We give you one defining stat for each area playoff team
By Perry Swack
Although it’s been unseasonably warm this fall, we all know the jackets, gloves, and heaters are on their way as the high school football season enters its most-important month. Read below to see one important stat for each team kicking off their postseason tonight on the gridiron.
6A
Barren County (8-2)
254 – The Trojans lead all of Class 6A at 254 rushing yards per game this season. Coach John Myers and company will have to establish a strong run game if they are to win on the road at Henderson County (4-6) this Friday.
Warren Central (3-7)
14 – In the Dragons’ three victories this season, they are allowing only 14 points per game. A stout defensive effort will be key if Warren Central is to upset McCracken County (5-5) this Friday.
5A
South Warren (9-1)
11 – Senior Colton Veltkamp has tallied 11 sacks this season, ranked second in all of Class 5A. The Spartans have sacked opposing quarterbacks a whopping 28 times on the year. South Warren hosts Apollo at 7:00pm Friday.
Bowling Green (8-2)
5 – This is the fifth playoff meeting between the Purples and Maroons since 1998. Bowling Green won in 1998, 2003, and 2010. The Maroons edged BG in 2004. In the Purples’ three wins, the combined score has been 113-6.
Greenwood (5-5)
196– Greenwood is averaging a shade under 200 yards on the ground per game this season. Led by senior Cayden Schwarzkopf, the Gators will look to spring an upset over Graves County (8-2), after falling to the Eagles (22-7) at the same juncture in 2023.
4A
Allen County-Scottsville (8-2)
115 – Senior Jackson Morris ranks second in all of Class 4A with 115 total tackles. The Patriots host Nelson County (2-8) on Friday.
Warren East (6-4)
1924 – Senior Dane Parsley is ranked among the top 5 passers in Class 5A with nearly 2000 yards on the season. The Raiders travel to John Hardin on Friday for the two programs’ first meeting since 2002.
Logan County (4-6)
99 – Logan County travels to Bardstown (7-3) for its opening game in the 2024 playoffs. The two schools scored a combined 99 points in the 2023 playoffs as the Tigers eked out a 51-48 win.
3A
Hart County (10-0)
156 – Senior Brenan Griffin leads Class 3A with 156 tackles on the season. Six Hart County defenders rank among the top 40 in tackles. The Raiders host Hopkins County Central (4-6) looking to make another deep postseason run.
Franklin-Simpson (5-5)
260 – It’s a rematch of the 2023 opening round; however, this time Franklin-Simpson will travel to Hancock County (8-2). The Wildcats ran for 260 yards in their 35-8 victory last November. Franklin is averaging 262 yards per game on the ground this sesaon.
Glasgow (5-5)
7 – Senior defensive back Kellon Stone has picked off opposing quarterbacks seven times this season. The Scotties will hope that Stone and his fellow DBs are able to add to their tally if they are to win on the road at Union County (8-2) this Friday.
2A
Monroe County (5-5)
4 – Monroe County ended the regular season with four, consecutive victories. The Falcons will host Shawnee (3-7) in the opening round of the playoffs this Friday. Monroe eliminated the Golden Eagles last season, 49-8 in the same round.
Metcalfe County (4-6)
10 – We’re still in awe of the 10 touchdowns scored by senior Byron Kirkland-Lundy in the Hornets’ 70-44 win over Clinton County in mid-October. Metcalfe will look to continue to run the football as it hosts WEB DuBois (4-6) on Friday.
Todd County Central (2-8)
73 – Todd County Central meets Mayfield (7-2) in the opening round of the playoffs for the fifth time since 1999. The Rebels are led by senior Jamarion Graham and his 73 total tackles. The defensive end also has 11 tackles for losses and two sacks on the season.
Clinton County (4-6)
40 – Featuring the most potent passing attack in Class 2A, the Bulldogs will hope to find success through the air on Friday night when they travel to Washington County (7-3). Clinton County is 4-2 when it crosses the 40-point threshold.
1A
Russellville (5-5)
17 – The Panthers will host Bethlehem (5-5) on Friday night, serving as the seventh postseason meeting for the two programs since 2011. Russellville won four of its final five games en route to a district championship and will look to build upon the success this week. Coach Mikie Benton’s club has forced 17 total turnovers this season, ranking the Panthers among the leaders in Class 1A.
