Picks for Friday Night, Kentucky…
Every week, the magazine, through its editorial board (on which “Friday Night Fletch” and I both sit), meet to go over our picks of what we think may be the biggest games of the week in KHSAA Football and how they are likely to resolve. You know us, it isn’t enough to just spit out some scores but we are the type mathematicians who insist on “showing our work.” Sometimes, we publish these picks and sometimes we don’t. This week, we elected to publish. If you listen to our show, which airs in most markets on Saturday morning, these will be the games we discuss. Let’s see how our “pickers” worked this week.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
1A Classification
Hazard (2-0) at 2A Prestonsburg (2-0)
Hazard may be the hottest team in 1A at the present time. Sophomore William Shoptaw (’28) is red hot, having thrown for 580-yards and five (5) TDs in his first two games against a lone INT. Gavin Johnson (’27) already has snagged 15-passes, three of which have been housed, and has scored 24-points (3-receiving, 1-rushing) to go along with 13-tackles and one of the team’s pair of INTs on defense. Transfer Jackson Deaton (’26) is making a huge difference defensively with 26-stops through the first two games.
Colin Hatfield (’27) is Prestonsburg’s leading rusher with 360-yards while Kain Patton (’26) has contributed 310-yards. The pair have scored 11 of the team’s 15-rushing TDs so far. Noah Price (’27) is a terror, contributing four (4) TFLs and three (3) QB-sacks through the first two games. Look for Logan Stumbo (’26) to have a breakout game. He has been relatively quiet through the first two; but, then again, Stumbo is prominently featured in opposing scouting reports so he draws a ton of blockers.
We like Hazard in this one by 12-points
3A St. Francis DeSales (0-2) at Holy Cross (Louisville) (2-0)
They call this the “Holy War” but Lexington Catholic vs. Lexington Christian might beg to differ. DeSales is struggling out of the gate and Holy Cross is routinely a contender at the 1A classification.
We like the Cougars at home by 10.
2A Classification
Beechwgood (2A) (1-0) at Dixie Heights (5A) (0-2)
Beechwood is our pick to win 2A until someone proves to us they have the ability, talent, and coaching sufficient to beat them. QB, Emmett Queen (’27) hasn’t misfired yet this season (10 for 10, passing) and has thrown for 261-yards and three (3) TDs. Nathan Pabst’s play deserves a “blue ribbon” as he has caught 4-passes for 127-yards and a score through two games. Colson Lair (’26) may be the best PKer in the KHSAA as he is 6 for 6 on PATs and 1 for 1 on FGs. Tyler Fryman (’27) is leading the team in tackles and picks, returning his lone pick 43-yards.
Dixie Heights is 0-2 but not all 0-2s are the same. Heights lost to Simon Kenton by 10-points and the Pioneers are both 6A and undefeated (2-0). Mason Fields (’26) has thrown for 528-yards and a pair of TDs. If he can do something about the INTs (4) Heights may prove a tough task. Brad Roaden (’27) already has 3-TFLs amongst his 19-stops through two games. Beechwood can’t just let this guy gain admission into its offensive backfield.
We like Beechwood by 10 on the road.
Owensboro Catholic (2-0) at 5A Apollo (0-2)
Catholic opened up beating the defending 5A, KHSAA football champs (Bowling Green High)on the road in its first game and followed that up by beating 6A, Daviess County, 34-2. Owensboro Catholic opens at home with 5A Apollo and Apollo ain’t no joke. This is another David/Goliath matchup and these, like in the Bible, haven’t been going Goliath’s way.
Miles Edge (’26) has been killing it for Catholic and demonstrating great production and versatility. Edge is the leading rusher, the second leading receiver, leading scorer, second leading tackler, and has forced a fumble in just two games. Dremail Carothers (’27) has thrown for 471-yards and 5-TDs over his first two games. Darn good production for a QB replacing a Mr. Football candidate from last year (Brady Atwell).
We like Catholic and believe they might run the clock…35-points!
3A Classification
Christian Academy-Louisville (2-0) at Lexington Christian Academy (1-1)
Here is another one of these “Holy Wars.” CAL has beaten its first two opponents by a combined scored of 80-7. The two teams they have beaten are Pikeville and Owensboro Senior High (5A).
Lexington Christian pasted 6A North Hardin and lost by 7-points to 4A, Boyle County, Kentucky’s 2nd rated team, according to MaxPreps, in the commonwealth. This matchup pits the 4th highest regarded team in the Bluegrass (CAL) against the 22nd highest regarded team in the Bluegrass (LCA) fresh off pushing the 2nd highest rated team (Boyle County) to the final horn in Danville.
