Here are The Courier-Journal’s preseason girls basketball season previews and rankings:

STATEWIDE RANKINGS

Coaches pick top 25 teams in state

Coaches pick top 25 players in state

Coaches pick top 10 teams/players in all 16 regions

SIXTH REGION

No. 1 Butler looks for state-title repeat

21^st District previews (Beth Haven, Fairdale, Holy Cross, PRP, Valley)

22^nd District previews (Butler, Doss, Iroquois, Western)

23^rd District previews (Bullitt Central, Moore, North Bullitt, Southern)

24^th District previews (Bullitt East, Fern Creek, Jeffersontown, Mercy, Whitefield Academy)

SEVENTH REGION

Sacred Heart leads crowded field

25^th District previews (Central, Manual, Portland Christian, Presentation, St. Francis, Shawnee)

26^th District previews (Assumption, Brown, Collegiate, Male)

27^th District previews (Atherton, Sacred Heart, Seneca, Waggener)

28^th District previews (Ballard, Christian Academy, Eastern, Kentucky Country Day)

Q&A with Eastern senior guard Natalie Collins

EIGHTH REGION

Previews of Collins, North Oldham, Oldham County, Shelby County, South Oldham, Spencer County

In the preseason Eastern girls’ basketball coach Josh Leslie touted his team’s shooting ability, saying this season’s squad could be the best he’s had in that regard.

Running back Roderick Thomas scores a touchdown during Trinity’s 45-7 victory at Lafayette on Sept. 2. The teams will meet again in Saturday’s Class 6-A state championship game. Photo by Mike Weaver, Special to The Courier-Journal

With the Kentucky state football finals set for Bowling Green this weekend, several storylines surround the six games.

No. 1-ranked Trinity will face No. 10 Lafayette in the Class 6-A final, with the Shamrocks gunning for their 24^th overall state title. That would break a tie with Highlands for the most in state history.

Along with Trinity, Bowling Green (5-A) and Franklin-Simpson (4-A) will try to complete undefeated seasons.

And three teams – Lafayette, Johnson Central (4-A) and Christian Academy (2-A) – will be trying to pick up the first state titles in program history.

Here’s a look at the big question surrounding all six state finals:

* Class 6-A: Can Lafayette make it a game against Trinity?

There’s no doubt Lafayette has plenty of talent, with senior quarterback Walker Wood heading to the University of Kentucky and senior offensive lineman Jedrick Wills being committed to Alabama.

But the Generals have not fared well against Louisville’s powerhouse programs over the past two seasons. Last year they lost to Trinity 70-14 during the regular season and to Male 41-14 in the state championship game. Earlier this season Trinity handed Lafayette its only loss, 45-7.

Meanwhile, Trinity is ranked No. 17 in the nation in the USA TODAY Super 25 and features a stingy defense that is allowing just nine points per game.

The Shamrocks also will be shooting for the 600^th victory in program history. Their current all-time record is 599-160-7. According to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association record book, Trinity would become the 17^th program in state history to reach 600 victories.

* Class 5-A: Can Pulaski County get over the hump against Bowling Green?

The teams have met each of the last three seasons, with the Purples winning 49-14 in the 2013 state final, 23-7 in the 2014 regular-season finale and 21-7 in last year’s state final.

Pulaski County has struggled offensively in those three previous meetings and on Sunday will face a Bowling Green defense that is allowing just 10.4 points per game.

This will be the final high school game for Pulaski County wide receiver Jake Johnson, who has a state-record 129 catches this season for 1,613 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ranks No. 1 in state history in career receptions (404) and career receiving yards (5,526).

* Class 4-A: Is Johnson Central better-equipped to win a state title this year?

The Golden Eagles entered last year’s state final with a 12-1 record and laid an egg, falling 36-6 to South Warren. This year Johnson Central is 13-1 and ranked No. 5 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings entering Sunday’s final against No. 19 Franklin-Simpson.

Johnson Central averages 323.6 rushing yards per game and is led by sophomore Joe Jackson (2,049 yards, 31 touchdowns).

But will Johnson Central be successful against a Franklin-Simpson defense that is allowing just 8.4 points per game and has posted four shutouts this season? Also, located just 21 miles from Bowling Green, Franklin-Simpson likely will have the largest crowd advantage of any team all weekend.

* Class 3-A: Will another Central-Belfry matchup provide another classic?

These teams have met five times in the state final since 2007, and the last three have been very tight – Central winning 15-14 in 2011 and 12-6 in overtime in 2012 and Belfry winning 14-7 in 2014.

Many observers believe this is Belfry’s strongest team ever, as the Pirates feature four senior linemen who likely will be playing football on Saturdays next season: Cole Bentley (Louisville commit), Austin Dotson (Kentucky commit), Rayquan Horton (uncommitted) and Jordan Scott (uncommitted).

But Central is peaking at the right time and will relish its underdog role against a Belfry team that is ranked No. 3 in the state in the Litratings.

* Class 2-A: Can Christian Academy capture a title in its first trip to the state finals?

The Centurions seem to have overcome their top two roadblocks to a state title, beating DeSales 21-14 in a regional final and four-time defending state champion Mayfield 48-24 in last week’s semifinal.

CAL has won 13 straight games since a season-opening loss to Class 6-A Simon Kenton and has perhaps the state’s top college prospect in all of Class 2-A in sophomore Milton Wright (42 receptions, 730 yards, 25 total touchdowns).

Danville has a proud history with 10 state titles but is in the state final for the first time since 2006.

* Class A: Can Beechwood finally win state title No. 12?

The Tigers won their first state title in 1984 and then enjoyed a tremendous run of 10 championships during an 18-year stretch from 1991-2008.

Last year marked Beechwood’s first trip to the state final since that 2008 title, and the Tigers fell to Pikeville 42-28.

Hazard is back in the state final for the first time since beating Mayfield 24-6 for the 2011 championship.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

STATE FOOTBALL FINALS

At Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green

All times EST

FRIDAY

* Class A: Beechwood (13-1) vs. Hazard (12-2), 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

* Class 3-A: Central (9-5) vs. Belfry (13-1), 6 p.m.

* Class 6-A: Trinity (14-0) vs. Lafayette (13-1), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

* Class 2-A: Christian Academy (13-1) vs. Danville (12-2), 1:30 p.m.

* Class 4-A: Franklin-Simpson (14-0) vs. Johnson Central (13-1), 4:45 p.m.

* Class 5-A: Bowling Green (14-0) vs. Pulaski County (12-2), 8 p.m.

CLASS 6-A, DISTRICT THREE

* Offense: QB – Desmond Ridder (St. Xavier); RB – Sam Taylor (St. Xavier); FB – Andre Teague (Manual); TE – Garrett Lawrence (Pleasure Ridge Park); WR – Jaelin Carter (Manual), B.K. Smith (Male); T – Connor Shears (Manual), Trey Hertel (Pleasure Ridge Park); G – Joe Gressette (Manual), Wyatt Smock (St. Xavier); C – Andrew Arnold (Male).

* Defense: G – Sean Cleasant (Manual), Max Willinger (St. Xavier); T/E – Spencer Montgomery (Butler), Keenan Bilyeu (Manual); OLB – Desmond Miller (Butler), Kenneth Jones (Manual), Stephon Mayes (Male), Dayon Pulliam (Pleasure Ridge Park), Braidon Washburn (St. Xavier); ILB – Dayveon Higgs (Male), John Riley (Manual), David Kinnison (Pleasure Ridge Park); DB – Bryce Cosby (Manual), Nate Hobbs (Male), Shannon Bishop (Pleasure Ridge Park).

* Special teams: P – Zac Collins (St. Xavier); K – Owen Johnson (St. Xavier); RET – Nate Hobbs (Male).

CLASS 6-A, DISTRICT FOUR

* Offense: QB – Spencer Blackburn (Trinity); RB – Jovan Smith (Trinity); FB – Roderick Thomas (Trinity); TE – Noah Hoffman (Trinity); WR – Sugar Ray Wyche (Eastern), Noah Ellison (Trinity), Jordan Gunter (Ballard); T – D.J. Washington (Ballard), Jacorey Grinstead (Jeffersontown), Cole Spencer (Trinity); G – Alex Collette (Ballard), Darlington Gaye (Seneca); C – Michael Quigley (Eastern).

* Defense: G – Dennis Pringle (Ballard), Jermaine Jackson (Trinity); T/E – Dylan Rogers (Eastern), Eddy Graham (Jeffersontown), Lawrence Malala (Jeffersontown); OLB – Austin Searcy (Eastern), Ethan Hull (Trinity); ILB – Jon Board (Ballard), Isaac Martin (Trinity); DB – Collin Brown (Ballard), Kris Cambron (Eastern), Dayshawn Chaney (Seneca), Zyan Bethel (Trinity).

* Special teams: P – Marshall Barnes (Jeffersontown); K – Zach Williams (Trinity); RET – Sugar Ray Wyche (Eastern).

CLASS 5-A, DISTRICT THREE

* Offense: QB – Drew Zaubi (South Oldham); RB – Zac Clark (Bullitt Central), Hunter Perdue (Bullitt East); TE – Christian Floyd (North Bullitt); WR – Konner Polson (Bullitt East), Nate Johnson (North Bullitt), Keanan John (South Oldham); T – Zeke Kern (Bullitt East), Jeff Newton (North Bullitt); G – Trent Waltenburg (Bullitt Central), Graham Ashkettle (South Oldham); C – Clayton Wilson (Oldham County).

* Defense: G – Sam Bryant (Oldham County), Graham Ashkettle (South Oldham); T/E – Trent Waltenburg (Bullitt Central), Derek Downing (North Bullitt); OLB – Gavin Curry (Bullitt Central), Jeff Newton (North Bullitt), Jake Ratliff (Oldham County), Drew Baetens (South Oldham); ILB – Blake Steinmacher (North Bullitt), Zack Moore (South Oldham); DB – Jakob Bowman (Nelson County), Nate Johnson (North Bullitt), Tanner Threlkel (North Bullitt), Keanan John (South Oldham).

* Special teams: P – Blake Caudill (Oldham County); K – Austin Mason (Bullitt Central); RET – Nate Johnson (North Bullitt).

