Area Schools hit the Gridiron in hopes of continuing their Seasons one more week
Class 1A
Kentucky Country Day Bearcats (6-4) @ Russellville Panthers (7-3)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Although Russellville dropped three of its final five games in the regular season, the Panthers were still able to clinch the district’s second seed and play host to Kentucky Country Day in the opening round of the Class 1A state championship. The Panthers’ three losses came to Franklin-Simpson, Mayfield, and South Warren who each represent their respective classes in the top ten (with Mayfield and South Warren ranked first). The Bearcats enter the opening round matchup looking to win a fourth-consecutive game behind the talented play of quarterback Blake Phillips. The senior has thrown for nearly 1,100 yards with 15 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. The Panthers will counter with an outstanding run game featuring a dynamic trio: senior Desmon Quarles, junior Joshua Bigbee, and sophomore Johnny Drumgole.
Prediction: Panthers roll, advancing over the Bearcats, 35-17.
Class 2A
Glasgow Scotties (7-3) @ Washington County Commanders (3-7)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Glasgow and Washington County meet in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs for a fourth-straight season. The Scotties have dominated the series, defeating the Commanders by a combined score of 155-6 between 2011 and 2013. The Scotties have been an enigma at times this year but still managed to run the table in 2A’s third district for a fifth-consecutive year. The Commanders will look to turn the tide behind running backs Garrett Floyd and Jimmy Wheatley. Wheatley has rushed 127 times for 586 yards and Floyd has run the ball 124 times for 859 yards and 10 touchdowns. Washington County’s defense will have to bear with Glasgow standout Marquez Trigg. The senior bruiser was averaging 160 yards per game until Elizabethtown held the back in check last week, dropping his average to 146 yards.
Prediction: Look for Trigg to have a bounce-back game and for the Scotties to roll the Commanders, 38-0.
Bardstown Tigers (8-2) @ Metcalfe County Hornets (3-7)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Prediction: Bardstown 41, Metcalfe County 17
Class 3A
Webster County Trojans (1-9) @ South Warren Spartans (10-0)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
The Spartans have won ten straight games while the Trojans have lost nine straight games. Webster County won its opening game of the season, defeating Hopkins County Central 40-28 back on August 22. South Warren ran the table and is ranked #1 in Class 3A. Julius Allen (137 carries, 1,000 yards), Kayron Namvong (90 carries, 567 yards), and the Spartan run game should see a lot of carries and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Coach Brandon Smith and his club throw in a few wrinkles for the playoffs. The Spartans have won every game this year by at least 11 points, so the team has yet to face a major test deep into the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Spartans win big, 56-0.
Monroe County Falcons (2-8) @ Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado (5-5)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:30pm
Prediction: Paducah Tilghman 35, Monroe County 7
Edmonson County Wildcats (4-6) @ Trigg County Wildcats (6-4)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Looking at the records it appears that Trigg County would have a least a one touchdown advantage over Kyle Pierce’s Edmonson County Wildcats. Not so fast as you can’t always judge a book by its cover. Pierce’s Wildcats lost a close game to (8-2) Grayson County by 7 points where Trigg was blanked by the same team (23-0). Another common opponent for both Trigg and Edmonson County was Hancock County. Trigg lost by a touchdown and Edmonson lost in by 2.
Prediction: The Edmonson County Wildcats will rise to the occasion and play their best game of the season with a 27-21 win over Trigg County.
Class 4A
Calloway County Lakers (3-7) @ Warren East Raiders (7-3)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Warren East closed the 2014 regular season with three wins, each by at least 19 points. Coach Steve Long’s crew hopes to see the same success when they welcome the Lakers of Calloway County into Bowling Green. Although he did not see the field in the team’s regular season finale last week, freshman Willie Reynolds leads the Raiders with 1,206 rush yards which is tops on the team. The speedster is averaging 134 yards per game on the ground and has scored 15 touchdowns. Seniors Eli Brown and Antonio Shields along with junior Anthony Eakles have also had strong seasons in the backfield and will be expected to field some carries. As for the Lakers, Tristen Holland has been the go-to man this fall. Holland has rushed 179 times for 1,631 yards and 14 touchdowns. The senior is averaging 181 yards per game.
Prediction: Calloway County has faced a tough schedule, but I see the Raiders running away with this game, 45-17.
Hopkins County Central Storm (0-10) @ Franklin-Simpson Wildcats (8-1)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Prediction: Franklin-Simpson 63, Hopkins County Central 6
Allen County-Scottsville Patriots (4-6) @ Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons (8-2)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:30pm
Prediction: Madisonville-North Hopkins 55, Allen County-Scottsville 14
Class 5A
Christian County Colonels (3-7) @ Warren Central Dragons (6-4)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Warren Central’s four losses came against teams that are ranked within the top three of their respective classes, which is why at 6-4; the Dragons are ranked #4 in Class 5A. Central has a bad taste in its mouth after an embarrassing loss at home against Highlands last week and should come out and dominate in a game against 3-7 Christian County. The Colonels lost three games in a row to end the regular season; however, don’t expect the boys from Hopkinsville to lay down this Friday. It all starts with talented quarterback Kolbe Langhi. The freshman has completed more than 140 passes for 2,154 yards and tossed 22 touchdowns. His leading wide receiver, Keyron Catlett has 57 catches for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdown receptions. Senior running back Jamarius Taylor is also having a fine season, nearing 1,000 yards on the year. As for Warren Central, quarterback Chance Shanklin continues to impress in 2014. Shankln has thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and completed 17 touchdown passes compared to only 6 interceptions. Senior running back leads the ground game with 903 yards and 12 scores, while Jensen Feggins is the top wide-out with 72 grabs for 831 yards and 9 TDs.
Prediction: Although the Colonels appear to be turning the page, I don’t see them taking this game as Warren Central will win, 34-17.
Apollo Eagles (2-8) @ Bowling Green Purples (9-1)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Prediction: Bowling Green 66, Apollo 12
Greenwood Gators (4-6) @ Hopkinsville Tigers (3-7)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Prediction: Greenwood 28, Hopkinsville 24
Barren County Trojans (4-6) @ Graves County Eagles (7-3)
Friday, November 7 @ 7:00pm
Prediction: Graves County 49, Barren County 21
