Kentucky High School Football's "Games of the Century"

[DevilMayCare]

The expression drips with equal parts hyperbole and irony.

“Game of the Century”

It implies one game only, but college football has featured many of them over the last hundred years.

Just to name a few….
Army vs. Navy in 1945
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State in 1966
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma in 1971
Ohio State vs. Michigan in 2006
Alabama vs. LSU in 2011

There's no black and white criteria that defines the “Game of the Century”. The label only requires a hook: it could be a state championship game, regular season contest, or anything in between. A duel between #1s or #1 vs. #2. Hype… anticipation. A dash of rivalry spice sprinkled over for good measure. Something extra that transcends the four quarters of play.

The first game on this list should need no introduction….

 

The Greatest Show On Turf

Trinity ☘️ - 59
Male 🟣🟡 - 56

(2002 Class 4A Championship at Old Cardinal Stadium)

🗞 | With the weathered carpet outlined by the remnants of a December snowfall, a clash of #1 (T) and #2 (H) unfolded with the ’Big School’ state title on the line.

The battle within the war played out with Brian Brohm and Michael Bush painting a symbiotic masterpiece, piercing the frigid air with one dagger after another. 

The numbers boggle the mind, still. The two quarterbacks combined for 1,136 yards of offense and 14 touchdowns. The 115 combined points obliterated the previous state finals record by 38. 

Someone had to lose, and it was Male that ran out of time after nearly rallying from a three score deficit in the fourth quarter. Bush was picked off at the Trinity 1 with 1:11 remaining to seal it.

The game also served as a crossroads for two coaching giants. Male's Bob Redman coached for several more years, but never again reached the state finals, while Bob Beatty was just getting started. This was the second of his record fifteen titles in St. Matthews.

If there was ever one, true “Game of the Century”, this was it.

 

The ‘Mud Bowl’

Covington Catholic 🇫🇮 - 41
Highlands 🐦 - 35

(1997 Region Final at David Cecil Memorial Stadium in Fort Thomas)

🗞️ | The most distinguished chapter of the HHS/CCH odyssey, memorably penned on a canvas of muck and mire.

Never before or since has the field of play been as synonymous with a single game. 

With the regular season encounter resulting in a two point Highlands win, attempts to envision the outcome of the rematch were as clear as mud. Jared Lorenzen and Kirt Doolin were among the all-timers rendered nearly unrecognizable by the slop caked on their uniforms. 

CovCath appeared on the verge of ruin, down three scores before trudging all the way back to force overtime, then another. 

Lorenzen rolled right before faceplanting under pressure in the mud on fourth and goal, allowing CovCath an opportunity to walk it off on the game's final possession, which they did on a run right up the gut to end it in double overtime.

The win catapulted the Colonels to a state title two weeks later, the fifth and final of Lynn Ray's illustrious career.

Highlands would of course regroup the following year and assemble one of the greatest NKY teams ever, but that night in Fort Thomas belonged to the visitors from Park Hills. 

Highlands and Covington Catholic combined to win seven state championships in the 90s, but during that era of the rivalry, they seemed to be competing for something greater…. the championship of each other. Perhaps never more so than that night.

The Cardinal Rule(s)

Mayfield 🇾🇪 - 17
Paducah Tilghman 🌪️ - 10

(1986 regular season at War Memorial Stadium)

🗞️ | Fall is prime storm season on the Purchase. During the mid 80s, the eye of the Tornado was leaving a trail of destruction in its wake as it swallowed up the 3A title in ‘85.

Mayfield was equally devastating on the gridiron during that time, claiming the 2A crown the same year.

The stage was now set for the 73rd edition of the state's second oldest rivalry, unique in the fact that both teams entered the game as defending state champions for the first and only time in the storied history of the series.

This era of the rivalry was full of competitive games and 1986 lived up to its billing. 

Down by seven late and looking to tie, Tilghman was driving inside the red zone. The Cardinal rush got home in the nick of time, leaving an attempted pass up for grabs at the line of scrimmage, where it found a home in the arms of a Mayfield defender. 

The mystique of War Memorial at work, perhaps?

Whatever the case, top ranked “Big Red” won and went on to repeat as 2A champions, the second back-to-back of Jack Morris' legendary career.

