Despite all the unpredictable madness that has gone on in the playoffs, with the way everything is looking one thing seems to be guaranteed in 1A that we knew in the semifinals.

We will have a first time champion, regardless of who wins.

I will start with Raceland. Coached by Mike Salmons, he has a strong track record of success, having led Raceland to the state championship game in 2017, 2022, 2023, and now 2024 in which he looks for his team to bring in the school’s first state championship. They come into this game having won nine of their last ten, their only losses this season coming to Ashland, Pikeville, Highlands, and Lexington Christian. Two of the teams they lost to made it to the regional finals in their class, the other two the state semifinals. After returning only around 15% of their total offense, it was expected to be a rebuilding year at Raceland although many expected them to possibly put together a deep run in the right circumstances. For the third consecutive year, Raceland has made it to the state finals after a win over Kentucky Country Day.

This is a different type of Raceland team from the one last year that slung it around a lot last year with one of the state’s best quarterbacks in Logan Lundy. This Raceland team tends to rely more on a strong defense and controlling the clock on offense. They have several powerful backs that can run the ball and consistently move the chains, running for over 2,500 yards this season. Jacob Waller has made tremendous strides in his passing ability this year as he has thrown for over 1,000 yards while Jonah Arnett, Jaxon Rister, Bryson Rowsey, and Parker Ison have all been reliable targets for them. Against the run Raceland has ranked in the top 5 of 1A and against the pass, they are still in the top 10.

While Sayre, named after David Austin Sayre, has existed since 1854 (Known has Transylvania Female Institute until 1885) their football program started in 2018 with former Marshall University and NFL quarterback Chad Pennington hired to coach the team. Sayre has put together an impressive run, being the only undefeated team in 1A and the only team to score over 500 points this season. They are also the only team to have allowed under 100 points to be scored on them all season. Some have questioned the strength of Sayre’s schedule, but they have picked up a couple huge wins in the playoffs, 21-6 over three-time defending champion Pikeville and 35-14 over a Campbellsville team that had a great run this year.

Since this is being posted right after the Campbellsville win, we do not have updated stats so I am going to estimate a bit but they have put up some impressive numbers. Luke Pennington either hit his 50^th passing touchdown on the season or he came close to it against Campbellsville. In 2023 season Luke Pennington threw for 50 touchdowns. The KHSAA website shows that he threw 0 interceptions. That in itself is superhuman, and considering he has only thrown three this year it’s a believable stat. The backfield of Charlie Slabaugh and Caden Jones have combined for over 1,200 yards and around 20 touchdowns on the season and have been trustworthy to move the chains when needed. Brock Coffman has proven to be more than a capable receiver. If everything flows right, finishing the season with 100+ receptions and 25+ touchdowns is not outside possibility. Defensively, John Luke Minner is approaching double digits in sacks leading the team and Brock Coffman leads one of the state’s best secondaries in interceptions.

This should be a hard fought battle that ultimately, will come down to who will establish their brand of football. Raceland, having come short in their final three attempts, badly wants to come in here and pull out a win and if they can control the clock, keep that Sayre offense off the field and make the needed defensive plays they can emerge victorious. Raceland ended Sayre’s season last season in the regional final, defeating them 42-27 and I am sure Sayre would love nothing more than to defeat the team that was a major obstacle for them last season and more importantly for them, to win the state championship. If Sayre can get Pennington going and try to speed this game up, then it has the potential to play out in their favor.

The schools have five common opponents.

Berea

• Raceland W 70-7
• Sayre W 56-7

Eminence

• Raceland W 41-13
• Sayre W 49-6

Fairview

• Raceland W 56-6
• Sayre W 63-0

Paris

• Raceland W 28-14
• Sayre W 41-20

Pikeville

• Raceland L 16-13
• Sayre W 21-6

It’s state championship week for Kentucky football! What are your thoughts on this matchup?

This is the game the Spartans have wanted. Just over a year ago Raceland put the Spartans out in the Regional Championship! Sayre gets revenge and wins its first state championship! 

This is going to be a really good football game in my opinion, as championships should be. I’m keeping my pick for Sayre to win. Good luck to both teams!

