The What-Ifs of District Play

Certainly, there aren't as many huge district games this weekend as were last, but there are a few that will definitely shape the way district play goes from here on out.

(A, 3) Louisville Holy Cross @ Bethlehem
If Holy Cross wins: Holy Cross cements themselves as a probable host of a playoff game. Only a trip to rapidly improving Green County may give them trouble. Bethlehem remains in the hunt for a district championship, but must survive both Green County and Bardstown to take the title.
If Bethlehem wins: The Eagles prove themselves to be one of the elite in Class A. An October 20th game at Green County will overshadow a titanic season finale at Bardstown. Holy Cross falls to playoff peril and must win out to ensure themselves a playoff game on the road.

(A, 7) Harlan @ Lynn Camp
If Harlan wins: The Green Dragons get their third district win and now look to be worthy of challenging Somerset for a district crown. The final week at Somerset will likely decide the district championship. Lynn Camp falls a game behind the leaders but will host Somerset a week before Harlan travels there, so the Wildcats may benefit from the Briar Jumpers looking ahead.
If Lynn Camp wins: The Wildcats now become the team to challenge Somerset. Evarts, Cumberland and Williamsburg remain on the schedule but will likely not be a factor. Harlan now must hope for a Lynn Camp loss and then beat Somerset to force a three-way tie for the district crown, provided none of the 7th's cellar dwellers pull an upset.

(2A, 1) Trigg County @ Caldwell County
If Trigg County wins: The district fades back to what it seemed it would be: Trigg County vs. Fort Campbell. The Wildcats face a tough Lone Oak team in Paducah to end the year, but they should host a home playoff game. Caldwell County must recover quickly for a road game at Fort Campbell. A win there would clinch them a playoff birth and perhaps a chance at a district title.
If Caldwell County wins: The Tigers play for a district championship next week at Fort Campbell. A Friday-the-13th home game against Webster County would be the only challenge remaining. The Wildcats should still make the playoffs, but chances of a home playoff game are now all but gone.

(2A, 2) Edmonson County @ Monroe County
If Edmonson County wins: The Wildcats all but clinch a playoff spot, and now only need a win at home over Glasgow next week to get a home playoff game. Given that win, they would play for a district championship on October 13th at Owensboro Catholic. Monroe County opens district play with a loss; a win next week at Butler County is now essential
If Monroe County wins: The Falcons begin to look ahead to a season finale with the Glasgow Scotties as the game in which will decide who plays at home in the playoffs. Edmonson County still has a chance though, but they must beat Glasgow next week if they wish to avoid Owensboro Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.

(3A, 2) Logan County @ Allen County-Scottsville
If Logan County wins: The Cougars look to be the mystery fourth playoff team in the district, but wins against Breckinridge County and Adair County are a must. A possible upset win looms October 2oth at Franklin-Simpson. ACS is all but eliminated from playoff contention. They would have to beat both Adair and Breckinridge and hope Logan County loses to both.
If Allen County-Scottsville wins: The Patriots look more and more like the team to beat for the fourth spot. An October 6th game in Columbia against Adair County is extremely dangerous. Logan County must hope for two ACS losses and run the table in their own district play, except perhaps for Warren East, in which they would lose to anyway.

(4A, 6) Holmes @ Ryle
If Holmes wins: Holmes, an unlikely candidate, becomes a leading contender for a district crown. Landmines are in place for the rest of the way though, and an undefeated run through district play is unlikely. Ryle would be just fine with this loss, but it is one less home game that they get when the games get real tough down the stretch.
If Ryle wins: The Raiders are the definitive favorite at 2-0 in this district. However, road games at Boone County and Simon Kenton will prove to be difficult. Holmes now falls back in the pack in the 6th district, but will still be a factor for a playoff position for the weeks ahead.

(4A, 7) Woodford County @ Lafayette
If Woodford County wins: The Yellow Jackets make a statement by going to 6-0 and look forward to hosting Henry Clay next week. A win against the Blue Devils make them the district favorite, and perhaps the regional favorite as well. Lafayette must recover for its Lexington-school stretch (at Tates Creek, Dunbar, at Henry Clay). The road to the playoffs would be a difficult one for the Generals.
If Lafayette wins: At 6-0 and 2-0 in the district, Lafayette goes from another team in the 7th district to one of the ones at the top. A gigantic matchup at Tates Creek is set for next week. Given a win there and then a home win against Dunbar, an October 20th game at Henry Clay would describe the district. Woodford County would do well to upset Henry Clay next week, but two straight district losses is the likely scenerio.