EyezOnThePrize

Ryle continues to play vey business-like football throughout the playoffs. Great crossing travels to Union on a hot streak but Ryle's disciplined play guides them to another win and a trip to Lexington for a chance to win a state championship. Safe travels to all!

No slight intended on CAL's schedule. They're certainly tested and ready. The point of my post is simple...unlike most people I do not think this is blowout game.

Agreed. Cooper is undefeated and beat both Highlands and Ryle during the regular season. They have all the playmakers and "BIG NAME" players. They are also the state runner-up team from last year and have done everything they have been asked to do and are expected to do this year. Cooper has been written down as state finalist for most of the year. If Highlands can go to Union and somehow win with a couple seniors and largely the rest sophomores and juniors....BIG UPSET. Cooper is, and has been, the large favorite all year long to play in Lexington on 12/7.

Well documented Lex Cath has played a BRUTAL schedule. I watched them play two of their losses and they gave Highlands (5A) and Great Crossing (6A) everything they wanted and both of these teams are still playing in their respective classes. Lex Cath's DB's are smart, disciplined and make plays. On offense they have weapons and very opportunistic play calling. Unlike some folks here, I think this is a back and forth contest. Lex Cath packs a punch and I think this game comes down to the final minutes to decide who goes to Kroger Field. Best of luck to BOTH squads and I hope the fans get to see what I think will be a great football game.

Colonels gave Highlands all they wanted early in the season and I think EVERYONE would agree the 5A Title is wide open to all the schools you just mentioned there. I do feel CCH would have just as good a shot, yes. They have improved quite a bit since the season opener losses (both close games) against Ryle and Highlands, both of which could bring home state championships in 5A & 6A respectively. It's all "what-if's" but outside Boyle, there's no clear line of delineation between 4A&5A. I could say the same for Corbin & PT competing in 5A. Not sure about Franklin Co (11-0 is impressive)...Do not know much about their squad. Again, all just "what-if's" and speculation. Once the State Title games conclude, maybe we can have the 3A, 4A, 5A & 6A state champs play one another for a true King of Kentucky!! No disrespect to 1A & 2A if they wanna throw their hat in the ring, let's do it!!!

Awesome post with great stats, some truly impressive QB play across the Commonwealth!

Get there early, there is no “parking lot” and you’ll have to find a spot on a side street to park. Entrances to the stadium at both end zones. Safe travels!!

One of the more unique and picturesque stadiums in all the sate. NEVER an easy place to play and Dudley usually has some wrinkle for the opposing team to deal with. Just glad the state stepped in and said no more Thanksgiving Day games in Bell County (for those looking waaaaayyyy back to the 90's). Love the venue...it's AWESOME. Should be a close one but I think The Knights and their offense go to EKY and get the job done 28-24 in a battle.

Accurate.

Interesting idea...never considered that. Outside Cov Cath's District play there are some good teams in 4A. I still feel The Colonels (less Boyle) could beat anyone in 4 or 5A this year but the competition in 4A is stiff. Boyle, Corbin, Franklin Co, PT and The Colonels all can make noise for a title but Boyle is just head and shoulders above everyone else (including 5A & 6A)! I'd love to hear more about scrapping district play because some teams get killed in RPI for "have to play" games in their district. Again, VERY interesting idea and I'd love to hear more. Good luck to all the NKY teams this week....Never know, Colonels might shock the state. Fumble here, broken assignment there, big special teams play....ya never know! Good Luck to everyone.

Indeed!

That is some detailed analysis, much appreciated. So many whacky (But fun to discuss) possibilities to prepare for during the playoffs. Which, in my opinion, is light years better than the old system. I believe there is even a possible scenario where two teams from the same district could play in the state final. BG/S Warren & Highlands/Cooper. Thanks for the detailed report.

Agreed. I have watched Cooper play in person twice and although talented, their line on both sides of the ball is porous. Quarterback continues to be a star and they have playmakers on both sides of the ball. If they get into some inclement windy weather and stingy defense they are more than beatable by ANY of the top four 5A teams. Highlands is an anomaly. They have a gigantic offensive line but still keep dropping back an undersized quarterback that likes to repeatedly underthrow receivers open receivers. They SHOULD be averaging 250 yards of rushing a game and managing the clock. Instead, they keep trying to showcase a kid at quarterback that needs to be handing the ball to a running back. Bluebirds defense has proven to be surprisingly tough and opportunistic. If their OC wakes up and fully commits to the run game in conjunction with that defense they're a potential problem. I too, like so many others, was convinced The Purples would handle business on Friday but South Warren more than impressed with some outstanding disciplined defense! They did a great job stretching that game out and making plays when it mattered most. I cannot wait to see (NO CLUE HOW IT SHAKES OUT) a possible rematch between these two hopefully in the playoffs. BG, S Warren, Cooper and Highlands all can bring home a Title....should be fun to see who makes the late season adjustments in order to make it happen.

