We pick games in all six (6) classes
This is something we do every year and have for as long as we have been on air. We pick winners, we predict scores, and Saturday across the commonwealth, on the “Kentucky News Network,” our guy, “Friday Night Fletch,” will go on air and discuss how we fared. The below are some of the key matchups across Kentucky pitting teams from different classifications all over the commonwealth of Kentucky, literally from Ashland to Paducah and all points in between. Here is how we see it.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Associate Scouting Director, KPGFootball
Here is how we see the games being played Thursday and Friday in all six (6) of Kentucky’s classifications. These teams are into district play and some of these teams are still building their RPIs which will be important as classification rankings and seedings are crystalizing across the KHSAA. We will start with Kentucky Class 1A.
1A
Middlesboro (7-0) at Williamsburg (5-1)
Both teams are the “Yellowjackets” and both teams are upper-echelon caliber, championship contending 1A ball clubs. The game will be played in Williamsburg, KY and that is a very tough place to play.
KPGFootball Predicts: Middlesboro 34, Williamsburg 20
The matchup between Middlesboro and Williamsburg in the KHSAA Class 1A District 7 matchup is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026.
🏟️ Game Location
The game will be played at Williamsburg High School (specifically at the Williamsburg Independent Schools field) in Williamsburg, KY.
📊 Team Records
- Middlesboro Yellow Jackets: 7–0 (Undefeated).
- Williamsburg Yellow Jackets: 5–1 (Only loss to Sayre).
🔮 Predicted Winner
- Winner: Middlesboro Yellow Jackets
Analysis: This game will decide the #1 seed in the district. Middlesboro comes in as a powerhouse ranked in the top 10 of Class 1A. While Williamsburg has an explosive offense (fresh off a 56–6 blowout of Lynn Camp). Middlesboro won last year’s hard-fought battle 22–14 and carries a more balanced, seasoned squad capable of slowing down Williamsburg’s attack.
✨ Star Players
Middlesboro
- Deakon Partin (Senior, QB): A veteran three-year starting quarterback who commands the offense. He recently put on a masterclass performance by throwing 6 touchdowns against Pineville.
- Amari Houston (Senior, WR/S/ATH): Partin’s favorite target. He is a dominant two-way star who racks up long touchdown receptions while simultaneously leading the secondary with multiple interceptions.
- Colby Lawson (Junior, RB/LB): An incredibly dynamic weapon who excels in the run game, returns kickoffs for touchdowns, and anchors the defense with sacks and forced fumbles.
Williamsburg
- Reece Hatcher (Sophomore, QB): A physically imposing 6’4″ signal-caller with a massive ceiling. He leads the passing game and has drawn attention early in his high school career.
- Nate Goodin (Senior, RB): One of the premier big-play running backs in Class 1A, averaging double-digit yards per carry and serving as Williamsburg’s primary threat to take it to the house on any given play.
- Peyton Hamilton (Senior, WR/CB): A tall, athletic 6’2″ pass-catcher who acts as Hatcher’s main target deep down the field and a key component of the passing offense.
Pikeville High (6-1) at Paintsville (8-0)
I can remember when the Paintsville Tigers could play with anyone. Do any of you remember Joey Couch? Still, Pikeville is the class of 1A and the Panthers need to show everyone that is true and Pikeville can start this weekend.
KPGFootball Predicts: Pikeville 38, Paintsville 14
Game Details:
- Location: The game will be played at Paintsville High School in Paintsville, KY.
- Pikeville Panthers Record: 6–1 overall (0–0 in district play).
- Paintsville Tigers Record: 8–0 overall (1–0 in district play).
🏈 Game Handicap
This Class 1A District 8 showdown features two powerhouse teams from Eastern Kentucky. The Paintsville Tigers come into the matchup undefeated at 8-0, sitting at the top of the district standings. They have consistently taken care of business, most recently rolling past Hazard 38-14. Meanwhile, the Pikeville Panthers sit at 6-1, with their only loss coming against a top-tier Class 3A program (Christian Academy of Louisville).
