PT (14-0) Franklin County (13-0)

Kickoff: Friday, December 6th at 8:00 p.m. at Kroger Field

Tilghman defeated Corbin 31-14 and Franklin County defeated Covington Catholic 14-10 in the semi-finals to make it to the championship game. One of these two will leave Lexington with their first loss. 

This will be Tilghman's 2nd championship appearance in 4 years since Coach Thompson took over, losing to Belfry in the 3A state title game 33-28 back in his first season in 2021. This will be Franklin County's 2nd championship game appearance in 5 years, having lost to Boyle County 31-28 in the 2020 season. 

While both these teams can put some points on the board, I believe it's both these defensive units that have been underrated nearly all season. They both showed some of that in the semi-final games holding down very worthy opponents to season lows by their respective offenses. 

Tilghman has not allowed over 2 touchdowns by their starting unit the whole season. Franklin much the same, the only exception being the Lexington Christian game where they allowed 33.  Tilghman on average gives up 9.14 points a game, Franklin allows 10.15 points a game. These units may very well determine who walks out victorious in this one. 

On offense, PT has averaged 49.28 ppg while Franklin averaged 39.61.

The key for Tilghman in this game will be the same as the Corbin game. They finally got some pushback and Corbin was a game opponent. The star players have to have the ball as I mentioned at the half of that game to have a chance to win. In the 2nd half, Martels Carter (UK) and Vanzale Hinton (Vanderbilt) took over the game and scored all 3 touchdowns in the half and played outstanding defensively as well. They will need more of the same against this stingy defense of the Flyers.

Franklin has been run dominant this year and can change it up out of different formations. They averaged over 200 rushing yds a game while still being able to throw for a respectable amount of yards through the air to keep defenses honest. 

Both teams fly to the ball as evidenced by their 17 team interceptions each going into the semi-final round. Only 2 teams had more. Franklin County had 1 more sack on the year and gave up 94 passing yards to PT's 98 allowed. Against the run, PT allowed 67 ypg on the year, Franklin 83. Scoring margin on offense PT was 1st, Franklin 3rd. 

If you are going off paper alone, these two match up really well. As we all know, forecasts change it seems like hourly sometimes, but as of right now, it looks like it could potentially be similar to today as far as temperatures are concerned next Friday, so that alone shouldn't have too big of an impact unless some precipitation finds it way into the mix along the way. 

What is it going to take for each of these two to bring home the hardware back to their city and celebrate a championship and remain undefeated?

A matchup everyone expected, just one we thought would come in the state semifinals. 
 

I can see this going either way, but I feel like it’s going to be Tilghman’s time. I took it for granted all year that they would make the final and fall to Boyle, but only Boyle. 

Note - Franklin Co. is 13-0 due to a bye in Week 1 of the playoffs. 

7 minutes ago, VF111 said:

Note - Franklin Co. is 13-0 due to a bye in Week 1 of the playoffs. 

Thanks, I've got it changed. I was literally talking about that and still typed it wrong. I'm gonna blame it on being up almost 24 hours, something I don't do very often if I can keep from it. 

Going with big BLUE tornadoes all day long...undefeated season on any level is AWESOME...bring it back home to west kentucky...

This could be the best state championship game played all of championship weekend. This is a tough pick for me. I believe that Paducah clearly has the team to win it, but Franklin County is very good too. The Flyers defense is tough as nails and overall as a team, they are highly sound and disciplined. My concern with PT where they differ some is with discipline and Franklin County is too good to do that against in my opinion. If PT plays cleanly, I think that they win. If not, I could see the Flyers bringing the trophy home. Either way, it should be a very good matchup. Good luck to both teams.

I will take Paducah 28-14. I think they got too much firepower on offense. 

Going with the home town team, Franklin County wins. 

Paducah Tilghman wins by 2-3 touchdowns.

PT has to limit the dumb penalty's or it's gonna cost them. I like PT to win this game.

This is going to be one of the better games of whole weekend Tilghman is strong everywhere Franklin is solid as well very good defense but I’ll say this Tilghman offense is the real deal too so I love this matchup Give me Tilghman by 14. Also you can’t say enough about Tilghmans Defense Super tough everywhere very Gritty. 

I'll go with the Flyers by 10 in this one.  

Great football game here!  I'm going with the Western Kentucky Team!  But it won't be easy as Franklin County is a very good team.  Good luck Tilghman!

Love the TEAM concept with this Flyers no true superstar like from years past just great team football and discipline may get down but never out. Taking Franklin County by 10 in a grind it out game. 

Paducah big.