The Playoffs - Round Four

Some quick hits from the eight playoff games held on Friday night...

--Danville, once again, squashed Mayfield's title hopes with a dominant 27-0 victory. The Admirals have looked dominant all playoffs and will be difficult to stop next week when all is on the line.

--Newport Central Catholic continued their marvelous playoff run with a big 40-24 win over Somerset. The Briar Jumpers fell for the first time since early September, and Catholic will move on to the title game despite their five early losses.

--It now looks inevitable: Mercer County, with a monstrous 43-0 beating of a good Owensboro Catholic team, motors toward Louisville looking for a 15-0 perfect season. Who dares to stand in their way?

--It will be Russell that tries, as the Red Devils snuffed rival Belfry 19-0 to advance to the state championship. Despite a less than challenging season schedule, the Red Devils stepped it up when it counted, and now they will have their shot at the Titans.

--Bowling Green breathed a sigh of relief after escaping the clutches of Central by a 21-14 score. The close margin represented a change of sorts for the Purples, as they hadn't broken a sweat during the first three weeks of the playoffs.

--Covington Catholic moves on to the Class 3A championship game with a solid 38-14 victory over a previously undefeated Johnson Central squad. It was a fantastic season for the Golden Eagles, but all eyes will be on the Purples and Colonels next week in Louisville.

--The dream run ends for Henderson County, as northern Kentucky power Ryle pulled out the guns to win 59-28. Ryle now faces the toughest test of them all in Louisville next weekend, as the Raiders gun for a championship.

--Trinity escaped Henry Clay and Lexington with a good 56-35 win. Now the Shamrocks head back west and face a Ryle team that has been solid all season, but Trinity will be favored by a wide margin to repeat as state champions.