September 25, 2008 10:42 pm
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With the current playoff structure, there aren’t too many regular-season weeks on the schedule that have major implications on the postseason.
This week is an exception.
Here’s the proof — and tonight’s roll call:
—Raceland is set to host a huge game against Lexington Christian in a contest that could go a long, long way — like all the way — in the Class A playoffs.
—Ashland opens its district schedule at Montgomery County in a game that could determine who’s in and who’s out of the playoffs.
—Class 4A, District 8 has all four of its teams — Boyd County, Greenup County, Lawrence County and Rowan County — going head to head tonight.
So sit back and enjoy. Tonight, things will start to clear up a bit on who has the inside track to the playoffs — and maybe just who has the upper hand once the postseason does start.
Lexington Christian (4-0) at Raceland (3-0)
It doesn’t get any better than this battle of two of Class A’s best.
Lexington Christian and Raceland enter tonight with a combined 7-0 record and sole possession of first place in the district on the line.
It’s hard to imagine, too, that whoever comes out on top won’t have the upper hand later in the playoffs. Tonight’s winner would host that second-round game should it come to that — and it likely will.
These two have also started a bit of a rivalry in recent years despite the geographic gap in the schools.
Last year, LCA won the regular-season meeting and went on to a 34-32 win in the district championship against the Rams. Eventually, LCA would fall to Beechwood in the state championship as Raceland was left at home to wonder what could have been.
So, you’d have to be crazy to say this is just another regular-season game. It’s not. In actuality, it could be the difference in winning or losing a state championship, though that’s obviously looking way ahead.
LCA is loaded again and should probably be considered the favorite against the Rams, though I’m not so sure I’m leaning that way.
It’s gut-check time for Raceland, a team that many had high expectations for coming into the season. You can talk about it, and talk about it, and talk about it. The truth is there’s nothing left to say except that it starts tonight for the Rams.
Do they have it in them to take control of the district and become a front-runner — maybe even the lead front-runner — in all of Class A?
I think they do.
Raceland 35, LCA 31
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: LCA 42-7, 34-32 (playoffs)
Series: LCA leads 7-2
Ashland (2-2) at Montgomery County (1-3)
Ashland coach Leon Hart says Montgomery County is much better than its 1-3 record. Many say the same about Ashland at 2-2.
In any case, someone is heading home tonight with a losing record — and that someone will be seriously behind the eight ball when it comes to making the playoffs.
Class 5A, District 6 is a loaded district and the truth of the matter is whoever wins tonight will have the inside track to the postseason. The loser, however, has the inside track to making other plans after Week 11.
By now you know the Tomcats are playing a physical style of football — and they’re playing it well. It may take a little more, though, this week.
Ashland needs that nasty attitude, but it also needs a clean game on the road. The Tomcats lost three fumbles last week against Russell and a repeat in that category will likely spell disaster against Montgomery County.
However, combine no turnovers with that same punch-’em-in-the-mouth approach that Tomcats have adopted and I’ll say Ashland has the upper hand.
Ashland 20, Montgomery County 14
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Montgomery County won 30-28 (OT)
Series: Montgomery County leads 10-8
Radio: WBVB 97.1 FM
Webcast: wazoosports.com
Lawrence County (0-4) at Boyd County (2-2)
The Bulldogs have certainly played better than their winless record would indicate. And that should have Boyd County on alert as Class 4A, District 8 play begins.
With both sides bringing their A-game, I believe this one is a toss up. I’ll cheat a little and just say check the box score. Whoever turns the ball over less wins.
Boyd County 21, Lawrence County 20
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Lawrence County 29-26, Boyd County 19-0
Series: Lawrence Count leads 6-4
Radio: KISS 107.1-FM
Rowan County (2-1) at Greenup County (0-3)
These two complete the other half of Class 4A, District 8’s matchups.
Rowan County is off to a hot start and is going in the right direction heading into tonight. Greenup County, on the other hand, is struggling so far in ’08.
The Musketeers didn’t make a late-season push and win the district in 2007 by fluke, though. Expect more from them this week.
Ultimately, with a week off to absorb how big tonight’s game will be in validating themselves, I’m going with the upstart Vikings in a close one.
Rowan County 28, Greenup County 26
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Greenup County 34-12, 40-6
Series: Greenup County leads 16-4
Radio: WZZZ 107.5 FM
Other games:
East Carter (0-4)
at Russell (3-1)
Russell’s coming off a pretty sound beating last week at Ashland. That spells bad news for the winless Raiders.
Russell has lost just one contest to East Carter in 21 meetings.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Russell 28-10
Series: Russell leads 20-1
Radio: WLGC 97.1 FM, WUGO 102.3 FM
Johnson Central (4-0) at Woodford County (3-1)
This will be a big battle for first place in the district.
Woodford County got another nice passing performance from Steven Duckworth in last week’s 24-17 win over Bryan Station. The senior was 23-of-36 for 224 yards.
Central stayed unbeaten with a 36-29 win over Shelby County last week. Nathan Dillon went over 100 yards again and Tanner Bratton had 11 solo tackles.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30
Last year: Woodford County 43-22
Series: Woodford County leads 1-0
Radio: WSIP 98.9-FM
Paris (1-3) at
Fairview (3-1)
Fairview is set to host a district game against Paris, which is fresh off its first win of the season, 39-25 against Nicholas County.
Tiion Thomas had 243 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns last week for Paris.
The Eagles will be looking to get back to their winning ways after last week’s 37-12 setback to Raceland.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Fairview 35-7 County 43-22
Series: Paris leads 11-7
Mason County (3-1)
at West Carter (1-3)
West Carter picked up its first win of the season, behind a 140-yard passing performance from Ace Puckett, last week against Lewis County.
Things get a little tougher this week against Mason County. In last week’s 42-13 win over East Carter, the Royals racked up 425 yards of offense.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Mason County 62-14
Series: Mason County leads 13-4
Lewis County (0-4)
at Powell County (3-1)
Lewis County is still in search of its first victory as the Lions travel to Powell County.
Powell County got 144 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Jesse Rose in last week’s 33-0 win over Fleming County. Rose also had 15 total tackles in the shutout.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Powell County 35-18
Series: Powell County leads 6-3
Radio: WKKS 104.9-FM
Betsy Layne (2-2)
at Paintsville (3-1)
Nehemiah Doderer had 153 on the ground and Tyler Deaton 124 through the air to lead Paintsville’s 42-14 win over Allen Central last week.
Betsy Layne is coming off a 52-42 victory over South Floyd.
Kickoff: Tonight, 7:30.
Last year: Paintsville 54-18
Series: Paintsville leads 9-1
ADAM VANKIRK can be reached at avankirk@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
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