 

King of the Mountains

Belfry ☠️ - 21
Johnson Central 🦅 - 16

(2016 regular season finale in Paintsville)

🗞️ | The skull and crossbones meets the wishbone. 

The irresistible force and the immovable object collide in a battle of #1s between, arguably, the two greatest teams in the history of EKY.

Belfry had ruled 3A with an iron fist for three years and JC returned the house from its 4A runner-up a year earlier. They weren't just the best in their respective classes, they lapped the field. 

Philip Haywood and Jim Matney unleashed hell on each other that night. There was no holding back. No pulling punches.

It was trench warfare, the likes of which could shift tectonic plates. 

The statistics suggested that JC was the superior force, but the home team struggled to finish drives. The only number in Belfry’s favor was the only one that mattered in the end… the winning score in a heavyweight battle royale.

The Pirates sailed onward to complete a four-peat of 3A state titles, while JC recovered for a historically dominant rampage through the 4A playoffs, manhandling its five opponents by an average score of 52-3.

The stars were in alignment for both schools that season and in particular, that night for EKY’s “Game of the Century”.

 

The Dawn of ‘Title Town’

Boyle County ⚫🟡 - 24
Danville ⚓ - 21

(Week 3 of the 2001 season at Admiral Stadium)

🗞 | Two teams, one town. 

In the early 2000s, it was big enough for both of them. 

It was a convergence of dynasties; Sam Harp's Admirals, winners of five titles and the defending champions of 1A versus Chuck Smith's Rebels, the reigning back-to-back rulers of 2A.

Boyle County, with its modest population of less than 30,000, had suddenly become the epicenter of football in Kentucky. It's still the unofficial capital of the sport.

Danville had been a powerhouse for decades, but the county school was making up ground at a feverish pace. The Rebel uprising culminated in a once unfathomable 47-0 pasting of Danville a year earlier, forcing the Admirals to their back heels.

Vaunted Admiral Stadium served as the battleground with Danville digging those heels in for a four quarter war. Boyle escaped with a three point win to extend its winning streak to 33 games, but the Ads held up their end to elevate the rivalry to heights seldom seen.

It was a perfect storm of past (reigning champions), present (highly competitive game), and future (both repeated as champions that season).

 

The Not-So Civil War

Bowling Green 👾 - 31
South Warren ⚔️ - 28

(2024 5A State Semifinal at Spartan Stadium)

🗞 | A more spirited conflict does not exist within our border than the one shared between the Purples and Spartans.

The eponymous flagship school in Warren County had been largely unchallenged for many years before the South rose. 

The young rivalry has seen many twists and turns, but the stakes were never higher than on that late November night.

South took down top ranked BG with a fourth quarter comeback in the regular season meeting, and as they so often do, found their way back to each other in the playoffs.

The first two times BG touched the football resulted in kickoff return touchdowns before the offense ever took the field.

It was tight throughout, before the Purples found some breathing room late. South had one last possession to tie or win the game, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.

Bowling Green had exacted its revenge, a prelude to the program's ninth championship. 

There may be another “Game of the Century” or two still to come in the state's greatest contemporary rivalry.

 

 

[Tkinslow]

As I always say in topics like these is what is considered game of the century depends on who you cheer for. In 2021 Glasgow met Bardstown in the regional final with Bardstown being undefeated and Glasgow on a 11 game winning streak after getting thumped in the Scottie Bowl the first game of the season against a very talented Woodford County team 49-0. Glasgow fell behind 27-6 in the first quarter to a Bardstown team who could do no wrong. From that point on Glasgow outscored Bardstown 42-13 on their way to a regional championship and a spot in the semifinals against a very talented Paducah Tilghman team. They went on to lose that game to PT 39-20 but I will never forget that Bardstown game not only was it one of the greatest comebacks ever but also it being such a big game in the regional championship. Kieran Stockton went for 213 yards on the ground in that game as he ran around through and over the Bardstown players in that game and they had no answer for him.

[DanvilleFan]

As a student in Danville in the early 2000s, those games with Boyle when both teams were winning lots of state titles were great.  So many people attended that there wasn't enough seating and you had people lined all the way around the field on the fences.  Just a wild atmosphere that may never be recreated.

