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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

HIKE: Your guide to high school football for Oct. 16, 2009

City games

All game times 7:30 p.m. unless noted:

Bryan Station vs. Lafayette (at Tates Creek)

Records: No. 21 Bryan Station 5-2 (lost to Scott County 37-25 last week); No. 31 Lafayette 5-3 (beat Paul Dunbar 31-7)

Radio: WLAP-AM 630

Big-game stumbles: After starting the season 5-0, Bryan Station has stubbed its toe against Henry Clay and Scott County. Coach Oliver Lucas has been most disappointed with his defense. Despite its 5-2 record, Bryan Station has given up more yards (2,243) than it has gained (2,214). The offense isn't blameless. It has 19 turnovers compared to the opponents' 15.

What a rush: Bryan Station's Tevin McCaden leads the state in rushing, averaging 239 yards a game. He has 1,672 yards and 20 TDs.

Happy returns: Lafayette's Marlon Johnson and Eric Shaw Jr. have each returned two kickoffs for TDs. Shaw is also averaging 21 yards on four interception returns. He's also dangerous on punt returns, not to mention as a running back and receiver.

Key to victory: If Bryan Station is to end an 8-year skid against Lafayette, it must learn to finish. The Defenders led Lafayette 12-0 midway through the fourth quarter last year, but lost 14-12. Last week Bryan Station led Scott County 25-24 going into the fourth quarter, but lost 32-25.

East Jessamine at Lexington Catholic

Records: No. 127 East Jessamine 3-4 (lost to West Jessamine 13-12); No. 22 Lexington Catholic 4-3 (lost to Boyle County 21-13)

Radio: WJMR-AM 1380

Accenting the run: East Jessamine has passed for only 111 yards this season, but the Jaguars have had a strong 1-2 running combination in Austin Hager (805 yards, 6 TDs) and Cameron Thomas (720 yards, 6 TDs).

Defending their honor: LexCath's defense, which has had its problems this season, may have found itself against Boyle County. After giving up three quick TDs, the Knights buckled up and blanked the potent Rebels over the last 30 minutes. Andrew Gathy had a couple of big sacks. Bill Jacoby, Nate Letton and Benton Hupman led in tackles.

Key to victory: If East Jessamine is to pull a shocker, it must win the battle in the trenches. If it doesn't, the Jags' running game will have a difficult time finding traction against LexCath.

Henry Clay at Madison Central

Records: No. 18 Henry Clay 5-2 (lost to Clark County 12-6); No. 57 Madison Central 0-7 (lost to Tates Creek 35-21)

Looking for answers: Winless Madison Central is struggling on both sides of the ball. It has been outscored by an average of 38-12, and outgained 417 yards to 243 a game. Shane King and James Ballew have more than 600 all-purpose yards each to account for most of the pop in the offense.

Costly turnovers: Henry Clay rushed for 325 yards against Clark County last week, and outgained the Cardinals by 160 yards. But those numbers were negated by Henry Clay turnovers. The Devils had more interceptions (4) than completions (3), and they were 0-for-9 on third-down conversions.

Key to victory: When Henry Clay limits its turnovers, its offense is a productive machine. Its defense is the only one in town that's surrendered fewer than 100 points.

Raceland at Lexington Christian

Records: No. 121 Raceland 5-3 (beat Fairview 14-6); No. 33 LCA 61 (beat Paris 56-0)

Radio: WJMM-FM 99.1

Rams tough: Raceland has a history of giving LCA trouble, as it showed when it beat the Eagles during the regular season last year, and gave them a tussle in the playoffs before losing. QB Tyler Farley is a passing threat, having thrown for 1,033 yards and 9 TDs. Five receivers have at least 100 yards.

Record watch: LCA's Domonique Hayden needs 3 TDs to tie the state career record of 116 set by Kelvin Turner of Danville five years ago. Lucas Witt has pushed his career passing totals to 8,088 yards and 95 TDs, and Branden Burdette's receiving totals are now 120 catches, 2,248 yards and 33 TDs.

Key to victory: LCA's offense is a well-oiled machine. In the last two weeks, the Eagles have outscored Nicholas County and Paris by a combined 118-0. Raceland beat those same teams by a combined 53-14.