Who wins the Franklin Co.-Central rematch? Predictions for every Class 4A district
It’s district championship week in the UK Orthopaedics/KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl featuring some Kroger Field-worthy games in just the second round of the playoffs.
These are familiar foes, who, if they got in their regular-season game despite COVID-19, knew they could get a rematch and a chance to either redeem themselves or prove their dominance.
Regardless, the KHSAA starts handing out trophies this week and each week until the biggest trophy gets awarded in December.
Here’s a brief summary of the 4th District championship, plus a quick look at the rest of Friday’s Class 4A slate with predictions. All rankings are according to the final week KHSAA RPI which will be used to seed the next round.
Featured matchup
4TH DISTRICT
No. 7 Franklin County (6-1) at No. 4 Central (6-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting Central won 18-16 on Oct. 24.
Why Franklin County will win: Payback. The Flyers have to feel Central hasn’t taken their best shot in their last two games. With their exceptional quarterback Nick Broyles out in last year’s district finals and hurt toward the end of their regular-season matchup this year, Franklin County struggled to put up the offensive stats it’s capable of. Central had something to do with that, but when it’s all clicking, even Central’s vaunted defense has trouble handling Broyles, standout wide receiver Fred Farrier and the rest of the Flyers’ attack.
Why Central will win: Ball control. The Yellow Jackets like to ground and pound. In their win over Franklin County this season, one of Central’s scoring drives during the comeback from a 16-6 third-quarter deficit took 11 minutes off the clock. That’s an eternity in a game that only lasts 48. The withering drive accomplished two goals: It wore down the Flyers’ defense, and it kept Franklin County’s high-powered offense off the field. Malachi Williams rushed for 192 yards on 40 carries in that game. Anything approaching that on Friday will mean another district title for Central.
@HLpreps pick: Franklin County.
The rest of the field
1ST DISTRICT
No. 12 Hopkinsville (5-2) at No. 15 Logan County (5-3), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Host Logan County won 31-7 on Oct. 16.
@HLpreps pick: Logan County.
2ND DISTRICT
No. 29 Warren East (4-5) at No. 19 Allen County-Scottsville (4-3), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Host Allen County-Scottsville won 34-14 on Oct. 16.
@HLpreps pick: Allen County-Scottsville.
3RD DISTRICT
No. 21 Spencer County (5-3) at No. 14 John Hardin (4-2), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting John Hardin won 29-13 on Oct. 30.
@HLpreps pick: John Hardin.
5TH DISTRICT
No. 5 Lexington Catholic (5-2) at No. 1 Boyle County (7-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting Boyle County won 40-0 on Oct. 9.
@HLpreps pick: Boyle County.
6TH DISTRICT
No. 28 Boyd County (4-4) at No. 18 Rowan County (3-3), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Did not play due to COVID-19 cancellation.
@HLpreps pick: Rowan County.
7TH DISTRICT
No. 11 Knox Central (5-2) at No. 3 Corbin (7-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Host Corbin won 34-7 on Oct. 9.
@HLpreps pick: Corbin.
8TH DISTRICT
No. 6 Letcher County Central (6-1) at No. 2 Johnson Central (8-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Host Johnson Central won 62-0 on Oct. 23.
@HLpreps pick: Johnson Central.
Last year’s Class 4A district finals @HLpreps picks: 5-3.
This story was originally published November 26, 2020 at 9:41 AM.