[With a Cause]

As a Boyle fan I remember on a Saturday following a Friday night matchup between Danville and Boyle at Boyle in the early 2000's, it was mentioned on the UK football pregame show that it was good the UK did not play the night before because the UK attendance would have down some due to so many people at the game a Boyle.

[DevilMayCare]

2 hours ago, Tkinslow said:

As I always say in topics like these is what is considered game of the century depends on who you cheer for. In 2021 Glasgow met Bardstown in the regional final with Bardstown being undefeated and Glasgow on a 11 game winning streak after getting thumped in the Scottie Bowl the first game of the season against a very talented Woodford County team 49-0. Glasgow fell behind 27-6 in the first quarter to a Bardstown team who could do no wrong. From that point on Glasgow outscored Bardstown 42-13 on their way to a regional championship and a spot in the semifinals against a very talented Paducah Tilghman team. They went on to lose that game to PT 39-20 but I will never forget that Bardstown game not only was it one of the greatest comebacks ever but also it being such a big game in the regional championship. Kieran Stockton went for 213 yards on the ground in that game as he ran around through and over the Bardstown players in that game and they had no answer for him.

This is what I was hoping to see. The "Game of the Century" definition is flexible. I hit the high spots with my list, but it could be whatever game stands out to you from your neck of the woods.

Maybe it drew interest from around the state, maybe it didn't. Maybe it was a regional thing. 

There are potentially hundreds of these games. I'd love to hear what everyone else can come up with.

[DevilMayCare]

49 minutes ago, DanvilleFan said:

As a student in Danville in the early 2000s, those games with Boyle when both teams were winning lots of state titles were great.  So many people attended that there wasn't enough seating and you had people lined all the way around the field on the fences.  Just a wild atmosphere that may never be recreated.

 

14 minutes ago, With a Cause said:

As a Boyle fan I remember on a Saturday following a Friday night matchup between Danville and Boyle at Boyle in the early 2000's, it was mentioned on the UK football pregame show that it was good the UK did not play the night before because the UK attendance would have down some due to so many people at the game a Boyle.

2001 felt like the best fit for this topic, but I did consider the '02 game when Danville ended the streak. I was swayed by both being champions in the same year and the '01 game going to the wire.

What a time to be a football fan, coach, or player in Boyle County.

[Coach GM]

Nelson County and Dunbar. 1996 Finals.

Nelson - 35

Dunbar - 34

Great game. Back and forth. Both teams played hard.

[DearToday]

Boyle County vs Corbin for the Region Championship in 2023 was the most packed out game I've been to. Corbin fans were lined up outside of the gates while school was still in session looking to get in. 

Both teams were undefeated. Boyle Co was led by future Mr. Football winner Tavi Quisenberry, Corbin was led by UK (now UL) signees Jacob and Jerod Smith who had transferred back down to KY for a fifth year. Boyle scored after the half to make it 21-14 and that's all that was needed. Boyle was held out on the 1 to ice the game late, Corbin drove down and went for a throwback pass to the QB on fourth down on their final drive that was broken up for Boyle to be able to ice it. Boyle went on to run clock in the finals. Both teams were top 5 teams in the state that season. 

Fun Fact, that Boyle team didn't lose anything that competed in that year. Also won the EKU 7v7 tourney, won both scrimmages, and ran the table during the regular season. 

[theguru]

15 hours ago, Coach GM said:

Nelson County and Dunbar. 1996 Finals.

Nelson - 35

Dunbar - 34

Great game. Back and forth. Both teams played hard.

One of my all time favorites.  The weather was nice too.  

[Maroon Beech]

Fantastic post! I was present at three of these games, but the Trinity vs. Male game is hard to beat!

[Voice of Reason]

 

I'll throw one of my favorite Beechwood games of all time into the discussion.

2007 1A State Championship - Beechwood 38 Lexington Christian 35

This game was filled with big plays, back and forth scoring and excitement. It was not only a great game but it was consequential in Beechwood history as it was Noel Rash's first state title. He led Beechwood to another state title the next year and he needed that cache as Beechwood hit a drought that lasted 8 years before the Tigers took off on their recent run of 7 state titles in the last 10 years.

In the game, the teams traded TD's in the first quarter. Then after LCA scored to tie it at 7-7, one of the themes of the game emerged - BW special teams success. Beechwood's Ryan Amelung returned the kickoff 99 yards to immediately put BW on top 14-7. A fantastic first quarter.