CLASS 5-A, DISTRICT FOUR

* Offense: QB – Cameron Skinner (Southern); RB – Kyree Hawkins (Fern Creek), Devon Blincoe (Fern Creek), Hamilton Wilson (Doss); TE – Justus Montgomery (Fairdale); WR – Christian McClain (Doss), Terez Traynor (Doss); T – Raymond Wingate (Fern Creek), Harold McNeal (Southern); G – Charles Allen (Doss), Preston Smith (Fern Creek), Admir Fale (Southern), LeTon Bray (Iroquois); C – Daniel Bullard (Atherton), Ian Bache (Fairdale).

* Defense: G – Ricky Barber (Doss), Dalton Danks (Southern); T/E – Jalen Stockley (Doss), A.J. Girton (Fern Creek), Bryce Carter (Fairdale); OLB – Matthew Quiggins (Fern Creek), Darion Sherfield (Iroquois); ILB – Jalen Howard (Atherton), Josue Batista (Southern); DB – Jayshawn Howard (Atherton), Michael Richardson (Doss), Trevon White (Fern Creek), Damon Durrah (Fern Creek), Andrew Skinner (Southern).

* Special teams: P – Cameron Skinner (Southern); K – Jesus Rodriguez (Doss); RET – Jordan Brock (Fairdale).

CLASS 4-A, DISTRICT THREE

* Offense: QB – Dominique Williams (John Hardin), Brayden Campos (Valley); RB/FB – Steven Livers (John Hardin), Robert Shorter (John Hardin), Brandon Neely (Valley), Kenny Thompson (Western); WR – Isaac Keener (John Hardin), Korie Cleveland (John Hardin), Brendan Watkins (Valley), Jaelin Shannon (Western); T – Jaylan Carter (John Hardin), James Williams (Western); G – Vonnie Chedwick (John Hardin), Cameron Bullock (Valley), Kane Whitworth (Breckinridge County); C – Riley Armes (Breckinridge County).

* Defense: G – Trevonn Wright (John Hardin), Izaiah Reed (John Hardin); T/E – Thomas Rogers (John Hardin), James Williams (Western), Jeffery Covington (Valley); OLB – Caleb Lane (Valley), Cornell Love (Western); ILB – Mike Montgomery (Breckinridge County), Eric George (Valley), Bryan O’Neil (John Hardin); DB – Anthony Witherspoon (John Hardin), Chyl Crenshaw (John Hardin), Monte Reynolds (Valley).

* Special teams: P – Devonta Guillory (John Hardin); K – Devonta Guillory (John Hardin); RET – Brendan Watkins (Valley), Korie Cleveland (John Hardin).

CLASS 4-A, DISTRICT FOUR

* Offense: QB – J.R. Lucas (Collins); RB – Branden Leff (Spencer County), Brandon Davis (Shelby County); FB – NaSean Roseberry (Collins); TE – Nick Eades (Collins), Clayton O’Donoghue (Shelby County); WR – Dalton Maggard (Collins), Tre Simmons (Franklin County); T – Jacob Vance (North Oldham), Mason Cooper (Spencer County); G – Isaac Hopkins (Franklin County), Anthony Lashley (Spencer County), Daniel Glass (Shelby County); C – Hayden Tedford (Shelby County).

* Defense: G – Jon Michael Stallard (Franklin County), Kiaunte Downs (Spencer County), Drew Mack (Shelby County); T/E – Landin Jones (North Oldham), Hunter Brown (Spencer County); OLB – Zach Stucker (Collins), Korleon Bailey (Franklin County), Liam Collins (North Oldham); ILB – Nick Eades (Collins), Collin O’Hare (Shelby County); DB – Kadin Smith (Spencer County), Branden Leff (Spencer County), Brandon Davis (Shelby County) KeShawn Catlett (Shelby County).

* Special teams: P – Josh Edwards (Shelby County); K – Josh Edwards (Shelby County), Jakson wine (North Oldham); RET – Tre Simmons (Franklin County).

CLASS 3-A, DISTRICT THREE

(Thomas Nelson, Bardstown not GLFCA members)

* Offense: QB – James Simpson (Central), Larry Harper III (Waggener); RB – Corey Johnson (Central); TE – U’Kari Baker (Central), Garrett Mayse (Henry County), Justine Weaver (Moore), Jordan Griffin (Waggener); WR – Russell Vaden (Moore), Trevyn Spencer (Henry County); T – Kyle Wilson (Central), Coby Stanley (Henry County); G – Johnathan Tucker (Central), Keyon Marshall (Moore); C – Tim Hicks (Central), Timothy Haag (Henry County).

* Defense: G – Jacobe Daugherty (Central), Clay Wilson (Henry County); T/E – Tahj Rice (Waggener); OLB – Luke Bowman (Central), Dondi Brooks (Waggener); ILB – Jonathan Dooley (Central), Tahj Gelin (Moore), Moe Yacoub (Waggener); DB – Quincy Baines (Central), Cameron Paynter (Henry County), Jairus Brents (Waggener).

* Special teams: P – Micqael Branch (Central); K – Sebastian Francisco (Central); RET – Quincy Baines (Central), Jairus Brents (Waggener).

CLASS 2-A, DISTRICT FOUR

* Offense: QB – Austin Carr (Christian Academy); RB – Austin Tharp (DeSales), Anteneh Thompson (Christian Academy); TE – Jake Paulson (Christian Academy); WR – Milton Wright (Christian Academy), Chad Welsh (DeSales); T – Michael Lagestee (Christian Academy), Drew Bledsoe (DeSales); G – Nik Olsofka (Christian Academy), Gavin Taylor (Washington County); C – Brady McCauley (DeSales).

* Defense: G – Nic Olsofka (Christian Academy), Michael Lagestee (Christian Academy); E – Jake Paulson (Christian Academy), James Sims (DeSales); LB – Ashton Baum (DeSales), Alex Schneider (DeSales), Logan Young (Christian Academy), Anterius Edelen (Washington County); DB – Cade Sparrow (Christian Academy), Joe Sims (DeSales), Alec Brothers (DeSales).

* Special teams: P – Alec Brothers (DeSales); K – Eric Quinton (Christian Academy); RET – Milton Wright (Christian Academy), Mitch Sirohman (DeSales).

CLASS A, DISTRICT THREE

(Frankfort and Eminence not GLFCA members)

* Holy Cross: QB Jaren McDonald, RB Mario Convenuto, WR Max Bearden, OL Ethan Driskell, DL Stephon Gilbert, DL Demetrius Dillard, LB Michael Pardue.

* Kentucky Country Day: QB Jackson Diaz, FB/LB Chris Scott, RB/LB Ed Johnson, TE/DE Josh Lifson, DT Brandon Leonard, RB/WR Jared Frank.

On a night when the outdoor temperature felt more like March than November, the Male girls’ basketball team knocked off defending state champion Butler in a game that seemed more meant for March, too.

Buoyed by some great second-half 3-point shooting, and a balanced scoring attack, the host Bulldogs rallied for a 68-62 win over the Bearettes in an early-season matchup of state heavyweights.

Junior guard Emilia Sexton scored a game-high 20 points to pace four players in double digits as Male (1-0), which was No. 5 in The Courier-Journal’s preseason coaches poll, ended No. 1 Butler’s 14-game winning streak that dates back to last season.

“I think if we do that every game it’ll be really hard to be stopped,” Sexton said.

Sexton scored 14 of her points in the second half after the Bulldogs trailed 36-27 at halftime. Male erased that deficit with some dead-eye shooting.

After missing all nine of their first-half 3-point attempts, the Bulldogs hit all five of their shots from long range in the third quarter. Sexton and senior forward Kyra Hogan each hit a pair of 3s and Logan Calvert hit one. Calvert’s 3 capped an 11-0 run, giving Male a 40-38 lead less than four minutes into the third.

“We’ve got several young ladies who are good 3-point shooters. They show it in practice all the time, but they’re just now starting to get the confidence to shoot them in the game,” Bulldogs coach Champ Ligon said. “It kind of just balanced out. We missed them all in the first half, made them all in the second half. If you’re going to pick one, pick the second half.”

That hot shooting helped Male open up a five-point lead before Butler cut it to one (49-48) by the end of the period.

A jumper by Butler’s Fontasia Jeffries tied it at 54 with 3:32 to play, but sophomore center Cameron Browning hit two free throws on the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession to give them the lead for good. Then, after an empty Bearettes’ possession, Hogan hit her third 3-pointer to increase Male’s lead to five.

The Bulldogs hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final 45 seconds to hold off Butler’s last-ditch rally.

Junior guard Ciaja Harbison, Sexton’s backcourt mate, added 13 points while Browning tallied 12. Browning also helped the Bulldogs battle Butler to a draw in rebounding.

“We felt like that was a real key,” Ligon said. “Because the two games they beat us last year they just absolutely smashed us on the boards. They’re a big, physical team. We talked about it and to the girls’ credit they stepped up and did a really nice job.”

Senior guard Fontasia Jeffries paced the Bearettes with 18 points while senior forward Jaelynn Penn added 15.Penn, an Indiana University signee and one of the frontrunners for Miss Basketball, had 11 points in the first half, but only four in the second. Butler played without forward Janna Lewis, one of five college-bound seniors on the team, for undisclosed reasons.

“When you play good teams both groups are going to make runs, it’s just a matter of who makes what run and when they make the run,” said Butler coach Larry Just, whose team was ranked No. 21 in the USA Today preseason Super 25. “We made ours before the half. The third quarter they come out and shoot lights out from 3-point range. Credit them for hitting shots. We didn’t get out and defend. We knew we needed to, we just didn’t. First half, they had some of the same shots they just didn’t make them. That’s the nature of basketball.

“As crazy as it sounds, we’re in November. One loss at this point is not going to make or break you, it’s going to be a matter of what you do from here on and how you grow from it.”

Ligon, meanwhile, hopes both teams win their respective regions so they can meet up again in March, in the Sweet 16 at Northern Kentucky University.

“Be careful what you wish for, but I’d like to see them at the end of the year too,” he said. “That would mean something for us if we play them at the very end of the season. I’d like them to have a rematch with us.”

