Carl Spackler

1st and goal Raceland from the 5.

Great return to the Ashland 29, 1:41 to go. No timeouts left for Raceland.

Raceland's defense holds. Ashland will be punting to the Rams with 1:53 to go.

Another first down. Ashland leads 21-14 with 2:00 to go. Raceland has all 3 timeouts.

Another Ashland first down 3:14 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Ashland picks up a first down. Under 6.00 to go, Tomcats lead 21-14.

Raceland drove it down to the Ashland 34, but was sacked on consecutive plays and punted from their own 43. Punt went all the way down to the Ashland 1 yard line. Ashland still leads 21-14.

Wild turn of events. Raceland recovers a squib kick, but is then called for a hold and loses 4 yards on 1st down. A good scramble sets up a 4th down and about 14. They get 13 and turn it over on downs at the Ashland 19. On 1st down a pass hit a Raceland defender right in the chest for what should have been a pick 6. The next play is an 81 yard touchdown run by Trevonte Taylor to give Ashland a 21-14 lead.

1st and goal for Raceland. I don't think they have been able to run more than 3 plays without a player from one of the teams going down with cramps.

I went back and watched it again. You really couldn't tell what happened. He was right by where the Henderson County player was tackled, but there wasn't a big hit or anything.

Still 14-7 Ashland with 5:40 to go in the 3rd quarter. Tomcats ball on their own 20.

It was 7-7 when I tuned in. But Ashland looked to be much faster and more physical than the Rams.

Frederick Douglas Trinity Scott County St. Xavier Murray Tiebreaker-38

Where I don't follow Wayne County that closely, I was unaware of Korbyn Edwards. He missed almost all of last session. In 2024, however, he rushed for 1636 yards and 34 touchdowns and threw for 765 in 12 games. In recent seasons the Jumpers have struggled a bit with running quarterbacks. Edwards at quarterback could definitely make this one a battle.

I think Somerset wins, but it's closer than many expect and isn't settled until into the 3rd quarter. Briar Jumpers 35-14.

Wayne County struggled to a 4-8 record a season ago, against a brutal schedule. Every team that the Cardinals lost to, except for Eastern, won a least 9 games and a playoff game. Wayne started freshman Reese Garrett at quarterback and experience some growing pains on offense. Garrett threw for 980 yards with 5 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2025. The experience he gained against that schedule should be invaluable. He will have leading rusher Weston Hancock back for his senior season. Hancock rushed for 804 yards and 4 scores a season ago. The Cardinals will also return their leading receiver Ian Tucker who hauled in 49 balls for 598 yards and 4 of Wayne County's 5 scores through the air. Somerset, in spite of losing their starting quarterback in the opener, finished last season at 11-2, losing in the 3rd round to Owensboro Catholic 27-19. Gone from that team is the 2A player of the year Kris Hughes. Hughes stepped in a quarterback and finished the season with 1092 yards passing and 11 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. On the ground he ran for 2081 yards and 37 touchdowns. You don't replace a Kris Hughes. The cupboard is far from bare for the Briar Jumpers, however. Talented sophomore Xavier Wooldridge returns after rushing for 209 yards and 4 scores, catching a team leading 27 passes for 418 yards and 3 touchdowns. He even took some snaps at quarterback and played a key role in the secondary. Corban Cimala returns in the backfield after rushing for 709 yards and 9 touchdowns a year ago. He figures to be the lead back in a backfield that will also feature Wooldridge at times, as well as holdovers Xavier Hudson and Jett Boyd. McCreary County transfer Darius Ridner will give the Jumpers another weapon. Ridner rushed for 437 yards and 5 scores and added 20 catches for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns as a freshman in 2025. Ridner is also a dangerous return man as he had 2 kickoff return touchdowns for the Raiders. Somerset will have a new quarterback this season as senior Guy Turner transferred in from Paris. Turner threw for 1246 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions a year ago. He added 342 yards and 12 scores on the ground. Another key for the Briar Jumpers will be junior kicker/punter Julian Carroll. Carroll was first team all-state last season as a punter, and is ranked as the number 1 punter/kicker combo in the class of 2028 by ProKicker. He was a perfect 58-58 on extra points and hit 3 of 4 field goals. He usually ensures that the Jumpers win the field position battle. While this one looks to favor the Briar Jumpers, Wayne County won't be intimidated after facing Bell County, West Jessamine, North Laurel and Boyle County twice last season. Somerset has tended to start slowly the past few years dropping 2 of their 3 openers under Coach Clay Clevenger. Will the Cardinals be able to take advantage of Somerset trying for find their footing as they try to form an identity without Hughes. Or will the Briar Jumpers start off the year with a win?

Pulaski having a freshman at quarterback might keep this close early. But I think Ridner settles in nicely and the Maroon roll 42-7.

Why would you play as important a player as Fryman in a scrimmage if he was less than 100%?

Glasgow, and I don't think it's close. Scotties 49-14.

Henderson County makes to long drive over to Somerset to take on last year's 5A runner-up, the Pulaski County Maroons. The two teams played last season at Henderson County, and the Maroons came away with a 44-21 win. Pulaski County finished last season with a 12-3 record and bring back several key contributors including UK commit Brady Hull, who will anchor what figures to be a stout offensive line. Top rusher Kasen also returns after putting up 1808 yards, and 22 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 454 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. In fact, the Maroons return their 3 leading rushers, and 6 leading receivers. Two way player Cohen Finley is also a key returner after leading the team in tackles while adding 427 receiving yards on offense. The one place that the Maroons will likely be inexperience is a quarterback where freshman Kallen Ridner figures to be the starter. If Ridner doesn't start, Swiss Army Knife Will Adams can certainly fill the spot after taking over as starter last season when Zak Anderson was lost for the season with a knee injury. The Maroons should be very, vary good this season no matter who starts at quarterback. While Henderson County finished with a 6-7 record in 2025, they did make it to the 3rd round of the playoffs before falling to South Warren. The Colonels were young last season and return their quarterback, their top 4 leading rushers, and 2 of their top 4 receivers. Brody Belt was the starter at quarterback last season when he finished with 1495 yards and 15 touchdowns. Henderson featured a running back by committee in 2025 with 5 players finishing with at least 250 yards. Rising senior Jack Dalton led the team with 524 yards and 9 touchdown in 2025. Can Henderson County pull the upset and spoil the head coaching debut of the Maroons Josh Roberts? Or will Pulaski County notch their first win of what could be a special season for the Maroons? .

Did anyone attend the Somerset/Lexington Catholic/Elizabethtown scrimmage last night? I didn't get any scores, but was told that Somerset didn't have a lot of trouble with Catholic.

Yes. I hate it.

I can't remember all the details from that Boyle/Somerset game. But I think there might have been a special teams touchdown for Boyle in there. @Hatz was a little older than I was and might remember the scoring better. I remember the failed 2 point conversion at the end.

I would think Josh Roberts makes the most sense. He's been on staff a long time, and applied for the job last time it was open. There would be much less of an adjustment if sometime already in the program took over. With a chance to make it back to the finals, and a lot of seniors on the team next season the safe hire might be best here.