A guide to Kentucky high school football’s best first-round playoff games
The first round of the Kentucky high school football playoffs is here with games kicking off Thursday, Friday and Saturday to determine who will advance to the 2023 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals in each of six football classes.
This week’s matchups are seeded between the “sister districts” with the eight district champions in each class matched up with the sister district’s fourth-place team and so on. Generally, sister districts are Districts 1 and 2, Districts 3 and 4, etc.
In Lexington, for example, Class A District 5 champion Sayre will take on District 6 fourth-place Fairview.
The brackets as they appear on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s website hold for the first and second round of the playoffs. After that, each field will be re-seeded according to the final RPI standings of the regular season (It’s complicated). More on that in another story. For now, just the first two weeks matter.
There will be a number of blowouts this week as there are every year. But there will be some close games, too — and maybe some we don’t expect.
Here are a few games in each class that could be special, plus a brief look at games involving Lexington teams. All times are local to the host site. All rankings listed are via the KHSAA’s RPI standings. Plus, we list each team’s Cantrall Rating (based on a 100-point scale) to offer some more information about how each team might compare.
Class 6A
No. 20 George Rogers Clark (4-6) at No. 11 Tates Creek (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Why it’s on our list: This is perhaps the closest matchup of a district champion and a fourth-place team in the state, according to Cantrall, and these two played a thriller last postseason.
Cantrall Ratings: Clark (66.3), Tates Creek (67.3).
Common opponents: Clark lost to Ballard 44-3, lost to Bryan Station 51-6, lost to Frederick Douglass 50-6 and beat Henry Clay 48-27; Tates Creek lost to Ballard 42-6, lost to Bryan Station 41-0, lost to Douglass 43-0 and beat Henry Clay 35-6.
Last meeting: Tates Creek beat Clark 20-19 in last season’s first-round game.
Standing out: Clark — Sam Clements (1,061 yards, 12 TDs passing; 414 yards, 4 TDs rushing), Bryce Chestnut (500 yards, 6 TDs rushing), Camahni John (315 yards, 3 TDs receiving), Hayden Heath (61 tackles, 1 sack); Tates Creek — Andrew Witherington (1,854 yards, 18 TDs passing; 370 yards, 10 TDs rushing), Marquevion Smith (630 yards, 5 TDs rushing), Luke Cooper (573 yards, 7 TDs receiving), Julian Logan (75.5 tackles. 1.5 sacks).
Another game to watch:
▪ No. 12 Fern Creek (6-4) at No. 10 Simon Kenton (5-4), 7 p.m. Friday. Simon Kenton outranks Fern Creek 78.2 to 64.9, according to Cantrall, making the hosts the favorite.
Other Lexington games:
▪ No. 22 Madison Central (3-7) at No. 29 Paul Laurence Dunbar (3-7), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Winner of this game probably gets Douglass next week.
▪ No. 30 Lafayette (2-8) at No. 6 Bryan Station (7-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday. Defenders’ only losses have come to top-10 teams.
▪ No. 32 Henry Clay (0-10) at No. 9 Frederick Douglass (5-4), 6:30 p.m. Friday. Broncos having subpar season by their standards, but will be a tough out for everyone.
Complete Class 6A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/bdnjj5bf
Class 5A
No. 18 Dixie Heights (4-6) at No. 13 Woodford County (6-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Why it’s on our list: Some of Dixie Heights’ losses have come against top-tier teams. Woodford could be in for a battle at home.
Cantrall Ratings: Dixie Heights (73.0), Woodford (77.6).
Common opponents: None.
Last meeting: None on record.*
Standing out: Dixie Heights — Armani Gregg (1,528 yards, 18 TDs passing; 711 yards, 12 TDs rushing), David Anderson (793 yards, 11 TDs rushing), Tyson Beach (378 yards 3 TDs receiving), Brach Rice (145 tackles, 13 sacks); Woodford — Justus Wertzler (798 yards, 8 TDs passing; 243 yards, 2 TDs rushing), Leland Taylor (457 yards, 5 TDs receiving; 326 yards, 4 TDs rushing), Graham Hodge (70.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Layton Starks (45.5 tackles, 8 sacks).
Others to watch:
▪ No. 5 Greenwood (7-3) at No. 11 Graves County (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday. The Gators outrank their hosts 73.0 to 61.9 according to Cantrall’s 100-point scale, but a road win could be tough.
▪ No. 25 Pulaski County (3-7) at No. 19 West Jessamine (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Thursday. This has not been a typical season for the Maroons. They could soothe some of that here.
Complete Class 5A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/bde3yk5r
Class 4A
No. 15 Boyd County (5-5) at No. 23 Mason County (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Why it’s on our list: First-round rematches of regular-season games have become rare under the new format. Can Mason avenge its Sept. 8 loss?
Cantrall Ratings: Boyd (57.3), Mason (56.6).
Common opponents: Boyd beat Lawrence County 22-14 and Rowan County 44-18; Mason lost to Lawrence County 20-14 and beat Rowan County 27-0.
Last meeting: Visiting Boyd defeated Mason 45-21 on Sept. 8.
Standing out: Boyd — Rhett Holbrook (1,707 yards, 18 TDs passing; 609 yards, 9 TDs rushing, Camaron Collins (504 yards, 6 TDs rushing), Cole Hicks (584 yards, 8 TDs receiving), Dakota Thompson (333 yards rushing 7 TDs, 63 tackles); Mason — Keshaun Thomas (1,555 yards, 14 TDs passing; 203 yards, 8 TDs rushing), Landon Scilley (710 yards, 11 TDs receiving), Trey Walker (319 yards, 3 TDs rushing), Bryce Moran (5 interceptions, 38 tackles).
