Entering the semifinals of the 2018 Kentucky high school football playoffs, two area teams remain in the hunt for state championships.
Here’s a complete look at the pair of local semifinal matchups, ranging from Class 5A to 4A:
Class 5A
South Warren (13-0) at South Oldham (12-1)
6:30 p.m. Friday
Dragon Stadium
Broadcast: STBNTV.com (PXP: Joe Brunk; Analysis: Doug Thompson)
Updates: Twitter
Last meeting: First meeting
Breakdown: South Warren and South Oldham will meet for the first time on Friday in the semifinal round of the Class 5A playoffs … The Spartans enter the contest with an undefeated 13-0 record … South Warren defeated Owensboro 44-7 last week to capture the Class 5A, Region 1 championship … Quarterback Gavin Spurrier completed 20-of-26 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Cameron Harrison rushed for 136 yards and two TDs in the Spartans’ win … South Oldham earned a 35-12 win over Fern Creek in the quarterfinals and is riding an 11-game win streak … Quarterback Anthony Pierce passed for 137 yards and two TDs, while running back JT Benson ran for 51 yards and a pair of scores in the Dragons’ victory … The winner will advance to next Sunday’s state championship game at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field and meet the Covington Catholic-Pulaski County winner.
Class 4A
Franklin-Simpson (12-1) at Taylor County (12-1)
6:30 p.m. Friday
Cardinal Stadium
Broadcast: WFKN 1220 AM (PXP: Brian Talley; Analysis: Tyler Eaton)
Updates: Twitter
Last meeting: Franklin-Simpson won 40-34 in the playoffs on Nov. 6, 1998
Breakdown: Franklin-Simpson and Taylor County meet Friday in the semifinal round of the Class 4A playoffs in Campbellsville … The defending state champion Wildcats defeated Madisonville-North Hopkins 12-10 last week to capture the Class 4A, Region 1 championship … Running back Carlos McKinney rushed for 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while quarterback Luke Richardson threw for 86 yards in the Wildcats’ win … Taylor County beat Moore 23-0 last week in the quarterfinals and is riding a 10-game win streak … Quarterback Grant McQueary passed for 158 yards and a TD, while running backs Tre Goodin and Wes Oliver each recorded rushing scores in the Cardinals’ victory … The winner will advance to next Saturday’s state championship game at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field and meet the Johnson Central-Knox Central winner.
