"Air Raid"-ers Meet Balanced Defenders For Semifinal Berth

Records: Ryle (8-4) | Station (9-3)

BGP 6A Rankings: Ryle (#10) | Station (#6)

Round 2 Results: Ryle beat Bullitt East | Station beat Tates Creek 

Series History: Ryle leads 3-1 all-time 

Teaser Preview: We'll crown a new 'big school' champion after Ryle knocked off Bullitt East in the second round. Logan Verax went over 3,000 yards for the year to build on what's already one of the great quarterbacking seasons in program history. 

Ryle has leaned into the passing game this year, making for a compelling subplot this week against a Station secondary - led by JT Haskins Jr's six interceptions - that's been locking people down lately.

Conversely, the Defenders have struck a nice balance between the run and pass. Trenton Cutright has thrown and run for 2,400 yards and 28 touchdowns, while Kaden Washington is approaching a thousand yards rushing. 

Both sides have been well prepared for these latter stages of the season. Rigorous scheduling has included the likes of Trinity, St. X, Douglass, Bowling Green, Highlands, CovCath, and CAL. 

The winner here earns a spot in the semifinals. It would be Station's second straight and Ryle's first since 2010.

Two undefeated 4A teams go head to head in Danville. The Corbin Redhounds have looked good all season beating Fredrick Douglass early on in the season 6-0 at home. On the other hand you've got Boyle County who looks just as good if not better beating Fredrick Douglass more recently 28-7 also beating Lexington Catholic and Lexington Christian. We should be in for a good one in Danville.

The Broncos entered the 2023 season as the top-touted squad in 6A football, with many expecting Douglass to run away with the 6A title in their first season in the state's largest football class. Their season opener tempered many, with Douglass being shellacked 45-6 by Archbishop Hoban (OH). But Douglass rebounded to beat Trinity 17-14 the following week, as well as 6A power Bryan Station on October 14th. They lost three more games this season, to 4A Corbin, 4A Boyle County, and Indiana powerhouse Indy Cathedral. QB Jaxon Strautman has found his stride, with 1300 yards and 15 touchdowns passing this season, and running by committee by Derion Talbert, Pharo Watts, TayTay Allen, Strautman, and Dakari Talbert, Derion Talbert leads the receiving corps for Douglass with Aveion Chenualt and Cooper Ranvier also racking up receiving yards for Douglass. On defense, Darion Neal, Kayden Clay, Logan Busson, JaQuan Rufus and EJ Clinkscale all have tallied more than 20 solo tackles each.

Male's QB, Kolter Smith, has racked up over 2100 passing yards this season, bringing a major air assault with the Bulldog offense. Max Gainey and Antonio Harris are his favorite receiving targets with over 1500 yards and 30 touchdowns between the two. And Male has a duo of dangerous running backs in Chayce Burton and Shammai Gates, who combine for over 1300 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns between the pair. On defense, junior linebacker Solomon Conley leads the team with 38 solo tackles and senior linebacker Kevin Wilson has 29 solo tackles of his own. Senior DB Brenden Bates also leads the team with 4 interceptions and 2 pick-sixes in his 7 games played this season. Male's one loss this season came at the hands of St. Xavier back on September 1st.

Who wins and advances to the semifinals in this first-ever meeting between Male and Douglass?

The Golden Eagles' marquee win for the season was a 36-33 win over Ashland on October 20th, giving the Tomcats their only loss of the season leading up to their 35-28 defeat in last night's second round playoff match with Cov Cath. Leading up to their game last night, Johnson Central's offense has gained a stout 87% of their offensive yards on the ground, with 3,577 rushing yards compared to 549 passing yards this season. Senior QB Jacob Grimm averages about 4 pass attempts per game this season, compared to an avg 16 pass attempts per game by Cov Cath's QB Evan Pitzer. Johnson Central has an impressive FOUR players who have rushed for 500+ yards this season, with Conley Carter toting a 1000 yard season rushing, and Christian Barnes nipping at his heels, just shy of 1000 yards. Headed into their game last night, junior LB Seth Davis leads the Golden Eagles' defense with 19 solo tackles, junior LB Logan Castle had 17 tackles, and senior LB Ryan Rice had 15.

