Woodford-Collins a clash of dynamic offenses; Bryan Station, Sayre in district battles
Here’s a look at some of the best high school football games of Week 9 beginning Oct. 14, according to high school sports writer Jared Peck. All rankings are according to the Herald-Leader’s Dave Cantrall Ratings.
Games of the week
▪ Collins (6-1) at No. 18 Woodford County (7-0), 6 p.m.: These two district foes present a significantly different problem for each other than they did a year ago when the Yellow Jackets won 46-29.
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Collins Coach Jerry T. Lucas said. “I talked to Coach (Dennis) Johnson a couple of nights ago and told him they are just rolling. They are very impressive to watch on film.”
Woodford County has become much more proficient offensively this year, especially in the passing game where senior Bryce Patterson has already surpassed his 2020 totals. Patterson has thrown for 1,205 yards and 14 TDs to five different receivers led by the trio of Aden Nelson, Jacob Jackson and Makhi Smith. And Woodford can still run it, too, with seniors Stacy Preston and Jackson Geilear near 1,000 combined yards with six TDs each.
Meanwhile, the conversion of Collins wide receiver Kenyon Goodin to quarterback for his junior season has been a resounding success. Goodin leads Class 5A in passing with 253 yards per game tossing for 1,773 yards and 22 scores to go along with 513 yards on the ground and another 15 TDs. Senior Mark Hutzel (712 yards, nine TDs) has been Goodin’s primary target.
“It’s rare that you’re one of the top receivers in the state and the next year, you’re one of the top quarterbacks in the state,” Lucas said of Goodin. “Kenyon’s special. He’s a great kid. As soon as basketball was over in March, he started working on the quarterback position, and he’s having a great year, so far.”
So, don’t expect Friday’s contest to be low-scoring.
“Obviously, it’s a huge game for both teams,” Collins said. “You know that a district championship is going to be decided in round two and you would love it to be at your place. The only way for us to ensure that is to win Friday night.”
▪ Oldham County (6-1) at No. 20 Bryan Station (6-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Defenders will be looking to redeem themselves after turnovers and a blocked punt nearly cost them a district win last week. A Daniel Mufanzala field goal in the final minute saved the day. The Colonels have dual-threat quarterback Sam Young, who has thrown for 1,127 yards and 12 TDs and run for 490 yards and 10 more scores.
▪ Hazard (5-3) at Sayre (6-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Bulldogs shocked the high school football world by upsetting Pikeville in last year’s district finals. The hero of that game, Max Johnson, leads Hazard in scoring (68 points), rushing (566 yards) and is second in tackles (49) and is tied for the lead in interceptions (six). Pikeville humbled the Spartans last week, 43-7. A district win here would be a huge confidence boost because these two teams are likely to rematch in the playoffs.
Rivalry of the week
▪ No. 13 Covington Catholic (4-3) at Highlands (4-4), 7 p.m.: This northern Kentucky rivalry was all Bluebirds for much of its 54 years, but Covington Catholic has won six straight to narrow the 49-24 Highlands edge, although there is, of course, a dispute about that number.
With 23 state titles for Highlands and eight for Covington Catholic, pride is always on the line, but these two teams are also district foes, and as Class 5A contenders there’s always the possibility of meeting again in the postseason.
Highlands started well under new coach Robert Sphire with an impressive win over Bowling Green in the season opener, but the Bluebirds have lost four of their last five. CovCath hasn’t quite found the form of its state championship season two years ago, but can get a leg up on district seeding with a win.
Other Lexington games
▪ No. 15 Lexington Catholic (5-2) at Bourbon County (4-3), 7:30 p.m.: There are no moral victories, but the Knights’ ability stay in the game and hold Boyle County to just 16 points last week shows the growth of Coach Nigel Smith’s team. LexCath will be a tough out for the Colonels.
▪ Great Crossing (6-1) at No. 5 Frederick Douglass (7-0), 6 p.m.: Kickoff has been moved up to try to avoid forecasted storms and get in this important district game. The Broncos have only played one game in more than a month, but it was a 35-0 rout of the Scott County team who proved too much for the Warhawks two weeks ago.
▪ Paul Laurence Dunbar (3-4) at Henry Clay (0-7), 6:30 p.m.: After taking their lumps against some of the best teams in the state, the Bulldogs can get back to a .500 record and get one hand on the top seed in their district by beating the Blue Devils.
▪ Somerset (1-7) at No. 9 Lexington Christian (7-0), 7:30 p.m.: The Briar Jumpers are in full-on rebuilding mode after the graduation of many of their key players over the last few years. Their only win is a COVID-19 forfeit. But don’t expect Coach Robbie Lucas’ team to be down for long.
▪ Lafayette (2-6) at Tates Creek (1-6), 6:30 p.m.: The Generals have put together back-to-back wins, including a rain-delayed 35-20 victory over Henry Clay last Sunday, but they face a Tates Creek team that has played better than its record.
Should be a good one
▪ Kentucky Country Day (6-1) at Frankfort (5-2), 7:30 p.m.
▪ Owensboro (6-1) at Graves County (6-1), 7 p.m.
▪ Bell County (6-1) at Pulaski County (5-3), 7:30 p.m.
▪ Ashland Blazer (5-3) at Russell (4-3), 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 6:30 AM.
