Week Four Thoughts

We still aren't to that part of the season in which district games comprise the entire schedule, but we are beginning to see more games that matter just a bit more than your regular Friday night football game. Here are the highlights from the district wars this weekend...

--Seven of the nine teams in 3A's 3rd District have played two district contests (Waggener and Atherton are the exceptions). Only two of the seven have jumped out to a 2-0 start. To no one's surprise, Central is 2-0 thanks to a 56-16 pounding of Bullitt East. But Doss has also jumped out of the gate quickly by winning district games against Jeffersontown and Fairdale. Look for both Bullitts--North and East--to be factors in this district chase throughout the year.

--Edmonson County and Butler County claimed their first district wins in 2A's 2nd District. With Monroe County and Glasgow a combined 1-7, it seems that playoff spots will be up for grabs in this district. The Wildcats and Bears are off to good starts with their Friday wins over Hart County and Todd County Central, respectively.

--It won't be a matter of who, but how much in 4A's 5th District, where the Trinity Shamrocks seem poised once again to run away with the district championship. They started their district march Friday with a 56-0 win at home versus Oldham County.

Now, for some other matters that we saw this weekend...

--Keep an eye on both North and South Laurel in 4A's 8th District. The Jaguars have won two straight after dropping their first two, but it's South Laurel that might bear watching more. Consecutive victories over Corbin and Southwestern prove the Cardinals could give Madison Central a run in the 8th District. Of course, one of these teams' winning streaks will be halted Friday, as they play each other at South Laurel.

--Looking for a game of the week? You would have done well to look around Lexington. Scott County wasn't quite good enough for Lexington Catholic, as the Knights took the heavily-anticipated contest 43-36. Henry Clay and Christian County engaged in a track meet with the Blue Devils coming out on top 50-46. Then there was Lafayette, which used the leg of Jake Stephens to boot themselves over struggling Boyle County 36-33.

--Of our nine 0-3 teams of a week ago, four won their first game, four lost their fourth game and one was idle. Campbellsville got back in the winning column with a win against lowly Pulaski County. Franklin-Simpson clawed out a one-point win at Russellville. Corbin got off the losing train with a win over Lexington Christian, and Owensboro Catholic blew away Daviess County. However, Glasgow (to Bardstown), Paducah Tilghman (to Henderson County), Dunbar (to Ryle) and Somerset (to Danville) all continued to lose. Dixie Heights did not play.

--There were a few scores that really surprised me from Friday night. Manual hadn't shown much promise this season, but a win over highly-ranked Warren Central will do wonders. What's wrong with the Dragons? Lincoln County "upset" Rockcastle County after the Patriots jumped to an early lead. Great win for Lincoln County; can they contend with Madison Central in the 8th? Both John Hardin and North Hardin fell to 4A opponents Owensboro and Pleasure Ridge Park, respectively. I expected one of those Hardin schools to pick up a win.

--If I had to guess right now, here would be your state championship matchups...

A: Danville vs. Beechwood
2A: Mercer County vs. Russell
3A: Bowling Green vs. Highlands
4A: Owensboro vs. St. Xavier

Honestly (and I think everyone would agree with this), the 4A state championship will be decided in the third round when the winner of St. Xavier/Male plays Trinity.

--Kentucky finished 8-3 against out-of-state competition this week (two Saturday scores not reported).