Ah, Footbah

TWO BITS!

Asks BluegrassRivals.com: "Why is High School Football So Great?"

FOUR BITS!

Anticipates John Herndon: "No. 1 is coming to town Friday night."

SIX BITS!

Exclaims GoHeath: "Huge night of football--HUGE! Four Purchase teams trying to reach the state semi-finals, and all of them on the road. HUGE!"

A DOLLAR!



ALL FOR FOOTBALL, STAND UP AND HOLLER! At the following 21 ("hut! HUT!") locales across the Commonwealth tonight.

Baxter. In Class 5A, Pulaski County is at Harlan County. If this game was being played 59 years ago, the local WHLN broadcaster would've been a 25-year-old English teacher who called football and basketball games on the side for kicks.

Belfry. In Class 3A, Russell is at Belfry. This is one of those hard, go-against-the-grain road trips where the Red Devil buses will have to get, basically, due south across a part of Earth that throws up mountains to discourage the trip. You snake down U.S. 23 along the Big Sandy River to Louisa, cross over to West Virginia and then wind another 60 miles down U.S. 52 until you cross the river again back into Kentucky at South Williamson.

Bowling Green. In Class 5A, Christian County is at Warren Central. Last week, the Bowling Green High Purples traveled west across U.S. 68/Ky. 80 to Hopkinsville to play Christian County; this Friday, the Colonels and their fans reverse the route eastward. I'll bet this has meant good business for the terrific Mexican restaurant on the square in Elkton.



Corbin. In Class 2A, Prestonsburg is at Corbin. Also a big night of business, you'd have to think for the original Kentucky Fried Chicken, nee "Sanders Court & Cafe."

Danville. In Class 2A, Monroe County is at Danville. In Class 4A, Lexington Catholic is at Boyle County. This is a football town, boy.

Frankfort. In Class A, Fort Mitchell Beechwood is at Frankfort. Sad to see Linda Younkin's report in The State Journal that Frankfort isn't packing Sower Field to cheer on the Panthers. You've got to figure that Beechwood, a traditional power, would pull a good many followers the hour an a half down U.S. 127 to tonight's game.

Georgetown. In Class 6A, Lexington Lafayette at Scott County. "Team Toyota."

Goshen. In Class 3A, Louisville Central is at North Oldham. Goshen, a U.S. 42 town north and east of Louisville, was originally known as Saltillo, the name of a town where a key Mexican War battle was fought in 1847, Robert M. Renick wrote in his very fun, 1984 Kentucky Place Names book. A few years later, the locals switched to a biblical reference.

Jackson. In Class 3A, Somerset is at Breathitt County. It's too bad the Bobcats aren't the ones taking the bus trips tonight because they would get really great gas mileage.

Lawrenceburg. In Class 5A, Radcliff John Hardin is at Anderson County.

Lexington. In Class A, Ashland Fairview is at Lexington Christian.

Louisville. In Class A, Mayfield is at Holy Cross. In Class 6A, Henderson County is at Male, and Saint Xavier and Trinity play at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. First football state championships per team: Henderson (2A, 1959), Male (3A, 1960), St. X (3A, 1962), Trinity (3A, 1968) and Mayfield (2A, 1977).

Newport. In Class 2A, Covington Holy Cross is at Newport Central Catholic. I know less about northern Kentucky than any other section of the state, so, if I could be at any of these games tonight, this is probably the one I should choose.

Owensboro. In Class 2A, Murray is at Owensboro Catholic. Tigers fans can thank President Obama for their safer drive on U.S. 68 over Kentucky Lake this evening.



Paintsville. In Class 5A, Fort Thomas Highlands is at Johnson Central. This is a three-hour, 20-minute trip for the Bluebirds and their fans, and that's even if they follow Mapquest's route for babies, mostly across three four-lanes.

Pikeville. In Class A, Hazard is at Pikeville.

Pineville. In Class 4A, Knox Central is at Bell County.

Russellville. In Class 3A, Paducah Tilghman is at Russellville. This is the one I would choose, however. I love Rhea Stadium.

Scottsville. In Class 4A, Lone Oak is at Allen County-Scottsville. Purple Flash fans, if you are reading this before you hit the road, don't be deterred by the bright lights of Bowling Green. Just keep going on U.S. 231 to Alvaton, and get your pre-game meal here. ... You're welcome.

Shelbyville. In Class 4A, Louisville Western is at Martha Layne Collins. How is it that the home team is the "Titans," instead of the "Governors?"

Union. In Class 6A, Independence Simon Kenton is at Larry A. Ryle. "Friday will be a fun and busy night at Ryle as we host the annual PTSA Craft Show from 7-10 p.m. and also the Simon Kenton Pioneers in the regional football championship game at Borland Stadium at 7:30 p.m. We expect crowds for both events so come early and be patient. Staff will be directing traffic into parking spots. Football traffic should enter campus at the south entrance at Cool Springs while Craft Show traffic should use the north entrance at Frogtown Road."