Butler (0-1): Torrens 6, Jeffries 18, Goodlett 5, Penn 15, Lockhart 8, Cain 6, Just 2, Wright 2.

Male (1-0): Harbison 13, Sexton 20, Hogan 10, Calvert 9, Browning 12 Johnson 2, Green 2.

3-point goals: Jeffries 4, Hogan 3, Sexton 2, Calvert 1, Goodlett 1, Torrens 1.

Spencer Blackburn hands off to Jovan Smith during Trinity’s game at Lafayette on Sept. 3. Photo by Mike Weaver, Special to The Courier-Journal.

Two days before Spencer Blackburn’s first start for Trinity High School’s varsity football team, offensive coordinator Andrew Coverdale provided his quarterback a long list of plays and asked him to rank them in one of four categories – “love it, like it, OK with it and please don’t call it.”

Coverdale said it’s a routine exercise to gauge his quarterback’s comfort level and that most of Blackburn’s predecessors would return the list with the majority of plays rated as “love it” or “like it.”

But Blackburn is not like most previous Trinity quarterbacks.

“The first time I gave him the sheet he didn’t have a single call he loved, there were four or five he liked and the rest he could tolerate,” Coverdale said. “I was like, ‘Are you freaking kidding me?’ Most guys are like, ‘Call whatever you want,’ but not Spencer.

“I’ve never had that experience with that particular exercise. But that’s who he is. … We’ve been around a lot of kids that are driven, but I’ve never seen anyone that is a perfectionist in the way that he is.”

Blackburn the perfectionist is one victory away from leading Trinity to its first perfect season in five years. The Shamrocks (14-0) – ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 17 in the nation by USA Today – will face Lafayette (13-1) at 9 p.m. EST Saturday in the Class 6-A state championship game at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

Blackburn has completed 68.4 percent (160 of 234) of his passes for 2,355 yards and 33 touchdowns with just three interceptions this season. He also ranks third on the team in rushing with 637 yards, 12 touchdowns and 6.0 yards per carry.

And if he also happens to lead the team in “headaches caused” – whether it be getting in the face of a teammate of challenging a coach – well, so be it.

“That’s who I am, just my personality,” Blackburn said. “Ever since I could walk I’ve had a football or baseball or basketball in my hand. I’ve been around sports, and I have a very competitive nature to me. It’s something that’s been inside of me since I can remember. I keep high standards for myself and my team, and I don’t accept failures very well.”

That was evident Friday after the Shamrocks defeated rival St. Xavier 24-14 in the state semifinals. It was a victory worthy of celebration, but when it was over Blackburn questioned his team’s effort and execution.

His own stats were solid – 15 of 25 for 187 yards and two touchdowns – but Blackburn always believes he and his team can be better.

Head coach Bob Beatty said Blackburn has a bit of a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality” and that coaches occasionally have to remind him to enjoy the game and let up on his teammates.

“He’s a perfectionist, so when things don’t quite go right … he has to make chicken salad out of chicken crap,” Beatty said. “That’s football. He can do that, but he thinks everything ought to work perfectly every time.”

That mentality often can be seen at the line of scrimmage before a play as Blackburn waves or points at receivers. Coverdale said it’s such a part of Blackburn’s process that Trinity has limited its pre-snap motion in fear of delay-of-game penalties.

“It’s like he’s his own mime troupe up there sometimes,” Coverdale said with a laugh.

And it’s not uncommon for Blackburn to move a lineman or a running back a quarter of a step so that the alignment meets his standards.

“Everything we do, every inch, every split a lineman or receiver takes, wherever I put my running backs in the backfield, it all means something,” Blackburn said. “They all have their purpose, and they all serve a job. I feel like my job as a quarterback is to put everyone in the right position.”

It’s that attention to detail that has made Blackburn so effective. Beatty has called him the most athletic quarterback he’s ever coached at Trinity, but Blackburn spent most of his career behind someone else.

As a freshman and sophomore, Blackburn was behind Larry Harper III. Last summer, Jacob Woosley won a four-man battle for the job, leaving Blackburn as the back-up after Harper (Waggener) and Drew Zaubi (South Oldham) transferred.

And even this season there were questions about Blackburn after he struggled in season-opening victories over Tennessee powers Ensworth and Brentwood Academy.

“Could he step up from JV and understand varsity speed?” Beatty said. “He went from JV to practice speed, and then he was 3 ½ hours from home at Ensworth in a not-so-nice atmosphere. We won, but I thought, ‘Wow, we have a long way to go.’”

Blackburn had a breakout game in a 37-34 victory over Male on Sept. 9 – throwing for 207 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 100 yards and a score – and has been solid ever since.

Blackburn (6 feet 2, 180 pounds) said he’d love to play college football but has no scholarship offers at this point. He plans to pursue his love of math and science and possibly go into a career in engineering.

But all of that can wait for now. There’s one more pursuit of perfection left Saturday night.

“If we go out and execute we’ll leave Saturday night with a smile on our face and a big trophy in our hands,” Blackburn said.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

STATE FOOTBALL FINALS

At Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green

All times EST

FRIDAY

* Class A: Beechwood (13-1) vs. Hazard (12-2), 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

* Class 3-A: Central (9-5) vs. Belfry (13-1), 6 p.m.

* Class 6-A: Trinity (14-0) vs. Lafayette (13-1), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

* Class 2-A: Christian Academy (13-1) vs. Danville (12-2), 1:30 p.m.

* Class 4-A: Franklin-Simpson (14-0) vs. Johnson Central (13-1), 4:45 p.m.

* Class 5-A: Bowling Green (14-0) vs. Pulaski County (12-2), 8 p.m.

Central quarterback James Simpson will lead the Yellowjackets against Belfry in Saturday’s Class 3-A state final in Bowling Green. Photo by Josh Cook, Special to The Courier-Journal.

James Simpson Jr. has been around the Central High School football program for a decade.

His father, James Simpson Sr., is the team’s defensive coordinator, so the younger Simpson has had an up-close view of the Yellowjackets’ success (i.e. five state championship between 2007 and 2012) in the Ty Scroggins Era.

Now the team’s starting senior quarterback, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Simpson hopes to lead Central to its sixth state title Saturday, when the Yellowjackets (9-5) meet Belfry (13-1) in the Class 3-A championship game at Western Kentucky University’s Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

So far this season Simpson has completed 87 of 185 passes for 1,433 yards and 13 touchdowns while also running for four TDs. In the Yellowjackets’ 21-14 win over Elizabethtown last Friday night, Simpson threw for 178 yards and two TDs – including the game-winner to U’Kari Baker with 31 seconds left.

Q: How and when did you start playing football?

A: I was probably 5 years old, living with my dad, and he signed me up for the Flaget Rams at Mighty Mites. He was my coach and he asked me what position I wanted to play and I said, “Quarterback.” So as the years went past I started liking quarterback and kept playing it up til middle school, when I ended up going to receiver to try it. I really didn’t like (receiver) that much, so I came back to quarterback my ninth-grade year.

Q: What’s it been like seeing Central’s success up close?

A: It’s been fun, going to championships and all the games with them, learning the system before everybody else, knowing what to do, knowing what it takes to become a Central Yellowjacket. Seeing that one day, hopefully, I could go to this school and be a part of this football team and win a championship of my own. That was my goal ever since I saw my daddy and them win their first one. It was my goal to come to Central and win a championship.

Q: What’s it like to have that opportunity now?  

A: It feels good because the beginning of the season we started out 0-4 and that really kind of hurt because I didn’t want to open my senior year 0-4. So after that (bye) week we took off I made a decision, we could keep having that losing streak or bounce back. So I decided to talk to my team, we came together and we came back and faced Waggener. We played our hardest and won the game.

Q: What was last week’s game like for you?

A: At the beginning of the game it was hard for me because I just had so much on my mind, with family and stuff. My momma (Nichole Sanders) she came back in town from Atlanta to see me play, so I was excited. I was too excited to play because I wanted to play hard for my momma, so for the first half we had some mistakes on the offensive end. So I told myself at halftime I had to calm down and come together by the second half. The first drive of the second half I threw a touchdown pass and it just really gave me inspiration to win the game. And when it came down to it the last play, with 30 seconds left in the game, I knew we had to score or it was going into overtime so I told the coach, “Just let me throw the ball to our best receiver, U’Kari.” I just threw it in the air for him to go get it, the only place he could catch the ball.

Q: If you win Saturday, what would it be like to share that moment with your dad?

A: It would be exciting because that’s all my daddy ever wanted for me to do is win a state championship on my own because he said that he’s doing this more for me than him, because he’s already won five rings. So it’ll just be a good moment for my dad to see me win something on my own without him being out there with me going through the plays and telling me what to do.

JAMES SIMPSON UP CLOSE

School: Central.

Year: Senior.

Sports: Football & basketball.

Student-athlete: James, a four-year member of the varsity football team, says his favorite class is math.

Family: James, 17, lives with his dad, James Simpson Sr.; his stepmom, Trena; and stepbrothers Ronnie, 22, and Kobe, 18.

Central coach Ty Scroggins says: “James has been in the program for 10 years now. He has grown up with Central football and has been to every state championship, so he knows how important this game is. Since he was 8 years old all he wanted to be was a Yellowjacket and now it’s his time.”

Central coach Robert Graves talks to his team during a game in 1972. Courier-Journal file photo.

Courier-Journal staff photo
Central boys basketball coach Robert Graves speaks to fans at a pep rally alongside district and regional championship trophies on March 12, 1967.

Robert Graves, who coached the Central High School boys basketball team to a pair of state championships, died Wednesday. He was 79.

Shelby Lockhart, Graves’ granddaughter, said Robert Graves was battling Parkinson’s disease and suffered a stroke Sunday. She said he died at 3:53 p.m. Wednesday at Jewish Hospital.

Graves posted a 445-116 record and won seven Sixth Region championships in 20 seasons at Central from 1965-1985.

His 1968-69 team – led by Ron King – finished 35-1 after beating Ohio County 101-72 in the state final and is considered among the best squads in state history. His 1973-74 team – led by Bob Miller and Glenn Thomas – was 33-1 and knocked off Male 59-54 in the state final. That Male squad included Darrell Griffith and Bobby Turner.

