Class '3A' Playoff Preview (R3)

Here we go...

Region One Championship
Hopkinsville @ Bowling Green

Records: Hopkinsville (7-5), Bowling Green (11-1)
Common Opponents: Christian County
Christian County d. Hopkinsville 24-20...Bowling Green d. Christian County 24-21 (3 OT)

It's been two different years for the Tigers and the Purples. Hopkinsville didn't pick up a win until their fourth game, and overall began the season 1-4. They then lost home field advantage to Paducah Tilghman at the end of the season, but the Tigers rallied to beat PT in the playoffs. Now they must travel to Bowling Green, which hasn't been beaten since an opening week loss to St. Xavier and hasn't allowed double figures since a 36-13 win over Warren Central on September 1st. Look for the dominance to continue on Friday.

Bowling Green 34 Hopkinsville 7
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Region Two Championship
Central @ Southwestern

Records: Central (10-2), Southwestern (9-3)
Common Opponents: None

For once, the Boyle County Rebels won't be representing the 4th district, as Southwestern topped the Rebels twice this season. And it's no fluke; Southwestern has challenged itself with a tough out-of-district schedule (Danville, Somerset, George Rogers Clark, Highlands) and now seems poised to continue its march through the playoffs. But Central will be a tough challenge. They themselves have been stellar all season, as only losses to 4A PRP and a season-closer to Doss marr the schedule. But I like how Southwestern has challenged themselves throughout the year, and it will pay off this week.

Southwestern 24 Central 20
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Region Three Championship
Covington Catholic @ Lexington Catholic

Records: Covington Catholic (9-3), Lexington Catholic (10-1)
Common Opponents: None

Perhaps Covington Catholic should have been in the discussion all season. The Colonels did not lose to a Kentucky opponent; their three losses came to teams from across the river in Cincinnati. But now, with Highlands out of the way, Catholic becomes the favorite on the bottom side of the bracket. However, another Catholic (Lexington) looks to be a formidable opponent. Let us not forget that the defending state champions rallied from 25 back last week at halftime (against a very good Franklin County team, I might add) to advance to the state quarterfinals. No deficit will put Catholic down for good, but I'm expecting Covington Catholic to be on the upside at the buzzer. Barely.

Covington Catholic 31 Lexington Catholic 29
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Region Four Championship
Rockcastle County @ Johnson Central

Records: Rockcastle County (11-1), Johnson Central (12-0)
Common Opponents: None

Johnson Central is one of those teams that I don't know what to think about. Sure, they have a spotless record, but they haven't been placed in a game of immense pressure so far, or at least a game that people around the state are watching. That will happen this week, as state power Rockcastle County pulls into Paintsville for this quarterfinal battle. After a tough loss to Lincoln County early on, Rockcastle County has been brilliant, including two tough wins over a good Bell County team. Johnson Central can match that with two wins over Ashland Blazer. This will be a good one, and home field advantage may play the deciding factor.

Johnson Central 17 Rockcastle County 13