I knew Brossart was building a solid program and their expectations are growing but I didn't realize they had a beef with their O.C.?

Just taking a VERY BRIEF look at the loveless Cougars and I do not see where they were left out? They were trounced by Ryle in their only game of real consequence and managed to slip past SK who's defense is quite generous to say the least. If you look at teams 3-10 in the 5A rankings, I cannot name a single game Conner would be favored to win at this point. Cougars will get all the love they want in the next few weeks with The Jags and The Bluebirds. They find a way to come out victorious against one of those teams and they crack the top ten. Until then, their schedule hasn't produced anything of note. Lots in front of them to play for! Good luck.

Strong bounce back by The Raiders! Savage had himself a game, he’ll remember that one for a lifetime. Sounds like The Birds have some things to figure out still in the passing game. Nice win Ryle, congrats!

Agreed, a lot of teams play some big boys this week: Highlands takes on 6A Ryle, Owensboro with a great game against Owensboro Catholic and of course Scott County takes on the Boyle Co Rebels who just went to OH and stomped nationally ranked & 3-time defending state champ St Eds. 5A should start to look more clear this week with some very interesting matchups. I wish I could see the Pulaski Co v/s Corbin battle... Good luck to everyone, safe travels!

Ryle made some gutty plays last week against Cooper and if not for playing against the best QB in NKY and some guy name Alexander, they probably win the battle of Union. Ryle did very little to push the ball down field and controlled the clock extremely well while playing sound and physical defense. Again, if not for the best QB in NKY on the other sideline, they played good enough to beat the best team in NKY last Friday. Savage is a beast and they use him very well! Turning to The Bluebirds, they continue to play very hard but we have not seen them light up the scoreboard or utilize these wide receivers we heard so much about in the pre-season. Rio is clearly a nice facilitator but hasn't shown he can push the ball vertically much up to this point along with weapons like Arnold seemingly out there as a decoy. These WR's were heavily touted as big play threats and besides some out of the backfield action, we haven't seen any real numbers produced. From our Bluebird faithful...is this a controlled and calculated offense? QB not throwing downfield? WR's not making the play? Love to hear your thoughts because without a real downfield threat I see The Raiders perfectly content with a score in the low 20's waiting to win on a long drive late in the game. After watching Ryle against Cooper, simply running the ball right at Ryle won't work for four quarters. Birds are going to have FLY this week if they want to win. Two very good teams that are very familiar with one another. Ryle ran into the best team in NKY and nearly won. Bluebirds cakewalked through Alexandria last week to remain undefeated. Does Ryle control the clock and force Highlands to make a late mistake from an unproven QB or do The Bluebirds finally open things up and make some big plays forcing Ryle's young QB to put his arm to good use? I would love to see these two young talents go toe to toe but I think the Big Bully Lineman on each sideline decide this one. Neither team has shown their willingness to push the ball through the air. Good luck to both teams and safe travels to all going, this should be a fun matchup and start to shape the landscape for how NKY Football in 5A & 6A might be seeded for the playoffs.

Well, that and there is NOBODY of note behind them in 5A. Owensboro lost their first two games by a combined 31 points. I'd see them as a more legitimate contender if they at least sniffed a win in week 1 or week 2 but that's not the case. If their only flag in the ground is "they lost to good teams" they will not go far in the playoffs...where good teams win. The rest of their schedule looks quite accommodating so that will get them rolling and hopefully some good momentum! My money currently is on the defending champs BG and their speed - 1, Cooper is loaded with multiple D1 athletes and learning how to man handle opponents - 2, and Highlands has monstrous size up front with very nice playmakers - 3. Fortunately, NKY will get to see a preview of a possible playoff matchup when Cooper visits Highlands in a few weeks. That will give all of 5A something to chew on and hopefully narrow down who might be able to give BG a run at the title. Ole BG (and one of my favorite mascots "The Purples") look primed for a repeat in 5A... even if they did get their nosed bloodied by FD in week 1! Good luck to all the young men and coaches!!