Rivalries dot the high school football schedule in Lexington this week

▪  Scott County (5-2) at Bryan Station (3-4), 7:30 p.m.: Both teams have scored 50 or more points in their last two games, but only the Cardinals won each of their contests. Scott County looks to be hitting its stride as the postseason looms. The Cardinals rate as one of Class 6A’s best defenses against the run, giving up just 95 yards per game. Station has made its living going airborne much of the season but had a lot of success on the ground last week.

▪  Paul Laurence Dunbar (2-5) at Henry Clay (1-5-1), 7:30 p.m.: In addition to district standing, city pride is on the line for the Bulldogs, who haven’t defeated a Lexington team since their 2014 season opener versus Tates Creek. Last year Dunbar held tough with a senior-stuffed Henry Clay group, and statistics suggest this season’s edition might have the slight upper hand over the Blue Devils. Depending on how the rhythm of the game develops, this might be the most entertaining matchup in Lexington on Friday night.

▪  Madison Central (6-1) at Lafayette (6-1), 7:30 p.m.: It’s likely few outside of those close to the teams had this circled as a must-see matchup coming into 2016; so much for preseason prognostics. Both teams are outscoring their opponents by double-digit averages and bring top-20 rushing attacks into the battle. Lafayette has to deal with the disheartening loss of Alex Simpson, a Division I lineman who tore his MCL and will miss the remainder of the Generals’ season.

▪  Boyle County (4-3) at Lexington Catholic (2-5), 7:30 p.m.: Their records don’t scream “contenders” but this rivalry seldom fails to produce quality games. This year ought to be no different. Both teams saw freshmen make a big difference last week. Quarterback Beau Allen busted out for the Knights, going 9-for-11 with three touchdowns at Western Hills; Rebels freshman Landen Bartleston had his first career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 12 carries for 122 yards and three touchdowns in Boyle’s win over Garrard County.

▪  Lexington Christian (7-0) at Somerset (4-3), 7:30 p.m.: The top offense in Class 2A takes its show on the road each of the next two weeks in big district battles. First up, the Briar Jumpers, who’ve had an up-and-down season. LCA has been a little more lenient against the run , so it should expect a healthy dose of Jordan Doan, a Somerset senior who’s already rushed for nearly 1,000 yards.

▪  Clark County (1-6) at Tates Creek (4-3), 7:30 p.m.: Creek couldn’t get home fast enough after Madison Central handed it a humbling smackdown last Thursday. An extra day of rest and a home crowd should help as it welcomes one of Class 6A’s struggling offenses to Lexington. The Cardinals ended a 14-game losing streak dating back to 2014 earlier this season, but have since dropped four straight. They’ve scored as many points — 28 — in those four losses as they did their last victory.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Rivalries dot the high school football schedule in Lexington this week."