Covington Catholic's offense looks to be firing on all cylinders, with an average of 391 yards per game this season, split almost perfectly evenly between rushing (49.8%) and passing (50.2%). It's been that balance that has provided fits for their opponents this season, and is perhaps one of the major reasons for their 12-0 undefeated season headed into the game this upcoming Friday. Senior quarterback Evan Pitzer is touting a 73.4% passing record this season - currently a program record - and has only been intercepted 4 times in his 192 pass attempts. The Colonels' ability to move the ball down the field quickly has been an effective weapon for them this year, with the hands of TE Willie Rodriguez, and WRs Braylon Miller, Oliver Link and Noah Johnson always ready and waiting. And when rushing yardage is what's needed, RB Owen Leen and QB Evan Pitzer are always ready to pick em up and put em down, with Leen's 706 rushing yards and Pitzer's 500 rushing yards this season.

Who wins the battle of the C-helmets?

This game has the makings of an instant-classic. 11-1 Lexington Christian Eagles make the four hour trip to Mayfield to take on the 10-1 Cardinals in the 2A quarterfinals. Led by Cutter Boley, Lexington Christian has averaged almost 400 yards of offense each game this season compared to 350 yards per game by Zane Cartwright and the Mayfield offense. Both defenses have been more successful shutting down opponents' rushing games this season, but the Cardinals have held opponents to fewer total yards per game (181) than the Eagles have (225).

Who wins?

Class 6A:
Trinity 94.76
Male 86.10
Frederick Douglass 85.36
St. Xavier 80.61
Bryan Station 72.04
Manual 71.86
Ballard 69.68
Ryle 62.93
Bullitt East 56.54

Class 5A:
Highlands 80.89
South Warren 75.53
Bowling Green 74.95
Scott County 70.95
Cooper 66.00
Southwestern 65.93

Class 4A:
Boyle County 93.58
Corbin 83.26
Covington Catholic 77.33
Paducah Tilghman 71.38
Franklin County 67.61
Ashland Blazer 61.93

Class 3A:
Christian Academy-Lou. 77.60
Lexington Catholic 68.82
Central 58.22
Belfry 51.90
Union County 49.20
Bell County 49.10

Class 2A:
Lexington Christian Academy 78.37
Mayfield 70.84
Owensboro Catholic 70.02
Beechwood 67.63
Somerset 42.49

Class 1A:
Pikeville 61.25
Raceland 54.26
Campbellsville 47.84
KY Country Day 40.17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV. 7, 2023

As part of a collective effort to address the shortage of licensed officials in Kentucky, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association has partnered with an officiating education company called RefReps, as announced on Tuesday.

RefReps provides a comprehensive sports officiating education curriculum for more than a dozen sports to provide a viable opportunity for schools to offer sports officiating education to students during their curricular day as an elective course.

"The KHSAA is excited to partner with RefReps as a strategy to help promote our mission to address the shortage of licensed officials across Kentucky," said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. "As they have proven in other states and demonstrated throughout this adoption process, they will be invaluable. I am happy with the work that Associate Commissioner Butch Cope has done to help us work toward a shared goal of providing education content to help recruit new officials and therefore increase retention."

