Raceland at Kentucky Country Day Predictions/Updates

[DevilMayCare]

Raceland Rams 🐏 (9-4, 1A #3)
vs.
Kentucky Country Day Bearcats 🇮🇨 (10-2, 1A #4)

🗞 With 1A's kingpin dethroned, a mad dash to the vacant crown is underway.

Of the four teams remaining, Raceland and KCD have gotten the closest look at the summit, only to be denied every time.

One will get another crack in Lexington after events are settled in Louisville.

Raceland’s eyes have widened with the ouster of Pikeville, but their focus can't drift beyond the Bearcats. They have to expel last year's 42-6 semifinal rout of KCD from their consciousness. Both rosters have experienced some overhaul.

The Bearcats have traded in last year's balanced offense for the more run heavy approach that helped get them to the title game four years ago. They employ a quartet of ball carriers that have combined for over 2,300 yards, headed up by Parker Rudolph's 1,047.

The Rams were headed in the same direction after graduating the bulk of a balanced offense that earned them back to back runner-up finishes. The passing game has gradually progressed to force Raceland opponents to defend the whole field. 

Defense is where Raceland has really made its hay, allowing 9 ppg over the last nine weeks behind DE Linden Sammons and LB Logan Lockwood, who've combined for 15 sacks. Sammons has also forced or recovered eight fumbles.

Will the Rams bounce the Bearcats again at home, or can KCD extend Raceland's search for that elusive state championship?

Live Stream: Glicod covered KCD's game last week. A link will be posted if/when it's confirmed. Same goes for KoolHits on YouTube, who typically provide audio only streams for Raceland road games.

[J. Peterman]

Raceland can't look ahead. With Pikeville sitting at home and the idea of dancing in Lexington, they have to be laser-focused. Coach Jones has done a great job at KCD and understands what he must do to prepare his team.

I believe this game will come down to the wire, with Raceland pulling away in the fourth. I think we will seed plenty of lead changes. It's going to come down to possessions and who values the football. Raceland scores late to win. 

Raceland 24

KCD - 17 

[LouHSJunkie]

I will take KCD here as they are playing some great football and I like their chances of getting their first state championship!

[WKY_Football]

Raceland 21

KCD 20

[Bac2369]

Since taking one on the chin from at home from John Hardin, KCD is on a 7 game winning streak. They’ve beat Campbellsville who I thought they wouldn’t lose too. Do they got what it takes to beat Raceland and get revenge from last seasons loss?

[DevilMayCare]

53 minutes ago, Bac2369 said:

Since taking one on the chin from at home from John Hardin, KCD is on a 7 game winning streak. They’ve beat Campbellsville who I thought they wouldn’t lose too. Do they got what it takes to beat Raceland and get revenge from last seasons loss?

I think Raceland has evolved into something resembling a complete team. That, combined with the Rams typically being good on the road, has me favoring them by a couple of scores. Even in their road losses, they make a fine account of themselves against strong teams from higher classes. Traveling to Louisville obviously didn't phase them last year. I look for this game to be much more competitive, but with the same winner.

[theguru]

[Builder1214]

Raceland has the  best defense in 1A. Raceland will have no problem stopping KCD's offense. Raceland will win by several scores. A running clock shut out would not be a surprise. 

[hrcarrier]

I think Raceland wins without much trouble.

[theguru]

34-7 Rams in the poll. 

[Bac2369]

42 minutes ago, theguru said:

34-7 Rams in the poll. 

This poll could be about what the score could be. But who knows. KCD beat Campbellsville and I didn’t see that one coming. 

[TCR]

There are so many factors that can go into this one from an emotional perspective. For Kentucky Country Day no question that 42-6 loss from last season is weighing on their mind. No question they'll be determined to prove themselves. Even though both sides are considerably different from last year, Kentucky Country Day has heard many times that they have a good program but are not yet ready for the programs like Raceland or Pikeville. This year I expect to see a determination from them, stronger than ever, to prove that saying wrong. Raceland, on the other hand, has come so close to that state championship but just haven't been able to quite pull through. Pikeville's elimination has to have Raceland more confident in their ability to win the state championship, and I think they can use that for more motivation as long as it's used the right way - by not overlooking good opponents like Kentucky Country Day. There's another end, emotionally, that even though the Rams are not the underdog in this matchup they still have heard it all season from week one that they are too young, that they just don't have the pieces they have had with the last couple of classes. With the state semifinals approaching, they're looking to prove all that wrong.

This is one of those games where something has to give. You have the #4 rushing offense in 1A in Kentucky Country Day going against the defense of Raceland who is ranked #3 in rushing defense in 1A.

Raceland's offense, which scored 41 points in their first four games (Although against Ashland, Letcher County Central, Pikeville, and Highlands), has quietly climbed the way to 9th in the class in scoring per game at 32.3 points per game. That is a great sign for them because if they can continue the stellar defensive play, they will have a real shot at this. Defensively they allow 13.3 points per game, ranked #3 in 1A. They rank #3 against the pass and #7 against the run and you look at some of the players they had to compete against. QB LaBryant Strader (2001 yards, 25 passing TD), RB Braxton Jennings of Ashland (1,157 yards, 20 TD), QB Rio Litmer of Highlands (31 passing TD), receiver Adam Surrey of Highlands (54 receptions, 932 yards, 10 TD), and players like Saxton Howard of Lexington Christian Academy (1,308 passing yards, 14 TD, pushing 1,000 rushing yards and 19TD on ground) and Leland Edwards of Lexington Christian Academy (1,277 yards, 19TD on ground). I could name more, but those rankings are very impressive considering the caliber of some of Raceland's opponents. For Raceland to win, I expect them to do what they have this season. Rely on that defense, utilize the running game and continue to build on a passing game that has been improving by the week. The passing game may be utilized a bit more this week against Kentucky Country Day as their pass defense is ranked at the bottom of 1A. Raceland loves to throw the screen pass to and I anticipate Kentucky Country Day will be adjusting a bit to counter something they have struggled against this season.

The hard part of defending Kentucky Country Day's running game is they have strong depth in the backfield and they do a GREAT job of hiding the football, causing confusion. Parker Rudolph is the go-to guy with 1,047 yards and 14 rush TD while QB Caden Long, Maclean Cantley, and Tyler Wilson all combine for 1,316 yards and 15 TD on the ground. So that is a pretty solid committee. They'll run a lot of flexbone and they have a back that they seem to go to whenever they need a particular trait. Whether that's somebody to power through for a tough couple yards and a first down, or speed to get to the outside. I am also impressed with Caden Long's ability to throw the football. I think he is an underrated QB. A lot of times when passing he has faced heavy pressure and no matter who the QB is, it's tough to complete passes under pressure. The pass blocking up front has improved and Long does a great job throwing the quick occasional screen pass to the outside to keep the defense off guard. Given how well Raceland defends, I anticipate Kentucky Country Day may have to throw a time or two more than usual and if Long gets time, which that line is improving on that front, I think he can be effective on that end as well.

Should be an exciting matchup between two great teams!

[theguru]

Bump.

[Ram]

[Ram]

On 11/28/2024 at 3:49 PM, theguru said:

34-7 Rams in the poll. 

I’ll go with:

Raceland 34

KCD 7

 

T-33 minutes