Can lightening strike twice? Nope.
We like CAL on the road by 8-points
5A Graves County (0-2) at Murray High (2-0)
Murray High is one of the more talented rosters in 3A. Wyatt Robbins (’26) has thrown for 470-yards and 5-TDs in the first pair of games while also leading the team in rushing with 193-yards on only 13-carries. He is lightening in a bottle. Joshua Bridges (’26), the transfer from Christian County, has been killing it this season, having caught 10-passes in two games for 140-yards and a pair of TDs while picking the defense’s lone pass on the season. Asa Munsey (’27) leads the defense and Hank Fronza (’26) is hitting 83% of his PATs thus far. Coach Melvin Cunningham has a really talented squad but at the end of the day, a 5A roster for a team the ilk of Graves County will be a challenge for any 3A football team.
Murray High by 1-point at home over the 5A visitors from Graves County!
5A Marshall County (1-1) at Trigg (1-1)
Both of these teams have performed pretty well to date. Marshall County has lost by two to Caldwell County while Trigg lost by a single point when its two-point conversion attempt came up just short to a 12-1 team (Hart County) which had most of its pieces back from a 12-1 run in 2024.
Davaree Gude (’26), for Trigg, is among the best RBs you will see this year or any other (302-yards and 7-rushing TDs through the first two games). Southpaw QB, (’28) Caden Scott, has been red-hot; completing 20 of his 26-passing attempts thus far for 327-yards and a TD. Peyton Williams (’26) is leading the team in receptions and INTs demonstrating his multi-phase utility and production.
We like Trigg at home by 8-points!
4A Classification
2A Mayfield (2-0) at Paducah Tilghman (2-0)
This game will be a war. Tilghman is coming off a championship in 4A and beat the blue blazes out of Mayfield a season ago (41-0).
While this ain’t last year’s roster, Tilghman still has the best OT at this level we have seen play (Jarvis Strickland, ’26) and the guy on the other side (Ben Myers, ’26) ain’t no dog. Stone Crow (’26) has killed it at QB so far with 671-passing yards and 10-TDs passing against 3-picks. Avery Thompson (’28) is serving notice he is a star (15-receptions, 250-yards, and 3-TDs) and Rex Gray (’27) has converted all 16 of his PATs.
As for Mayfield, Cliff Dew and staff are doing a great job filling the shoes of a departed legend (Joe Morris) and Josiah England (’27), Mak Hoover (’26), and Gray Robbins, (’27) are really studding out for a team which beats many teams because of the name on the front of the jersey; not necessarily the name on the back of the jersey.
We like the Blue Tornado over Mayfield by six (6) points!
Logan County (2-0) at 1A Russellville (0-2)
Logan County has really come out of the gate hot, beating Hart County in the opener, 19-15, and then McCracken County, 33-16. This is a rivalry game and there have been years where this matchup was decidedly in favor of the Panthers (Russellville). Christian Helle (’27) is the leading rusher and leading scorer while Caiden Kirby (’26) is five for five in PATs and one for one in FGs. There are weeks where the right placekicker can win you a game. This will NOT be one of those weeks.
Logan County over Russellville by 40-points!
5A Classification
Bowling Green (0-2) at Scott County (2-0)
Mark Spader’s boys are up against the wall, coming out of the gate 0-2 with losses to Owensboro Catholic and then to St. Xavier (6A). Now they get one of the better coached programs, and successful programs, at the 5A level with Scott County (2-0). Jim McKee is a legendary KHSAA coach at Scott County and the Cardinals have routed 6A, George Rogers Clark, and 6A Great Crossing. Georgetown, KY is a hard place to have to play and Scott County is a tough, tough team.
Timmy Emongo (’27) is one of Scott County’s more versatile talents. Emongo is among the team’s leading rushers, receivers, is the team’s leading scorer, and among the defensive leaders in tackles, FRs, and INTs all added to his burgeoning list of statistics.
Scott County by 3-points!
5A Madisonville North Hopkins (2-0) at Hopkins County Central (1-1)
North Hopkins has boat raced a 3A finalist (Union County), 49-13, and have beaten a traditional power, from 6A, in Hopkinsville High, 42-19. Mr. Football candidate Markezz Hightower has gained 427-yards and scored 7-rushing TDs in the two games.
