Predictions for every Kentucky high school football region championship game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Regional finals kick off Friday; winners advance to their respective state semifinals.
- High stakes rematches include Woodford vs Scott County and Boyle vs Covington Catholic.
- Top seeds including Raceland, Owensboro Catholic, Pulaski County and South Warren favored.
The best week of Kentucky high school football has arrived.
It’s the regional championship round of the UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals, with competing teams two wins away from a trip to Kroger Field.
This is the round where strength meets strength, speed meets speed and heart wins the day.
In Lexington, Class 6A No. 5 Frederick Douglass hosts No. 6 Ryle, last season’s state runner-up, while Class 2A No. 2 Lexington Christian welcomes No. 3 Mayfield, a 13-time state champion that has ended the Eagles’ playoff dreams two of the past three seasons.
The other Lexington team in action, Class 3A No. 7 Lexington Catholic, travels across the state to face undefeated No. 3 Murray.
In Danville, Class 4A No. 1 Boyle County has the chance to avenge its upset at the hands of No. 9 Covington Catholic last season. The Colonels shocked the state in Title Town at this same stage last year when a Boyle fumble at the goal line in the final seconds helped give CovCath a 31-28 victory and ripped away the Rebels’ hopes of a fifth straight state crown.
All could be thrillers, but the matchup in Versailles between Class 5A No. 5 Scott County and No. 3 Woodford County has already delivered a game for the ages this season.
On Oct. 17, the Yellow Jackets’ defense stuffed Scott County on three straight plays at the goal line as time ran out in a 57-50 Woodford win that featured more than 1,000 yards of offense.
That victory marked Woodford’s second in a row over the Cardinals with a district title on the line. Woodford coach Dennis Johnson knows it will be difficult to keep that win streak alive for the region trophy.
“We’ve got to be able to force some turnovers. That will be huge for us, I think,” Johnson said. “The challenge to our guys is to just be better. Defensively, we’ve got to get some stops.”
Scott County torched Cooper with more than 600 total yards in its 55-34 road victory last week. That included more than 300 yards passing and four touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Charlie Ellison, a remarkable stat for an offense that usually does its damage via the run game thanks to its impossible-to-predict wing-T option offense.
While Scott County junior Timmy Emongo (950 yards, 16 touchdowns rushing) has drawn college offers including Kentucky and Louisville, his backfield mate and fellow junior Skyler Way (1,184 yards, nine TDs rushing) can also light it up. And Scott County has more than 1,000 yards rushing and 25 TDs from the rest of its rotation.
But Woodford is no slouch offensively, either. Junior playmakers Foxx Coons (3,058 yards, 37 TDs passing), Darrian Tomlin (1,278 yards, 18 TDs rushing) and Omari Jointer (829 yards, 14 TDs receiving) lead the way.
“It should be a great high school football game on Friday,” Johnson said.
Below is a glance at this week’s region championships by class. All games are Friday with times local to the host site.
My @HLpreps picks are denoted by an asterisk (*). Last week, I correctly picked 41 out of 48 games.
Class 6A’s region championships
No. 6 Ryle (9-3) at No. 5 Frederick Douglass* (8-4), 7:30 p.m.: The Broncos have found their offensive rhythm with running back Dakari Talbert (1,204 yards, 15 TDs rushing) leading the charge. The Raiders have Indiana commit Jacob Savage (1,201 yards, 24 TDs rushing, 107 tackles), who is a rare two-way standout in Class 6A.
No. 7 Madison Central (8-4) at No. 4 Trinity* (10-2) 7 p.m.: The 29-time state champion Shamrocks typically chew up and spit out county teams at this stage. Madison Central’s 42-6 loss to St. Xavier at the end of the regular season offers little hope for the Indians. Trinity beat St. X 35-24 on Sept. 26.
No. 8 Male (8-4) at No. 3 St. Xavier* (9-3) 7 p.m.: The Tigers handed Male a 38-7 loss on Aug. 29. But the Bulldogs somehow turned a 52-13 Oct. 31 loss to Manual into a 15-14 upset of the Crimsons two weeks later. Is another lightning strike possible? Yes. Is it likely? No.
