KHSAA Quarterfinal Recap — Presented by Kroger

KHSAA’s Regional Championships were decided Friday night throughout the Commonwealth. Before we move onto the semifinals, here’s how some of the teams got there:

No. 7 Johnson Central (11-2) def. No. 6 Corbin (12-1) 34-13

Corbin’s perfect season is over. Jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first half, this game was controlled by Johnson Central from the opening kick.

“Getting off to a great start is very important. We won the toss and we got the ball, and then we scored,” JCHS head coach Steve Trimble said. “We wanted to control the ball, and the longer we kept the ball away from them, the less time they had to score. I thought our defense did great. We might have bent but we never did break. We were very fortunate to win this game.”

On the night, Johnson Central ran for 496 yards on the Redhounds’ own turf. Trimble noted that the late Jim Matney would’ve been proud of the performance this deep in the playoffs like the one his team had Friday night.

Corbin would end up scoring just 13 points, the lowest scoring total of the season for the previously undefeated Redhounds.

“We couldn’t stop them. Sometimes you just got to tip your hat to someone that’s better than you. They were better than us. They whipped us up front pretty good,” Corbin coach Tom Greer said.

Johnson Central moves on to KHSAA’s 4A semifinal against Franklin County, a team who’s eying for a second-straight trip to Kroger Field with a win this week.

Paducah Tilghman (7-6) def. No. 11 Christian Academy-Louisville (11-2) 41-34

While three undefeated seasons came to an end last Friday, the biggest upset came when .500 Paducah Tilghman took down 3A’s favorite to win the KHSAA State Championship in CAL, 41-34 in Louisville.

Blue Tornado quarterback James Jack had a field day with CAL’s defense, throwing 14-25 for 312 yards and three touchdowns. The scoring receptions were hauled in by Brian Thomas, Camdon Marshall and Joemari Starks.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been able to get past this week,” First-year Paducah Tilghman coach Sean Thompson said. “The first time I’ll get to practice on Thanksgiving and keep them together for a family holiday. That’s what you’re trying to build is a family, and we’re coming together.”

With the victory, they’ll head to Glasgow to take on the one-loss Scotties with a chance to play for KHSAA’s Class 3A title on the line.

“Why not us?” Thomas said. “Why not—why can’t we make the third round of the playoffs? Why can’t we make a big play every time we get the ball? We got to execute.”

No. 23 Glasgow (12-1) def. No. 24 Bardstown (12-1) 48-42

Staying with 3A for a moment, Glasgow went to Bardstown and ended the undefeated season that the Tigers had going with just three games to go until perfection.

At first, it seemed as though Bardstown was going to run away with the game, amassing a 28-6 in the first quarter, but proceeded to get out-scrapped 42-14 over the final three periods, including a 34-0 scoring run that saw Glasgow take their first lead 32-28 with four minutes remaining in the third.

The Scotties would gain 349 yards on the ground, led by Keiran Stockton’s 29 carries for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

With their season on the line, Bardstown quarterback Brady Clark found his favorite target in TJ Greenwell for a nine-yard touchdown with just under four minutes remaining in the game to bring it to within six points.

The ensuing onside kick attempt was unsuccessful and the Scotties ran out the clock, ensuring a KHSAA Class 3A semifinal berth. Glasgow will take on Paducah Tilghman this Friday with a shot at the state title game on the line.

Raceland (12-1) def. Bishop Brossart (12-1) 48-7

Yet another undefeated season came to an end Friday night, this time in dominating fashion.

Bishop Brossart had a rather easy schedule this season, and had their toughest matchup came against Raceland last Friday, losing 48-7 on their home turf.

Raceland running back Jules Farrow had one of the best performances of the season for the Rams with 13 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Noah Wallace scored two touchdowns Friday night as well.

“I thought Jules was phenomenal tonight,” Rams head coach Michael Salmons said. “He was disappointed that he couldn’t go last week. Noah had to shoulder the load. It was another part of the game plan to get Jules involved early and get him some momentum. Those guys really root for each other and they are team-first guys. They complement each other well.”

Raceland will head to Pikeville to take on the KHSAA Class 1A favorites in the Panthers, who are coming off a 50-21 victory over Williamsburg. With such a daunting task ahead of them, Kroger Field should be the least of their worries heading into Friday.

“It feels pretty good,” Farrow said. “I’ve never played in the state semifinals. It’s all new to me. We just have to keep pounding if we want to play for a state championship.”

Other KHSAA Final Scores:

KHSAA 1A

No. 16 Pikeville (12-2) def. Williamsburg (8-4) 50-21

Bethlehem (11-2) def. Kentucky Country Day (10-3) 49-10

Russellville (11-1) def. Newport Catholic Central (9-4) 21-0

KHSAA 2A

No. 8 Beechwood (13-0) def. Walton-Verona (9-4) 50-6

No. 2 LCA (13-0) def. Owensboro Catholic (7-6) 49-21

No. 20 Mayfield (12-1) def. Green County (11-2) 41-20

Middlesboro (13-0) def. West Carter (9-4) 33-6

KHSAA 3A

Belfry (7-6) at Bell County (10-3) 41-20

East Carter (11-3) def. Mason County (9-4) 38-10

KHSAA 4A

No. 3 Boyle County (13-1) def. Scott (8-5) 51-14

No. 25 Franklin County (10-3) def. Allen County-Scottsville (8-5) 49-12

Logan County (10-4) def. Spencer County (9-4) 52-12

KHSAA 5A

No. 10 Frederick Douglass (12-1) def. No. 17 Southwestern (11-2) 37-6

No. 6 South Warren (12-1) def. South Oldham (9-4) 47-13

No. 12 Owensboro (12-1) def. Bullitt Central (9-4) 56-12

No. 9 Woodford County (13-0) def. No. 19 Covington Catholic (9-4) 28-14

KHSAA 6A

No. 1 Male (12-0) def. North Hardin (5-8) 46-0

No. 4 St. Xavier (12-1) def. No. 15 Daviess County (11-2) 42-6

No. 13 Trinity (6-7) def. No. 22 Ryle (9-4) 38-18

No. 21 Madison Central (10-3) def. Dunbar (7-6) 43-7

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