While Paintsville holds the flawless record and home-field advantage, Pikeville plays an incredibly brutal schedule and features overwhelming historical depth. Predictive metrics like On3 severely favor Pikeville’s strength of schedule and athletic roster to hand Paintsville its first loss of the season.
✨ Stars of each Team
- Pikeville Panthers: Look out for key defensive anchors like Jeremiah Anderson (Sr., MLB) Bryson”Mr. B” Johnson (Jr., two-time, All State at LB), and Jayden Justice (Sr., OLB/RB). Offensively, veteran linemen like Connor Ratliff and Henry McNamee pave the way for a highly efficient ground game.
- Paintsville Tigers: The undefeated surge has been heavily led by defensive standout Anderson Lauffer (Sr.) and explosive freshman Nathaniel Hunter (Fr.), who recently turned heads with a game-changing 70-yard touchdown reception.
🔮 Who will win?
- Winner: Pikeville Panthers
Kentucky Country Day (5-2) at Bethlehem (Bardstown) (7-0)
Bethlehem is predicted to win a highly competitive matchup against Kentucky Country Day (KCD) on October 16, 2026. This game is a tough matchup between equally yoked opponents.
KPGFootball Predicts: Bethlehem 28, KCD 21
Team Records & Information
- Bethlehem Eagles (Home): 7-0
- Recent Outing: Defeated 4A, John Hardin, 41-7 on October 3.
- Trend: Undefeated and playing on their home turf in Bardstown, KY.
- Kentucky Country Day Bearcats (Away): 5-2
- Recent Outing: Defeated Louisville Holy Cross 34-14 on October 9.
- Trend: The reigning 2025 Class 1A State Champions stumbled early in the season against Sayre but have won consecutive games to build serious momentum.
Matchup Handicap & Analysis
This Class 1A District 2 clash features two of the region’s top programs. While KCD brings a battle-tested roster with championship pedigree, Bethlehem holds the edge due to an explosive, consistent offense and home-field advantage. KCD’s defense will look to slow down Bethlehem’s multi-dimensional attack, but the Eagles’ undefeated momentum at home gives them a slight handicap edge of -6.5 points. Expect a close, physical game that stays within one touchdown.
Would you like to take a look at the player statistics for either team, or see how this game impacts the Class 1A District 2 standings?
2A
Lexington Christian Academy (5-2) at Danville High (8-0)
This game is for the district crown between two heavyweights with prestigious pedigrees and histories. Is Danville ready for this type-smoke?
KPGFootball Predicts: The prediction is a victory over Danville High (No. 6, 2A, RPI) with a projected final score of 38-28.
Game Breakdown & Prediction
The Class 2A matchup between Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) and Danville High School features two highly competitive programs.
- Location: The game will be played at Danville High School (Admiral Stadium) in Danville, KY.
- Lexington Christian Academy Record: 5-2
- Danville High School Record: 8-0
Handicap & Prediction:
Danville enters this game undefeated at 8-0 and ranked No. 3 in the latest KHSAA RPIs in 2A. The Admirals showcase exceptional consistency. However, LCA is the defending Class 2A state champion and plays one of the toughest schedules in the state, making their 5-2 record deceptive. LCA is ranked No. 4 in the latest RPIs. LCA’s high-octane passing offense and overwhelming Division I talent gives them the edge in a tightly contested, high-scoring affair.
- Predicted Winner: Lexington Christian Academy
- Predicted Score: LCA 38, Danville 28
Star Players
Lexington Christian Academy Eagles
Offense
- Nash Whelan (Jr., QB): The reigning state championship MVP returns after throwing for 2,526 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for a team-high 1,047 yards and 16 scores.
- Matthew Montgomery (Jr. OL): Montgomery is the definitive player along the OL in the 2A classification and beyond. Montgomery is a returning Big Ass Fans, Small School, All-Stater.
