Predictions for every second-round Kentucky high school football playoff game

The second round of Kentucky high school football’s playoffs includes a couple of Kroger Field-worthy matchups and a number of potential revenge games across the state.

Any given year, contests such as Scott County vs. Cooper or Covington Catholic vs. Johnson Central could be for a big golden trophy instead of just a stepping stone to the region finals.

Then, there are the district-rival rematches in which a regular-season loser could turn the tables on its nemesis, such as Bryan Station vs. Frederick Douglass and South Laurel vs. Pulaski County. And games like Paris at Sayre and Danville at Somerset are sequels to last season’s playoff tilts.

Below is a breakdown of one top game from each class along with my predictions for every matchup and what that means for next week’s region championships.

Some winners seem obvious, but very few could consider themselves locks for the next round. And they’d best keep that to themselves.

Note that next week’s region finals will be seeded based on RPI, so the class-by-class brackets currently online at KHSAA.org won’t be accurate until every winner is in.

All rankings are from the KHSAA’s RPI Standings, which will be used to seed the east and west sides of each bracket next week. All games are Friday, unless noted. Kickoff times are local to the host site.

My picks are denoted by an asterisk (*). The “@HLpreps” designation for my region forecasts is my handle on X.com, where I post updates and highlights from the games I attend. This week I will be at The Farm for Bryan Station and Frederick Douglass. Freelance writer Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) will attend Lexington Catholic’s game against Central.

CLASS 6A

No. 9 Bryan Station (6-5) at No. 5 Frederick Douglass* (7-4), 7 p.m.

Stat stuffers: The Defenders have gotten a boost by installing three-star junior Jordan Haskins at quarterback the past two weeks (117 yards, two TDs rushing, 49 yards, one TD passing in Round 1). His dual threat has helped running back Avery Johnson (500 yards, 4 TDs rushing) and boosted the numbers of wideout Kamani Barbour (614 yards, 7 TDs receiving). The Broncos have district player of the year Dakari Talbert (1,076 yards, 13 TDs rushing) and a receiving corps led by Terry “Trae” Cayson III (367 yards, five TDs receiving). Linebacker Tacori Fields (88 tackles, three fumbles forced, three fumbles recovered), ranks as one of the best tacklers in 6A.

Last meeting: Douglass won 27-10 at Station.

Bottom line: The Broncos continue to be a handful for most teams despite not having the same number of top-flight college prospects they’ve boasted in past years. Bryan Station will need to contain Talbert, a junior who just added Miami (Ohio) to his offer sheet, and it will need to play mistake-free football, a task easier said than done against Douglass. The Broncos have advanced to the region finals in seven of their eight prior seasons.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 13 Ballard (5-6) at No. 6 Ryle* (8-3), 7 p.m.
• No. 12 Bullitt East (7-4) at No. 3 St. Xavier* (8-3), 7 p.m.
• No. 18 George Rogers Clark (6-5) at No. 7 Madison Central* (7-4), 7 p.m.
• No. 23 Henderson County (5-6) at No. 10 McCracken County* (6-5), 7 p.m.
• No. 14 Hopkinsville (7-4) at No. 1 South Warren* (10-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 2 Manual* (9-2) at No. 8 Male (7-4), 7 p.m.
• No. 15 Simon Kenton (6-5) at No. 4 Trinity* (9-2), 7:30 p.m.

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 6 Ryle at No. 5 Frederick Douglass and No. 7 Madison Central at No. 4 Trinity.

West: No. 3 St. Xavier at No. 2 Manual and No. 10 McCracken County at No. 1 South Warren.

CLASS 5A

No. 5 Scott County* (8-3) at No. 9 Cooper (8-3), 7:30 p.m.

Stat stuffers: The Cardinals lead 5A in rushing with 3,527 yards and 46 TDs, led by juniors Skyler Way (1,067 yards, 9 TDs) and Timmy Emongo (826 yards, 13 TDs). Sophomore QB Charlie Ellison (1,033 yards, 15 TDs) tosses most of his scoring throws to Emongo (9). The Jaguars are led by three seniors, QB Cam O’Hara (1,966 yards, 22 TDs passing), RB Keagan Maher (1,390 yards, 21 TDs rushing) and WR Ryker Campbell (1,011 yards, 12 TDs receiving).

Last meeting: Cooper beat Scott County 45-20 at this same stage last season.

Common opponents: Cooper lost to Class 4A power Highlands 28-14 on Aug. 29. Scott County lost to Highlands 42-28 on Oct. 24. Both teams beat South Oldham and Conner by comfortable margins.