All the State Semi-Finals are in the books. We have one familiar Foe and one Newbie.  This 1A State Championship will Feature Raceland vs. Sayre. Raceland  is making its 3rd straight trip and fourth total. The Rams are looking for that very elusive first State Championship. Sayre is making its first ever appearance in its very short existence. They are rolling at this moment accomplishing the schools first ever regional championship with a huge 21-6 win over the defending champions the Pikeville Panthers. They followed that up with a 35-14 win at home in the State Semifinals against Campbellsville.  Now we shall meet these two teams 

 

The Sayre Spartans sit at 14-0 on the season. This Spartan offense is averaging just over 44 points per game. Luke Pennington has thrown for over 2700 yards on the season, he has thrown for 49 touchdowns on the season.  Brock Coffman has 24 of those touchdown passes.  The offense has also rushed for over 1600 yards on the season as well. Charlie Slabaugh has rushed for the over 800 yards of that and 13 touchdowns.  The Sayre defense is just as tough as its offense has been this season. This defense is only giving up close to 6 points per game. The defensive secondary has 19 interceptions on the season. Brock Coffman and Kemonte Braxton both have 5 INTs a piece on the season. They have forced over 10 fumbles, and have recovered more than 15 fumbles on the season. This defense is lead by Charlie Slabaugh, Harrison Phillips, and Brock Coffman who are the top players in tackles for this Spartan defense.  
 

The Raceland Rams sits at 10-4 on the season. The Ground and Pound Rams offense  is putting up 31 points per game. The Rams are putting these points on the board with a full house of backs getting touchdowns throughout the season with a total of 47 touchdowns scored on the ground. This offense has rushed for over 2600 yards on the season. They have thrown for over 1700 yards as well and 15 touchdowns. Those passing touchdowns have also been distributed around evenly just like those rushing touchdowns.  Shannon Marushi has the most for the rams rushing offense with 11 touchdowns. The Rams Jaxon Rister, Jonah Arnett, and Parker Ison all have 3 touchdowns catches on the season.  The Rams defense has been stout all season as well. This defense is only giving up a little more than 12 points per game.  The Rams have recovered over 14 fumbles on the season and have 5 INTs. Linden Sammons is the leading tackler on this Rams defense, followed by Logan Lockwood, and Jonah Arnett. These 3 have accounted for well over 200 tackles on the season. So they will be in a lot of tackles for this Raceland Rams Defense.

By the numbers of these two teams, this 1A State Championship Game should be  slobber knocker!!

Who wins your 1A State Championship? Does The Raceland Rams get the elusive first Championship? Does Sayre keep making History and win its first State Championship in its first ever appearance?

Against almost anyone else, Raceland would enjoy a game day advantage, having been there, done that the previous two years at Kroger Field. But Sayre is basically making a hop, skip, and a jump down the street to meet the Rams. I don't get the vibe that the Spartans are going to be awe struck.

Sayre obviously has the horses, so Raceland doesn't want a horse race. This is Kroger Field, not Keeneland. Playing small ball and minimizing Sayre's possessions would be in Raceland’s best interest.

What’s the weather for these games on Friday?

Just now, Bac2369 said:

What’s the weather for these games on Friday?

Sayre 20-14.

Sayre Spartans

Fri, Aug 23, 24    Covington Holy Cross at Sayre    (W)    49    -    0 
Fri, Aug 30, 24    Bracken County at Bracken Co    (W)    26    -    14
Fri, Sep 6, 24    Ludlow at Sayre    (W)    42    -    0
Fri, Sep 20, 24    Dayton away    (W)    55    -    0
Thu, Sep 26, 24    Nicholas County at Sayre    (W)    42    -    0
Fri, Oct 4, 24    Bourbon County  at Sayre  (W)    56    -    6
Fri, Oct 11, 24    Berea  away    (W)    56    -    7
Fri, Oct 18, 24    Frankfort  at Sayre  (W)    42    -    0
Fri, Oct 25, 24    Eminence  away    (W)    49    -    6
Fri, Nov 1, 24    Bethlehem  away    (W)    44    -    6
Fri, Nov 8, 24    Fairview home    (W)    63    -    0 
Fri, Nov 15, 24    Paris home    (W)    41    -    20
Fri, Nov 22, 24    Pikeville home    (W)    21    -    6
Fri, Nov 29, 24    Campbellsville home    (W)    35    -    14

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    (L)    13    -    25
Fri, Nov 8, 24    Berea    home    (W)    70    -    7
Fri, Nov 15, 24    Eminence    home    (W)    41    -    13
Fri, Nov 22, 24    Hazard    home    (W)    35    -    0
Fri, Nov 29, 24    Kentucky Country Day    away    (W)    14    -    0    

TP94 Power Ratings from last week:

Raceland 72.06
Sayre 68.49

calpreps.com projection:

Regular season (neutral field)
Sayre 21 Raceland 20 

Playoffs (neutral field)
Sayre 21 Raceland 20 
 

46 minutes ago, theguru said:

calpreps.com projection:

Regular season (neutral field)
Sayre 21 Raceland 20 

Playoffs (neutral field)
Sayre 21 Raceland 20 
 

Barn burner!!! What’s your best 2 point play?

Massey Ratings Predict:

Raceland 28 Sayre 20

Sayre wins 28-7. Coffman with a big statement game.