- Nick Greer (Jr. OL): Greer primary has played at center and is a returning All-Stater.
- Daven Hood (Sr., RB): A potent backfield weapon who averaged over 6 yards per carry, tallying 578 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Bennett Gudalis (Sr., RB): Provided a strong ground presence with 416 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.
- Conrad Hart (Sr., TE): A towering 6’5″, 225-pound three-star recruit committed to Kentucky.
- Sam Pearson (Sr., WR): Returned 480 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
Defense & Linebackers
- Aiden Lyons (Sr., LB): Anchors the defense as the team’s leading returning tackler with 89 total stops and an interception.
- Thomas Sizemore (Jr., LB): Followed closely behind in tackles with 74 stops and 4 tackles for loss.
- Bode Darland (Jr., DL): A disruptive force in the trenches who recorded 54 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
Danville Admirals
- Trinden Sellers (WR/FS): A crucial senior two-way threat who provides deep-play capability and anchors the secondary.
- Chandon Carter (WR/DB): A reliable, high-impact veteran weapon in the Admirals’ balanced attack.
- Jutayvion Beasley (RB): The focal engine of the ground game, vital for controlling the time of possession against LCA.
- Jayvian Meaux plays RB and OLB and Free Safety (#6). They call him Jukebox. He ran for 1,869-yards and 31-TDs in an All-State year as a freshman. He has fielded early offers from Louisville, Tulane, EKU and others.
3A
Bourbon County (6-1) at Carroll County High (5-2)
The last time the Colonels of Bourbon County were this good might have been 1997 with Carter Conley at QB and Dudley Hilton at the controls of the program. These guys can play. In our opinion, Bourbon County will defeat Carroll County 35–21 in this Kentucky Class 3A District 5 showdown.
KPGFootball Predicts: Bourbon County 35, Carroll County 21
Game Logistics & Team Records
- Location: The game will be played at Carroll County High School in Carrollton, Kentucky.
- Bourbon County Colonels: 6–1 (2–0 in the district).
- Carroll County Panthers: 5–2 (1–1 in the district).
Game Breakdown
This matchup features two of the top teams in the district, but they come in with different momentums. Bourbon County enters as the district favorite, fueled by a high-powered offense averaging over 42 points per game. They possess a marquee win over Lloyd Memorial (41–34) and are riding a dominant streak.
Carroll County has a stout defense that keeps them in games, only surrendering roughly 9 points per game on average. However, the Panthers’ offense will likely struggle to keep pace with the multi-dimensional attack of the Colonels, especially after dropping a key district matchup to Henry County earlier in the season.
Bourbon County’s depth and explosive playmaking should allow them to break away in the second half.
Star Players to Watch
Bourbon County Colonels
- Quinton Rice (Sr. WR/RB): The primary offensive weapon who averages 60 rushing yards per game and serves as the team’s most explosive playmaker.
- Aiden Thomas (So. WR/CB): A versatile two-way threat who anchors the passing game and lock-down secondary coverage.
- Fred Carson Jr. (Sr. CB): The leader of the secondary who routinely shuts down opposing teams’ top vertical threats. [1]
Carroll County Panthers
- J. Chapman-Meadows (RB/DB): The engine of the Panthers’ ground game, averaging 60 rushing yards per contest alongside stellar defensive contributions.
- Joshua Anderson Jr. (RB): The team’s primary red-zone threat, leading the roster with 3 rushing touchdowns.
- Hunter Dalton Jr. (WR): The top receiving threat for Carroll County, crucial for stretching the field.
Predicted Winner: Bourbon County
Glasgow (7-0) at LaRue (7-0)
This highly anticipated Kentucky Class 3A District 2 matchup brings together two undefeated powerhouses battling for district supremacy. Both of these teams are in the 3A title hunt.
