Friday's city football games

Bryan Station at Paul Laurence Dunbar

Records: No. 21 Bryan Station 6-2 (beat Lafayette 14-7 last week); No. 97 Dunbar 2-6 (lost to Scott County 42-7)

Streak buster: Bryan Station beat Dunbar 45-14 in the 2008 season opener to end a six-year, 21-game losing streak against city competition. In retrospect, that victory revitalized the Defenders' program under third-year coach Oliver Lucas.

'D' as in Defenders: Bryan Station's defense, which was lax in early October, was the difference in last week's win. Lafayette had great field position and great scoring opportunities, but managed just one score. Kris Bolton, Jordan Taylor and Najee Calderon lead the Defenders in tackles this season.

Bright spot: Dunbar trailed Scott County 42-0 at halftime last week, so there wasn't much for Bulldogs fans to cheer about. One positive for Dunbar was the play of Brad Harp, who had 140 yards rushing and returning kicks.

Key to victory: Bryan Station's Tevin McCaden didn't run wild on Lafayette last week, but he came through in the clutch and finished with 129 yards and 2 TDs. Dunbar has to somehow keep the state's top rusher (1,801 yards) in check.

Henry Clay at Tates Creek

Records: No. 17 Henry Clay 6-2 (beat Madison Central 21-7); No. 58 Tates Creek (lost to Clark County 12-6)

Radio: WLAP-AM 630

Double trouble: After being picked off 4 times in a loss the week before, Henry Clay QB Jerry Williams wasn't intercepted in the win over Madison Central. Williams has thrown for 726 yards and 6 TDs, and run for 528 yards and 6 TDs as the triggerman of the Blue Devils' offense.

Mirror image: The statistical similarities between Tates Creek and its opponents are striking. Tates Creek has 204 points, 127 first downs and averages 4.9 yards per play. Its opponents have 205 points, 127 first downs and average 4.9 yards per play.

Key to victory: Tates Creek QB Dee Christopher has hit 60 percent of his passes for 1,003 yards and 11 TDs. He and the Commodores may have to put up some big numbers to keep up with Henry Clay. If the weather is wet, maybe not.

Lafayette at Scott County

Records: No. 36 Lafayette 5-4 (lost to Bryan Station 14-7); No. 12 Scott County 7-1 (beat Dunbar 42-7)

Radio: WVLK-FM 101.5

Playin' 'em close: With a favorable bounce here and there, Lafayette could be 8-1. Three of its four losses — to Boone County (31-23), Clark County (13-10) and Bryan Station (14-7) — were close enough to go the other way. That's encouraging for a team that's played every game on the road.

Eric the great: Lafayette's Eric Shaw is having a big senior year. In 9 games he's matched or surpassed his production in 11 games last fall. He has 1,609 all-purpose yards (compared to 1,287 in 2008), 72 TDs (same as in '08) and 43 solo tackles (same as in '08).

Ball security: For a team that runs an option offense, with all its fakes and misdirection, Scott County doesn't have many turnovers. The Cards have only 8 compared to their opponents' 18. Michael Weeks has intercepted four passes for Scott County. Leading tacklers are Cody Hudson, Jordan Kindred and Chris Ramsey.

Key to victory: These teams haven't met since 2006, when Lafayette beat the Cards for the third time in four years. The Generals' run defense better be ready for Scott County's option attack.

Lexington Christian at Fairview

Records: No. 31 LCA (beat Raceland 40-0); No. 136 Fairview 6-2 (beat Nicholas County 40-14)

Radio: WJMM-FM 99.1

Goose eggs galore: LCA, which had blanked only one opponent in its previous 36 games, has shut out Paris, Nicholas County and Raceland the last three weeks. It's the first time in four years the Eagles have posted three shutouts in a row. Clay Mossbarger, Chad Hall, Neil Whitman and Will Thomas Collins are the leading tacklers.

Record watch: After breaking the state record for career TDs last week with his 117th, LCA's Domonique Hayden needs 2 TDs to break the state record for career points. He has 711. The record is 722, set by Herbie Phelps of Old Kentucky Home in the early 1960s.

Key to victory: LCA beat Raceland 40-0. Fairview lost to Raceland 14-6. Comparing scores isn't smart, but LCA looks like a solid favorite.

West Jessamine at Lexington Catholic

Records: No. 108 West Jessamine 7-1 (lost to Boyle County 47-0); No. 17 Lexington Catholic 5-3 (beat East Jessamine 62-0)

Radio: WMJR-AM 1380

On target: QB Nic Ward was 7-for-7 passing for 225 yards and 2 TDs last week, pushing his career totals to 5,690 yards and 60 TDs.

Reality check: After winning its first seven games, West Jessamine was brought back to earth by unbeaten Boyle County last week. The Colts managed just 32 total yards while surrendering 422. West Jessamine hopes for a more competitive showing against Lexington Catholic.

Key to victory: If the Knights play defense like they have since the second half against Boyle County, West Jessamine may be in for a long night.

Mike Fields