Class 2A region title preview: LCA gets high-stakes football rematch with Mayfield
For the second year in a row, Lexington Christian must travel 265 miles to Mayfield’s War Memorial Stadium to keep its Class 2A state championship hopes alive.
Mayfield returned 13 starters from last year’s state runners-up, most notably fifth-year senior quarterback Zane Cartwright (1,795 yards, 27 TDs passing) and leading rushing Jutoriaus “Juju” Starks (923 yards, 19 rushing TDs).
LCA, of course, has Kentucky commit QB Cutter Boley (1,975 yards, 23 TDs passing), but the addition this season of all-state running back Brady Hensley (2,138 yards, 41 TDs rushing) has made the Eagles’ offense more dangerous than a year ago.
Last year, LCA lost 38-28 in a state semifinal in which its defense faltered in key moments and its offense struggled to keep pace.
LCA coach Doug Charles believes his Eagles have shored up those weaknesses as they prepare to face the Cardinals for a region championship Friday.
“I think we’ve certainly gotten better defensively,” Charles said. “We feel good about the strides we’ve made, but playing some of the recent competition that we’ve had and going to War Memorial in Mayfield are two totally different propositions.”
Ranked No. 3 in the KHSAA’s RPI Standings, LCA began the season by taking on Bowling Green, Boyle County, Pikeville, Christian Academy-Louisville and Lexington Catholic, all teams who remain alive in their respective playoffs as top contenders. They beat everyone on that list except Class 4A No. 3 Boyle.
But because of a weaker district schedule, the Eagles have had only one somewhat competitive game since Sept. 15, a 48-21 win at Raceland. Similarly, No. 2 Mayfield has routed every one of its foes but Class 3A No. 5 Paducah Tilghman, who the Cards lost to 35-28 on Sept. 1.
With a region title on the line, there won’t be any more mercy rule running clocks from here forward.
“They’re playing at the sacred confines of War Memorial, and we’ve got a four-hour bus ride, so once again, we’re embracing it,” Charles said. “But we know we’re in for quite a challenge.”
Class 2A region championships
All games are Friday with times local to the host site.
EAST REGION FINALS
No. 20 Martin County (7-5) at No. 4 Beechwood (11-1), 7 p.m. The Tigers have won three consecutive Class 2A state titles and are huge overdogs here. Beechwood’s only loss came against Class 5A No. 1 Covington Catholic. The Cardinals have not faced anyone the caliber of Beechwood.
No. 8 Shelby Valley (9-3) at No. 6 Somerset (9-3), 7:30 p.m. Both teams lost to Class 4A Perry County Central in the regular season, although the Briar Jumpers’ 22-21 defeat ended in controversy. The Wildcats lost to the Commodores 58-42. Shelby Valley dual-threat QB Russ Osborne and Somerset running back Kam Hughes were their district’s players of the year.
WEST REGION FINALS
No. 3 Lexington Christian (11-1) at No. 2 Mayfield (10-1), 7:30 p.m. The Eagles could not trade score for score with the Cardinals a season ago. LCA hopes it has more answers on defense this time around. Brady Hensley could be the difference.
No. 5 Green County (10-2) at No. 1 Owensboro Catholic (12-0), 7 p.m. The Aces’ Brady Atwell (3,600 yards, 56 TDs) is one of the state’s most prolific passers and they have gone unbeaten against a difficult schedule. The Dragons counter with a balanced run/pass attack featuring senior running back Kelson McKinney (1,064 yards, 13 TDs rushing).
@HLpreps predictions for next week’s state semis: Somerset at Owensboro Catholic; Beechwood at Lexington Christian.
This story was originally published November 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM.