Players Featured This Week

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)
Season to date: 270 carries for 2,910 yards and 44 touchdowns | 61 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score

Sage Dawson (QB/DB, Boyle County)
Season to date: 111/157 for 2,094 yards and 26 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 236 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns

Avery Bodner (RB/DB, Boyle County)
Season to date: 106 carries for 968 yards and 16 touchdowns | 306 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns | 60 tackles | 9.5 TFL | 4 sacks | 1 interception | 2 fumbles forced and 2 recovered, including a scoop and score

Brady Hensley (RB, Lexington Christian Academy)
Season to date: 193 carries for 2,032 yards and 39 touchdowns | 197 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

Cutter Boley (QB, Lexington Christian Academy)
Season to date: 144/227 for 1,916 yards and 20 touchdowns with 5 interceptions | 5 rushing touchdowns

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)
Season to date: 212/295 for 3,031 yards and 42 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 408 rushing yards and 3 touchdown

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)
Season to date: 94/147 for 1,578 yards and 24 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 885 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns | 208 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns

Kolter Smith (QB, Male)
Season to date: 116/165 for 2,141 yards and 32 touchdowns with 4 interceptions


Max Gainey (WR, Male)
Season to date: 45 receptions for 859 yards and 18 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns | 3 kick return touchdowns

Tucker Warren (QB/DB, Rockcastle County)
Season to date: 114/170 for 1,894 yards and 27 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 997 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns | 49 tackles | 3 interceptions including a pick-six

Top 25:

Trinity 94.94
Boyle County 93.11
Male 87.05
Frederick Douglass 85.48
Corbin 82.97
St. Xavier 80.71
Highlands 79.48
Lexington Christian Academy 78.50
Christian Academy-Lou. 77.46
Covington Catholic 77.08
Bowling Green 75.14
South Warren 75.10
Bryan Station 73.10
Manual 72.55
Paducah Tilghman 71.35
Mayfield 70.96
Ballard 70.89
Scott County 70.77
Owensboro Catholic 70.17
Lexington Catholic 68.29
Franklin County 67.71
Beechwood 67.48
Southwestern 65.92
Cooper 63.98
Ashland Blazer 63.85

Players Featured This Week

Brady Hensley (RB, Lexington Christian Academy)
Season to date: 190 carries for 1,940 yards and 36 touchdowns | 197 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

Avery Bodner (RB/DB, Boyle County)
Season to date: 103 carries for 852 yards and 15 touchdowns | 306 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns | 58 tackles | 9.5 TFL | 4 sacks | 1 interception | 2 fumbles forced and 2 recovered, including a scoop and score

Kolter Smith (QB, Male)
Season to date: 104/151 for 1,828 yards and 26 touchdowns with 4 interceptions

Max Gainey (WR, Male)
Season to date: 38 receptions for 708 yards and 14 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns | 3 kick return touchdowns

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)
Season to date: 204/287 for 2,730 yards and 37 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 408 rushing yards and 3 touchdown

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)
Season to date: 237 carries for 2,574 yards and 40 touchdowns | 61 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score

Evan Pitzer (QB, Covington Catholic)
Season to date: 125/171 for 2,062 yards and 24 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 444 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns

Jackson Wasik (QB, Lexington Catholic)
Season to date: 139/213 for 1,991 yards and 21 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 248 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns

Class 1A
1. Pikeville 
2. Raceland 
3. Campbellsville 

Class 2A
1. Lexington Christian Academy
2. Beechwood
3. Owensboro Catholic
4. Mayfield 

Class 3A
1. Christian Academy-Louisville 
2. Lexington Catholic
3. Central 
4. Hart County 

Class 4A
1. Boyle County 
2. Corbin 
3. Covington Catholic 
4. Paducah Tilghman 
5. Franklin County 

Class 5A
1. Highlands  
2. Bowling Green 
3. South Warren
4. Scott County
5. Cooper 

Class 6A
1. Male
2. Trinity 
3. Frederick Douglass 
4. Manual 
5. Saint Xavier 
6. Bryan Station

St. Xavier (6-3) at Bowling Green (7-2)

St. X Coach Kevin Wallace will bring his Tigers down I-65 for a meeting with Bowling Green, his former team, for the sixth time since he became St X’s coach back in 2018.  St. X is 3 and 2 in that shorter Coach Wallace led zone.  All time St. Xavier leads the series 13-7.

