Published: September 25, 2008 10:40 pm      

Class A titans collide tonight

Raceland’s first home game big one as LCA comes to town

RACELAND — Raceland would like nothing more than to turn the table on Lexington Christian.

The Rams lost 42-7 on the road to the Eagles in the regular season last year, a loss that forced Raceland back on the road for a rematch with the district title on the line. The Rams lost 34-32 after a feverish rally to get back into the game.

Now, its Raceland’s turn to host the regular-season meeting — with a chance to secure home field for another potential showdown later in the playoffs.

Tonight’s winner will take sole possession of first place in the district.

“It’s still early in the season, being just the fourth game, but it’s a big ballgame,” Raceland coach Randy Vanderhoof said. “We’d love to play LCA twice again, but we’d like to play twice right here at Raceland.”

Friday’s winner will not only take command in the district, but will likely be considered the favorite to make it to the Class A state championship game. LCA is ranked No. 2 in the state, the Rams just a notch behind at No. 3. Unbeaten Beechwood, which will be in the opposite bracket in the playoffs, is ranked No. 1.

Raceland and LCA have also developed a bit of a rivalry in recent years, each side knowing the path to a deep playoff run will likely run through the other. The Rams and Eagles have met in the postseason each of the past two seasons, Raceland taking the 2006 matchup 20-13.

After beating the Rams in the district championship last season, LCA nearly went on to the state title. The Eagles came within a play of taking the crown, falling to Beechwood 38-35.

“For a while we didn’t look at it as a rivalry, but now we know for the chance to play at home in the playoffs you have to win this game,” Vanderhoof said.

Raceland trails in the all-time series 7-2.

“We’ve only beaten them two or three times over the years,” Vanderhoof said. “And that’s because they play good football down there. But we also know it’s a game we can win.”

It won’t be easy, though.

LCA once again has its high-powered offense on display this season. It all starts with running back Dominique Hayden and quarterback Lucas Witt.

Hayden had 304 yards on the ground and scored three times in last week’s 36-29 win over Lloyd Memorial.

“He an outstanding player,” Vanderhoof said. “He can do a lot of things when he has his hands on the ball.”

Paired with Hayden, Witt provides a steady complement on the ground and through the air. The junior is averaging more than 200 yards passing a game but has also rushed for nearly 200 yards on the season.

“He’s a duel-threat guy,” Vanderhoof said. “If you do a good job on him and get pressure on him, he’s still very dangerous because he can pull the ball down and run.”

While Hayden and Witt are sure to lead another massive charge on Friday, Vanderhoof is hoping to turn one of LCA’s strengths against it. The Eagles are averaging nearly 53 points per game and have played in mostly blowout games to this point, allowing them to rotate plenty of players on and off the field, particularly on defense.

Raceland, on the other hand, has most of its starters going on both sides of the football — and some on special teams. The Rams needed overtime to beat Ashland in Week 1 and didn’t take control of its contest at Fairview last week until the third quarter, giving the Rams’ starters plenty of work.

“We’re hoping we can make it a tight game and force (their starters) to play a lot of snaps,” Vanderhoof said. “Our kids are playing 120 snaps a night, including plays on special teams. Hopefully, what’s been (LCA’s) advantage turns into our advantage on Friday night. There’s no substitute for those game reps.”

It will also be Raceland’s home opener, finally giving an unbeaten Rams (3-0) team the chance to play in friendly confines.

“The focus is getting better every week and was the best it’s been at the start of this week,” Vanderhoof said of his players. “They know what’s at stake Friday night.”

ADAM VANKIRK can be reached at avankirk@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.