Jayden Travis (’26) is a 6’3, 230-pound two-way guy who figures to land at TE at the college level. The All-State candidate has been lethal when targeted in the passing game but his contributions to Hightower’s production, as the sixth member of the OL, can’t be overlooked.
Ryder Sandidge (’27) is a three-phase, thrill a minute and Kirk LaGrange is leading the squad in tackles, TFLs, tied for the lead in INTs, and has recovered the only fumble through two games. North Hopkins is very good upfront with Kadence Price (’27) 6’2,” 265-pounds; Marvin Robert (’27) 6’4,” 285-pounds; Brody Hall (’27) 6’3,” 250-pounds; Gage Kinney (’27) 6’0,” 250-pounds; Kaden Vickery (’26), 6’1,” 280-pounds; and Boyd Dever (’28) 6’6,” 290-pounds.
On the other side of the ledger, Sylas Gunn (’26) is among the very best three phase performers an athletes playing football today at the KHSAA level. Isac Earl (’26) scoring TDs passing, rushing, and receiving while Jeremiah Groves (’26) has been very active in the down field passing game. Kamran Harrison, has been the defenses most consistent and dynamic threat in addition to Gunn, who can quite literally play anywhere.
North Hopkins is among the very best teams at the 5A level. They should win this game if they play like they are capable, target Travis more in second level matchups, and don’t commit “unforced errors” like turnovers.
Mops (Madisonville North Hopkins) on Top by 28-points…if…
6A Classification
Male (2-0) at St. Xavier (2-0)
This is Kevin Wallace‘s last year at the helm of any ball club. What a fantastic run. Wallace’s Tigers from Saint Xavier aren’t going to let him ride off into the sunset at the controls of a seven win team like the one in ’24.
Male is coached by the big, bad Wolf(e)…as in head coach Chris Wolfe. Wolfe’s team has destroyed Butler High (Louisville) and struggled with Ballard. That game with Ballard is something about which to be a little concerned.
Ballard is pretty good. St. Xavier they ain’t. Mason Trimble (’26) came into the season ballyhooed as a possible Mr. Football guy. We haven’t seen that level of performance but the young man has been a steady hand on the wheel and there isn’t but one trophy which matter to him and it isn’t the Mr. Football one. Marlin Harbin, III, leads the Tigers in both rushing and receiving and Karsten Busch is leading the defense.
Male’s Jordan Williams has been a steady performer, if not spectacular. We are picking the Tigers in this one…but it will be tight.
St. Xavier by three (3) points
Trinity (Lou.) (2-0) at Moeller (Cincinnati) (1-1)
Moeller is the 2nd highest regarded high school football team in Ohio and ranked 65th in the Nation. Moeller beat Princeton High in its opener and dropped a one point heart breaker to Mt. Carmel High School (IL) 43-42. Mt. Carmel is the 62nd ranked team in the country and the second highest regarded team in IL and are undefeated.
Trinity High is the 91st highest regarded team in the country and the top ranked team in Kentucky, all classes. The Shamrocks will not be favored by national pundits so let me get you ready for that foremost. Does it feel like to anyone else, ’27’s Zane Johnson (QB), has been leading the Shamrock offense for like 20-years?
We want to take Trinity but can’t, in Cincinnati. Archbishop Moeller by 6-points!
Mckenzie (TN) (1-1) at Christian County (0-2)
This is a good news/bad news situation here. The good news, Mckenzie is a 1A program in Tennessee. The bad news, they are the 44th highest regarded team in Tennessee regardless of classification, are coming off a 13-1 season, have a ton of talent returning, and are serious contenders to win the TSSAA, 1A title this season.
In other words, if Christian County continues to cough up the football seven (7) times a game (14-TOs through the first two) the fact the Colonels being 6A, or at home, won’t save them from the beatdown coming their way Friday night. Sorry, Facts!
Christian County is not without weaponry. Tom Johnson (’26) has had moments where he has performed pretty well at QB and we all know Tristen Dillard (’27) is capable of hitting some homers for you if the WRs, ends, and OL will commit to opening some holes. Deasian Harris (’27) spends considerable time in the opponent’s offensive backfield (5-TFLs) and freshman, Bryson “Cowboy” Ford (’29) has shown himself to be elite among linebackers (18-tackles and 4-TFLs through two games) in his graduating class. Jayleigh Campbell, PK (’27), is a weapon for the Colonels on special teams and will be called upon to deliver up a victory sometime before this year is over.
We like the Rebels over the Colonels by 14-points!
There we go folks, these are our picks for Friday night. How will we fare? We’ll talk about it Saturday morning…
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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