Game Information:

This game will be played at Bowling Green High School.  It will be St X’s second game at Bowling Greens new turf field.  The Tiger romped the Purples at BG in 2021 27-0.  I’m hoping for a closer game this year.  It has RPI implications for both teams; although their near-term path is pretty locked in at this point.  Good luck to both teams and NO Injuries!!!!

The Rebels (9-0) travel to "The Farm" to take on the Broncos (5-3) the kickoff is scheduled for 7:30. This should be one of the better end of season games. The Rebels of Boyle Co. many think may very well be the best team in the state no matter of class. (as a thread here on BGP addresses) The Broncos have played one of the best schedules in the state this season and are starting to show much improvement especially on the offensive side of the ball.

This will mark the 3rd time the teams have played. They have both won convincedly on each other's field. The first time they played in 2021 the Rebels came to Douglass and defeated the Broncos 34-7 on their way to a 14-1 and state championship season. The Broncos returned the favor last year in their 15-0 state championship season by defeating the Rebels 37-6. 

That 37-6 loss last season at home to Douglass is the last game that Boyle has lost they went on after that game to roll to the 2022 state championship by an average of over 22 points per game. They currently have the state's longest winning streak at 14 having not lost since the game vs. Douglass at home last season.

The game will can be seen on for sure I believe on the NFHS Network and on Gilcod and I'm not sure if it will be on the Boyle Co. network I would assume so. The Broncos will have to bring their "A" game to beat the Rebels, but I think it will be a good game for both programs going into their respective playoffs.

Mr. Football Front-runners Visit Raceland In A Battle Of #1s

Records: LCA (8-1) | Raceland (7-2)

BGP Rankings: LCA (#1 in 2A) | Raceland (#1 in 1A)

Week 10 Results: LCA beat Washington County | Raceland beat Nicholas County 

Series History: LCA leads 12-3 all-time 

Teaser Preview: Fresh off of demolishing their respective districts, former rivals meet for the first time in thirteen years in one of Week 11's marquee games.

The Eagles and Rams parted ways in 2010 with LCA holding the upper hand, winners of five straight in the series. They meet again as top ranked peers.

It's common to see the stretch of US-23 that runs through Raceland lined with cars on Friday nights, the watchful eyes of frugal fans and passers-by observing from afar.

Cutter Boley may pack the fringes of Ram Stadium like never before. The UK commit is arguably the biggest prospect to ever play there. And he's bringing friends, namely fellow Mr. Football contender Brady Hensley. 

This will be the greatest challenge faced by a strong Rams defense, headed up by linebackers Jaxon Heighton and Noah Wallace. They play fast and hit with ill intent.

Raceland has been humbled once this year on its home turf, losing a forty point shutout to Highlands. They'll fight like mad to prevent a sequel, but LCA wields a mighty pen.

Class 1A
1. Raceland
2. Pikeville

Class 2A
1. Lexington Christian Academy
2. Beechwood
3. Owensboro Catholic
4. Mayfield

Class 3A
1. Christian Academy-Louisville
2. Lexington Catholic
3. Central

Class 4A
1. Boyle County
2. Corbin
3. Covington Catholic
4. Paducah Tilghman
5. Franklin County

Class 5A
1. Highlands
2. Bowling Green
3. South Warren
4. Scott County
5. Woodford County
6. Cooper

Class 6A
1. Male
2. Frederick Douglass
3. Trinity
4. Manual
5. Saint Xavier
6. Bryan Station
7. Ballard

We're all familiar with the handful of big names out there for the more prominent invitational tournaments, past and present. The Ashland Invitational Tournament, the King Of The Bluegrass, the Louisville Invitational Tournament, Marshall County Hoopfest. Over time, those have come so ubiquitous that even their abbreviations have turned into familiar vocabulary around the Commonwealth with names like the AIT, the KOB, the LIT, and simply "Hoopfest."

There's always the 'All-A' Classic, and more recently a new invitational tournament, the Kentucky 2A Classic, to talk about throughout the season, with their spans of multiple weeks, rounds, and gymnasiums around the state, but this thread is intended more to discuss the one-offs around Kentucky; the tournaments that take place over the course of one or two weekends, at one venue.

