Bluegrasspreps
11-05-2009, 12:48 PM
Class 3A Football Playoff Preview
Region 1
Welcome to the Class 3A playoffs, where everyone cheerfully agrees in the idea of unpredictability but can't decide if it reflects the class' parity or mediocrity.
All four regions can be tagged with the same question marks, no more so than in Region 1, where they may be five legitimate regional contenders on tap — in this case, they're a combined 28-22, and only one of those wins have come against a program currently ranked in any class.
If there is a favorite, it's defending regional champion Union County, maybe if only for the experience of its returning cast and the fact that the Braves (7-3) have battled through some injury problems under first-year head coach Steven Carter to earn home-field advantage through the state semifinals.
Tailback Devon Foster sprained an ankle in the season-opening loss to perennial toughie Evansville Mater Dei (still alive in the third round of the Indiana Class 2A playoffs) but came up big in district wins over Paducah Tilghman and McLean County. Foster and Logan Joiner share the running burden with others, but quarterback Jordan Robison (1,044 yards, nine touchdowns) and 6-4 receiver Bryan Bickett have emerged as a productive passing combo.
McLean rides workhorse tailback Spencer Phillips (1,733 yards, 20 TDs) and Tilghman's talented-but-underachieving crew still boasts the most speed and athletes in the region, with injuries forcing the Tornado to go with Kris Jackson as its new wildcat formation quarterback to complement starter Sam Cox — both had solid games in the regular-season finale, Tilghman's 38-7 second-half blowout of Louisville Holy Cross, BGP's ninth-ranked team in Class A.
The Tornado's biggest problem, made more obvious in mud-bowl losses to Union and McLean, is a young offensive line that has been hurt by some early-season player defections.
Russellville won the District 2 title with it usual "Tilghman Lite" collection of speedsters led by quarterback D.J. Quarles and a veteran offensive line.
Defending regional runner-up Edmonson County – which hosts Tilghman in the postseason opener — poses another regional threat with a solid defense led by linebackers Casey Sowders and Josh Bunnell that has pitched two shutouts and held five opponents to single-digits in points.
Projected regional final: Union County 20, Russellville 16
Region 2
Two-time defending state champion Central is again the clear-cut favorite, but there are questions as to whether the swarming Yellow Jackets pack quite as much sting as they have the last two seasons.
The questions have nothing to with Central's 5-5 record, which came against a laughable assortment of "Who's Who in Class 6A football?" — Central is 1-4 against teams in BGP's top 10, including a win over #5 Ballard and more than respectable losses to the likes of top-ranked St. Xavier, #4 Henry Clay, #6 Male and 10th-ranked Manual.
Interesting, though, is how Central hasn't come back from its open date by clubbing its district opposition into submission. Some of it could be attributable to the messy weather and field conditions and some to injuries and/or suspensions, but one wonders if so-so performances against the likes of Elizabethtown, Moore and Shawnee simply reflects some boredom and eagerness to get back to the business of defending the back-to-back state titles.
Tight end-linebacker Tim Patterson, a Kentucky commitment, is one of the stat's top players, and Central has plenty of capable big-play guys with the ball in option quarterback Chris King, lightning-quick tailback Anthony Wales and receiver Stephan Robinson. Wales' waterbug style of running makes him particularly dangerous on the turf as Western Kentucky University's Smith Stadium, assuming the Yellow Jackets make it there.
It isn't inconceivable to say that is Central wasn't in the region, any of the other seven teams could make a case for itself making a run to the state semifinals.
Henry County won the District 4 title for the second time in three seasons, but it may not even be a lock to get by #4 seed Moore in the first round. A late shakeup and the forfeiture of a district game by Shawnee forced four teams to change opponents in mid-week, with Western Hills now hosting Shawnee and Elizabethtown visiting North Oldham, a team it eliminated in the second round last fall.
Projected regional final: Central 40, Henry County 6
Region 3
Few stories have been more surprising and heartwarming than that of Somerset, which turned a potenial turmoil-filled season into one that has yet to experience a single loss. Head coach Jay Cobb resigned just before the season began, reportedly because of a disagreement he had with some in the school's administration, and defensive coordinator Robbie Lucas took over on an interim basis.
The Briar Jumpers are 10-0 against a front-loaded schedule that included wins over Knox Central, Pulaski County and a stunning 48-7 rout of Danville that foretold that program's down season.
