Class 'A' Playoff Preview (R3)

We're down to eight, and four games will capture the third week of the playoffs...

Region One Championship
Mayfield @ Metcalfe County

Records: Mayfield (10-2), Metcalfe County (10-2)
Common Opponents: None

By winning their first two playoff games by a cumulative score of 112-22, Mayfield moves on to the Elite Eight with a head of steam. But a long bus ride to Edmonton to play Metcalfe County awaits them. The Hornets, after losing their season finale to McLean County, rallied to smoke the same team the next week and then beat district rival Russellville for a second time this season. Mayfield, though, will be a step up in competition and should end a great season for the Hornets.

Mayfield 35 Metcalfe County 20
--

Region Two Championship
Bethlehem @ Danville

Records: Bethlehem (11-1), Danville (11-1)
Common Opponents: North Oldham
Bethlehem d. North Oldham 35-0...Danville d. North Oldham 56-0

Everyone, including myself, was excited about the probable Bardstown-Danville matchup in the third round of the playoffs, but the possibility existed that one would not make the show. Danville could have lost to Frankfort, but they didn't, but Bardstown lost to Bethlehem, and they shouldn't. But Bethlehem, after losing 28-0 to the Tigers two weeks earlier, rallied for an improbable victory. Now Bethlehem must travel to Danville, who assumes the role of state championship favorite given their dominant effort last week against Frankfort, the only team to beat the Admirals this season.

Danville 38 Bethlehem 14
---

Region Three Championship
Newport Central Catholic @ Raceland

Records: Newport Central Catholic (7-5), Raceland (11-1)
Common Opponents: None

Sitting at 2-5 after a loss to Beechwood, few expected Newport Central Catholic to rally to a playoff position in the difficult 5th district, much less make the 3rd round of the playoffs. But Catholic took advantage of a soft schedule coming home, and with an upset win over Beechwood find themselves in position to make a run for state. Likewise, Raceland makes a surprise appearance in the Elite Eight after dismissing Lexington Christian, a team that had beaten them at home this year. Both of these teams were counted out sometime this season, but they both persevered to make a deep playoff push. Expect a good game in far Eastern Kentucky.

Newport Central Catholic 30 Raceland 23
---

Region Four Championship
Hazard @ Somerset

Records: Hazard (9-3), Somerset (8-4)
Common Opponents: Harlan, Danville
Harlan d. Hazard 34-0...Somerset d. Harlan 14-7, 34-7
Danville d. Hazard 63-14...Danville d. Somerset 48-14

It will probably be the least publicized game of the four this week, but don't expect this game to not be competitve. Somerset, after starting 0-4, has rode a less-than-challenging schedule to eight straight wins, and only one of those games was less than a three-touchdown affair. Hazard, meanwhile, dropped a 42-6 decision to Pikeville during the regular season only to defeat them 15-14 last week. With that huge win under their belts, don't expect this team to get rattled on the road. However, I don't think that not being rattled will be enough to save Hazard from a season-ending loss.

Somerset 43 Hazard 21