KPGFootball Predicts: Glasgow 27, LaRue County 24,
Game Location & Records
- Where They Are Playing: The game will take place at LaRue County High School in Hodgenville, KY.
- Glasgow Scotties Record: 7–0 (3–0 in District).
- LaRue County Hawks Record: 7–0 (3–0 in District).
Handicapping & Prediction
This is an incredibly tight game on paper, featuring two teams that dominated common district opponents like Adair County and Butler County. Glasgow boasts a slightly more explosive offense (316 points scored vs. LaRue’s 289), while LaRue County has a marginally stingier defense (69 points allowed vs. Glasgow’s 104).
Because LaRue County holds the home-field advantage and has shown exceptional defensive lockdown ability in big games, they hold the razor-thin edge in the opinion of most publications outside of us!
Players to Watch
- Glasgow Scotties Stars:
- Landen Holley (SR, QB/FS): The senior leader directing traffic under center and anchoring the secondary.
- Jamari Stockton (JR, RB/WR) & Jaylen Bradley (SR, RB/WR): A versatile, explosive pair of playmakers fueling Glasgow’s high-scoring offense.
- LaRue County Hawks Stars:
- Robert Coffman (SR, OL/DL) & Luke Heady (SR, C): The physical anchors of a dominant offensive and defensive front line that dictates the tempo of games.
Lawrence County (5-1) at Estill County (6-1)
Hall of Fame football coach, Hoover Niece, coached Estill County for years. This Engineer squad is reminiscent of some of his fine teams. Lawrence County is also a tough customer and this game is for mountain, 3A supremacy. The upcoming Class 3A District 8 matchup features a battle between two top teams in the district.
KPGFootball Predicts: Lawrence County 41, Estill County 14
- Lawrence County Bulldogs: 5-1 overall (2-0 in district play)
- Estill County Engineers: 6-1 overall (2-0 in district play)
Handicapping the Matchup
While Estill County owns a slightly better overall record and has put up impressive offensive numbers (302 points scored compared to Lawrence County’s 202), the metric that stands out is defensive stability. Lawrence County boasts an elite defense, allowing a stingy 45 total points over six games (7.5 points per game), whereas Estill County’s defense has given up 186 points.
Additionally, state power rankings strongly favor Lawrence County, who is coming off a dominant 41-0 shutout against Powell County. In contrast, Estill County squeaked by Letcher County Central 21-14 in their latest outing. Computer projections give the Bulldogs a heavy advantage on the road. Letcher County can be tough and beating them in Whitesburg, KY is no small feat for Estill.
Final Prediction
- Projected Winner: Lawrence County
Bardstown (6-2) at Lexington Catholic (5-2)
Lexington Catholic will defeat Bardstown when they face off this week. While both teams are having solid campaigns, Lexington Catholic’s brutal strength of schedule and suffocating defense give them a major upper hand. Lexington Catholic is heavily favored in this matchup. According to the On3 Massey Ratings Forecast, the Knights hold a 94% win probability.
KPGFootball Predicts: Lexington Catholic 42, Bardstown 7
Team Records & Game Location
- Bardstown Tigers: 6-2
- Lexington Catholic Knights: 5-2
- Location: The game will be played at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, KY.
Handicapping the Matchup
Though their records look identical on paper, Lexington Catholic is battle-tested against a much stronger schedule. The Knights are currently playing their best football of the year, entering this matchup after back-to-back dominant shutout wins (49-0 against Garrard County and 45-0 against Mercer County). Bardstown has a potent scoring offense but struggles on the other side of the ball, giving up an average of 28.3 points per game compared to Lexington Catholic’s elite defense, which yields just 16.6 points per game. When Bardstown stepped up in competition earlier this year against Owensboro Catholic, they were easily handled 49-12.
- Projected Winner: Lexington Catholic
Players to Watch
- Lexington Catholic Stars: The Knights’ offense is directed by quarterback Nolan Phillips, who builds efficient drives by utilizing dynamic targets like wide receiver Baird Woodall. The ground game is anchored by reliable playmaker Eric Smith.