Bottom line: This year’s Cooper team has not put up the same kind of offensive numbers as it did in its run to the 5A finals last season. And the Jags’ run defense has been gashed this year, a troubling sign going up against Scott County’s maddening wing-T rush attack. The Cardinals should put up a much better fight this time around.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 12 Apollo (6-5) at No. 13 Bowling Green* (5-6), 7 p.m.
• No. 22 Butler (5-6) at No. 17 Fairdale* (7-4), 7 p.m.
• No. 8 Collins (8-3) at No. 3 Woodford County* (10-1), 7:30 p.m.
• No. 16 Greenwood (7-4) at No. 2 Owensboro* (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 4 North Laurel* (9-2) at No. 11 West Jessamine (8-3), 7 p.m.
• No. 10 South Laurel (9-2) at No. 1 Pulaski County* (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 6 Atherton* (10-1) vs. No. 29 Jeffersontown (6-5) at Waggener, 7 p.m., Thursday

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 5 Scott County at No. 1 Pulaski County and No. 4 North Laurel at No. 3 Woodford County.

West: No. 17 Fairdale at No. 2 Owensboro and No. 13 Bowling Green at No. 6 Atherton.

CLASS 4A

No. 9 Covington Catholic (8-3) at No. 2 Johnson Central* (11-0), 7 p.m.

Stat stuffers: Colonels’ senior Cash Harney (1,852 yards, 14 TDs passing; 766 yards, 10 TDs rushing) keys a balanced attack that includes senior RB Dylan Gaiser (951 yards, 20 TDs rushing) and a share-the-wealth set of receivers topped by senior Logan Sanning (365 yards, four TDs receiving and junior Owen Pitzer (340 yards, four TDs receiving). The Golden Eagles’ option run attack features senior Logan Music (1,165 yards, 14 TDs) and junior Braxton Perry (1,008 yards, 12 TDs). Dylan Lemaster, a junior linebacker, tops the chart in tackles with 102.

Last meeting: Covington Catholic beat visiting Johnson Central 14-13 at this same stage last season.

Common opponents: CovCath beat Boyd County 48-21 last week and Harrison County 56-0 on Oct. 17. Johnson Central beat Boyd 21-14 on Sept. 26, and routed Harrison County 48-16 last week.

Bottom line: In a role reversal from last season, it’s the Colonels who have to make the 186-mile journey between Northern Kentucky and the mountains for this second-round rematch. That could mean the difference between these seemingly evenly matched teams. Both rank in 4A’s top 5 in scoring offense and top seven in scoring defense.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 11 Ashland Blazer (7-4) at No. 4 Highlands* (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 16 Franklin-Simpson (7-4) at No. 5 Paducah Tilghman* (10-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 6 Lincoln County (9-2) at No. 8 Corbin* (8-3), 7:30 p.m.
• No. 7 Logan County* (9-2) at No. 10 Elizabethtown (8-3), 7 p.m.
• No. 12 Spencer County (8-3) at No. 14 North Oldham* (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 18 Valley (9-2) at No. 3 Franklin County* (11-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 25 Wayne County (4-7) at No. 1 Boyle County* (10-1), 7 p.m., Thursday

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 8 Corbin at No. 1 Boyle County and No. 4 Highlands at No. 2 Johnson Central.

West: No. 14 North Oldham at No. 3 Franklin County and No. 7 Logan County at No. 5 Paducah Tilghman.

CLASS 3A

No. 16 Central (5-6) at No. 7 Lexington Catholic* (9-2), 7 p.m.

Stat stuffers: LexCath has 3A’s second-stingiest defense, led by district lineman of the year Mark Hosinski (62 tackles, six sacks) and Jack Wedding (67 tackles, two sacks). Both are juniors. Senior QB Brady Wasik (955 yards, 13 TDs passing; 751 yards, eight TDs rushing) leads an attack that doesn’t put up big numbers, but can hold serve. Central’s option run attack is led by senior Brian Marshall (628 yards, eight TDs rushing) and sophomore Damontre Cherry (509 yards, 6 TDs rushing). Senior safety Daivaughn Bell-Maxwell (58 tackles, seven sacks) keys the defense.

Last meeting: Back-to-back 3A playoff games in 2015 and 2016. Each team won one.

Common opponents: Central beat Bardstown 29-18 last week; Lexington Catholic shut out Bardstown 36-0 on Oct. 17. Both routed Western.

Bottom line: LexCath has allowed only 8.1 points per game this season and has a 17-7 win over Class 4A No. 1 Boyle County to its credit. Each year, Central’s brutal schedule, which often includes an array of top 10 teams from various classes, obscures how dangerous it can be. But LexCath has one of 3A’s best run defenses, and the Yellowjackets rarely put the ball in the air.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 9 Bourbon County* (9-1) at No. 11 Russell (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 15 DeSales (6-5) at No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville* (11-0), 7:30 p.m.
• No. 14 Hart County (9-2) at No. 3 Murray* (11-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 22 Henry County (5-6) at No. 2 Lloyd Memorial* (11-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 17 Knox Central (6-5) at No. 4 Bell County* (10-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 8 Rockcastle County (10-1) at No. 5 Lawrence County* (10-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 20 Union County (6-5) at No. 6 Glasgow* (11-0), 7 p.m.