“Any win is a highlight, but those were memorable years winning those prestigious awards,” said Gail Graves, Robert’s wife of 47 years.

Robert Graves graduated from Central High School in 1956 and went on to play basketball at Kentucky State University. Gail Graves said her husband retired from teaching in 1991 and “enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, barbecuing and anything (University of Kentucky).”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

Courier-Journal staff photo
Central basketball coach Robert Graves pictured in April 1969. He was named the state’s coach of the year after leading the Yellowjackets to their first state title.

Courier-Journal staff photo
Central basketball coach Robert Graves talks to his team during a state tournament game on March 17, 1967.

Courier-Journal staff photo
Central coach Robert Graves talks to his players during a timeout in an LIT semifinal game Jan. 16, 1979.

Central basketball coach Robert Graves, left, poses with his son, Robert Jr., in 1984 prior to the coach starting his 20th season at Central High.

Sophomore Milton Wright has scored 25 touchdowns for a Christian Academy football team that will face Danville in Sunday’s Class 2-A state final. Courier-Journal file photo.

From quarterback to running back to wide receiver to free safety to punt returner to kickoff returner, Milton Wright nearly does it all for the Christian Academy football team.

Now the sophomore will get the chance to show off his versatility on the state’s biggest stage.

Wright and his CAL teammates have advanced to the state final for the first time in program history and will face Danville at 1:30 p.m. EST Sunday in the Class 2-A championship game at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

The Centurions defeated longtime playoff nemesis DeSales in the third round before knocking off Mayfield – winner of four straight state titles and 24 consecutive games – in last week’s state semifinals.

“It’s a crazy, amazing feeling,” Wright said, “and when you do it with this band of family it’s pretty cool.”

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Wright has 25 touchdowns this season, including at least one in every game for the Centurions (13-1), who have a 13-game winning streak since a season-opening 41-14 loss to Simon Kenton.

Wright’s primary spot is at wide receiver, where he has a team-high 42 receptions for 730 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also sees time at running back and quarterback in the Wildcat formation and has rushed for 190 yards and a touchdown and completed 8 of 11 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.

MORE COVERAGE | Burning questions for this weekend’s six state football finals

“The more opportunities he has with the ball in his hands, the more good things are going to happen for us,” CAL coach Stefan LeFors said. “My job is to find ways to get him the ball more and let him get in open space.”

Wright ranks fourth on the team with 46 tackles (28 solo) and has posted five interceptions (returning three for touchdowns) and one fumble recovery.

He’s also dangerous in the kicking game, having returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. His biggest game came in a 42-0 victory over Washington County in the second round of the playoffs, when Wright had touchdown receptions of 51 and 10 yards and returned punts 55 and 57 yards for scores.

Danville coach Clay Clevenger said Wright is impressive on film.

“He’s a playmaker, and in high school football if you have one on your side you try to milk him,” Clevenger said. “He lines up all over the field, and it’s hard to get a bead on him. He does a great job at free safety, and he’s really dangerous in the kicking game. He impacts all areas of the game.”

LeFors said Wright will only continue to get better as he improves his route running and gains a better understanding of tendencies on both sides of the ball.

“Part of me wants more out of him,” LeFors said. “He’s such a weapon at receiver and anywhere on the field we put him all eyes are watching him, rightfully so. He’s come a long way from last year, and he’s going to continue to get better.”

Wright said he’d prefer to play wide receiver in college, and he already has a scholarship offer from the University of Louisville. He’s expected to join the CAL basketball team next week – he averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds as a freshman – and hopes to do so as a state champion.

Wright said the victory over Mayfield showed what the Centurions are capable of.

“I believe the whole state thought we were underdogs because of their winning streak and coaches and what they’ve done,” he said. “Our whole attitude around that week was that we had a job to do, we’re going to do it and we’re going to finish. …

“We can’t overlook anybody. This is our first time and now people are going to be like, ‘Can they actually finish?’ We have to finish.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

STATE FOOTBALL FINALS

At Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green

All times EST

FRIDAY

* Class A: Beechwood (13-1) vs. Hazard (12-2), 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

* Class 3-A: Central (9-5) vs. Belfry (13-1), 6 p.m.

* Class 6-A: Trinity (14-0) vs. Lafayette (13-1), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

* Class 2-A: Christian Academy (13-1) vs. Danville (12-2), 1:30 p.m.

* Class 4-A: Franklin-Simpson (14-0) vs. Johnson Central (13-1), 4:45 p.m.

* Class 5-A: Bowling Green (14-0) vs. Pulaski County (12-2), 8 p.m.

Beechwood RB Aiden Justice celebrates his TD with teammates in the game against Kentucky Country Day in the KHSAA Football Playoffs at Beechwood High School.

CLASS A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

BEECHWOOD VS. HAZARD

When: 8 p.m. EST Friday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

BEECHWOOD TIGERS (13-1)

* Coach: Noel Rash (11^th year).

* Top rushers: Aiden Justice (5-9, 182, Sr., 156 carries, 1,074 yards, 17 TDs); James Davis (5-11, 185, Jr., 112 carries, 827 yards, 12 TDs).

* Top passer: Brayden Burch (6-1, 185, Jr., 135 of 210, 2,245 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INTs).

* Top receivers: Aiden Justice (5-9, 182, Sr., 29 catches, 582 yards, 7 TDs); Garrett Ratliff (6-2, 185, Sr., 25 catches, 348 yards, 2 TDs); Daniel Mescher (5-11, 184, Jr., 23 catches, 458 yards, 3 TDs); Logan Castleman (5-10, 182, So., 20 catches, 324 yards, 6 TDs).

* Defensive leaders (top tacklers not available): Elijah McKenney (5-8, 175, Jr., 7 INTs); Jake Massie (5-10, 170, Jr., 2 INTs).

* State-final history: Beechwood is 11-5 all-time in state finals after falling to Pikeville 42-28 in last year’s final. The Tigers’ last championship came in 2008.

HAZARD BULLDOGS (12-2)

* Coach: Mark Dixon (14^th year).

* Top rushers: Cory Smith (6-0, 205, Jr., 301 carries, 2,777 yards, 38 TDs); Bailey Blair (5-8, 140, So., 70 carries, 336 yards, 3 TDs).

* Top passer: Bailey Blair (5-8, 140, So., 131 of 205, 2,253 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INTs).

* Top receivers: Jason Johnson (6-1, 160, Sr., 67 catches, 1,119 yards, 7 TDs); Braxton Whitaker (6-1, 155, Jr., 19 catches, 446 yards, 6 TDs); Skylar Pelfrey (6-1, 160, So., 18 catches, 371 yards, 2 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Kade Holland (6-2, 180, Jr., 100 tackles); Ethan Caldwell (5-10, 205, Sr., 82 tackles, 1 INT); Skylar Pelfrey (6-1, 160, So., 82 tackles, 1 INT); Braxton Whitaker (6-1, 155, Jr., 79 Tackles, 7 INTs); Andy Baker (5-5, 140, So., 55 Tackles, 4 INTs).

* State-final history: Hazard is 1-2 all-time in state finals. Its last appearance and only state title came in 2011, when the Bulldogs beat Mayfield 24-6.

OUTLOOK

Both teams can light up the scoreboard, with the Tigers averaging 41.6 points per game and the Bulldogs averaging 40.1. Cory Smith has been a workhorse for Hazard, scoring 15 touchdowns over four playoff games, so he’ll be the focus of a Beechwood defense that is allowing just 11.9 points per game.

PICK

Beechwood 28-14. Tigers’ defense will be the difference in this one.

Here’s scores from across the Louisville metro area and the Commonwealth from Dec. 1, 2016

Butler Bearettes guard Jaelynn Penn makes the turnt toward the goal defended by Male Lady Bulldogs forward Logan Calvert.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

SACRED HEART 89, SENECA 27

SACRED HEART (1-0, 1-0 Region 7): Destinee Marshall 6p; Kelly Weisbach 2p; Cierra Scott 11p, 8r, 4a; Ashlee Harris 4p; Kiki Samsel 4p; Caroline Flaherty 6p; Erin Toller 6p; Kia Kivils 9p; Macy Farrar 2p; Kristen Clemons 6p; Danielle Wethington 7p, 2a; Grace Berger 13p, 5r, 2a; Natalie Fichter 2p; Taylor Utter 11p, 6r, 1a.

SENECA (0-1, 0-1 Region 7): Dais Ja Trotter 16p, 5r; Ashanti Starks 3p, 2r, 2a; Alexis White 6p, 6r; Asia Smith 2p, 1r

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Redhawks (0-1, 0-1 Region 7) fell at home in a season opener against the defending District 27 Champion Valkyries (1-0, 1-0 Region 7). Dais Ja Trotter led all scorers with 16 points for Seneca.

WHITEFIELD61, KCD 53

WHITEFIELD (1-1, Region 6): Abby Ritter 27p; Jaya McClure 16p; Juliana Yates 12p; Megann Bruckert 3p; Kaylin Kwok 2p; Bekah Dwyer 1p.

KCD (1-2, Region 7): Olyvia Green 29p; Kierra Scott 8p; Meghana Manchi 5p; Tia Dowling 4p; Rachel Jennings 4p; Iyla Draw 3p.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore Abby Ritter led the visiting Wildcats (1-1) with 27 points past the Bearcats (1-2), 61-53. Seventh grader Jaya McClure put 16 points on the board for the Wildcats as well. For the Bearcats was senior Olyvia Green with 29 points.

MOORE 83, ST. FRANCIS 43

Moore (1-1, Region 6): DajiaStafford 16p; Alexus Crawford 18p; Nicola Adams 12p; Asia Collins 1p; Jahlia McNealy 4p; Sage Blue 20p, 7r; Taliyah Jordan 12p.

St. Francis (1-1, Region 7): Alexis Nelson 33p, 5r; Audrey Huebner 2p; Jamani Reed 2p; Caroline Pepa 2p; Norah Patrick 4p.

3-Point Goals: Stafford 2; Crawford 4; Jordan 1; Nelson 2.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The visiting Mustangs (1-1), coming off a loss against PRP, breezed past the Wyverns (1-1), 83-43. Junior forward Sage Blue led the Mustangs with 20 points and seven rebounds, followed by junior guard Alexus Crawford with 18 points. Junior guard Alexis Nelson had a good night for the Wyverns with 33 points and was 13/13 from the free throw line.

