Male High School football coach Chris Wolfe isn’t revealing the scheme changes he made to his defense this season – “I’ll never tell,” he said with a laugh – but they’re working for a unit that has led the Bulldogs to the state semifinals.
Male stuffed Trinity’s running game – 30 carries, 78 yards – on Friday, just one reason the host Bulldogs were able to pull out a 20-19 victory in the Class 6-A, Region Two final.
“We knew from watching film that they had gotten significantly better running the ball, especially on their stretch plays,” senior linebacker Jack Kuerzi said. “We knew we’d have to stop their run first or they would run the ball down our throats. We were pretty successful at that.”
MORE COVERAGE | Male edges Trinity to advance to state semifinals
MORE COVERAGE | Photo gallery from Trinity-Male game
The 78 rushing yards were a season-low for a Trinity squad that entered the game averaging 150.7 rushing yards per game. Senior Jailen Reed was limited to 59 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, with his longest run going 13 yards.
“He’s a great running back, and they have a great offensive line,” said Kuerzi, who finished with four tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. “We just toughened it out.”
Male’s defense has been stingy all season, allowing just 6.1 points and 49 rushing yards per game.
Trinity rushed for 117 yards on 29 attempts in its 42-13 loss to Male on Sept. 11.
“I felt like if we could stay in that range this time we’d be fine,” Wolfe said. “With the kids we have, we need to be able to stop the run. We were basically playing honest defense. We were in base most of the time. You get to this point of the season you want to go with the one you’re most comfortable with. …
“We have great players this year, but our defensive scheme is a little different. It helped us.”
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
* Junior quarterback Walker Wood, who has committed to the University of Kentucky, accounted for 350 yards and three touchdown as Lafayette won 36-30 at Scott County in the Class 6-A, Region Four final.
Wood completed 14 of 21 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 127 yards and two scores on 20 carries.
MORE COVERAGE | Johnson lifts DeSales past Christian Academy
MORE COVERAGE | DeSales-Christian Academy photo gallery
Lafayette (11-2) avenged a 65-46 loss to Scott County in the regular season and will play at Simon Kenton (13-0) on Friday in the state semifinals.
* Remember Highlands?
Many left the Bluebirds for dead after a 1-5 start, but they’re back in the state semifinals after a 44-22 victory over Covington Catholic in the Class 5-A, Region Three final. Senior Nick Kendall rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to lead Highlands.
The Bluebirds are in the state semifinals for the ninth straight year and will host defending 5-A state champion Pulaski County (12-1). Highlands won the Class 4-A state title last year before moving up a class this season.
* Kash Daniel, a UK commit, passed for 202 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as Paintsville beat Paris 48-28 in the Class A, Region Three final.
Paintsville (13-0) will host Pikeville (11-2) on Friday in a state semifinal.
MORE COVERAGE | Central falls to Lexington Catholic in 3-A playoffs
Paintsville is one of five undefeated teams still in the hunt for a state title, joining Male and Simon Kenton in Class 6-A, South Warren in 4-A and Elizabethtown in 3-A.
POWER FIVE
Each week Jason Frakes will provide his ranking of the top five teams in the state, regardless of class:
* No. 5 – Bowling Green (12-1). Defense had three interceptions, made three goal-line stands in 41-12 victory at Owensboro in Class 5-A, Region One final. Up next: hosts Fern Creek (12-1) on Friday in Class 5-A semifinal.
* No. 4 – St. Xavier (7-5). Season complete.
* No. 3 – Simon Kenton (13-0). Pioneers stopped a late two-point conversion try to beat Cooper 13-12 in the Class 6-A, Region Three final. Up next: hosts Lafayette (11-2) on Friday in Class 6-A semifinal.
* No. 2 – Trinity (11-2). Couldn’t overcome three turnovers and a stagnant rushing attack in a 20-19 loss at Male in Class 6-A, Region Two final. Up next: Season over.
* No. 1 – Male (13-0). Zackery Smith scored two touchdowns and Devin Gentry rushed for 110 yards and a score in a thrilling 20-19 victory over Trinity. Up next: at Central Hardin (10-3) on Friday in Class 6-A semifinal.
GAME BALLS
Zackery Smith, Male
The senior wide receiver had four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown and also returned a punt 45 yards for a score as the Bulldogs beat Trinity 20-19 in the Class 6-A, Region Two final.
Lamarius Kinslow, Fern Creek
The senior wide receiver caught a 10-yard touchdown pass with 3:22 left to lift the Tigers to a 21-20 victory over South Oldham in the Class 5-A, Region Two final. Kinslow finished with three catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns and also had five tackles.
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.