Which are your favorites? Which events draw the highest level of high school competition around the state each year? What is your favorite up-and-coming tourney? What are other talents outside of the state seem to draw a lot of Kentucky hoops programs each year? Lets hear what you have to say about the many high school basketball events we have around Kentucky.

Top 20:

Trinity 94.64
Boyle County 90.36
Frederick Douglass 87.43
Male 87.4
Corbin 82.76
Highlands 78.75
Covington Catholic 77.81
Lexington Christian Academy 77.51
St. Xavier 77.43
Christian Academy - Lou. 75.79
Bowling Green 74.78
South Warren 74.68
Paducah Tilghman 72.06
Mayfield 71.58
Bryan Station 71.35
Manual 70.53
Scott County 70.38
Ballard 69.89
Owensboro Catholic 69.73
Beechwood 68.09

I have some random thoughts:

1. Dump our current RPI for Calpreps.  Calpreps is clearly superior and comprehensive.

2. Reduce the number of classifications.  We are seeing more and more there are a few good teams at the top of each class and then teams that have no chance.

3. Reduce the amount of teams that get in the playoffs by 50%.  Way too many teams get in the playoffs.

4. Allow one transfer with no restrictions.

5. Move the State Championships back to Thanksgiving weekend. 

Would you choose any of those?  Something else?

Players Featured This Week

Jackson Wasik (QB, Lexington Catholic)
Season to date: 125/193 for 1,847 yards and 20 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 151 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)
Season to date: 158/224 for 2,055 yards and 29 touchdowns with 6 interceptions | 368 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

Cutter Boley (QB, Lexington Christian Academy)
Season to date: 111/177 for 1,595 yards and 14 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 5 rushing touchdowns

Evan Pitzer (QB, Covington Catholic)
Season to date: 98/137 for 1,656 yards and 19 touchdowns with 3 interceptions | 344 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns

Kolter Smith (QB, Male)
Season to date: 78/118 for 1,530 yards and 21 touchdowns with 4 interceptions

Tyleeq "TyTy" Williams (ATH, Bardstown)
Season to date: 137 carries for 1,273 yards and 15 touchdowns | 352 yards and 3 touchdowns | 1 touchdown pass | 1 scoop and score | 28 tackles | 1 sack | 1 interception | 2 kick return touchdowns

Brady Hensley (RB, Lexington Christian Academy)
Season to date: 163 carries for 1,420 yards and 26 touchdowns | 198 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

Steve Partin (RB/LB, Knox Central)
Season to date: 153 carries for 1,487 yards and 20 touchdowns | 55 tackles | 11 TFL | 5 sacks

Aba Selm (OL/DL, Simon Kenton)
Season to date: The Pioneers lead 6A in total offense | 41 tackles | 12 tackles for loss | 3 sacks

With practice beginning, it is time for us to release our Northern KY Preseason Top 10 teams and Top 10 players.  I'm sure there will be a lot of debate and disagreements, which is fine (and encouraged), just please remember these are hard-working young ladies, so let's keep it respectful.  

So, without further build-up, here are our Top 10 Teams heading into the 2023-24 Season:

1.  Cooper (9th / 33rd / Justin Holthaus)

2.  Ryle (9th / 33rd / Katie Haitz)

3.  Notre Dame (9th / 35th / Kes Murphy)

4.  Holy Cross (9th / 35th / Ted Arlinghaus)

5.  Highlands (9th / 36th / Jaime Walz Richey)

6.  Simon Kenton (8th / 32nd / Brenden Stowers)

7.  Conner (9th / 33rd / Michelle Gambrel)

8.  Dixie (9th / 34th / Joel Steczynski)

9.  NewCath (9th / 36th / Dan Albrinck)

10.  Grant County (8th / 32nd / Shawn West)

Class 1A
1. Raceland
2. Pikeville
3. Campbellsville
4. Paris

Class 2A
1. Lexington Christian Academy
2. Beechwood
3. Owensboro Catholic
4. Mayfield 