The explosive offense features a balanced running game and a standout season from junior quarterback Eric Manning, who has a 55 percent completion rate to go with some other outstanding numbers — nearly 1,500 yards with 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions — and capable receivers in Storm Wilson and J.P. Henderlight.
Still, some look at Breathitt County, last year's state runner-up, as the regional favorite behind 255-pound running back and linebacker Channing Fugate, a Tennessee commitment who has rushed for 901 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight contests. The Bobcats have shrugged off a five-game midseason losing streak (three of which came against ranked teams) in part because of Fugate's return from a leg injury and the development of an offensive line that was hit harder than expected by graduation.
Breathitt could also have tougher-than-expected second-round game with improved Garrard County.
Projected regional final: Somerset 35, Breathitt County 22
Region 4
Belfry, Sheldon Clark and Mason County have been performing this nice little waltz in Class 3A's top five throughout the season, jostling for position behind Central. The postseason shouldn't be much different, although Sheldon Clark's late-season loss to Pike Central (a game played without several key players out with suspensions) relegated the Cardinals to a #3 seed and a visit to Russell in the first round, giving them the toughest road to the regional title of any contender, a potential second-round game at Belfry and then a visit to Mason.
Belfry was beginning to emerge as a potential favorite before star running back Thomas Varney (he and Chase Maynard have combined for 1,750-plus yards and 30 touchdowns) went down with an injury. His status for the postseason remains uncertain.
Sheldon Clark has established one of the mountains' best ground attacks, and quarterback Austin Stepp gives the Cardinals an air threat. Pike Central has made some strides this season, even holding a lead late in the third period of an eventual 24-14 loss to Belfry.
Mason County is 10-0, but the Royals' non-district schedule hasn't been quite as tough as it's been in recent seasons. Josh Harris has rushed for 1,089 yards and 15 touchdowns and quarterback Neal Pawsat has a nearly 60 percent completion rate while throwing for 1,427 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Jordan Gilbert, Harris and Malcom Jones lead a solid receiver corps, but a late-season injury to Pawsat leaves some big-time question marks.
Projected regional final: Belfry 20, Mason County 14
Projected semifinals: Central 32, Union County 14;
Somerset 28, Belfry 22
Projected championship: Central 43, Somerset 20
Region 1
Welcome to the Class 3A playoffs, where everyone cheerfully agrees in the idea of unpredictability but can't decide if it reflects the class' parity or mediocrity.
All four regions can be tagged with the same question marks, no more so than in Region 1, where they may be five legitimate regional contenders on tap — in this case, they're a combined 28-22, and only one of those wins have come against a program currently ranked in any class.
If there is a favorite, it's defending regional champion Union County, maybe if only for the experience of its returning cast and the fact that the Braves (7-3) have battled through some injury problems under first-year head coach Steven Carter to earn home-field advantage through the state semifinals.
Tailback Devon Foster sprained an ankle in the season-opening loss to perennial toughie Evansville Mater Dei (still alive in the third round of the Indiana Class 2A playoffs) but came up big in district wins over Paducah Tilghman and McLean County. Foster and Logan Joiner share the running burden with others, but quarterback Jordan Robison (1,044 yards, nine touchdowns) and 6-4 receiver Bryan Bickett have emerged as a productive passing combo.
McLean rides workhorse tailback Spencer Phillips (1,733 yards, 20 TDs) and Tilghman's talented-but-underachieving crew still boasts the most speed and athletes in the region, with injuries forcing the Tornado to go with Kris Jackson as its new wildcat formation quarterback to complement starter Sam Cox — both had solid games in the regular-season finale, Tilghman's 38-7 second-half blowout of Louisville Holy Cross, BGP's ninth-ranked team in Class A.
The Tornado's biggest problem, made more obvious in mud-bowl losses to Union and McLean, is a young offensive line that has been hurt by some early-season player defections.
Russellville won the District 2 title with it usual "Tilghman Lite" collection of speedsters led by quarterback D.J. Quarles and a veteran offensive line.
Defending regional runner-up Edmonson County – which hosts Tilghman in the postseason opener — poses another regional threat with a solid defense led by linebackers Casey Sowders and Josh Bunnell that has pitched two shutouts and held five opponents to single-digits in points.
Projected regional final: Union County 20, Russellville 16
Region 2
Two-time defending state champion Central is again the clear-cut favorite, but there are questions as to whether the swarming Yellow Jackets pack quite as much sting as they have the last two seasons.