No. 23 Henderson County (6-6) at No. 1 South Warren* (11-0) 7 p.m.: The Spartans joined Class 6A this season and have dominated with the division’s highest-scoring offense (43.8 points per game).
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 5 Frederick Douglass at No. 1 South Warren and No. 4 Trinity at No. 3 St. Xavier.
Class 5A’s region championships
No. 5 Scott County (9-3) at No. 3 Woodford County* (11-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Cardinals ranked as 5A’s No. 1 team by the media for most of the season until their loss to Woodford on Oct. 17. The Yellow Jackets took over the poll’s top spot from there.
No. 11 West Jessamine (9-3) at No. 1 Pulaski County* (10-2) 7 p.m.: The Colts have a balanced offense led by QB Cooper Swaim (2,498 yards, 28 TDs pass) and RB Bragdon Welch (1,319 yards, 16 TDs rushing), but Pulaski will be their toughest opponent yet.
No. 17 Fairdale (8-4) at No. 2 Owensboro* (10-2) 7 p.m.: The Red Devils, led by DaMarcus Ganaway (2,246 yards, 31 TDs passing, 238 yards, 5 TDs rushing) and Vanderbilt commit Evan Hampton (1,335 yards, 20 TDs rushing) have run over 5A since going 0-2 with losses to St. X and Christian Academy-Louisville.
No. 13 Bowling Green* (6-6) vs. No. 6 Atherton (11-1) at Waggener High School, 7:30 p.m.: The two-time defending 5A champion Purples remain one of the division’s most dangerous teams despite their record. Atherton lost to Bowling Green 44-20 at this same stage last year. Vengeance here would prove the Ravens are a contender.
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 13 Bowling Green at No. 1 Pulaski County and No. 3 Woodford County at No. 2 Owensboro.
Class 4A’s region championships
No. 9 Covington Catholic (8-3) (9-3) at No. 1 Boyle County* (11-1), 7:30 p.m.: Led by dual-threat senior quarterback Cash Harney (1,861 yards, 14 TDs passing, 927 yards, 12 TDs rushing) the Colonels played Highlands tough in a 31-28 loss on Oct. 3 and beat No. 2 Johnson Central 36-29 on the road last week. Boyle edged Highlands 21-20 on Sept. 12. Like last year, this one could come down to the last play.
No. 14 North Oldham (10-2) at No. 3 Franklin County* (12-0), 7:30 p.m.: Flyers sophomore quarterback Knox Barrett (2,785 yards, 35 TDs passing) has multiple weapons led by senior wideouts Jacob Taylor (887 yards, 10 TDs) and Delano Collins (799 yards, 11 TDs). North Oldham QB Colin Daniels (2,640 yards, 42 TDs passing) is 6-foot-5 and tough to bring down and has a 1,000-yard rusher with junior Ronin Renton.
No. 8 Corbin (9-3) at No. 4 Highlands* (10-2) 7 p.m.: The Bluebirds’ tandem of Rio Litmer (1,998 yards, 21 TDs passing) and Tayden Lorenzen (451 yards, 18 TDs rushing) have proved difficult to stop in close games. Corbin junior QB Mason Salmons (2,259 yards, 28 TDs passing) and senior RB Cole Stevens (856 yards, 13 TDs rushing) lead the Redhounds.
No. 7 Logan County (10-2) at No. 5 Paducah Tilghman* (11-1) 7 p.m.: The Blue Tornado edged district rival Logan County 35-27 on Oct. 3 in part by winning the turnover battle 3-2. In that game, Tilghman held Cougars running back Christian Helle (1,386 yards, 21 TDs rushing) to 21 yards in that game.
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 5 Paducah Tilghman at No. 1 Boyle County and No. 4 Highlands at No. 3 Franklin County.