That kickoff return gave BW momentum as they added another TD  on their next drive to push the lead to 21-7. LCA bounced back with a score before halftime to make it BW 21 LCA 14. 

Coming out in Q3 after halftime, LCA seemed to find something. They started rolling on the Tigers scoring two TD's to take a 28-21 lead. The Tigers offense struggled again on the next drive but Beechwood's defense was stout all game long, a trait that became the core of Noel Rash's success at Beechwood. Brady Slusher blocked a punt that turned into a safety to make it a 28-23 deficit. That put energy and momentum back on the Tigers side as they took the short field on the ensuing kickoff and promptly went 41 yards in 3 plays with the big play a 36 yard catch by Slusher. Tommy Bankemper scored his second rushing TD of the game and the Tigers added a two point conversion to make it 31-28 in favor of the Tigers. And the crazy back and forth Q3 wasn't finished yet. LCA went 3 and out, punted and special teams struck again. Player of the Game Ryan Amelung returned the punt 62 yards and suddenly BW was up 38-28. I will note here there were a couple crushing crack back blocks on that punt return that don't happen under today's rules, but they sure got an oohhh and aahh from the crowd at that game.

It looked like Beechwood had taken control as we head to Q4. LCA said not so fast. LCA QB Lucas Witt hit star WR Brandon Burdette for a 49 yard TD pass and with 11:08 left the Eagles had trimmed the deficit to 3 points, Beechwood leading 38-35. This game looked like it was headed towards a 50-49 final after all that back and forth. However, things got tight as Beechwood put their energy into the Noel Rash defense and clock management to try and hold on. It looked like that strategy was going to fall short. LCA mounted a long drive and took the ball down to a first and goal situation with about 5 minutes left. LCA had a tank of a RB named Dominique Hayden, who had speed to go with size. Beechwood kept him in control most of the game but he was definitely the threat in this goal line series. On 3rd and goal at the 2, the BW defense stuffed Hayden. That set up 4 and goal at the 1.  Timeout. What is the play? Should they kick the FG to tie it with 4 minutes left? It is an extra point kick at this range. You have Hayden. Surely BW couldn't stop him a second time from a yard out? What is the decision? LCA Coach Paul Rains was always a go for it type of coach and that is what he did here - going for the win! Now, what's the play? Hayden again? Fake to Hayden and let QB Witt have a run pass option? Here we go! It is a pass and INTERCEPTED! Beechwood's Neico Teipel with the pick in the end zone!

But wait, we aren't done yet. Still 4 minutes left. Can Beechwood run out the clock? The LCA defense is able to hold the Tigers to one first down. They get the ball back with over 2 minutes left and the ball at their own 40. Plenty of time to at least get into FG range with their offensive weapons. Can they find a crack in the BW defense? BW defense forces a big loss on a screen play making it long yardage. LCA forced to pass. Incomplete on 3rd down bringing up another 4th down. Another interception on 4th down. This time it is Joe Daniels with the interception for Beechwood to seal the win!

What a game! 

 

Edited May 30 by Voice of Reason

[DevilMayCare]

On 5/29/2026 at 10:14 AM, DearToday said:

Boyle County vs Corbin for the Region Championship in 2023 was the most packed out game I've been to. Corbin fans were lined up outside of the gates while school was still in session looking to get in. 

Both teams were undefeated. Boyle Co was led by future Mr. Football winner Tavi Quisenberry, Corbin was led by UK (now UL) signees Jacob and Jerod Smith who had transferred back down to KY for a fifth year. Boyle scored after the half to make it 21-14 and that's all that was needed. Boyle was held out on the 1 to ice the game late, Corbin drove down and went for a throwback pass to the QB on fourth down on their final drive that was broken up for Boyle to be able to ice it. Boyle went on to run clock in the finals. Both teams were top 5 teams in the state that season. 

Fun Fact, that Boyle team didn't lose anything that competed in that year. Also won the EKU 7v7 tourney, won both scrimmages, and ran the table during the regular season. 

The two had an unnatural relationship at first, but they've willed it into feeling like a decades old rivalry. Before the 2017 3A final, they'd only previously met five times. Last year made five meetings just in the last nine years. The last three have all been classics. Corbin consistently plays Boyle tougher than anyone else in their class.

