City games
All game times 7:30 p.m. unless noted:
Clark County at Henry Clay
Records: No. 67 Clark County 3-3 (beat Corbin 35-30 last week); No. 12 Henry Clay 5-1 (beat Bryan Station 27-6)
Jekyll and Hyde: Clark County has had a split personality this season, playing poorly in losing its first, third and fifth games, and playing well in winning its second, fourth and sixth games. Cardinals Coach Paul Columbia hopes his players don't shrink back into their "bad" habit after knocking off previously unbeaten Corbin last week.
Many-splendored things: Henry Clay Coach Sam Simpson said his team would be willing to take on anybody when it's clicking like it was against Bryan Station last week. The Devils' running game was especially impressive, with Bo Brooks and Shannon Coofer providing the spark. Even though Henry Clay's defense surrendered a lot of rushing yards, it distinguished itself by forcing six turnovers. Matt Cox and Ryan Duzyk have seven interceptions between them this season.
Key to victory: Clark County beat Lafayette, which beat Henry Clay. That should serve as a warning to Henry Clay. If the Devils can keep Cardinals QB Andrew Dini in check, they should be OK.
Lafayette at Paul Laurence Dunbar
Records: No. 36 Lafayette (lost to Boyle County 48-6); No. 97 Dunbar 2-4 (lost to John Hardin 47-20)
Radio: WVLK-FM 101.5
Forget the bad, remember the good: Besides Eric Shaw Jr.'s kickoff return for a TD to start the game, Lafayette didn't get anything done against Boyle County last week. The Generals need to wipe their memories clean of that debacle, and instead take note of how they beat Dunbar 41-0 last year.
A big goose egg: Dunbar has been outscored 103-0 in the second quarter this season, which has to be a downer going into the locker room at halftime. If the Bulldogs need a mental boost, they did beat Clark County, which beat Lafayette.
Home away from home: This is technically a "home" game for Lafayette, which is on the road all season while Ishmael Stadium is being torn down to make room for a new artificial turf facility. A month after the demolition was supposed to start, however, Ishmael Stadium is still standing.
Key to victory: Dunbar QB Trent Martin needs to throw for 133 yards to reach 1,000 this year. For the Bulldogs to beat Lafayette, he'll probably need to reach that plateau and beyond.
Lexington Catholic at Boyle County
Records: No. 28 Lexington Catholic 4-2 (did not play last week); No. 4 Boyle County 6-0 (beat Lafayette 48-6)
Radio: WMJR-AM 1380
More than Mac: Rees MacShara, who has rushed for 1,147 yards and has 19 TDs, gets most of the headlines for Boyle County. But LexCath better keep tabs on Rebels QB Boone Goldsmith, too. Last week against Lafayette, Goldsmith had a career game, throwing for 302 yards and 2 TDs, and rushing for 2 TDs.
Happy feet: When LexCath's Greg Raglin runs instead of dances, he's as good as there is as he showed two weeks ago in sparking a comeback win over LCA. Raglin has rushed for 852 yards, and caught 12 passes for 184 yards this season. He also has 12 TDs to lead the Knights.
Key to victory: LexCath has shown a knack for coming from behind this season, but it better not get in too deep of a hole against Boyle County. When the Rebels get ahead, they don't ease up.
Madison Central at Tates Creek
Records: No. 57 Madison Central 0-5 (lost to PRP 33-0); No. 62 Tates Creek 3-3 (lost to Scott County 32-14)
Stumbling start: Madison Central began the 2007 and '08 seasons with 5-0 records. It's a different story this year for the winless Indians, who have scored only 50 points. An ineffective passing game (4 TDs, 13 interceptions) has been a problem. James Ballew and Shane King (1,000 all-purpose yards between them) have provided most of the punch.
Damon 'Da Man': Damon Boggs does a lot of different things for Tates Creek. He has 539 all-purpose yards receiving, returning kicks and three interceptions.
Key to victory: Mike Harmon is intent on rebuilding his alma mater Commodores into consistent winners. They're making progress by beating teams they're supposed to beat. Will that trend continue against Madison Central?
Paris at Lexington Christian
Radio: WJMM-FM 99.1
Records: No. 192 Paris 0-7 (lost to PRP 33-0); No. 34 LCA (beat Nicholas Co. 62-0)
Points 'R Eagles: LCA is averaging 50 points a game and 9 yards a play. The Eagles don't give it up very often, either. They've made only four turnovers and punted only 11 times.
Record watch: LCA's Domonique Hayden has 108 career TDs, 8 shy of tying the state record set by Kelvin Turner of Danville.
Blue Greyhounds: In the early 1980s, Paris was the pre-eminent power in Class A, winning back-to-back state titles and threatening to win a third. That seems like a long time ago. These winless Greyhounds have scored 56 points all season, 6 fewer than LCA put up last week.
Key to victory: If Cantrall ratings indicate a point spread, LCA is a 57-point favorite. That sums it up.
Scott County at Bryan Station
Records: No. 20 Bryan Station 5-1 (lost to Henry Clay 27-6); No. 15 Scott County 5-1 (beat Tates Creek 32-14)
Radio: WLAP-AM 630
Ground gainer: Bryan Station's Tevin McCaden has rushed for 1,420 yards, only 60 yards fewer than Scott County's team. McCaden has done it on 86 fewer attempts, too.
By committee: Scott County spreads the ball around in its backfield, with Josh Walls (652 yards), Brooks Barber (377), Marcus Hill (286) and Steven Travis (184) sharing the load.
Key to victory: Two teams that prefer to run the ball, partly because they don't throw it very well. It may come down to which QB can connect on a key pass or two.
Top state games
Anderson County at Bullitt Central: Battle of Class 5A unbeaten teams.
Russell at Mason County: Red Devils challenge undefeated Mason County for 3A district supremacy.
Around the state
Flashy Falcon: No quarterback in Kentucky better deserves the tag of "dual threat" than Antonio Andrews of Fort Campbell. He has been equally adept as a runner and passer while leading the Falcons to a 20-1 record the last two years. The 6-foot, 180-pounder has rushed for 2,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, and thrown for 2,430 yards and 34 TDs.
He led Fort Campbell to a 14-1 record and the Class 2A state championship last fall, and was at his versatile best in the title game. He threw for 171 yards and a TD, ran for 138 yards and two TDs, and caught a 59-yard TD pass with 1:44 left that beat Newport Central Catholic 26-23.
Falcons Coach Shawn Berner said he expects major colleges to start recruiting Andrews as he continues to shine.
Top 10 Highlands: Two-time defending Class 5A champion Highlands is rising in the national ratings. Coach Dale Mueller's undefeated Bluebirds (7-0) are No. 9 in USA Today's Super 25, No. 13 in Sports Illustrated's MaxPreps Xcellent 25, and No. 15 in Rivals' High 100.
Highlands got a big boost when it upset then-No. 17 Cincinnati St. Xavier two weeks ago. The Bluebirds soared higher after Cincy St. X knocked off then-No. 3 Cincinnati Elder last week.
Louisville St. X is No. 85 in Rivals' ratings.
