MALE (13-0) AT CENTRAL HARDIN (10-3)
Bruins in state semifinals for first time
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Next week: Winner will face Lafayette-Simon Kenton winner in Class 6-A state final.
* Male, No. 2 in the state in The Courier-Journal’s Litkenhous Ratings, beat No. 1 Trinity 21-20 last week as Zackery Smith scored two touchdowns (one punt return, one receiving) and Devin Gentry rushed for 126 yards and a score. Gentry has 23 touchdowns (18 rushing, five receiving) and needs 6 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season but is questionable for the game with an ankle injury. Sophomore Dayveon Higgs would get the start at running back if Gentry is out.
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* Senior Xavier Arnette rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries as Central Hardin beat McCracken County 10-7 last week to capture its first-ever regional title. Arnette (1,227 yards, 18 touchdowns) and junior Darius Barbour (891 yards, 11 TDs) lead the Bruins’ rushing attack. Barbour also is the top receiver with 27 catches for 498 yards and seven scores. Central Hardin has won seven in a row since a 42-6 loss to Bowling Green on Sept. 25.
Quotable: “(Central Hardin) runs multiple formations, but they’re based out of the wing-T,” Male coach Chris Wolfe said. “Both of those running backs (Arnette and Barbour) are really good. Their quarterback (junior Reece Iler) is more of a runner than a passer. They don’t throw it much at all.”
The pick: Male 42-7.