Meet the Semifinalists: KSHAA Football Playoffs — Presented by Kroger

We’re less than one week away from finding out the matchups for the KHSAA State Championship games on Dec. 3-4 at Kroger Field. Before we look ahead though, the semifinals are right in front of us. Here are some facts and statistics you should know about each team ahead of this Friday’s playoff action:

1A

Raceland (12-1) at. No. 14 Pikeville

Pikeville’s two losses have come against teams that are still alive in the playoffs—No. 2 LCA and No. 20 Madison Central. Raceland is currently on an 11-game winning streak.

Bethlehem (11-2) at No. 23 Russellville (11-1)

Russellville is ranked No. 1 in 1A’s RPI category with a .750 while Bethlehem has outscored their opponents 149-16 through their three-game playoff run. The Eagles have scored at least 44 points in each of the three games.

2A

No. 25 Middlesboro (13-0) at No. 2 LCA (13-0)

This is the only playoff matchup that features two undefeated teams. There are only five undefeated teams throughout KHSAA.

LCA has defeated five ranked opponents this season with wins over four teams that are still alive in the playoffs (Madison Central, Boyle County, Belfry and Pikeville).

Middlesboro has benefitted from three COVID-19 cancellation victories this season en route to their 13-0 record.

No. 16 Mayfield (12-1) at No. 7 Beechwood (13-0)

Mayfield’s single blemish came at the hands of Murray 25-21 during the regular season, but made up for it in the second round of the playoffs in a 55-6 routing over the Tigers.

Beechwood’s superstar quarterback Cam Hergott, who is the reigning Co-Mr. Kentucky Football and an EKU commit, has amassed 3,740 all-purpose yards and 56 total touchdowns on the season.

3A

Paducah Tilghman (7-6) at No. 15 Glasgow (12-1)

Paducah Tilghman began the season 1-4 and had to defeat two different one-loss teams throughout their playoff run, including 3A’s top dog in Christian Academy of Louisville last week, 41-34.

Glasgow is the highest-ranked team remaining in the 3A RPI with a .700. They’ve also won 12-straight games, as they lost to the undefeated Woodford County Yellow Jackets 56-0 in the season opener.

Belfry (7-6) at East Carter (11-3)

Starting the season 0-5, the Belfry Pirates have clawed their way back into title contention, winning six of their last seven. Their only loss has come at the hands of No. 5 Johnson Central, 48-22.

East Carter is 9-1 in their last 10 games and is led by star running back Charlie Terry, who has 189 carries for 1,558 yards and 28 touchdowns.

4A

No. 21 Franklin County (10-3) at No. 5 Johnson Central (11-2)

Johnson Central is one of the most run-heavy teams still alive in the playoffs. They’ve rushed for 3,907 yards on the season and 58 touchdowns while throwing for just 306 and four scores.

Franklin County’s three losses came in a row at the hands of No. 8 Woodford County, No. 12 Corbin and Ballard. They’re currently on a seven-game win streak.

Corbin defeated the Flyers 27-7 early this season and was undefeated until Johnson Central knocked them off in the quarterfinals of the playoffs last Friday, 34-13.

Logan County (10-4) at No. 3 Boyle County (12-1)

Boyle County’s only loss of the season came on a late fourth-quarter touchdown against No. 2 LCA, where they gave up 465 rushing yards—the most they’ve given up all season. The loss was also their first regular-season loss since August of 2017.

Logan County is led by running back Ryan Rayno, who has 150 rushes for 1,171 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

5A

No. 6 South Warren (12-1) at No. 8 Woodford County (13-0)

Both 5A semifinal games play host to two top-10 matchups.

With a victory, Woodford County would make their first state championship since 1978. The Yellow Jackets have never won a title, which would make a potential undefeated season that much more special.

South Warren is undefeated in games against KHSAA opponents. Their one loss came against Henderson (TN) 27-20 in week two of the regular season.

No. 10 Owensboro (12-1) at No. 9 Frederick Douglass (12-1)

This is a rematch of the 2020 5A semifinals, where a Gavin Wimsatt-led Owensboro team defeated the Broncos 28-27 in a thriller.

Despite Frederick Douglass compiling a 54-8 record over their short five-season existence, the Broncos have never won a state championship and have only made it past the semifinals on one occasion, losing to Covington Catholic in 2019.

Owensboro is undefeated (10-0) after losing star quarterback Gavin Wimsatt to Rutgers after three games this season. The Red Devils have also outscored their playoff competition 141-19 during their postseason run.

6A

No. 11 Trinity (6-7) at No. 1 Male (12-0)

Trinity is the only team that is still alive in the playoffs with a record under .500.

Male defeats the opposition by an average score of 42-7 and have outscored their last four opponents 168-8.

No. 20 Madison Central (10-3) at No. 4 St. Xavier (12-1)

Madison Central is in their first semifinal since 2018. In 2019-20, the Indians went 2-18 and only won one game in each season. In their first year under Mike Holcomb, they’re one win away from playing at Kroger Field.

The only loss on St. Xavier’s record came against No. 1 Male in week three’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week. Despite being down six starters on defense, they only lost by one score, 28-21.

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