- Bardstown Stars: The Tigers rely heavily on senior leadership and playmaking from standout athletes Tylan Spalding and Lucas Wilcher to spark their high-scoring offense.
Christian Academy-Louisville (8-0) at Western High (0-6)
If you are anyone in the Bluegrass not named Trinity, you don’t want any of CAL right now. Western draws the Centurions next and, if it were I, I would be really quiet and avoid the bulletin board. Don’t make these guys mad! The Centurions could sleep-walk to the winners-circle here.
KPGFootball Predicts: Christian Academy-Louisville 49, Western 0
Game Details:
- Date & Time: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM EDT
- Location: The game will be played away at Western High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Team Records:
- Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions: 8-0
- Western Warriors: 0-6
Prediction:
- Projected Winner: Christian Academy-Louisville
CAL is riding a massive 30-game winning streak and enters the game completely dominant, making them the heavy favorites to win decisively.
4A
The Corbin Redhounds are heavy favorites to defeat the Perry County Central Commodores in this Class 4A, District 8 matchup. There is just one caveat. Mark Dixon, the head coach for Perry County Central is a former state champion (Hazard), one of Kentucky’s All-Time Greats, and has just surpassed the 200-wins threshold as a KHSAA Head Football Coach. Not too bad for a guy who played baseball, in college, for Ole Miss. Any team coached by the great Mark Dixon has a chance! Write that down somewhere. That being said, we still like Corbin in this matchup.
KPGFootball Predicts: Corbin 42, Perry County Central 13
Game Breakdown
| Team | 2026 Record | Key Players / Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Corbin Redhounds | 5-2 | QB Mason Salmons, WR Zach Thomas, RB Trey Person |
| Perry County Central Commodores | 4-3 | SR Tyler Robinson, SR Brody Watts |
- Location: The game will be played at Perry County Central Field in Hazard, KY, giving the Commodores the home-field advantage.
Handicapping the Matchup
Historically, this has been a heavily one-sided rivalry, with the Corbin Redhounds Football holding a perfect 4-0 all-time record against the Commodores. Corbin won the last two meetings in dominant fashion, taking a 47-13 victory last year and a 49-3 blowout the year prior.
Corbin boasts a highly explosive offense led by Mason Salmons, who recently spearheaded a 55-8 demolition of Harlan County and a defender in Malachi Brown who is totally unblock-able. While Perry County Central has shown flashes of fight this season with wins over Bell County and Paris, they historically struggle to keep pace with Corbin’s elite depth and speed.
Winner Prediction
Corbin’s defensive line should be able to disrupt Perry County Central’s game plan early, allowing Salmons and his receivers to build a comfortable lead.
- Predicted Winner: Corbin Redhounds
Warren East (6-1) at Paducah Tilghman (7-0) for Homecoming!
The Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado will host the Warren East Raiders on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM CDT. The highly anticipated Kentucky high school football class 4A matchup serves as Paducah Tilghman’s 2026 Football Homecoming game.
KPGFootball Predicts: The Blue Tornado 47, Warren East 7
Team Records & Matchup Context
- Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado: Enter the matchup undefeated at 7-0 (2-0 in district play) and are currently ranked #7 state-wide in Kentucky.
- Warren East Raiders: Hold a strong 6-1 record (2-0 in district play).
Star Players to Watch
- Paducah Tilghman:
- Xavier Isable (QB): The dynamic dual-threat quarterback actually transferred from Warren East to Paducah Tilghman ahead of the season, making this an intense revenge narrative.
- Wyatt Gower (LB/DB): A reliable defensive playmaker who famously scored a pick-six in last year’s meeting between these teams.
- Warren East:
- Brandon McCluskey (QB): The junior took over the starting quarterback duties this year following Isable’s departure.
- Za’karrious McMillian-Cofer (RB/MLB): A bruising sophomore who anchors both the running game and middle of the defense.
