran the spread offense, and they have a variety of backs that are capable of breaking loose for the big play. One freshman that played in the prior games that contributed a significant role at linebacker was hurt while the other one didn't play due to the high amount of varsity minutes he has contributed recently. The Tomcats have a lot to be excited about with this class. This group has been highly thought of for a while and Coach Tackett has earned quite a reputation for how his players develop. Then you look at Ashland taking their success to another level in recent years compared to the prior quarter century. After their 1990 state championship Ashland would not have a ten win season until 2017. Since then they have had 5 seasons where they have won at least 10 games, two final fours, and a state championship. While yes, they were in 3A in 2020 compared to the daunting and deep 4A class, three of those ten win seasons come when Ashland was in 4A with state power Johnson Central in their district and they could another one is not out of the question this season.

Boyd County is disappointed with this loss, but the optimism has to be high as this is a class that has a TON of potential. The size that Boyd possessed across the line really impressed me. It reminded me of the size of the lines of teams like Belfry or Johnson Central. With their varsity win over Rowan County last week Boyd picked up their 25th win of the decade - tying their win total for the entire 2010's. The coaching at Boyd County has been outstanding with Evan Ferguson and I anticipate that he sees the high potential in this class with their size and build. Once they get a couple runs through the off season program, they'll be in a nice position and I am excited to see what this group will be able to accomplish. Their instincts will develop, and under Coach Ferguson they will come a long way.

If this district stays the way it does, it will be a difficult one to win for anybody. You have Ashland and Johnson Central who have a combined three state championships over the last decade. Then Boyd County and Greenup County (Who also has a fantastic coach in Travis Jones), who are no longer the easy victories they were in the prior years and will be consistent threats to be ranked in the top 10 of 4A. In 2020 Rowan County had their strongest finish since the early 1980's under Kelly Ford and they have a nice young group coming up.