Raceland comes into this one 6-3 and district champs. Their latest win was a 65-0 win over Nicholas County. From looking at stats, it looks like Jacob Waller gets the nod at QB and he comes into this one with 772 through the air on the season with 5 TDs. Three guys have over 40 carries on the year so they are led by a pretty balanced attack at the RB position. 

After a brutal opening schedule, LCA has been able to sleep walk their way to another district championship. The Eagles are 7-2 and that includes wins over CAL and Pikeville. The Eagles have a huge OL, a stable of RBs, and a savvy athlete at QB in Saxton Howard.

LCA is and should be the favorite in this one. This should be a good tuneup game though for both teams heading into the playoffs. Who takes this one? 

It's always exciting when these two teams go at it. Going back to 2001 when Lexington Christian won 24-22, this series has always been intriguing.  One of my favorite matchups in the series was a classic in the 2008 playoffs. Raceland would win a 37-35 thriller in the regular season and would build a 20-3 lead over Lexington Christian in the playoffs before the Eagles would mount an incredible comeback to win 27-20, preventing what would have been Raceland's first ever trip to the state semifinals. 

The Eagles have taken on anybody and everybody this season, with three of the teams (Boyle County, Pikeville, and CAL) being multi-time defending state champions. LCA has been hungry to get back to winning that state championship after some coming close multiple times since 2009. Between 2018 and 2021, they lost their four playoff games (Two being in the state finals) by a combined nine points in that stretch and the past two seasons have been looking to overcome Mayfield, showing confidence in their chances this season. Wins over Pikeville, CAL, and a Lexington Catholic team that is 3-6 but has played a gauntlet of a schedule have helped to express that confidence. Howard is an impressive QB that is a threat both through the air and on the ground and this seems to be a team that enjoys utilizing the running game, although they are a threat when they throw.

Raceland has hit their stride having won 5 in a row and have also played a tough schedule losing to 4A Ashland who just picked up a big win against rival Johnson Central, a 3 point loss to multi-time defending state champion Pikeville, and a loss to Highlands who is 8-2 with an overtime loss to Ryle and three point loss to Cooper away from being 10-0 as they look to be in contention in 5A. Early in the year the Raceland passing game struggled but that has improved, and it hasn't helped matters that they have had a couple key injuries with their RBs that have been the strength of the offense. The defense has been the anchor for the rams this season, especially with the injuries at RB. The defense is ranked #4 in 1A in points allowed and are top 10 in rushing defense while being ranked #5 in sacks. It will take a strong defensive performance from Raceland to pull this out. 

This should be a good matchup and will be great preparation for both teams as they look to make a run in the playoffs.

 

Does Raceland have any shot in this one or will it be a blowout?

1 minute ago, theguru said:

Does Raceland have any shot in this one or will it be a blowout?

How do they do against the run?  Any comparable teams they have played?

Raceland Rams

Fri, Aug 23, 24    Ashland Blazer    home    (L)    7    -    28
Fri, Aug 30, 24    Letcher County Central    home    (W)    21    -    14
Fri, Sep 13, 24    Pikeville    home    (L)    13    -    16
Fri, Sep 20, 24    Highlands    away    (L)    0    -    35
Fri, Sep 27, 24    Newport Central Catholic    at Covington Catholic    (W)    29    -    7
Fri, Oct 4, 24    Hazard    home    (W)    42    -    8
Fri, Oct 11, 24    Fairview    away    (W)    56    -    6
Fri, Oct 18, 24    Paris    away    (W)    28    -    14
Fri, Oct 25, 24    Nicholas County    home    (W)    65    -    0
Fri, Nov 1, 24    Lexington Christian    at Lexington Christian Academy

Lexington Christian Academy Eagles

Sat, Aug 24, 24    Boyle County    at Western Kentucky University    (L)    13    -    35
Sat, Aug 31, 24    Franklin County    at Boyle County    (L)    33    -    39
Fri, Sep 6, 24    Pikeville    at Lexington Christian Academy    (W)    40    -    26
Fri, Sep 13, 24    Christian Academy-Louisville    at Lexington Christian Academy    (W)    41    -    34
Fri, Sep 20, 24    Lexington Catholic    away    (W)    42    -    23
Thu, Sep 26, 24    Shawnee    away    (W)    53    -    0
Thu, Oct 3, 24    Fort Knox    away    (W)    62    -    0
Fri, Oct 18, 24    WEB DuBois    at W.E.B. DuBois Academy    (W)    50    -    14
Fri, Oct 25, 24    Washington County    at Lexington Christian Academy    (W)    52    -    7
Fri, Nov 1, 24    Raceland    at Lexington Christian Academy

3 minutes ago, Subway5024 said:

How do they do against the run?  Any comparable teams they have played?

I am not the expert here but Raceland does fine against the run when playing similar competition but Ashland and especially Highlands did whatever they wanted against the Rams. 

On 10/28/2024 at 2:20 PM, theguru said:

Does Raceland have any shot in this one or will it be a blowout?

One thing Raceland has going for it, is that LCA has been in cruise control at 45 mph for over a month. They'll have to at least accelerate to the speed limit this week. 

I think Raceland’s ability, or lack thereof, to throw the ball will play as big a role as anything else in deciding the outcome. They've made progress in that area.

If I have to go one way or the other, I'm leaning blowout. Raceland had more horsepower last year compared to now and still got worked pretty good by LCA at home. The Eagles don't appear to have dropped off as much.

9 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

One thing Raceland has going for it, is that LCA has been in cruise control at 45 mph for over a month. They'll have to at least accelerate to the speed limit this week. 

I think Raceland’s ability, or lack thereof, to throw the ball will play as big a role as anything else in deciding the outcome. They've made progress in that area.

If I have to go one way or the other, I'm leaning blowout. Raceland had more horsepower last year compared to now and still got worked pretty good by LCA at home. The Eagles don't appear to have dropped off as much.

I think I agree with you DMC, I like LCA big in this one.

I went back and looked at the game series between these two. Crazy to think that these two hadn’t played since 2010 before playing last season. Hopefully they renew this contract again.

 

Halloween night, our podcast guests are Coach Charles & Coach Salmons, the night before they play! We recorded this one Monday night. They did a super job. 

The highlights....

Adjustments and prep for late season & postseason

Bill Tom Ross

Real talk...their thoughts and reactions after coming up short on state titles, despite getting so close. 

Their approach to a Week 10 game... this game they are getting ready to play.

 

 

Subscribe here for youtube: The Coaches Office: Behind the Scenes of HS Football w/ Chuck Smith & David Buchanan - YOUTUBE

 

Or, listen here, 7:30 pm, Halloween Night:  Spreaker- The Coaches Office: Behind the Scenes of HS Football w/ Chuck Smith & David Buchanan

Bump.

I believe Raceland will out coach and out work them but it still won't be enough to overcome the talent and speed difference. LCA wins but it's close for a while. 

Audio of the game:

I’m interested in seeing how this one turns out. I think LCA is the favorite but that Raceland can win.