BUTLER 69, CENTRAL 23

CENTRAL (0-1): Precious Hereford 3p; Darian Neal 4p; Stephonie Cole 12p; India New 4p.

BUTLER (1-1): Breia Torrens 7p; Fontasia Jeffries 21p; Kiara Pain 6p; Doneah Marshall 7p; Jaelynn Penn 16p; Teri Goodlett 8p; Molly Lockhart 4p.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fontasia Jeffries led Butler (1-1) to an easy win over the visiting Yellowjackets (0-1). The Bears controlled the game from start to finish.

BULLITT CENTRAL 71, JEFFERSONTOWN 60

BULLITT CENTRAL (1-1, Region 6): Amber Walden 4p; Sierra Graham 33p; Lauren Welch 5p; Chloe Phillips 7p; Katlin Graham 13p; Carlie Walls 4p; Courtney Blevens 5p.

JEFFERSONTOWN (0-2, Region 6): Shelby Dunagan 1p; Jasmine Majors 1p; Kamaya White 5p; Jenise Scott 2p; Kaleb McDonald 3p; Jasmine Thomas 21p; Nia Cole 2p; Telia Perks 14p; Naomi Johnson 7p; Shaolin Morton 4p.

3-Point Goals: Walden 1, S. Graham 1, K. Graham 3, Blevens 1, Thomas 6, Perks 1.

Other scores

Bellevue 66, Augusta 35

Bowling Green 78, Breckinridge Co. 62

Boyd Co. 63, Russell 61

Calvary Christian 50, Cov. Latin 24

Carlisle Co. 59, Paducah Tilghman 51

Christian Co. 56, Hopkins Co. Central 44

Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant, Ohio 58, Rose Hill Christian 19

East Carter 59, Morgan Co. 21

Edmonson Co. 73, Warren East 39

Franklin-Simpson 55, Greenwood 35

George Rogers Clark 71, North Laurel 57

Grayson Co. 59, Ohio Co. 22

Harrison Co. 50, Lex. Christian 49

Lawrence Co. 55, Elliott Co. 33

Lewis Co. 51, Ashland Blazer 36

Lexington Catholic 61, Lou. Fairdale 49

Marshall Co. 47, Massac County, Ill. 13

Meade Co. 78, LaRue Co. 61

Menifee Co. 48, Estill Co. 38

Montgomery Co. 47, Powell Co. 43

Nicholas Co. 57, Bracken Co. 45

Owen Co. 65, Williamstown 50

Pulaski Co. 64, Madison Central 53

Russellville 54, Butler Co. 51

Simon Kenton 70, Ryle 40

Somerset 68, Lynn Camp 34

South Laurel 80, Lee Co. 63

Southwestern 71, Lex. Lafayette 64

Taylor Co. 58, Fort Knox 8

Todd Co. Central 72, Kenwood, Tenn. 64

University Heights 70, Clarksville NE, Tenn. 38

Webster Co. 38, McLean Co. 34

Whitefield Academy 61, Lou. Ky. Country Day 53

Whitley Co. 65, Barbourville 52

BOYS BASKETBALL

ST. X 76, COLLEGIATE 41

COLLEGIATE (1-1, 0-1 Region 7): Ryan McDaniel 12p, 7r; Barrett Myers 10p, 1a; Tyler McDaniel 4p, 3r; Eli Allen 3p, 2r, 3a; Gray Weaver 3p, 1a; Alec Hertzman 3p, 2r; Nayaab Grewal 2p; Hudson Good 2p, 1r; William stevens 2p, 2r.

ST. X (2-0, 2-0 Region 7): Jack Koch 15p, 2r; Evan Walker 11p, 3r, 3a; James Taylor 9p, 2r, 3a; Tyler Barnes 9p, 11r, 2a; Paul Oberst 9p, 3r, 2a; Chase Westenhofer 8p, 1r, 3a; Pierce Kiesler 8p, 8r; Cameron McDonogh 5p, 1r, 5a; Andre Coleman 2p.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Tigers (2-0, 2-0 Region 7) roll past the visiting Titans (1-1, 0-1 Region 7), led by Senior guard Jack Koch’s 15-point effort. Tyler Barnes came up a point short of a double-double for St. X.

SOUTH OLDHAM 73, SHELBY CO. 63

SHELBY CO. (0-2, 0-1 Region 8): Adrian Julien 3p; Taurius Robinson 9p; Jordan Hunter 2p; Jordan Armstrong 14p; KeShawn Catlett 3p; Josh Edwards 20p; Kyion Stone 3p; Dinelle Stainaker 9p.

SOUTH OLDHAM (1-0, 1-0 Region 8): Joe Griffin 31p, 4r, 4a; Devin Young 4p, 3r, 5a; Caleb Clark 2p, 1r, 1a; Sam Beard 2p; Peyton Hicks 2p, 4r, 1a; Dyllon Hoover 8p, 4r, 1a; Luke Morrison 8p, 3r; Aaron Franklin 13p, 1r; David Beyerle 3p, 4r, 1a.

3-point Goals: Julien 1, Catlett 1, Stainaker 1, Griffin 2, Young 1, Hoover 1, Franklin 3, Beyerle 1.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior guard Joe Griffin had 31 points, two 3-pointers and four rebounds for the host Dragons (1-0, 1-0) to help defeat the Rockets (0-2, 0-1), 73-63. Also for the Dragons was senior Aaron Franklin with 13 points and three 3-pointers. The Dragons were up by two at the half and then trailed in the third quarter, but was able to grab the win.

BUTLER 73, SENECA 48

BUTLER (2-0, Region 6): Marcus Montgomery 13p; Austin Wise 6p; Ryan Luckett 3p; Naurice Mozee 21p; Maurice Tolley 7p; Solomon Pennix 5p; Devin Pendergrass 9p; Rashad Owens 4p; Frank Bentley 2p; Michael Burns 3p.

SENECA (0-2, Region 7): Tayquan Smith 5p, 3r, 2a; Phillip Armstrong 8p, 1r, 3a; Kylan Gill 2p, 3r; Richard Ninamou 5p, 1r; Robert Walker 2p; William Wright 2p, 4r; James Keelin 4p, 5r; Ja Corey Graham 6p, 1r; Donald Palmer 2p; Carl Parker 4p, 3r; Keyontez Leach 8p, 2r, 2a.

3-Point Goals: Montgomery 2, Wise 1, Luckett 1, Mozee 4, Trolley 1, Graham 2.

Other scores

Breathitt Co. 79, Riverside Christian 29

Buckhorn 108, Lee Co. 58

Butler Co. 88, Breckinridge Co. 81, OT

Calvary Christian 71, Cov. Latin 18

Carroll Co. 64, Trimble Co. 57

Christian Co. 68, Graves Co. 57

Clay County, Tenn. 87, Wayne Co. 78

Conner 73, St. Henry 53

Dixie Heights 55, Walton-Verona 47

East Ridge 39, Magoffin Co. 38

Elliott Co. 82, East Carter 59

Franklin Co. 60, Spencer Co. 53

Franklin-Simpson 58, Greenwood 50

Gallatin Co. 72, Williamstown 67

Johnson Central 76, June Buchanan 47

Kenwood, Tenn. 52, Todd Co. Central 50, OT

Lewis Co. 70, Fairview 65

Lex. Paul Dunbar 73, Lex. Bryan Station 52

Lloyd Memorial 72, Owen Co. 67

Marshall Co. 64, Massac County, Ill. 45

Montgomery Co. 73, Rowan Co. 69

Newport 62, Bishop Brossart 45

Paducah Tilghman 72, Carlisle Co. 45

Pineville 73, Oneida Baptist 71

Red Bird 60, Owsley Co. 58

Shelby Valley 78, Phelps 51

Sheldon Clark 76, Powell Co. 52

South Laurel 60, George Rogers Clark 50

University Heights 70, Clarksville NE, Tenn. 39

Villa Madonna 56, Heritage Christian Academy 19

Whitley Co. 59, Madison Southern 57

Central coach Ty Scroggins expects another tight battle with Belfry when the teams meet in Saturday’s Class 3-A state championship game in Bowling Green. Photo by David R. Lutman, Special to The Courier-Journal.

All signs – whether they’re rankings or records or common opponents – point to the Belfry High School football team being a heavy favorite over Central in Saturday’s Class 3-A state championship game.

But these schools have a history of playing tight games in state finals, and Yellowjackets coach Ty Scroggins is expecting another one.

“Yeah, we should probably be the underdog,” Scroggins said. “They’ve won the last three state championships and have only lost five games over the last four years. … But this has become a good rivalry. I think on paper this is one of the best of the six (state finals) because of the history.”

Belfry (13-1) – No. 3 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – will meet Central (9-5) at 6 p.m. EST Saturday at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

In the 10^th season since Kentucky moved from four to six classes, the Pirates and Yellowjackets will meet in the 3-A final for the sixth time. Central won the first four of those meetings before Belfry turned the tables in 2014 with a 14-7 victory.

MORE COVERAGE | Q&A with Central quarterback James Simpson

The last three meetings have been decided by a total of 14 points, with Central winning 15-14 in 2011 and 12-6 in overtime in 2012.

With four senior linemen expected to move on and play college football next season, this Belfry team has been pegged by many as the program’s best during its recent run of state-final appearances. But Scroggins said the 2007 Belfry squad – featuring running backs Dustin May and Ivan Lee – was better.

“This team is a bigger team, but I think in 2007 those two running backs probably should have been Division I,” Scroggins said.

The Belfry line is led by University of Kentucky commit Austin Dotson (6 feet 7, 320 pounds) and University of Louisville commit Cole Bentley (6-5, 305). Dotson plays right tackle, and Bentley is listed as a tight end but essentially is a sixth offensive lineman in the Pirates’ option offense.

Senior right guard Jordan Scott (6-3, 295) and senior tight end/defensive tackle Rayquan Horton (6-2, 316) are Belfry’s other top linemen.