The questions have nothing to with Central's 5-5 record, which came against a laughable assortment of "Who's Who in Class 6A football?" — Central is 1-4 against teams in BGP's top 10, including a win over #5 Ballard and more than respectable losses to the likes of top-ranked St. Xavier, #4 Henry Clay, #6 Male and 10th-ranked Manual.
Interesting, though, is how Central hasn't come back from its open date by clubbing its district opposition into submission. Some of it could be attributable to the messy weather and field conditions and some to injuries and/or suspensions, but one wonders if so-so performances against the likes of Elizabethtown, Moore and Shawnee simply reflects some boredom and eagerness to get back to the business of defending the back-to-back state titles.
Tight end-linebacker Tim Patterson, a Kentucky commitment, is one of the stat's top players, and Central has plenty of capable big-play guys with the ball in option quarterback Chris King, lightning-quick tailback Anthony Wales and receiver Stephan Robinson. Wales' waterbug style of running makes him particularly dangerous on the turf as Western Kentucky University's Smith Stadium, assuming the Yellow Jackets make it there.
It isn't inconceivable to say that is Central wasn't in the region, any of the other seven teams could make a case for itself making a run to the state semifinals.
Henry County won the District 4 title for the second time in three seasons, but it may not even be a lock to get by #4 seed Moore in the first round. A late shakeup and the forfeiture of a district game by Shawnee forced four teams to change opponents in mid-week, with Western Hills now hosting Shawnee and Elizabethtown visiting North Oldham, a team it eliminated in the second round last fall.
Projected regional final: Central 40, Henry County 6
Region 3
Few stories have been more surprising and heartwarming than that of Somerset, which turned a potenial turmoil-filled season into one that has yet to experience a single loss. Head coach Jay Cobb resigned just before the season began, reportedly because of a disagreement he had with some in the school's administration, and defensive coordinator Robbie Lucas took over on an interim basis.
The Briar Jumpers are 10-0 against a front-loaded schedule that included wins over Knox Central, Pulaski County and a stunning 48-7 rout of Danville that foretold that program's down season.
The explosive offense features a balanced running game and a standout season from junior quarterback Eric Manning, who has a 55 percent completion rate to go with some other outstanding numbers — nearly 1,500 yards with 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions — and capable receivers in Storm Wilson and J.P. Henderlight.
Still, some look at Breathitt County, last year's state runner-up, as the regional favorite behind 255-pound running back and linebacker Channing Fugate, a Tennessee commitment who has rushed for 901 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight contests. The Bobcats have shrugged off a five-game midseason losing streak (three of which came against ranked teams) in part because of Fugate's return from a leg injury and the development of an offensive line that was hit harder than expected by graduation.
Breathitt could also have tougher-than-expected second-round game with improved Garrard County.
Projected regional final: Somerset 35, Breathitt County 22
Region 4
Belfry, Sheldon Clark and Mason County have been performing this nice little waltz in Class 3A's top five throughout the season, jostling for position behind Central. The postseason shouldn't be much different, although Sheldon Clark's late-season loss to Pike Central (a game played without several key players out with suspensions) relegated the Cardinals to a #3 seed and a visit to Russell in the first round, giving them the toughest road to the regional title of any contender, a potential second-round game at Belfry and then a visit to Mason.
Belfry was beginning to emerge as a potential favorite before star running back Thomas Varney (he and Chase Maynard have combined for 1,750-plus yards and 30 touchdowns) went down with an injury. His status for the postseason remains uncertain.
Sheldon Clark has established one of the mountains' best ground attacks, and quarterback Austin Stepp gives the Cardinals an air threat. Pike Central has made some strides this season, even holding a lead late in the third period of an eventual 24-14 loss to Belfry.
Mason County is 10-0, but the Royals' non-district schedule hasn't been quite as tough as it's been in recent seasons. Josh Harris has rushed for 1,089 yards and 15 touchdowns and quarterback Neal Pawsat has a nearly 60 percent completion rate while throwing for 1,427 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Jordan Gilbert, Harris and Malcom Jones lead a solid receiver corps, but a late-season injury to Pawsat leaves some big-time question marks.
Projected regional final: Belfry 20, Mason County 14
Projected semifinals: Central 32, Union County 14;
Somerset 28, Belfry 22
Projected championship: Central 43, Somerset 20