?Class 3A State Championship?

CAL Centurions ?? (11-3, #2)
vs.
Union County Braves ? (12-2, #9)

Kickoff: 12:00pm on Saturday, December 7th at Kroger Field in Lexington

? The Centurions are aiming to keep some elite company with three straight titles, joining the likes of Trinity, Highlands, Beechwood, Mayfield, and Boyle County, among a few others.

The road hasn't been smooth. Doubts were cast following a spanking at the hands of Central, but a defensive masterpiece in the rematch set CAL back on course.

If you're looking over this match-up with a sense of deja vu, you're not alone.

CAL had to snuff out a one man wrecking machine last year to clinch back to back titles.

The same challenge has been set before them now, with Jarren Johnson looking to twist Centurion tacklers into knots.

I've called him a tazmanian devil, a cyclone, and a force of nature. Each week he grows his case for another title: Mr. Football. 

He's broken Harts and sunken Pirate ships.

He now takes aim at toppling a CAL empire with plans of aggressive expansion. 

The Centurions will hit back with their own Mr. Football worthy talent, Connor Hodge. He's taken the baton from brother Cole and transitioned seamlessly into his role as two way star and leader.

It's a tale as old as time, David vs. Goliath.

The wrestling school from rural WKY against the two time defending state champions from Louisville. 

Can the Braves pull off one of the biggest upsets in championship game history, or will CAL further entrench itself as omnipotent rulers of 3A?

Series History ?: First ever meeting

This very well may be more of an interesting game than many anticipated for the 3A championship. CAL is the favorite but Union County has played very impressively in the playoffs. I’m not sure who to pick right now. I do believe this is going to be a better game than some are thinking. Good luck to both teams.

5 minutes ago, hrcarrier said:

This very well may be more of an interesting game than many anticipated for the 3A championship. CAL is the favorite but Union County has played very impressively in the playoffs. I’m not sure who to pick right now. I do believe this is going to be a better game than some are thinking. Good luck to both teams.

I feel what you are saying about Union County but this is a big step up. 

I am looking forward to this one. 

14 minutes ago, theguru said:

I feel what you are saying about Union County but this is a big step up. 

I am looking forward to this one. 

It’s definitely a bigger step up, no doubt about that. Union County has captured some of my mind and heart though. 

42 minutes ago, theguru said:

I feel what you are saying about Union County but this is a big step up. 

I am looking forward to this one. 

Initial thoughts are a similar matchup as CAL/Bell County last year, although Union County is more athletic. The Braves have played very well all season (honestly, for several years now - they have a very good program) but this might be a bridge too far.

4 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Initial thoughts are a similar matchup as CAL/Bell County last year, although Union County is more athletic. The Braves had played very well all season (honestly, for several years now - they have a very good program) but this might be a bridge too far.

I thought the same thing about CAL/Bell which was 14-8 at the half, CAL. 

CAL lost three games this year, maybe it is closer than we think. 

9 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Initial thoughts are a similar matchup as CAL/Bell County last year, although Union County is more athletic. The Braves have played very well all season (honestly, for several years now - they have a very good program) but this might be a bridge too far.

This does have a similar feel.  Union will have to be able to pass the ball strategically to have a shot in this one.  They’ll also have to defend the pass against what will be by far the best passing team they have seen this year.  It’s a tall task, but it’s not impossible.  Regardless, I’ll take CAL by 3 TDs in this one and the three-peat.

It is early but it is 15-10 CAL in the poll.  That is a lot more Union County votes than I expected.

Union can beat CAL but it will take a perfect performance if CAL plays well.

Union has big play ability and I really came away very impressed with Coach Johns’ and his staff’s preparation and play calling. They mix up looks well and find creative ways to get the ball into playmakers hands.

Union actually beat Belfry without playing an overly clean game. Their linemen got called for six or seven holds when Johnson would bounce the play. They had a couple other penalties as well on defense as well.

Simply put, if they commit those penalties against CAL they won’t have the same margin of error.

I see more scenarios where CAL wins this is in dominant fashion then I see Union pulling out a close win. With that said, Johnson is that man. He is filthy good and is a scoring threat anytime the ball is in his fingers.

I am pulling for the new blood to make history but my realistic prediction:

CAL 38

Union 21

On a different note:

How in the H-E-Double Hockey sticks did Union County lose to Madisonville and Murray?!?!?!

CAL rolls. Big step up in class for Union. Their regular season schedule in no way prepares them for an opponent such as this. 

14 hours ago, theguru said:

It is early but it is 15-10 CAL in the poll.  That is a lot more Union County votes than I expected.

Sentiment above logic ?

13 hours ago, ATLCat said:

On a different note:

How in the H-E-Double Hockey sticks did Union County lose to Madisonville and Murray?!?!?!

I can't speak for the Murray game, but Madisonville ran thirty more plays than Union and Johnson only ran the ball 13 times, presumably because the Maroons played did a great job playing keepaway.

Even with finding myself getting more away from strength of schedule compared to how I used to be, I do believe that CAL is going to be too much. I totally wouldn’t be surprised to see Union County make it a good game, but I think CAL is just at too much of a higher level and caliber. I’d LOVE IT if Union County wins but I think it’s too tall of a task. Good luck to both teams.

Hopeful the public school can hang on the coat tail of Johnson and find a way to squeeze out a victory in this one. Looking at the schedules you won’t find one reason as to why the Braves could pull off this off. Has the recipe to be a blowout but something tells me it’ll be a shootout and one of the better games that’ll be played over the weekend. Give me the team from the wacky west, Johnson is unbelievable but Union County will need a big day from somebody else to keep the Centurions honest.
 

UC 40 CAL 35