Class 3A’s region championships
No. 7 Lexington Catholic* (10-2) at No. 3 Murray (12-0) 7 p.m.: Murray has a balanced attack, led by senior QB Wyatt Robbins (2,905 yards, 34 TDs passing) with running back Amarion Bomar (823 yards, 13 TDs rushing) and wideout Isaiah Martin (1,106 yards, 18 TDs) his top weapons. LexCath counters with one of 3A’s toughest defenses.
No. 11 Russell (10-2) at No. 2 Lloyd Memorial* (12-0) 7 p.m.: The Juggernauts’ offense with senior QB Kaleb Evans (2,009 yards, 32 TDs passing) has been more explosive than Russell’s. Lloyd lost 21-20 at Russell in the second round last season.
No. 5 Lawrence County (8-4) at No. 4 Bell County* (11-2), 7:30 p.m.: The Bulldogs’ 32-26 win over Rockcastle County last week was a struggle. Bell beat those same Rockets 39-6 on Oct. 3 and won this matchup 44-12 last year in the second round.
No. 20 Union County (7-5) at No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville* (12-0), 7:30 p.m.: The Braves are no threat to CAL’s march to Kroger Field glory. It’s not likely anyone will be.
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 7 Lexington Catholic at No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville and No. 4 Bell County at No. 2 Lloyd Memorial.
Class 2A’s region championships
No. 3 Mayfield (10-1) at No. 2 Lexington Christian* (9-3) 7 p.m.: Sophomore QB Nash Whelan (1,970 yards, 23 TDs passing, 736 yards, 12 TDs rushing) has district player of the year Tyler King (745 yards, 11 TDs receiving) at wideout. The Cardinals are a little more pass heavy with senior QB Gray Robbins (1,774 yards, 22 TDs passing) dealing to a stable of receivers led by Malik Kirby (530 yards 8 TDs receiving).
No. 9 Breathitt County (10-2) at No. 4 Belfry* (11-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Pirates have won this matchup in a blowout each of the past two seasons.
No. 7 Prestonsburg (12-0) at No. 5 Beechwood* (10-1) 7 p.m.: The Blackcats have not faced anyone near the level of Beechwood, the defending state champs and the media poll No. 1 in 2A all season.
No. 6 Somerset (11-1) at No. 1 Owensboro Catholic* (11-1) 7 p.m.: The Briar Jumpers make their third consecutive postseason trip to Owensboro and will hope for a different result. The Aces still have a dynamic quarterback in junior Dre’Mail Carothers (3,203 yards, 43 TDs passing).
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 4 Belfry at No. 2 Lexington Christian and No. 5 Beechwood at No. 1 Owensboro Catholic.
Class A’s region championships
No. 12 Paris (7-4) at No. 1 Raceland* (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: The Greyhounds pulled off the upset of the postseason last week in taking out defending champion Sayre. A win this week would be a bigger shock. Paris hasn’t beaten Raceland since 2001 and lost 55-7 there Oct. 17.
No. 5 Middlesboro (11-0) at No. 4 Pikeville* (9-3), 7:30 p.m.: The Yellowjackets defeated Williamsburg 22-14 and Hazard 44-36 this season while Pikeville took out those common opponents 56-18 and 24-6, respectively. Edge to the Panthers.
No. 6 Newport Central Catholic (8-4) at No. 3 Campbellsville* (10-1) 7 p.m.: The Thoroughbreds have been knocked out of the past two postseasons in narrow defeats to the Eagles. Stopping senior QB Kace Eastridge (1,636 yards, 13 TDs passing, 867 yards, 17 TDs rushing) will be a must for NCC.
No. 11 Newport (8-4) at No. 2 Kentucky Country Day* (10-1), 7:30 p.m.: Newport nearly upset KCD in a 14-12 second-round loss last year. This season’s task might prove more difficult as the Bearcats are much more dangerous offensively with running back tandem Tyler Wilson (826 yards, 14 TDs rushing) and Parker Rudolph (816 yards, 12 TDs).
Next week’s final four forecast: No. 4 Pikeville at No. 1 Raceland and No. 3 Campbellsville at No. 2 Kentucky Country Day.
