Pulaski comes into this one off a clock runner over Madison Southern. This one was never close and was pretty much domination from the kickoff. This is Pulaski County's first region title appearance under Coach Burns in year 1, and is also the first region title game for the Maroons since 2018 where they played Cov Cath. Zak Anderson is back slinging the rock, and they will need big games from him, Denmeyer, and Brock if they're going to head to NKY and pull off the upset. 

Highlands comes into this one off a 55-38 win over Woodford at Woodford. Litmer has had a good year for the Bluebirds with over 2000+ passing and probably over 30 TDs after their latest win. I don't know much about Highlands, but I'm sure some others can get on here and chime in. 

Woodford is the common opponent for the two teams. Highlands just knocked them off by 17 on the road, and PC lost to them by 9 at home. Comparing scores though often times is apples to oranges as PC and Woodford play two conflicting styles. Who we got in this one? 

Elite Eight Playoffs, Let's keep it rollin'

Well here we are one more week of Playoff football, the weather is getting colder with the Friday forecast looking like a high of 43, low of 32 with some rain/wet snow mix in the forecast as I type today.  Gotta love it! 

Pulaski comes in as the District 8 Champ, going undefeated in District play and beating West Jessamine and Madison Southern pretty easily in these first 2 rounds of the playoffs.  They did have some hiccup games in the regular season getting beat in a close match at the opening season game vs Beechwood 28-27, losing to Highlands last opponent Woodford County 31-22, and then two more losses vs Madison Central and Corbin.  Pulaski has some nice stat leaders on the team let's start with the efficient Jr QB1 Zak Anderson is 77/134 for 1,526 yds with a nice 18/4 TD/INT split.  the workhorse in the backfield is So Kasen Brock who has eclipse the 1,000 yd mark having 1,187 yds with 18 TDS on the ground.  Zak's favorite receiver is Sr Harris Denmyer who has 671 yds and 11 TDs on his resume.  On the defensive side is Sr Gunner Loveless (assuming he's a LB) who has 83 tackles. (all these stats above don't account for this past Friday's game, sorry).

Highlands comes in with the normal playmakers that we have come to know and love, with Litmer at QB1 playing really solid ball these last several weeks.  Jack White healthy again in the backfield and the duo of receivers in Adam Surrey and Jackson Arnold.  Then there is Tayden Lorenzen who has really become a favorite utility knife for OC Hayden Sphire to put in wherever is needed.  He's become Litmer's 3rd favorite target behind Surrey and Arnold, he's been plugged into a FB role to play smash mouth running up the middle and then he's lined up as QB1 a handful times to keep the defense guessing what this Sophomore (yes Sophomore) is going to do.....wherever he is seems to be a nice little X factor the Birds have created throughout this season as this team has grown.

Last time Pulaski Co and Highlands met was a cold playoff match at Highlands back in 2015, if my memory serves me well b/c I was at the game, Highlands I think jumped out to a nice lead and then the wheels fell off and Pulaski pulled ahead late and the Birds just couldn't get back.  I think it was the season after the last State Title team for the Birds.  The score of that game was 41-31.

I am hoping for the Birds take care of business and then if Cooper does the same vs Southwestern, we have the match up everyone in NKY has circled on their calendar 11 months ago....  I can't wait, let's not screw anything up to keep that from happening.  Clean up those unsportsmanlike penalties and get'r done!

#GO BIRDS!!!

I am positive @Brennan_Bucher will have the Livestream rocking for those that want to stay home, warm and dry.  For the Pulaski folks (who don't want to travel), enjoy the best student run streaming service for High School sports in KY.... AND IT'S FREE!!!

If anyone voted in the Frank poll you will need to vote again in the DearToday poll. 

Thanks @DearToday, thanks @FrankNicodemus!

17-3 Birds in the poll so far after three hours. 

Thanks for the words, @FrankNicodemus. Link will be ready in a few days. I'll send it out in this thread when it is ready. 

23 minutes ago, Brennan_Bucher said:

Thanks for the words, @FrankNicodemus. Link will be ready in a few days. I'll send it out in this thread when it is ready. 

