Breaking down each of the six Kentucky high school football state championships this weekend at Kroger Field in Lexington:
Class 1A: Beechwood vs. Raceland – Friday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. CT
Fresh off a Class 1A championship in 2016, Beechwood (11-2) has proven it’s the perennial powerhouse in its class. Friday’s title game against Raceland (10-4) will mark the Tigers’ third straight appearance and their 18th overall, as they currently a hold a 12-5 record all-time.
Raceland – who’s in its first-ever state final – beat Pikeville 17-14 last week to punch its ticket. The Rams advanced to the state semifinals in both 2013 and 2014 but couldn’t get past Williamsburg both years.
Entering Friday’s matchup to kick off the weekend, Beechwood has won seven consecutive games while Raceland is on a five-game winning streak after starting the season 5-4.
Tyler’s Pick: Beechwood 34, Raceland 13.
Class 2A: Mayfield vs. Danville – Saturday, Dec. 2 at Noon CT
Saturday’s Class 2A state championship featuring Mayfield and Danville could play out to be one of the best games of the weekend.
Two of Kentucky’s top programs, Danville (14-0) and Mayfield (13-1), will clash for a state final for the fifth time but for the first time since 1992. The Admirals and Cardinals have combined to win 22 championships.
Danville hasn’t won a state title since beating Beechwood 42-7 in the 2003 Class 1A final but are in its 15th state final with a 10-4 record. Mayfield is in its 22nd state championship, currently posting a 12-9 record. However, the Cardinals are 0-4 against the Admirals when meeting them in the state finals.
Tyler’s Pick: Danville 42, Mayfield 35.
Class 3A: Boyle County vs. Corbin – Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. CT
Boyle County (13-1) and Corbin (13-1) will cap the first day of championship weekend in Lexington in the Class 3A state championship at 6 p.m.
Two top programs in 3A, the Rebels enter the matchup riding an 11-game winning streak and haven’t lost since Aug. 31 – a 10-7 decision to Danville. Boyle County averages 46 points per game and is coached by Chuck Smith, the former recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach at Kentucky from 2005-2012.
Smith’s second stint at Boyle County began in 2014, as he previously served as the head coach of the Rebels from 1999-2004, leading them to six straight finals – including five championships in a row.
Corbin, coached by former Western Kentucky quarterback Justin Haddix, is 3-4 all-time in state finals with those all coming during its time in Class 2A. It’s the Redhounds’ first appearance in a state championship since 2002.
Tyler’s Pick: Boyle County 34, Corbin 23.
Class 4A: Franklin-Simpson vs. Johnson Central – Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. CT
The rematch is set.
For the second straight year, Franklin-Simpson and Johnson Central will meet in the Class 4A state championship game. In the 2016 meeting, the Wildcats were held to just 18 total yards of offense and watched their undefeated season end with a 48-0 shutout by the Golden Eagles.
The Wildcats (11-3) are 2-6 all-time in state finals while the Golden Eagles (12-2) are appearing in their third consecutive championship. Franklin-Simpson enters with a nine-game winning streak after starting the season 2-3. Johnson Central started the year 8-0 before it lost its final two regular season games.
Tyler’s Pick: Johnson Central 31, Franklin-Simpson 17.
Class 5A: Covington Catholic vs. Madison Southern – Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. CT
Covington Catholic has put together one of the more dominant seasons across Kentucky this season, and the undefeated Colonels (14-0) look to cap the year with a Class 5A state championship against Madison Southern on Saturday night.
The Colonels are 6-0 all-time in state finals but haven’t played in a title game since winning the Class 3A crown in 2006 with a 27-8 win over Bowling Green. They beat South Warren 43-7 last Friday in the state semifinals to punch their ticket to Lexington.
Madison Southern (11-3) will play in its first ever state championship on Saturday. The Eagles started the season 2-2 but have since won nine out of their last 10 games.
Tyler’s Pick: Covington Catholic 48, Madison Southern 7
Class 6A: Trinity (Louisville) vs. St. Xavier – Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. CT
Trinity (Louisville) and St. Xavier will meet on Sunday afternoon for the fifth time in a state championship – and it’s bound to be a good one.
The Shamrocks (14-0) are 3-1 all-time against the Tigers (12-2) and post a 12-2 record all-time in state finals. Sunday’s meeting between the two sides in the Class 6A state championship will mark the second straight year that they have played in the 6A final, as Trinity won 24-14 over St. X in 2016.
As Trinity will try to capture its fourth title in the past six years, St. Xavier will try to win its first championship since 2009.
Tyler’s Pick: Trinity (Louisville) 27, St. Xavier 24
Senior writer Tyler Mansfield can be reached at mansfield.sportingtimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @_TylerMansfield.