“That’s the first thing everybody talks about is their lineman, but we just have to have the mentality that size doesn’t matter,” Central senior linebacker Jonathan Dooley said. “If size mattered, the elephant would be the king of the jungle. If we execute our plan, I feel like we’ll come out on top.”

MORE COVERAGE | Six burning questions for this weekend’s state football finals

Dooley and junior linebacker Luke Bowman – “the cornerstones of our defense,” Scroggins said – figure to be keys to limiting a Belfry rushing attack that features six players who have rushed for more than 400 yards this season. The Pirates average 342.4 rushing yards per game and have attempted just 32 passes (2.3 per game) all season.

Dooley, a middle linebacker, ranks second on the team with 92 tackles. Bowman, an outside linebacker, has a team-best 106 tackles and also has two interceptions.

“Really it’s about tackling those guys and not letting their linemen get off on you and put their girth on you,” Scroggins said. “We have to keep some separation and use our speed to our advantage.”

Belfry is riding a nine-game winning streak after last week’s 42-17 victory over Corbin in the state semifinals. It’s the same Corbin team that beat Central 20-14 on Aug. 26 during the Yellowjackets’ 0-4 start.

MORE COVERAGE | Preview/pick for Friday’s Class A championship game

But Dooley said this has been a different Central team since beating Waggener 41-21 on Sept. 23 for its first victory of the season. The Yellowjackets are 9-1 since then.

“We’re playing together as a team, as one unit,” Dooley said. “We’re not playing as individual groups anymore.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

CLASS 3-A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

CENTRAL VS. BELFRY

When: 6 p.m. EST Saturday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

CENTRAL YELLOWJACKETS (9-5)

* Coach: Ty Scroggins (10^th year).

* Top rushers: Corey Johnson (5-11, 170, Sr., 170 carries, 1,097 yards, 19 TDs); Chereioun Jones (6-0, 168, Sr., 167 carries, 781 yards, 5 TDs).

* Top passer: James Simpson (6-2, 165, Sr., 87 of 185, 1,433 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTs).

* Top receivers: U’Kari Baker (5-7, 136, So., 24 catches, 715 yards, 7 TDs); Davon Hall (5-10, 150, Jr., 24 catches, 261 yards, 2 TDs); Corey Johnson (5-11, 170, Sr., 13 catches, 139 yards).

* Defensive leaders: Luke Bowman (6-1, 220, Jr., 106 tackles, 2 INTs); Jonathan Dooley (5-10, 220, Sr., 92 tackles); Trey Williams (6-1, 155, Jr., 83 tackles); Michael Fields (5-9, 165, Sr., 71 tackles, 1 INT); Quincy Baines (5-11, 160, Sr., 26 tackles, 4 INTs).

* State-final history: Central is 5-1 all-time in state finals, all coming since 2007. The Yellowjackets’ last trip to Bowling Green came in 2014, when they lost to Belfry 14-7.

BELFRY PIRATES (13-1)

* Coach: Philip Haywood (33^rd year).

* Top rushers: Derek Wellman (6-1, 194, Jr., 86 carries, 770 yards, 9 TDs); Taveon Hunter (5-9, 175, Jr., 49 carries, 706 yards, 9 TDs); Andrew Fletcher (6-1, 208, Sr., 101 carries, 627 yards, 7 TDs); Cameron Catron (5-9, 175, Sr., 58 carries, 601 yards, 8 TDs); Noah Corbett (5-10, 171, Sr., 69 carries, 582 yards, 10 TDs).

* Top passer: Noah Corbett (5-10, 171, Sr., 14 of 25, 321 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs).

* Top receivers: Cameron Catron (5-9, 175, Sr., 7 catches, 167 yards, 3 TDS); Austin Woolum (5-9, 150, Sr., 5 catches, 163 yards, 5 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Austin Fields (5-9, 235, So., 93 tackles, 1 INT); Derek Wellman (6-1, 194, Jr., 84 tackles, 1 INT); Chase Dove (5-11, 178, Sr., 83 tackles); Rayquan Horton (6-2, 316, Sr., 76 tackles); Cameron Catron (5-9, 175, Sr., 51 tackles, 5 INTs); Devin Varney (6-1, 173, Jr., 40 tackles, 4 INTs).

* State-final history: Belfry is 5-7 all-time in state finals and is in the championship game for the seventh straight season, having lost three straight to Central from 2010-12 before beating Wayne County in 2013, Central in 2014 and Lexington Catholic in 2015.

OUTLOOK

For the sixth time in 10 years Central and Belfry will meet in the 3-A final, and it’s the same ol’ story line – the Pirates’ powerful rushing attack against the Yellowjackets’ speed. The difference this time could be Belfry’s big line that features four players likely to be playing college football next season– Cole Bentley (Louisville commit), Austin Dotson (Kentucky commit), Rayquan Horton (uncommitted) and Jordan Scott (uncommitted).

PICK

Belfry 21-16. Many are predicting a Belfry blowout, but this one will be closer than most people think and don’t be surprised if Central pulls the upset.

Trinity’s Bob Beatty is trying to become the first coach in Kentucky history to win 12 state championships. Photo by David R. Lutman, Special to The Courier-Journal.

Not many would argue that Trinity High School and coach Bob Beatty are at the peak of high school football in Kentucky, but a victory Saturday night would give them the numbers to back it up.

The Shamrocks (14-0) – No. 1 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings – will meet No. 10 Lafayette (13-1) at 9 p.m. EST in the Class 6-A state championship game in Bowling Green, and there will be plenty of history on the line:

* A victory would give Trinity its 24^th state championship, breaking a tie with Highlands for the most in state history.

* A victory would give Beatty his 12^th state title and the most for any coach in Kentucky history. He’s currently tied with Highlands’ Dale Mueller, who won 11 titles from 1996-2012 before retiring in 2013.

* With an all-time record of 599-160-7, Trinity is gunning for the 600^th victory in program history. According to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association record book, Trinity would become the 17^th program in state history to reach the milestone and the fastest to do so. The Shamrocks’ first season of varsity football was in 1955.

MORE COVERAGE | ‘Perfectionist’ Blackburn has Trinity on brink of perfect season

Beatty isn’t keen on talking about such things and said he might address the milestones “after the game Saturday night.”

That focused approach also has trickled down to his players.

“It doesn’t change anything,” senior quarterback Spencer Blackburn said. “We still prepare the same way. … We’re still going to attack this game like it’s any other game and focus on us. If we go out and execute we’ll leave Saturday night with a smile on our face and a big trophy in our hands.”

Most outside of Lexington expect that will be the case for a Trinity team that has dominated Lafayette twice over the last two seasons, winning 70-14 in Louisville last season and 45-7 in Lexington earlier this season.

But Beatty is using recent history against rival St. Xavier as an example for his team to not take anyone lightly. Beatty said the Shamrocks had perhaps their best offensive game of the season in a 35-13 victory over the Tigers on Sept. 30 but struggled in last week’s rematch before pulling out a 24-14 win in the state semifinals.

MORE COVERAGE | Six burning questions for this weekend’s state football finals

“We did what we wanted to do when we wanted to do it and executed very, very well,” Beatty said of the first St. X game. “You put on the film this last time and the only word I can think of is ‘sewer lagoon.’ … People don’t understand that when you play somebody twice, they’re going to do a better job of coaching. Hopefully we’re going to do a better job of coaching as well.”

Both Beatty and Blackburn questioned the team’s focus and effort after last week’s victory.

“We played hard enough to win, but we did not play well,” Beatty said. “It wasn’t like we laid down, but it’s human nature to say, ‘We played so well last time that it’s going to be easy.’ Well, it’s not. There’s nothing easy.”

If Trinity is not at its best Saturday night, Lafayette has enough firepower to take advantage.

Senior quarterback Walker Wood, a University of Kentucky commit, has passed for 2,866 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 1,279 yards and 30 scores. Senior receiver Quinton Brown is a dangerous threat with 62 catches for 994 yards and 10 touchdowns.

And the line is anchored by 6-foot-4, 316-pound senior Jedrick Wills, who has committed to Alabama.

“Their quarterback can go,” Beatty said, “and they have some other people who can put points on the board in a hurry.”

MORE COVERAGE | Central, Belfry meet again in Class 3-A final

Lafayette coach Eric Shaw knows history on is on Trinity’s side but thinks his team will handle the state-final stage better than last season, when the Generals lost to Male 41-14.

“We have to not worry about who we’re playing and make sure we go out and match the physicality they bring,” Shaw said. “There was some defensive-alignment stuff we had to take care of from the first game, and I think we did that this week. … We just have to go out and play Lafayette football and be sound in what we do.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

CLASS 6-A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

TRINITY VS. LAFAYETTE

When: 9 p.m. EST Saturday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

TRINITY SHAMROCKS (14-0)

* Coach: Bob Beatty (17^th year).

* Top rushers: Roderick Thomas (5-11, 200, Sr., 147 carries, 954 yards, 16 TDs); Jovan Smith (6-0, 190, Sr., 129 carries, 850 yards, 7 TDs); Spencer Blackburn (6-2, 180, Sr., 107 carries, 637 yards, 12 TDs).

* Top passer: Spencer Blackburn (6-2, 180, Sr., 160 of 234, 2,355 yards, 33 TDs, 3 INTs).

* Top receivers: Noah Ellison (6-1, 185, Sr., 41 catches, 511 yards, 9 TDs); Jovel Smith (6-0, 180, Sr., 30 catches, 492 yards, 5 TDs); Rondale Moore (5-8, 170, Jr., 15 catches, 327 yards, 8 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Luke Eskins (6-0, 196, Sr., 38 tackles, 4 INTs); Nick Cardosi (5-10, 205, Jr., 37 tackles, 2 INTs); Stephen Herron (6-4, 220, So., 36 tackles); Isaac Martin (6-2, 235, Sr., 33 tackles); Zyan Bethal (5-9, 160, Sr., 33 tackles, 5 INTs).

* State-final history: Trinity is 23-4 all-time in state finals and tied with Highlands for the most championships in state history. The Shamrocks’ last trip to the state final was in 2014 when they beat Dixie Heights 47-14.

LAFAYETTE GENERALS (13-1)

* Coach: Eric Shaw (fourth year).