Then there's the Haddix connection. The Hounds have his scent. Maybe they're destined to hunt him forever....

[DevilMayCare]

On 5/30/2026 at 11:03 AM, Voice of Reason said:

 

I'll throw one of my favorite Beechwood games of all time into the discussion.

2007 1A State Championship - Beechwood 38 Lexington Christian 35

This game was filled with big plays, back and forth scoring and excitement. It was not only a great game but it was consequential in Beechwood history as it was Noel Rash's first state title. He led Beechwood to another state title the next year and he needed that cache as Beechwood hit a drought that lasted 8 years before the Tigers took off on their recent run of 7 state titles in the last 10 years.

In the game, the teams traded TD's in the first quarter. Then after LCA scored to tie it at 7-7, one of the themes of the game emerged - BW special teams success. Beechwood's Ryan Amelung returned the kickoff 99 yards to immediately put BW on top 14-7. A fantastic first quarter.

That kickoff return gave BW momentum as they added another TD  on their next drive to push the lead to 21-7. LCA bounced back with a score before halftime to make it BW 21 LCA 14. 

Coming out in Q3 after halftime, LCA seemed to find something. They started rolling on the Tigers scoring two TD's to take a 28-21 lead. The Tigers offense struggled again on the next drive but Beechwood's defense was stout all game long, a trait that became the core of Noel Rash's success at Beechwood. Brady Slusher blocked a punt that turned into a safety to make it a 28-23 deficit. That put energy and momentum back on the Tigers side as they took the short field on the ensuing kickoff and promptly went 41 yards in 3 plays with the big play a 36 yard catch by Slusher. Tommy Bankemper scored his second rushing TD of the game and the Tigers added a two point conversion to make it 31-28 in favor of the Tigers. And the crazy back and forth Q3 wasn't finished yet. LCA went 3 and out, punted and special teams struck again. Player of the Game Ryan Amelung returned the punt 62 yards and suddenly BW was up 38-28. I will note here there were a couple crushing crack back blocks on that punt return that don't happen under today's rules, but they sure got an oohhh and aahh from the crowd at that game.

It looked like Beechwood had taken control as we head to Q4. LCA said not so fast. LCA QB Lucas Witt hit star WR Brandon Burdette for a 49 yard TD pass and with 11:08 left the Eagles had trimmed the deficit to 3 points, Beechwood leading 38-35. This game looked like it was headed towards a 50-49 final after all that back and forth. However, things got tight as Beechwood put their energy into the Noel Rash defense and clock management to try and hold on. It looked like that strategy was going to fall short. LCA mounted a long drive and took the ball down to a first and goal situation with about 5 minutes left. LCA had a tank of a RB named Dominique Hayden, who had speed to go with size. Beechwood kept him in control most of the game but he was definitely the threat in this goal line series. On 3rd and goal at the 2, the BW defense stuffed Hayden. That set up 4 and goal at the 1.  Timeout. What is the play? Should they kick the FG to tie it with 4 minutes left? It is an extra point kick at this range. You have Hayden. Surely BW couldn't stop him a second time from a yard out? What is the decision? LCA Coach Paul Rains was always a go for it type of coach and that is what he did here - going for the win! Now, what's the play? Hayden again? Fake to Hayden and let QB Witt have a run pass option? Here we go! It is a pass and INTERCEPTED! Beechwood's Neico Teipel with the pick in the end zone!

But wait, we aren't done yet. Still 4 minutes left. Can Beechwood run out the clock? The LCA defense is able to hold the Tigers to one first down. They get the ball back with over 2 minutes left and the ball at their own 40. Plenty of time to at least get into FG range with their offensive weapons. Can they find a crack in the BW defense? BW defense forces a big loss on a screen play making it long yardage. LCA forced to pass. Incomplete on 3rd down bringing up another 4th down. Another interception on 4th down. This time it is Joe Daniels with the interception for Beechwood to seal the win!

What a game! 

 

Great recap. I'd forgotten how great that game was.

Does '08 stand out from the '20 & '21 championship games? The '21 game, in particular, fits the theme here. Both were 14-0 going in and it was a rematch of the previous year's OT classic.