Class '4A' Playoff Preview (R3)

For our last four games in the spotlight this weekend...

Region One Championship
Henderson County @ Warren Central

Records: Henderson County (10-2), Warren Central (10-2)
Common Opponents: Daviess County
Henderson County d. Daviess County 48-7...Warren Central d. Daviess County 40-8

I said last week that Owensboro was an easy winner over Henderson County, and look what happened. This Henderson County team went through a lot of adversity at the beginning of the season, and I'm starting to believe that helped this team grow more than we thought. However, Warren Central will be a difficult test, and the Dragons are winners of eight straight. Not since September 8th has Warren Central lost (to Manual), but Henderson County is playing inspired football right now, and that will show up Friday night in Bowling Green.

Henderson County 14 Warren Central 10
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Region Two Championship
Meade County @ Ryle

Records: Meade County (7-5), Ryle (10-2)
Common Opponents: Boone County
Meade County d. Boone County 27-24...Boone County d. Ryle 34-22

This would be the yawner of the four games, but it still is an intriguing matchup. Meade County played, at best, third fiddle in the week 3rd District behind the Hardins, John and North. Ryle was one of four teams that could have made it out of the second round of the playoffs, and with two solid playoff victories, here are the Raiders ready to go. I would have to tab Ryle the favorite in this game. Meade County, though winners of five straight, did not play the schedule that Ryle did and still have five losses to their credit, including puzzling losses to Fern Creek and a 31-point loss to John Hardin (which they would avenge). Ryle will win in style.

Ryle 27 Meade County 6
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Region Three Championship
Trinity @ Male

Records: Trinity (11-1), Male (11-0)
Common Opponents: Manual, St. Xavier, Ballard, Seneca
Trinity d. Manual 28-3...Male d. Manual 35-7
Trinity d. St. Xavier 10-0...Male d. St. Xavier 28-27 (OT), 33-7
Trinity d. Ballard 48-7...Male d. Ballard 41-14
Trinity d. Seneca 55-21...Male d. Seneca 56-14

Many would argue that the winner of this game will go on to win the state championship, and it's not a bad argument to make. As seen above, these two teams have more or less dominated the Louisville area this season; neither has lost to an opponent from the Bluegrass State. Male seems to be a little more battle tested having beaten St. Xavier twice and playing in an overall tougher district than Trinity. But the Rocks are the defending state champions, and they will not be shut down easily. Don't be surprised if this game goes into the extra session, but Male looks to be on a roll, and not even Trinity will be able to slow them down at this point.

Male 31 Trinity 21
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Region Four Championship
Henry Clay @ George Rogers Clark

Records: Henry Clay (11-1), George Rogers Clark (8-4)
Common Opponents: Tates Creek, Bryan Station
Henry Clay d. Tates Creek 48-20...Tates Creek d. George Rogers Clark 17-14
Henry Clay d. Bryan Station 42-0...George Rogers Clark d. Bryan Station 31-0

Even though they fell in their regular season finale against Lafayette, the Henry Clay Blue Devils have been the dominant team in the Lexington area all season (if you aren't counting Mercer County as the Lexington area, which I won't at this point). So far these playoffs, Henry Clay is outscoring their opponents at a 110-14 clip. George Rogers Clark, on the other hand, lost four of their first eight games but have rallied for four straight wins, including a thrilling win over Lincoln County last week. But it will take a perfect effort and perhaps more if the Cardinals are to spring the upset of the playoffs so far.

Henry Clay 45 George Rogers Clark 13