Henry Clay started its post-season with a bang Friday night, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 37 seconds left and winning 57-50 at Dixie Heights on the first night of playoff football.

Sammy Carter connected with Austin Black on the 29-yard TD in the fourth quarter for the Blue Devils. That followed a Dixie Heights score that put the Colonels (3-8) up 50-49 after a successful two-point conversion. The game-winner was Carter's fifth TD pass on the night.

The Blue Devils (5-6) gutted out the road win despite being outgained 680-552 and having possession for only 14:54 of game time.

Carter finished with 394 yards and five TDs on 16-for-21 passing. Henry Clay's leading rusher was Elijah Bell, who finished with 109 yards and a TD on 12 carries.

No. 9 Lexington Catholic 48, Rockcastle Co. 0: Reese Ryan threw for four TDs in the Knights' win over the visiting Rockets (2-9). Amoh Kumengisa rushed for 117 yards and a TD for the Knights (9-2), who were coming off their second loss of the season last week at Bowling Green after having won their previous seven.

Simon Kenton 29, Bryan Station 22: After losing three of their last five, the Defenders (6-5) couldn't return to winning form at home in the playoffs.

Andrew Sampson went for 140 yards and two TDs on 34 rushes for the visiting Pioneers (8-3).

Defenders quarterback Ora Johnson carried 20 times for 111 yards and two TDs in the loss. He also added 144 yards and one TD on 16-for-27 passing.

Class A

Paris 48, Dayton 6: The Greyhounds (6-5) nearly blanked the visiting Greendevils (3-8), surrendering a lone TD in the fourth quarter in a game that saw their senior quarterback Nate Stevens rush for 177 yards and three TDs.

Class 2A

Newport Central Catholic 49, Gallatin Co. 13: Senior quarterback Josh Cain went 6-for-8 for 161 yards and two TDs for the Thoroughbreds (7-4). Dylan Hayes, a senior running back, led the winners in rushing with 78 yards and two TDs. He added a 90-yard kickoff return TD on special teams.

Class 3A

Breathitt Co. 59, Sheldon Clark 14: Senior quarterback Richard Trent helped keep the Bobcats undefeated on the season (11-0) after rushing for 113 yards and five TDs on nine carries against the visiting Cardinals (4-7). Trent also went 10-for-13 passing for 180 yards and two TDs.

Class 4A

Johnson Central 68, Harrison Co. 14: Jordan Young led the Golden Eagles with 168 yards and three TDs on only six carries. He also returned an interception 38 yards for a TD to start the scoring deluge for Johnson Central, whose next opponent will be the winner of Saturday's Covington Catholic-Rowan County game.

Class 5A

No. 18 Franklin Co. 48, Scott 10: Logan Woodside went 12-for-15 for 281 yards and five TDs for the host Flyers (11-0). Ryan Timmons recorded four receptions on the night for 102 yards and a TD.

No. 24 Harlan County 52, Lincoln County 14: Senior running back Jake Middleton led the Black Bears (9-2) with 145 yards and two TDs on 18 carries in the easy win over visiting Lincoln (5-6).

Class 6A

No. 4 St. Xavier 66, Tates Creek 13: The Tigers (7-4) took it to the Commodores (4-7), outgaining the visitors 362-2 in rushing yards and 513-173 overall. Dennis Oxendine, a senior running back, returned a kickoff for a 99-yard TD in what would be his final game for Tates Creek.

Campbell County 57, Paul Dunbar 0: The season came to a crushing end for the Bulldogs (3-8) at Campbell County. The Camels (7-4) were led by senior quarterback Tyler Durham, who carried 10 times for 133 yards and two TDs in the rout.

No. 9 Scott Co. 42, Ryle 10: Dieries Dumphord rushed 17 times for 104 yards and a TD, and the Cardinals (10-1) made quick work of the visiting Raiders (3-8).

Scott County will play Henry Clay next Friday at Toyota Stadium.