* Top rushers: Cameron Morgan (172 carries, 1,530 yards, 12 TDs); Walker Wood (184 carries, 1,279 yards, 30 TDs); Javarius Robinson (50 carries, 310 yards, 4 TDs).

* Top passer: Walker Wood (190 of 304, 2,866 yards, 29 TDs, 11 INTs).

* Top receivers: Quinton Brown (62 catches, 994 yards, 10 TDs); Matthew Guilfoil (37 catches, 606 yards, 6 TDs); TeAndre Newcomb (23 catches, 419 yards, 4 TDs); Dekwan Edwards (22 catches, 352 yards, 5 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Ean Shaw (87 tackles, 3 INTs); TeJrin McCoy (59 tackles); Kuantaze Cooper (46 tackles, 5 INTs); Branden Layne (44 tackles, 1 INT); Jordan Thomas (36 tackles, 5 INTs).

* State-final history: Lafayette dropped to 0-3 all-time in state finals after last year’s 41-14 loss to Male. The Generals lost to Highlands in the 1960 Class 2-A final and to Trinity in the 1985 Class 4-A final.

OUTLOOK

The Shamrocks have put running-clock victories on the Generals the past two seasons, winning 70-14 last year in Louisville and 45-7 this year in Lexington. In neither of those games did Trinity have Rondale Moore, a speedy junior wide receiver who has electrified the Shamrocks offense. Look for Trinity coach Bob Beatty to get his 12^th state title, which would break a tie with Highlands’ Dale Mueller for the most in state history.

PICK

Trinity 49-14. Shamrocks complete first perfect season since 2011.

Stefan LeFors has the Christian Academy football team in the state final for the first time in program history. C-J file photo.

Asked his impressions of the Christian Academy football team, Danville’s Clay Clevenger echoed the sentiments of most of the previous coaches who have faced the Centurions this season.

“If they leave those two big defensive ends at home, we might have a chance,” Clevenger said.

Indeed, CAL’s imposing defensive line figures to be a big factor when the Centurions (13-1) face Danville (12-2) at 1:30 p.m. EST Sunday in the Class 2-A state championship game in Bowling Green.

Defensive ends Jake Paulson (6 feet 5, 250 pounds) and K.C. Purvis (6-5, 215) and tackles Nick Olsofka (6-3, 270) and Michael Lagestee (6-2, 220) are big reasons CAL is allowing just 11.7 points per game this season. That number drops to 9.5 points over four playoff games, including a pair of shutouts.

“Danville throws it a ton, so our front four has to put pressure on the quarterback,” CAL coach Stefan LeFors said. “That’s a key for us. … Those four guys are champing at the bit.”

MORE COVERAGE | Sophomore Milton Wright versatile weapon for CAL

The Admirals, who have won 10 state titles but are in the state final for the first time since 2006, are led by 6-foot-3 senior quarterback Zack Dampier. He has passed for 3,411 yards and 42 touchdowns this season and has several speedy targets led by Dmauriae VanCleave (65 catches, 989 yards, 9 TDs), David Walker (55 catches, 775 yards, 16 TDs) and Ellison Stanfield (50 catches, 869 yards, 7 TDs).

Clevenger said Dampier has a quick release and is very accurate.

“But his best assets are that he’s a 4.0 student and has a 31 on his ACT,” Clevenger said. “He’s the kind of kid that you tell him something once, and he’s got it. He owns his trade. He owns trying to be the best quarterback he can be.”

LeFors said his front four is excited about facing a pass-happy offense but warned that sacks may not be easy to come by as Danville relies on short routes.

“They have to influence the game in different ways than getting sacks,” LeFors said.

CAL has plenty of offensive firepower itself, led by sophomore quarterback Austin Carr (1,499 passing yards, 19 TDs) and sophomore wide receiver Milton Wright (25 total touchdowns).

LeFors said CAL’s running attack is sometimes overlooked, as seniors Anteneh Thompson and Tanner Palin both have topped 600 rushing yards this season and combined for 24 touchdowns.

“We have to run the ball and rely on our line up front,” LeFors said. “Those two guys are first-year starters, but they’re seniors and have a lot of experience. They both made huge strides in the weight room this summer. …

“Anteneh has a better feel for the inside-run game, whereas Palin can get in the open field and run has great speed.”

Perhaps the biggest key for CAL on Sunday will be avoiding a letdown after emotional victories over DeSales in the third round of the playoffs and Mayfield in last week’s state semifinals.

LeFors said he had 275 text messages after the Mayfield game, and the CAL community is excited to be making its first trip to a state football final.

“There’s a fine line of soaking it all in and enjoying everything that comes our way and knowing there’s a game to be played Sunday and that Danville is going to give us their best shot,” LeFors said. “We have to prepare like we’ve been preparing all year.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.

CLASS 2-A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VS. DANVILLE

When: 1:30 p.m. EST Sunday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CENTURIONS (13-1)

* Coach: Stefan LeFors (sixth year).

* Top rushers: Anteneh Thompson (5-9, 180, Sr., 101 carries, 741 yards, 14 TDs); Tanner Palin (5-8, 161 Sr., 120 carries, 671 yards, 10 TDs); Harrison Zimmerer (5-10, 170, Fr., 51 carries, 253 yards, 3 TDs).

* Top passer: Austin Carr (6-2, 200, So., 108 of 192, 1,499 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs).

* Top receivers: Milton Wright (6-3, 185, So., 42 catches, 730 yards, 15 TDs); Jake Paulson (6-5, 250, Sr., 24 catches, 319 yards, 3 TDs); Nicholas Weaver (6-3, 195, Sr., 18 catches, 261 yards, 1 TD).

* Defensive leaders: Nick Olsofka (6-3, 270, Jr., 58 tackles, 1 INT); Jake Paulson (6-5, 250, Sr., 58 tackles); Logan Young (5-11, 189, Sr., 48 tackles, 3 INTs); Milton Wright (6-3, 185, So., 46 tackles, 5 INTs); Jackson Sparrow (5-10, 165, Sr., 42 tackles); Elijah Smith (5-10, 151, So., 27 tackles, 5 INTs).

* State-final history: This is CAL’s first trip to the state final.

DANVILLE ADMIRALS (12-2)

* Coach: Clay Clevenger (fourth year).

* Top rusher: Donlevy Harris (5-9, 180, Jr., 165 carries, 1,252 yards, 19 TDs); Isiah Miller (5-10, 160, So., 23 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs).

* Top passer: Zack Dampier (6-3, 185, Sr., 223 of 320, 3,411 yards, 42 TDs, 6 INTs).

* Top receivers: Dmauriae VanCleave (5-7, 160, Jr., 65 catches, 989 yards, 9 TDs); David Walker (6-0, 175, Jr., 55 catches, 775 yards, 16 TDs); Ellison Stanfield (5-11, 175, Sr., 50 catches, 869 yards, 7 TDs); Jaleel Warren (6-0, 200, Jr., 27 catches, 466 yards, 6 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Donlevy Harris (5-9, 180, Jr., 153 tackles, 1 INT); Zach Thornton (6-1, 160, So., 104 tackles); Keshawn Railley (5-11, 195, Jr., 98 tackles); Ethan Downey (5-11, 175, Jr., 93 tackles); David Walker (6-0, 175, Jr., 61 tackles, 4 INTs); Dmauriae VanCleave (5-7, 160, Jr., 50 tackles, 9 INTs).

* State-final history: Danville is 10-3 all-time in state finals. The Admirals last reached a final in 2006, falling to Newport Central Catholic 37-34 in the Class A championship game.

OUTLOOK

Christian Academy must avoid any kind of letdown after eliminating the two teams – DeSales and Mayfield – most pegged as its top competition for a state title. Quarterback Zack Dampier will give Danville a chance and leads a short-passing attack that CAL coach Stefan LeFors said is the Admirals’ strength.

PICK

Christian Academy 35-20. Centurions have too much size and speed.

CLASS 4-A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

FRANKLIN-SIMPSON VS. JOHNSON CENTRAL

When: 4:45 p.m. EST Sunday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

FRANKLIN-SIMPSON WILDCATS (14-0)

* Coach: Doug Preston (fifth year).

* Top rushers: Saul Brady (5-11, 177, Jr., 151 carries, 1,389 yards, 20 TDs); Josiah Robey (5-11, 155, Sr., 86 carries, 1,119 yards, 14 TDs); Carlos McKinney (6-0, 206, So., 163 carries, 783 yards, 13 TDs); Jackson Caudill (6-0, 185, Sr., 62 carries, 230 yards, 7 TDs).

* Top passer: Jackson Caudill (6-0, 185, Sr., 71 of 130, 1,468 yards, 12 TDs, 2 TDs).

* Top receivers: Josiah Robey (5-11, 155, Sr., 29 catches, 564 yards, 7 TDs); Hunter Janes (6-3, 185, Sr., 23 catches, 525 yards, 4 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Cade Harvey (6-0, 190, Jr., 154 tackles); James Baker (5-7, 177, Jr., 132 tackles, 1 INT); Dion Pearson (6-1, 285, Jr., 109 tackles); Collin Preston (5-11, 185, So., 78 tackles); Tavian Jones (5-10, 151, Sr., 22 tackles, 5 INTs); Josiah Robey (5-11, 155, Sr., 22 tackles, 5 INTs).

* State-final history: Franklin-Simpson is 2-5 all-time in state finals, winning back-to-back Class 3-A crowns in 1979 and 1980. The Wildcats’ last trip was in 2011, ending in a 42-14 loss to Highlands in the 4-A final.

JOHNSON CENTRAL GOLDEN EAGLES (13-1)

* Coach: Jim Matney (13^th year).

* Top rushers: Joe Jackson (5-10, 170, So., 157 carries, 2,049 yards, 31 TDs); Cody Rice (5-10, Fr., 44 carries, 543 yards, 4 TDs); Gunner Slone (6-2, 245, Sr., 90 carries, 480 yards, 9 TDs); Blake Gamble (5-7, 125, Jr., 58 carries, 473 yards, 7 TDs).

* Top passer: Riley Preece (5-10, 135, Fr., 62 of 87, 1,254 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs).