- Mario Cerna (CB/FS): A ball-hawking defensive back with past success generating turnovers against the Tilghman passing attack.
Handicapping & Game Analysis
Paducah Tilghman enters this matchup as a heavy favorite. Over the last three seasons, this series has leaned dramatically in favor of the Blue Tornado, including a 44-6 blowout win in 2025, and 70-20 and 56-7victories in 2023.
Tilghman boasts an elite defense that recently shut out Allen County-Scottsville 56-0, combined with an explosive offense averaging well over 40 points per game. While Warren East is putting together an impressive 6-1 campaign under their new starting quarterback, the talent gap and historical mismatch place a massive hill for them to climb on the road. Computer power ratings track this line heavily toward Paducah Tilghman.
Allen County-Scottsville (1-6) at Calloway County (4-3)
Coby Lewis has done a fine job building Calloway County. He won six (6) games a year ago and looks poised to tie that effort this coming season with three games remaining. On October 16, 2026, Calloway County High School will play Allen County-Scottsville High School in a game in which (historically) ACS has done quite well. Not this year…
KPGFootball Predicts: Calloway 39, ACS 30
Team Records
- Calloway County Lakers: 4–3, coming off a big 21-point win over Franklin-Simpson
- Allen County-Scottsville Patriots: 1–6, coming off a 21-point loss to a 6-1 Warren East team
Game Prediction
- Predicted Winner: Calloway County Lakers
- Upset Alert: ACS could sneak up and win this game as easily as lose it. Just saying…
5A
Woodford County (6-1) at Scott County (7-1)
The upcoming high school football matchup is actually between Woodford County High School and Scott County High School (often referred to simply as “Scott County” in Central Kentucky 5A, District 6 play). These are two really good teams with fantastic staffs and rosters. We like Scott County in this game but by the thinnest of margins.
KPGFootball Predicts: Scott County 40, Woodford 39
Game Details & Location
The game will be played at Scott County High School in Georgetown, Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
Team Records & Rankings
- Woodford County Yellow Jackets: 6–1 overall (2–0 in the district). They are coming off a dominant 56–34 victory against Collins.
- Scott County Cardinals: 7–1 overall (3–0 in the district). They most recently shut out South Oldham 42–6 on October 9.
Team Stars
- Woodford County: The Yellow Jackets’ high-powered offense is led by senior quarterback Fox Coons, one of the state’s top passers. Alongside him is star running back Darien Tomlin, a Louisville commit at linebacker who has rushed for over 1,500 yards. Oregon State commit Josiah McKee is another critical playmaker anchoring their schemes.
- Scott County: The Cardinals boast a notoriously physical, run-heavy offense that leans heavily on its deep and disciplined backfield rotation alongside a robust, veteran offensive line typical of a Jim McKee-coached system.
Handicapping & Prediction
This game serves as the de facto 5A District 6 championship. Woodford County has held the upper hand recently, winning the last three meetings. Woodford County features an explosive, fast-tempo aerial assault, while Scott County counters with a ball-control, physical run game that controls the clock.
While On3 analytical models give Woodford County a 59% edge, playing on the road in Georgetown presents a hostile environment. Expect a high-scoring thriller where Woodford County’s elite dynamic playmakers get outpaced by the Cardinals’ ground game.
- Predicted Winner: Scott County
Atherton (6-1) at Seneca High (4-3) in Louisville; Thursday Night Game!
Both squads enter this Class 5A District 3 rivalry game with winning records, but Atherton has faced a tougher slate and currently sits much higher in the state standings. This is the best Seneca has looked since the Danny Sundberg days.
