Week Nine Thoughts

And so, we draw within a few weeks of the beginning of the playoffs. While I predicted some crazy upsets for Friday the 13th (in jest of course), we did have several things occur that bear noticing and watching. Also, many teams are beginning to press the panic button in these district races, while many have packed it up for the year.

First of all, there was a big shocker out in Eastern Kentucky, as Sheldon Clark served notice with a 35-29 win over the Belfry Pirates. Even though these two will likely meet again in the second round of the playoffs, SC certainly made a statement, declaring that the best team in Eastern Kentucky's 2A class is not just a race between the Big Three (of sorts) in Russell, Middlesboro and Belfry. Only three weeks ago, Sheldon Clark dropped a surprising overtime decision in Prestonsburg to the Blackcats, and it seemed a long shot for the Cardinals to climb back to the top of the district standings. They got the big win, and now with momentum, the Cards should take their final two regular season games, see Prestonsburg? again in the first round, and then play host to Belfry.

Boone County looked to be the team to beat in 4A's 6th District after a nice win over Dixie Heights, but the Rebels were slammed back to earth on Friday by Campbell County in a 48-21 beatdown. With the loss, this district has morphed into a four way tie at the top, with Ryle and Dixie Heights joining these two teams at 4-1. While district seeding is a huge question here, it will take much for any of these teams to miss the playoffs. One win the rest of the way will seal a playoff spot for these four, and one would have to lose both games (and have Holmes win their last two) if that team was to miss the playoffs.

Well PRP, after getting a nice win over 3A Central three weeks ago, has seen their fortunes slip a bit. After being pummeled by Male and beaten soundly by St. X, the former Top 5 ranked team dropped another district game, this one to the red hot Manual Crimsons. With the loss, PRP drops to 0-3 in district play, and MUST beat Butler next week to get into the playoffs.

They likely won't do much damage in the playoffs outside their own district, but Lincoln County has really stepped up its play this season. The Patriots aren't just beating teams; they are wholesomely whipping them. A 52-7 pasting of North Laurel on Friday adds to Lincoln County's district domination so far this season. The Patriots also beat South Laurel by a 56-7 count. However, watch out for next week's game at Montgomery County, as the Indians haven't stopped making noise after an earlier upset win over Madison Central.

While Russellville was widely regarded as Mayfield's top challenger in Western Kentucky Class A football, perhaps folks should pay more attention to the Metcalfe County Hornets, which marched into Russellville on Saturday and handed the Panthers a 33-0 whipping. Not many saw this kind of margin coming, considering that Russellville was a point away from being undefeated on the season coming into this contest (Franklin-Simpson beat them 21-20). Metcalfe County also shows just one loss now, that coming to a mediocre 3A team in Adair County.

Over the next week, I'll look at the bubble for playoff teams in each class as we draw closer to the end of the regular season. This Friday is going to be a lot of fun, and not just for St. X-Male fans...