State Finals

And so all roads lead to Bowling Green -- not quite the same as traveling to Louisville, but I suppose the trophies still count.

Class 1A:
Hazard (14-0) v. Mayfield (14-0)

Hazard State Titles (0)
Mayfield State Titles (7): 2002 (A), 1995 (A), 1993 (AA), 1986 (AA), 1985 (AA), 1978 (AA), 1977 (AA)

This is my favorite matchup of the finals, featuring two great towns and fan bases. I think Mayfield will pull it out, but Hazard has been very impressive all year.

Class 2A:
Newport Cent. Catholic (12-2) v. Owensboro Catholic (13-1)

Newport Cent. Catholic State Titles (3): 2006 (A), 2005, (A), 1984 (AA)
Owensboro Catholic State Titles (0)

It's always hard to pick against teams from Northern Kentucky, but Owensboro Catholic has really been impressive in the playoffs.

Class 3A:
Belfry (10-4) v. Lou. Central (8-6)

Belfry State Titles (2): 2004 (AA), 2003 (AA)
Lou. Central State Titles (2): 2008 (3A), 2007 (3A)

This should be a walkover for Central.

Class 4A:
Boyle Co. (14-0) v. Allen Co.-Scottsville (13-0)

Boyle Co. State Titles (6): 2009 (4A), 2003 (AAA), 2002 (AAA), 2001 (AAA), 2000 (AA), 1999 (AA)
Allen Co-Scottsville State Titles (0)

This is Allen Co.-Scottsville's first trip ever to the state finals, and their fans will be pouring into BG in great numbers. But Boyle County will be very, very tough.

Class 5A:
Ft. Thomas Highlands (13-1) v. Christian Co. (12-2)

Highlands State Titles (19): 2009 (5A), 2008 (5A), 2007 (5A), 2004 (AAA), 2000 (AAA), 1999 (AAA), 1998 (AAA), 1996 (AAA), 1992 (AAA), 1989 (AAA), 1982 (AAA), 1981 (AAA), 1977 (AAA), 1975 (AAA), 1970 (AA), 1968 (AA), 1964 (AA), 1961 (AA), 1960 (AA)

Christian Co. State Titles (2): 1984 (AAAA), 1982 (AAAA)

Personally, I find County's two titles more impressive than Highlands's 19, because County won its titles back in the days when Class AAAA included almost every school in Jefferson County, while Highlands has almost always managed to play in the class just below Trinity and St. X. But this will not matter next week; Highlands has never lost a playoff game since Kentucky launched Class 5A, and I will be surprised if they do so to the Colonels.

Class 6A:

Lou. Trinity (13-1) v. Lou. Male (11-3)

Lou. Trinity State Titles (19): 2008 (6A), 2007 (6A), 2006 (AAAA), 2005 (AAAA), 2003 (AAAA), 2002 (AAAA), 2001 (AAAA), 1994 (AAAA), 1990 (AAAA), 1989 (AAAA), 1988 (AAAA), 1985 (AAAA), 1983 (AAAA), 1980 (AAAA), 1977 (AAAA), 1976 (AAAA), 1973 (AAA), 1972 (AAA), 1968 (AAA)

Lou. Male State Titles (5): 2000 (AAAA), 1998 (AAAA), 1993 (AAAA), 1964 (AAA), 1963 (AAA), 1960 (AAA)

Well, this all speaks for itself. I've always thought it was a shame that the highest classes in Kentucky high school football were dominated by just a few teams, but it is apparently never going to change. (In case you're wondering, Trinity's only loss was to Cincinnati St. Xavier of Ohio. The only close game they had against an in-state opponent all year was a 14-12 victory at Bowling Green.)