Who wins the Oldham Co.-Bryan Station rematch? Predictions for every Class 6A 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 8th District championship, plus a quick look at the rest of Friday’s Class 6A slate with predictions. All rankings are according to the final week KHSAA RPI which will be used to seed the next round.
Featured matchup
8TH DISTRICT
No. 15 Oldham County (5-3) at No. 3 Bryan Station (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting Bryan Station won 25-20.
Why Oldham County will win: Been there, done that. Last season the Colonels took a close regular-season loss at home to district rival Clark County and managed to turn that result around to win the district title by two touchdowns on the road. Quarterback Sam Young led that group and is back for an attempt to repeat the feat against Bryan Station. Young and the Colonels had success against the Defenders in their first game, capitalizing on three turnovers and doing damage in the air attack with 212 yards and two TDs. Young also scored on a run.
Why Bryan Station will win: Wake-up calls. The Defenders have nearly been shaken out of their dream season twice this year, most recently their 14-13 escape last week against Madison Central that could have been sent to overtime late with an Indians’ made extra point. But the first wake-up call came against Oldham County in the regular season. Bryan Station had that game seemingly under control 19-7 late and the third quarter but saw the Colonels rally to go in front midway through the fourth, thanks to a Station turnover and some clutch play from the Colonels. Steady dual-threat quarterback Mikaleb Coffey led a drive to put Station back in front for good. The Defenders controlled enough of that game to believe they can do it again if they avoid mistakes.
@HLpreps pick: Bryan Station.
The rest of the field
1ST DISTRICT
No. 7 McCracken County (5-2) at No. 4 Henderson County (7-1). Canceled due to Henderson COVID-19 issue, McCracken advances.
2ND DISTRICT
No. 16 Meade County (4-5) at No. 2 North Hardin (8-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting North Hardin won 37-0 on Oct. 2.
@HLpreps pick: North Hardin.
3RD DISTRICT
No. 10 St. Xavier (4-2) at No. 9 Manual (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Did not play due to COVID-19 cancellation.
@HLpreps pick: St. Xavier.
4TH DISTRICT
No. 17 Bullitt East (4-5) at No. 5 Male (5-1), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting Male won 49-0 on Oct. 24.
@HLpreps pick: Male.
5TH DISTRICT
No. 29 Eastern (0-5) at No. 1 Trinity (6-0), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Visiting Trinity won 48-3 on Oct. 24.
@HLpreps pick: Trinity.
6TH DISTRICT
No. 12 Dixie Heights (5-3) at No. 8 Ryle (6-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Last time: Host Ryle won 44-14 on Oct. 16.
@HLpreps pick: Ryle.
7TH DISTRICT
No. 19 Henry Clay (2-3) at No. 6 Paul Laurence Dunbar (5-2), 7 p.m. Friday.
Last time: Host Dunbar won 20-0 on Oct. 16.
@HLpreps pick: Dunbar.
Last year’s Class 6A district finals @HLpreps picks: 6-2.
