Class '4A' Playoff Preview (R4)

Semifinal One
Henderson County @ Ryle

Records: Henderson County (10-2), Ryle (11-2)
Common Opponents: None

Henderson County: a team of destiny? The Colonels appear to be in that mold, what with upset wins over Owensboro and Warren Central, plus the inordinate amount of adversity the team had to go through this season. Even if their run ended in the state semifinals, it wouldn’t be a disappointing finish. But the opportunity is there for Henderson County to make a state finals appearance. Ryle is still a mystery team, one of the many from Northern Kentucky who appeared solid throughout the year. Ryle defeated a weaker Meade County team to reach this round, so they haven’t faced the test that Henderson County faced. Couple that with this dream run, and I think the Colonels keep the dream alive for one more round.

Henderson County 45 Ryle 30
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Semifinal Two
Trinity @ Henry Clay

Records: Trinity (12-1), Henry Clay (12-1)
Common Opponents: None

While Male was the dominant team throughout the regular season, it will be the defending state champion Trinity Shamrocks that represent Louisville’s 4A powerhouses in the state semifinals. And awaiting them will be the team that dominated Lexington this season—the Henry Clay Blue Devils. After the late season loss to Lafayette, Henry Clay has rolled over every opponent, including dominant playoff performances over Scott County and Woodford County. But Trinity is another animal from what Henry Clay has seen so far, and it will take a perfect effort from them to pull the upset. I think this is the most compelling game of the weekend. Nobody is picking Henry Clay to upset Trinity, and I’m not going to either. But I have a feeling that this game will go down to the wire, but as Trinity has proven (see last week), they make the plays down the stretch to close the deal.

Trinity 23 Henry Clay 20