Other games to watch:
▪ No. 9 Henry County (7-3) at No. 11 DeSales (8-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Henry County outranks DeSales per Cantrall by a factor of 58.0 to 45.8 making the Wildcats a rare road favorite.
▪ No. 20 Allen County-Scottsville (5-5) at No. 21 Bardstown (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Allen County on a three-game win streak since loss to Tigers on Sept. 29; Bardstown has won four straight.
Full Class 4A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/5n7cbvb7
Class 3A
No. 8 Glasgow (8-2) at No. 10 McLean County (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday
Why it’s on our list: McLean is a home underdog according to both Cantrall and the RPI standings. Both have impressive wins.
Cantrall Ratings: Glasgow (63.0), McLean (45.8).
Common opponents: None.
Last meeting: None on record.*
Standing out: Glasgow — Easton Jessie (1,786 yards, 17 TDs passing; 410 yards, 5 TDs rushing), Rico Crowder (621 yards, 8 TDs receiving), Cameron Bulle (369 yards, 5 TDs rushing) Mason Arms (233 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 70 tackles, 5 sacks); McLean — Brodie Cline (615 yards, 4 TDs passing; 735 yards, 11 TDs rushing), Elijah Baldwin (802 yards, 13 TDs rushing; 114 tackles, 5 sacks), Aden Bolden (747 yards, 8 TDs rushing; 239 yards, 3 TDs receiving).
Another to watch:
▪ No. 25 Elizabethtown (3-7) at No. 26 Garrard County (3-7), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Both are better than their records suggest, but especially the visiting Panthers.
Lexington game:
▪ No. 31 West Carter (4-6) at No. 9 Lexington Catholic (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Comets are on a two-game win streak, but the Knights are playing on another level.
Full Class 3A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/3ek74c3n
Class 2A
No. 17 Leslie County (6-4) at No. 9 Carroll County (6-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Why it’s on our list: Both teams have played well this season but suffer in comparison to their respective district champions (Somerset for Leslie and Beechwood for Carroll). Cantrall has this a lot closer than the RPI suggests.
Cantrall Ratings: Leslie (33.4), Carroll (33.6).
Common opponents: None.
Last meeting: None on record.*
Standing out: Leslie — Landry Collett (1,585 yards, 15 TDs passing; 274 yards, 9 TDs rushing), Dalton Maggard (973 yards, 9 TDs rushing), Dalton Baker (470 yards, 6 TDs receiving), Rylan Simpson (456 yards, 5 TDs receiving), Bryce Pugh (134 tackles); Carroll — Parker Mumphrey (1,514 yards, 10 TDs passing; 330 yards, 7 TDs rushing), Zayn Satchwell (641 yards, 8 TDs rushing), Malachi Embers (821 yards, 7 TDs receiving), Bryson Chadwell (92 tackles, 11 sacks).
Other games to watch:
▪ No. 21 Pike County Central (5-5) at No. 20 Martin County (5-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday. One of the closest first-round matchups in the state regardless of class, according to the RPI standings.
▪ No. 27 Metcalfe County (2-8) at No. 12 Washington County (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday. A rematch of last year’s first-round game, which the Hornets won 58-21.
Lexington game:
▪ No. 28 Clinton County (4-6) at No. 3 Lexington Christian (9-1), 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Eagles should roll and host at least one more playoff game.
Full Class 2A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/yea4mdbr
Class A
No. 18 Nicholas County (4-6) at No. 23 Frankfort (3-7), 7:30 p.m. Friday
Why it’s on our list: Both have shown competitive flashes this season and both RPI and Cantrall indicate this could be close.
Cantrall Ratings: Nicholas (20.3), Frankfort (21.5).
Common opponents: Paris defeated Nicholas 40-6 and Frankfort 50-0; Sayre beat Nicholas 47-2 and Frankfort 45-6
Last meeting: Nicholas beat Frankfort 42-28 last season.
Standing out: Nicholas — Alex Koeder (894 yards, 8 TDs rushing), Oscar Saucedo (646 yards, 9 TDs passing; 130 yards, 3 TDs rushing), Gray Colby (373 yards 4 TDs rushing; 253 yards, 2 TDs receiving), Blake Preston (318 yards, 6 TDs receiving); Frankfort — Zavian Knuckles (355 yards, 4 TDs passing; 460 yards, 4 TDs rushing), Dakyo Washington (571 yards, 7 TDs rushing, 149 yards, 3 TDs receiving), Jonathan Smith (272 yards, 4 TDs passing; 158 yards, 3 TDs rushing), Kamarion Carter, 193 yards, 2 TDs receiving).
Another game to watch:
▪ No. 21 Hazard (1-9) at No. 17 Williamsburg (5-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Hazard tougher than record indicates.
Lexington game:
▪ No. 27 Fairview (2-8) at No. 5 Sayre (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday. Spartans outrate Fairview 49.8 to 5.5, according to Cantrall. That’s a huge mismatch on paper.
Full Class A bracket online: https://tinyurl.com/4ejww7n3
* Teams have not faced each other at least since the KHSAA began keeping online records in 2000.
‘No easy paths.’ Lexington football teams’ routes to Kroger Field have some bumps.
Kentucky football coaches name district players, coaches of the year for 2023
High school football: Dave Cantrall’s top 25 teams ahead of the postseason (Oct. 29)
Who’s No. 1 in the last Kentucky high school football media rankings of 2023?