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 9 Bourbon County at No. 2 Lloyd Memorial and No. 5 Lawrence County at No. 4 Bell County

West: No. 7 Lexington Catholic at No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville and No. 6 Glasgow at No. 3 Murray.

CLASS 2A

No. 8 Danville (9-2) at No. 6 Somerset* (10-1), 7 p.m.

Stat stuffers: Admirals freshman running back Jayvian Meaux (1,825 yards, 30 TDs rushing) tops 2A in rushing yards. Freshman QB Dillon Cruver (1,253 yards, 11 TDs passing) has senior Trinden Sellers (516 yards, four TDs receiving) as his top target. The Briar Jumpers counter with senior dual-threat QB Kris Hughes (1,684 yards, 32 TDs rushing, 949 yards, 10 TDs passing) and junior RB Corban Cimala (584 yards, eight TDs rushing). Senior defensive end Jakob Bartley (65 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks) is second in 2A in sacks.

Last meeting: Somerset beat Danville 42-10 in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Common opponents: Somerset pounded Green County and Washington County while Danville squeaked by Green County 20-18 last week and beat the Commanders 21-12 on Sept. 19.

Bottom line: Danville’s core of young players seems a year away from becoming serious contenders and will face its toughest test of the season against former Danville head coach Clay Clevenger’s Briar Jumpers.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 14 Bracken County (7-4) at No. 9 Breathitt County* (9-2), 7 p.m.
• No. 18 Crittenden County (8-3) at No. 1 Owensboro Catholic* (10-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 12 Hancock County (8-3) at No. 3 Mayfield* (9-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 15 Knott County Central (8-2) at No. 7 Prestonsburg* (11-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 11 Martin County (9-2) at No. 4 Belfry* (10-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 10 Monroe County (8-3) at No. 2 Lexington Christian* (8-3), 7 p.m.
• No. 31 Walton-Verona (5-6) at No. 5 Beechwood* (9-1), 7 p.m.

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 9 Breathitt County at No. 4 Belfry and No. 7 Prestonsburg at No. 5 Beechwood.

West: No. 6 Somerset at No. 1 Owensboro Catholic and No. 3 Mayfield at No. 2 Lexington Christian.

CLASS A

No. 12 Paris (6-4) at No. 7 Sayre* (9-2), 7 p.m.

Stat stuffers: The Greyhounds have juniors at all three skill positions with QB Guy Turner (1,048 yards, 13 TDs passing; 301 yards, 10 TDs rushing), RB RaZamadi Bell (840 yards, 12 TDs rushing) and WR Brandon Santiago (423 yards, nine TDs receiving). Spartans senior Caden Jones (666 yards, 8 TDs rushing, 223 yards, 4 TDs receiving) earned district player of the year honors. Junior QB Gage Pennington (1,434 yards, 17 TDs passing, 132 yards, 7 TDs rushing) has been solid. Brown commit John Luke Minner (34 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks) leads the defense.

Last meeting: The Spartans’ 41-20 win over Paris knocked the Greyhounds out at this same stage last year.

Common opponents: Paris escaped with a 36-21 win over Williamsburg on Aug. 29, while the Spartans had little trouble in a 41-16 win over the Yellow Jackets on Sept. 12. Newport beat Paris but lost to Sayre a week later. Both teams routed Fairview and Frankfort.

Bottom line: Paris will need to play mistake-free against last season’s defending Class A state champions. The Spartans have rebuilt with a defense almost as tough as last year’s and an offense that can get the job done against most teams.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

• No. 14 Bethlehem (5-6) at No. 3 Campbellsville* (9-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 16 Bishop Brossart (6-5) vs. No. 6 Newport Central Catholic* (7-4) at Covington Catholic, 7 p.m.
• No. 10 Hazard (5-6) at No. 5 Middlesboro* (10-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 13 Louisville Holy Cross (5-6) at No. 2 Kentucky Country Day* (9-1), 7 p.m.
• No. 11 Newport* (7-4) at No. 8 Covington Holy Cross (11-0), 7 p.m.
• No. 9 Nicholas County (9-2) at No. 1 Raceland* (9-1), 7:30 p.m.
• No. 15 Williamsburg (6-4) at No. 4 Pikeville* (8-3), 7 p.m.

@HLPREPS REGION FINALS PREDICTIONS

East: No. 7 Sayre at No. 1 Raceland and No. 5 Middlesboro at No. 4 Pikeville.

West: No. 6 Newport Central Catholic at No. 3 Campbellsville and No. 11 Newport at No. 2 Kentucky Country Day.

This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM.

Jared Peck

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-488-2883

Jared Peck, the Herald-Leader’s Digital Sports Writer, covers high school athletics and has been with the company as a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Support my work with a digital subscription