Tell your dad and uncle Tony hi from Owensboro Summer Solstice!!  They will get it. 

Shew my heart says Pulaski but my brain says Highlands lol. I think Pulaski has a chance to keep this game close but they would have to play the best game they have played all year and Highlands would have to have a off night imo to have a chance to win. With that being said I think it will be a 42-21 type game Highlands. 

On a side note this will be my first trip to Highlands and I am looking forward to watching my son play in a game against one of the best football tradition ruch  schools in the state.

Link is live! Go Birds. 

 

 

I’m not surprised that Pulaski County is back with their new football coach and I believe they are going to get better over time. Even in losing to Beechwood at the start of the season, they played far better that game than I and others expected. From that point, I looked for Pulaski to have some good things happen this season. With saying that, I think Highlands will be too much for them. I don’t see this being a running clock but I think that Highlands likely wins without much trouble. Good luck to both teams.

On 11/16/2024 at 2:32 PM, crk1980 said:

Shew my heart says Pulaski but my brain says Highlands lol. I think Pulaski has a chance to keep this game close but they would have to play the best game they have played all year and Highlands would have to have a off night imo to have a chance to win. With that being said I think it will be a 42-21 type game Highlands. 

On a side note this will be my first trip to Highlands and I am looking forward to watching my son play in a game against one of the best football tradition ruch  schools in the state.

Get there early, there is no “parking lot” and you’ll have to find a spot on a side street to park. Entrances to the stadium at both end zones.  Safe travels!!

On 11/16/2024 at 9:47 AM, DearToday said:

Pulaski comes into this one off a clock runner over Madison Southern. This one was never close and was pretty much domination from the kickoff. This is Pulaski County's first region title appearance under Coach Burns in year 1, and is also the first region title game for the Maroons since 2018 where they played Cov Cath. Zak Anderson is back slinging the rock, and they will need big games from him, Denmeyer, and Brock if they're going to head to NKY and pull off the upset. 

Highlands comes into this one off a 55-38 win over Woodford at Woodford. Litmer has had a good year for the Bluebirds with over 2000+ passing and probably over 30 TDs after their latest win. I don't know much about Highlands, but I'm sure some others can get on here and chime in. 

Woodford is the common opponent for the two teams. Highlands just knocked them off by 17 on the road, and PC lost to them by 9 at home. Comparing scores though often times is apples to oranges as PC and Woodford play two conflicting styles. Who we got in this one? 

Anderson is a very tough kid to already be back slingin' it !

The safe and popular pick here will be Highlands and that's the way I lean as well. I find myself wondering how competitive Pulaski Co will make this. First thoughts have me at 35-14. Like @hrcarrier said, no surprise that Travis Burns has the Maroons back playing for regional titles. This will probably be the most competitive regional final across 5A just due to the fact that it may not be a running clock. A shame, really.

On 10/22/2024 at 3:09 PM, WishboneCity said:

What is an appropriate length of time prior to the game to learn the fate of potentially suspended players?

 

I have had two coaches tell me they heard from the KHSAA on a Thursday evening prior to a game on Friday. 

 

On 10/28/2024 at 1:14 PM, 24Rocks said:

It almost seems that Zac Anderson's status is a state secret.  Does anyone know if he'll be ready for Corbin?  There was discussion on the broadcast the other night that his injury was more serious than previously thought and might impact his basketball season.

 

27 minutes ago, EyezOnThePrize said:

Get there early, there is no “parking lot” and you’ll have to find a spot on a side street to park. Entrances to the stadium at both end zones.  Safe travels!!

Thanks for the info!

19 minutes ago, BillNye said:

The safe and popular pick here will be Highlands and that's the way I lean as well. I find myself wondering how competitive Pulaski Co will make this. First thoughts have me at 35-14. Like @hrcarrier said, no surprise that Travis Burns has the Maroons back playing for regional titles. This will probably be the most competitive regional final across 5A just due to the fact that it may not be a running clock. A shame, really.

Just like it has been in KY for my entire lifetime. 

Pulaski Co.  17

Highlands   31