KPGFootball Predicts: Atherton 42, Seneca 6
Team Records & Rankings
| Team | Record | State Rank | Points Scored / Game | Points Allowed / Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton Ravens | 6–1 | #27 | 35.3 | 7.0 |
| Seneca Red Hawks | 4–3 | #148 | 24.2 | 17.4 |
Star Players to Watch
Key contributors leading their teams into this Thursday night matchup include:
Atherton Ravens
- Zaivion Meads (SR, DE/DT): A powerhouse on the defensive line who anchors a unit allowing just 7 points per game. Meads is recognized as one of the state’s highest-rated class of 2027 prospects.
- Jason Briscoe (SR, CB/WR): A dual-threat weapon on the perimeter, leading the Ravens’ receiving attack while shutting down opposing wideouts on defense.
- Kaden Scott (JR, RB/CB): A vital piece of the backfield engine that keeps Atherton’s offense highly efficient and fast-paced.
Seneca Red Hawks
- Royce Moore (SR): A senior leader expected to carry a heavy load on both sides of the ball for the Red Hawks.
- Matthew Smith (SR): A veteran presence critical to helping Seneca’s front line hold up against a fierce Atherton pass rush.
- Christopher Stubbs II (JR): A focal playmaker in the junior class who will need a standout game to break through Atherton’s stingy defense.
Martha Layne Collins High School (5-3) at Anderson County (3-3), *Anderson’s game with Carroll County, which was scheduled for September 18, is showed as “cancelled” on the KHSAA website.
Kade Goodin, a standout quarterback and top-rated class of 2027 recruit in Kentucky, who has made numerous Big Ass Fans Large School All-State FB Teams, leads the Martha Layne Collins High School (Shelbyville, KY) football team alongside key contributors such as Josh Cochran, Jason Hence, Caleb Askew, Noah Jones, and Noah Wade against one of Kentucky’s all-time football coaches in David Buchanan.
KPGFootball Predicts: Collins 49, Anderson County 20
Game Details & Predictions
- Opponent: Anderson County High School
- Date & Time: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM
- Location: Anderson County High School (Lawrenceburg, KY)
- Predicted Winner: Collins High School
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | District Record |
|---|---|---|
| Collins High School (Titans) | 5–3 | 0–1 |
| Anderson County High School (Bearcats) | 3–3 | 1–1 |
This is a huge district matchup. Collins is too good on offense for Anderson County to slow them down very much.
6A
Trinity High (Lou.) (7-1) at Eastern High (Lou.) (5-2)
The upcoming football game featuring Kentucky power Trinity (Louisville) will be played away against the Eastern Eagles on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eastern has been one of the surprises in 6A around the Derby City since Adrian Morton unpacked his bags and accepted stewardship over the program. Trinity has been other-worldly and, if you should make them mad, they may hang a huge butt-whoopin’ on you.
KPGFootball Predicts: Trinity 53, Eastern 0
Game Essentials
- Records: Trinity Shamrocks enter with a 7–1 record. Eastern Eagles come into the matchup at 5–2.
- Location: The game will be played at Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Handicapping the Matchup
Trinity is the #1 ranked team in Kentucky and is operating at a completely different tier nationally compared to Eastern. The Shamrocks are currently riding a dominant multi-game streak of shutouts—including a 73–0 demolition of Ballard, a 41–0 win over Cincinnati St. Xavier, and a 44–0 win over Louisville St. Xavier. Trinity’s physical defense has completely suffocated localized in-state offenses.
Eastern has put together a solid season at 5–2, but they are heavily outmatched in terms of depth, line-of-scrimmage strength, and elite playmakers. Historically, this district rivalry has heavily leaned toward Trinity, who cruised to a 37–0 shutout in last year’s meeting. Advance projections mirror this trend, identifying Trinity as an overwhelming favorite with a near 100% win probability.
- Predicted Winner: Trinity Shamrocks
McCracken Co. (5-2, 0-0) at Christian Co. (2-5, 0-1)
McCracken County is projected to win the high-stakes 6A District 1 matchup over the newly consolidated Christian County Tigers.