Class 3A
1. Christian Academy-Louisville
2. Lexington Catholic
3. Central
4. Union County 

Class 4A
1. Boyle County
2. Corbin
3. Covington Catholic
4. Paducah Tilghman
5. Franklin County

Class 5A
1. Highlands
2. Bowling Green
3. South Warren
4. Scott County 

Class 6A
1. Male 
2. Frederick Douglass
3. Trinity
4. Manual
5. Saint Xavier 
10. Simon Kenton 

Bowling Green (5-2) at South Warren (6-1)

Easily one of the best, if not the best 5A regular season games of the year right here, with the winner taking a strong step toward sowing up the regular season 5A District 2 title, a huge RPI Boost, and a more favorable pathway into the 5A playoffs.

Series Information:

This will be the 12th meeting between the two local rivals.  The series began in 2017, when South moved up to 5A and was placed in the same district with Bowling Green and they have been playing ever since.  Bowling Green leads the series 6-5.  Interestingly, neither team has held a 2-game lead in the series and neither team has won more than 2 in a row; although both have won 2 in a row twice during the all-time series. 

Game Information:

Currently, South Warren is on a 2-game win streak.  Bowling Green is on a 4-game win streak and a 2-game win streak in this series.  Can the Purples pull off a series of first vs South and win for the 3rd straight game and hold a 2-game lead in the series or will South hold serve at home and even the series back up where it has often been between these two? 

The game will be at South Warren, which is an advantage in itself, as Coach Smith controls the pre-game music.  So, I expect variations of Amazing Grace to He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones to not give BG any juice in the pre-game warm ups!  Ha!  Going to be a really fun game!

Who wins this important matchup one and why?

Top 20:

Trinity 94.75
Boyle County 90.1
Male 87.8
Frederick Douglass 86.23
Corbin 82.76
Highlands 78.84
Christian Academy - Lou. 78.07
Covington Catholic 77.88
Lexington Christian Academy 77.57
South Warren 75.93
St. Xavier 75.66
Bowling Green 73.64
Bryan Station 72.07
Paducah Tilghman 71.81
Mayfield 71.57
Manual 70.87
Ballard 70
Owensboro Catholic 69.81
Beechwood 68.16
Southwestern 67.45

Class 6A
1. Male
2. Frederick Douglass
3. Trinity
4. Manual
5. Saint Xavier

Class 5A
1. Highlands
2. Bowling Green
3. South Warren
4. Scott County
5. Woodford County

Class 4A
1. Boyle County
2. Corbin
3. Covington Catholic
4. Paducah Tilghman
5. Franklin County
6. Ashland

Class 3A
1. Christian Academy-Louisville
2. Lexington Catholic
3. Central
4. Belfry
5. Lloyd Memorial

Class 2A
1. Lexington Christian Academy
2. Beechwood
3. Owensboro Catholic
4. Mayfield

Class 1A
1. Raceland
2. Pikeville
3. Campbellsville
4. Paris

Players Featured This Week

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)
Season to date: 205 carries for 2,088 yards and 34 touchdowns | 54 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score

Steve Partin (RB/QB/LB, Knox Central)
Season to date: 121 carries for 1,266 yards and 18 touchdowns | 56 tackles | 11 TFL | 5 sacks

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)
Season to date: 82/130 for 1,253 yards and 17 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 799 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns | 112 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns

Sage Dawson (QB/DB, Boyle County)
Season to date: 83/117 for 1,546 yards and 16 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 168 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

Jackson Wasik (QB, Lexington Catholic)
Season to date: 109/167 for 1,608 yards and 17 touchdowns with 1 interception | 103 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

Shaun Boykins (WR, North Hardin)
Season to date: 58 receptions for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns

Zah'Ron "Zeek" Washburn (RB, Manual)
Season to date: 19 carries for 94 yards | 7 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns