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Thursday, Oct. 08, 2009

HIKE: Your guide to high school football for Friday, Oct. 9

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?