KPGFootball Predicts: McCracken County 48, Christian County 28
Historically, this has been an incredibly high-scoring affair. McCracken County dominated the previous two matchups, winning 63-20 in 2025 and 70-32 in 2024.
Team Records
- McCracken County Mustangs: 5-2 (Wins over Logan County, Northeast, Union County, Murray, and Brighton, TN).
- Christian County Tigers: 2-5 (Coming off a narrow 33-37 district loss to Henderson County).
Star Players to Watch
- Christian County: Quarterback Jasiah McCarley if healthy and can play leads the unified offense alongside senior standout back/linebacker Paul Abren, and dangerous wide receivers AJ Ware and Jaylen Ray.
- McCracken County: An explosive offense guided by coach Tyler Brooks, anchored physically by high-caliber offensive lineman Max Watson and an aggressive frontline defense featuring Lukas Hoffman and Urijah Williams.
Game Handicap & Prediction
Christian County’s recent merger has given them high-end athletic talent, but they are still struggling with consistency, especially on defense. McCracken County’s offensive machinery has been operating at full steam all year, regularly clearing the 40-point mark. Christian County will keep it competitive early through McCarley’s deep-passing threat, but the Mustangs’ depth and efficiency will pull away in the second half.
- Spread: McCracken County -17.5
The Heroes of the Henderson Game:
Paul Abren, Jaylen Ray, and Tristin Dillard stood out for the Christian County Tigers in their 37-33 loss to Henderson County on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Paul Abren: Scored an early 22-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
- Jaylen Ray: Came up with a key interception in the end zone to stop a Henderson County drive.
- Tristin Dillard: Led the ground game as senior running back, rushing for 52 yards on four carries as part of Christian County’s 273-yard rushing performance.
• • Home-Field Factor: The game will take place at Christian County. While home-field advantage provides some protection against the spread, McCracken County’s more explosive offensive production and explosive play at the WR position gives them the clear analytic edge to cover a 20-point spread.
St. Xavier (Lou.) (2-5) at North Hardin (4-2-1)
We believe North Hardin will defeat St. Xavier on Friday, October 16, 2026 largely because the Trojans are at home. The North Hardin Trojans enter the matchup with a 4-2-1 record, while the St. Xavier Tigers sit at 2-5.
KPGFootball Predicts: North Hardin 28, St. Xavier 20
Key Star and Standouts for North Hardin
| Player Name | Position | Class / Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Hope | DL / DT / DE | Senior (Class of 2026) | Rated a 4-star prospect, ranked #4 in Kentucky by 247Sports, signed with Purdue |
| Khomil Taylor | CB | Senior | Key leader in the Trojans’ defensive secondary |
| Konnor Meredith | FS | Senior | Experienced free safety for North Hardin |
| Zayden Winfield | RB | Senior | Leading presence out of the backfield |
| Eli Lunz | QB | Sophomore | Young signal-caller taking snaps for the varsity squad |
| Jatavien Murphy | CB | Junior | Standout defensive back in the secondary |
Game Handicap & Breakdown
- St. Xavier (Lou.) Outlook: Don’t let the Tigers’ 2-5 record completely fool you. St. Xavier has endured one of the most brutal schedules in Kentucky high school football, dropping games to powerhouses like Boyle County (42-13), Trinity (44-0), and most recently DuPont Manual (36-10). While battle-tested, their offense has struggled significantly to find consistency against elite defenses, failing to break the double-digit mark in three of their five losses.
- North Hardin Outlook: The Trojans are riding a wave of momentum following a dominant 49-7 victory over Pleasure Ridge Park. Averaging solid point production behind a well-balanced offense, North Hardin has shown they can light up the scoreboard when given the opportunity. Playing on their home turf gives them a distinct physical and emotional edge.
- The Verdict: St. Xavier’s defensive unit will keep things competitive early, but their offensive lulls will eventually catch up to them. North Hardin’s explosive capabilities and home-field advantage should wear the Tigers down by the second half.
Pick: North Hardin wins
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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