The second round of the KHSAA playoffs are set to begin, with seven local teams ready to play Friday night. Only three local teams were knocked out in the first round, Greenwood, Barren County, and Allen County-Scottsville. The other seven teams had impressive, and amazing games in the first round. It’s time to look at who those teams will be playing next, and how well they will play.
Class 2A
Glasgow vs. DeSales
In possibly the best matchup of the second slate of games, the Glasgow Scotties will take on the DeSales Colts in Louisville. Glasgow won their tenth game of the season against Washington County 43-0. The Scotties’ defense looked unflappable as always, pitching their fifth shutout of 2013. GHS will have their most difficult test of the year as they take on the 10-1 DeSales. Even though the Colts are in Class 2A, they have beaten Warren Central and John Hardin, both successful 5A teams. DeSales’ defense has looked great this season, and could poise a threat to Marquez Trigg and the Glasgow offense. Trigg posted four touchdowns last week, and has 20 total in 2013. Along with Glasgow, DeSales also has a potent run attack that has led to the Colts scoring an average of 47.8 points per game. Both teams are successful on both sides of the ball, but this game will come down to who can keep their run game alive against the other’s defense.
Fort Campbell vs. South Warren
The balanced attack of the South Warren Spartans has landed them in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. SWHS will take on Fort Campbell after their 49-7 win over Webster County. The Spartans didn’t have any trouble scoring against Webster County, and they should have similar success this week.
Fort Campbell has allowed 30 or more points seven times this year, and will have trouble stopping South Warren’s dual threat quarterback, Jay Eblen. The Spartans won their two games in the postseason in 2012, and they will look to do the same this year.
Paducah Tilghman vs. Monroe County
Sometimes, you need a miracle to win in the postseason. The Monroe County Falcons won on a miracle last week, beating Trigg County 35-34 on a game-winning two-point conversion. Getting upset in the first round was not in the Falcons’ plans, and they advanced to play the Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado in the second round. PTHS has won five straight games after starting 1-5, and have not allowed double digits on defense since September 27th. The Falcons will be a tough test for Paducah Tilghman, though. Monroe County’s offense is extremely balanced, with Lincoln Arnett at quarterback and Carlton Huff at running back. The Falcons ran for 302 yards and passed for 176 in their first game, but their defense struggled to stop Trigg County consistently. Paducah Tilghman should not have much trouble scoring, but Monroe County’s offense will give the Falcons a chance to win their fifth playoff game over the last two seasons.
Class 4A
Madisonville-North Hopkins vs. Franklin-Simpson
If defense wins championships, than the Franklin-Simpson Wildcats should be set. FSHS pitched a 50-0 shutout against Hopkins County Central in the first round, and has allowed an average of seven points per game since September 27th. In that span of time, their offense has scored 44 points per game. The defense for Madisonville-North Hopkins will have it’s hands full on Friday night, as they have had trouble stopping teams from putting up big numbers this season. The Maroons allowed 28 points to Allen County-Scottsville last week, and managed to win 52-28. Madisonville-North Hopkins can put up big points, but has shown their inability to play consistent defense. FSHS should be able to exploit that in the second round, and continue their successful 7-4 season.
Warren East vs. Owensboro
Two great offenses will take off in the second round of the postseason. That is the thought in mind of Friday night’s matchup between the Warren East Raiders and the Owensboro Red Devils. Both teams have dominated with their offenses this season, with Owensboro scoring 410 points and Warren East scoring 318. The Raiders are led by their running attack which has given teams fits all season. Antonio Shields ran for 137 yards last week in the absence of starter Eli Brown. When the two backs are both healthy, the Raiders are tough to stop. Owensboro has proven that they have the ability to hold teams from scoring in 2013. If the Red Devils can stop Shields and Brown, Warren East will have to look the way of a struggling passing attack. WEHS will also have their hands full with the Owensboro offense.
The Red Devils had seven players combine for 332 rushing yards in the first round agains Breckinridge County, proving they have a deep rushing attack team. Warren East needs to continue to run the ball well, and find a way to stop Owensboro’s ground game in order to win in the second round.
Class 5A
Warren Central vs. Graves County
Carried by their offense, the Warren Central Dragons advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. With a win over Hopkinsville last week, the Dragons advanced to play the Graves County Eagles in the second round. This week’s matchup has the potential to be the biggest shootout of the Class 5A postseason. Led by quarterback Chris Porter-Bunton and running back Rondell Green, Warren Central has scored an average of 63 points per game in their last three contests. Graves County has had trouble on defense this season. The Eagles allowed 42 points last week to the 2-8 Greenwood Gators, and have allowed 325 points all season. GCHS’ offense has made up for their team’s struggling defense by scoring 21 or more points in every game this season. This game has components to be a high-scoring game, but Warren Central’s defense has the ability to outlast Graves County’s. Led by Emmitt Smith and Byron Carver, the defensive front for WCHS will need to hold off the impressive offensive attack of Graves County.
Christian County vs. Bowling Green
The Bowling Green Purples continued their impressive playoff winning streak last Friday with a 49-7 win over Apollo. On their march for a third straight state title, BGHS will play the Christian County Colonels at home in the second round. Bowling Green’s stars shined bright last week. Led by five combined touchdowns by running backs Blake Pillow and Blue Tisdale, BGHS marched to their 40th consecutive overall win. The Purples know the Colonels well, as Christian County was the last team to beat Bowling Green (2011). The tide has turned since then, as the Purples beat CCHS 31-17 in 2012.
Christian County slipped to a 4-6 regular season record in 2013, and beat Barren County 26-12 in the first round of the playoffs. BGHS’ offense looked fantastic last week, forcing a running clock by the end of the first quarter. That offensive speed may be too much for CCHS, and the defensive strength of the Purples could shut down Christian County.