* Top receivers: Geordan Blanton (5-7, 135, Sr., 23 catches, 727 yards, 10 TDs); Noah Frisby (6-3, 215, Sr., 19 catches, 337 yards, 4 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Nathaniel Wilcox (6-0, 190, Sr., 88 tackles, 1 INT); Devon Patrick (5-10, 205, Sr., 77 tackles); Josh Ervin (6-3, 225, Sr., 72 tackles); Devin Johnson (5-11, 195, Fr., 63 tackles); Blake Gamble (5-7, 125, Jr., 41 tackles, 5 INTs); Geordan Blanton (5-7, 135, Sr., 36 tackles, 5 INTs).

* State-final history: Johnson Central is in its second state final, having lost to South Warren 36-6 in last year’s final.

OUTLOOK

Both of these teams want to run the ball, but they go about it in different ways. Franklin-Simpson spreads the ball around, with three players have rushed for more than 700 yards. Joe Jackson is a workhorse for Johnson Central, averaging 13.1 yards per carry. Johnson Central struggled against South Warren’s speed in last year’s final and could face the same issue against Franklin-Simpson.

PICK

Franklin-Simpson 34-28. Buoyed by a boisterous crowd, the Wildcats pull off the biggest upset of the weekend.

Jamale Carothers leads the Bowling Green rushing attack. C-J file photo

CLASS 5-A STATE FOOTBALL FINAL

BOWLING GREEN VS. PULASKI COUNTY

When: 8 p.m. EST Sunday.

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green.

BOWLING GREEN PURPLES (14-0)

* Coach: Kevin Wallace (21^st year).

* Top rushers: Jamale Carothers (5-9, 184, Sr., 169 carries, 1,282 yards, 23 TDs); DeAngelo Wilson (5-10, 157, Sr., 18 carries, 234 yards, 4 TDs).

* Top passer: Clark Payne (6-2, 170, Sr., 200 of 293, 3,562 yards, 42 TDs, 4 INTs).

* Top receivers: DeAngelo Wilson (5-10, 157, Sr., 62 catches, 1,154 yards, 15 TDs); Jamale Carothers (5-9, 184, Sr., 40 catches, 773 yards, 10 TDs); Ziyon Kenner (5-10, 165, Jr., 40 catches, 627 yards, 5 TDs); Luke Brown (5-10, 159, Sr., 35 catches, 703 yards, 8 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Dalan Cofer (6-1, 201, Sr., 91 tackles); Jhamir White (5-9, 198, Sr., 90 tackles); Jason Beason (6-1, 205, Jr., 67 tackles); Justice Dingle (6-2, 230, Jr., 62 tackles); Austin Echols (5-9, 141, Sr., 24 tackles, 3 INTs).

* State-final history: Bowling Green is 5-4 all-time in state finals and has won four of the past five Class 5-A crowns, including a 21-7 victory over Pulaski County in last year’s final.

PULASKI COUNTY MAROONS (12-2)

* Coach: John Hines (18^th year).

* Top rushers: Jacob New (5-9, 158, Sr., 54 carries, 541 yards, 7 TDs); Jaylon Conwell (5-10, 162, Sr., 93 carries, 486 yards, 2 TDs); Cole Gates (6-0, 190, Jr., 46 carries, 330 yards, 2 TDs).

* Top passer: Wiley Cain (6-2, 178, So., 156 of 262, 2,095 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs).

* Top receivers: Jake Johnson (5-10, 155, Sr., 129 catches, 1,613 yards, 17 TDs); Jake Sloan (6-3, 171, Fr., 43 catches, 482 yards, 5 TDs).

* Defensive leaders: Rickey Maxey (5-10, 195, Sr., 176 tackles, 2 INTs); Jackson Mobley (5-8, 174, Sr., 134 tackles, 1 INT); Jacob New (5-9, 158, Sr., 127 tackles, 2 INTs); Konner Hargis (5-10, 190, Fr., 112 tackles); Jaxon Morgan (5-10, 161, Sr., 111 tackles); Jake Johnson (5-10, 155, Sr., 28 tackles, 9 INTs).

* State-final history: Pulaski County is 1-2 all-time in state finals and is making its fourth straight trip, falling to Bowling Green in 2013 and 2015 and beating Graves County 14-7 for the 2014 crown.

OUTLOOK

It’s the third time in four years these teams are meeting in the state final, and the Purples once again appear to have the edge. With the passing of Clark Payne and the running of Jamale Carothers, Bowling Green has one of the state’s most dangerous offenses. Jake Johnson, the state’s all-time leading receiver, will try to get his second ring in his final game as a Maroon.

PICK

Bowling Green 35-14. Purples complete undefeated season in style.

Trevor Soward ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, and Beechwood defeated Hazard 21-14 in the KHSAA Class A state football championship Friday night at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

Soward scored on a pair of 1-yard runs, his last coming with 7:11 remaining to help secure Beechwood’s 12th state championship.

Hazard quarterback Bailey Blair threw interceptions on two of the Bulldogs’ final three drives.

Beechwood scored twice in the second quarter with Soward’s 1-yard run and a 17-yard run from Aiden Justice to lead 14-7 at halftime.

Cory Smith put Hazard on the board first with a 7-yard run and finished with 128 yards on 29 carries.

Hazard (12-3) tied the game early in the fourth quarter with Blair’s 9-yard TD pass to Braxton Whitaker, but Beechwood scored the game-winner on its ensuing drive.

Brayden Burch completed 16 of 26 passes for 162 yards for Beechwood (14-1).

Top-100 finishes by Ryan Guenthner and Zachary Larkin led the St. Xavier cross country team to a 13th-place finish at the Nike Cross Country Nationals on Sunday in Portland, Oregon.

Guenthner led the Tigers’ way at No. 86, completing the course in 16:46.4 with Larkin not far behind in 93rd with a time of 16:50.2.

Grady Shiflet finished 110th (16:59.3), Thomas Knepshield was 120th (17:06.5), Patrick Schaefer was 128th (17:10.9) and Eric Portaro was 175th (17:54.9). The Tiers finished with 332 points.

A squad from Bozeman (Montana) High won the team title with a score of 105, and American Fork (Utah) High’s Casey Clinger won the individual title with a time of 15:28.4.

Click here for full results.

St. Xavier cross country runners Ryan Guenthner (from left), Zachary Larkin, Cooper Marchal, Patrick Shaefer, Thomas Knepshield, Grady Shiflet and Eric Portaro pose for a photo Saturday in Portland, Oregon. The team finished 13th at the Nike Cross Country Nationals.

Follow along here as the CJ’s Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) covers Central-Belfry at 6 p.m. and Trinity-Lafayette at 9 p.m.

Class 3-A: Jason’s Central-Belfry preview and pick

Class 6-A: Jason’s Trinity-Lafayette preview and pick

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The Greater Louisville Football Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star Game is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at DeSales High School.

The game will match some of the top seniors in the Louisville area.

Western’s Torrey Shinholster will be the coach for the West team, and Atherton’s Kenny Walker will coach the East squad.

Tickets are $5.

Here are the rosters:

* East: QB – Andrew Lee (Atherton), Zachary Kessler (Bullitt East), Tyler Drane (Shelby County), Shamar Bryant (Fern Creek); RB – Collin Brown (Ballard), Tom Grogan (Oldham County), Roderick Eck (Atherton), Austin Bommerrito (Moore), Sugar Ray Wyche (Eastern), Denzel Vance (Franklin County); WR – Dayshawn Chaney (Seneca), Tyquan Jackson (Waggener), Payton Hawk (Collins), William Stanky (Oldham County); OL – William West (Bullitt East), Andrew Eberle (St. Xavier), Jon Michael Stallard (Franklin County), Landin Jones (North Oldham), Jacob Vance (North Oldham), Javon Fenwick (Atherton), Jacorey Grinstead (Jeffersontown); DL – Clayton Wilson (Henry County), Dustin Hinkle (Collins), Jared Cotton (South Oldham), Darren Weathers (South Oldham), Eddy Graham (Jeffersontown), Kiaunte Downs (Spencer County), Andrew Mack (Shelby County), Samuel Bryant (Oldham County), Daniel Bullard (Atherton), Stephon Mays (Male); LB – Jack Daly (St. Xavier), Tahj Gelin (Moore), Walter Chambers (Ballard), Hunter Brown (Spencer County), Jalen Howard (Atherton); DB – Kristopher Cambron (Eastern), Dondi Brooks (Waggener), Cameron Paynter (Henry County), Trevon White (Fern Creek), Robert Sheffield (Male); K/P – Jakson Wine (North Oldham); Head coach – Kenny Walker (Atherton).

* West: QB – Andrew Brown (North Bullitt), Cameron Skinner (Southern); RB – Brandon Neely (Valley), Jeremiah Parker (Pleasure Ridge Park), Hamilton Wilson (Doss); WR – Shauntay Bibbs (Western), Chyl Crenshaw (John Hardin), Zane Denner (Breckinridge County), Cody Janes (Meade County), Cornell Love (Western), Miguel Luna (North Hardin), James Pitre (North Hardin), James Sims (DeSales), Joe Sims (DeSales), Rashawn Tucker (Shawnee), Brendon Watkins (Valley), Benjamin Young (Western); OL – William Bradford (Nelson County), Zack Dotson (Thomas Nelson), Ethan Miller (Meade County), Spencer Montgomery (Butler), Trent Waltenburg (Bullitt Central), James Wheatley (Holy Cross); DL – Drew Bledsoe (DeSales), Gavin Curry (Bullitt Central), Brandon Davis (Butler), Daniel Hanson (Thomas Nelson), Steven Herndon (Doss), Trey Hertel (Pleasure Ridge Park), Juan Price (Butler), Romiaee Sodja (Pleasure Ridge Park), Gavin Taylor (Washington County), Kenneth Thomas (Doss), Dakota Woosley (Central Hardin), Trevon Wright (John Hardin); LB – Josue Batista (Southern), Austin Tharp (DeSales); DB – Kris Adams (Pleasure Ridge Park), Jakob Bowman (Nelson County), Cavin Hornback (Breckinridge County), Margarito Martinez (Southern), Zach McFadden (Iroquois), Tra Owens (Doss), Robert Shorter (John Hardin), Duncan Strong (Bullitt Central); Head coach – Torrey Shinholster (Western).