Kentucky State Semi-Finals

Eric has done a great job, as usual, but here's a roundup of last week's action as we head into the state championships (home teams listed first):

Class 1A
Beechwood 14 - 35 Mayfield
Fairview 40 - 6 Hazard

State Championship Game:  Fairview (14-0) v. Mayfield (13-1)

This could be really good.  Fairview has outscored its opponents 679-190.  Mayfield has outscored its opponents 636-209.  These are clearly the two best teams in 1A, and it's good that they are meeting for the title.

Class 2A
Lou. DeSales 31 - 43 Caldwell Co.
Somerset 18 - 27 Newport Cent. Catholic

State Championship Game:  Newport Cent. Catholic (10-4) v. Caldwell Co. (11-3)

Caldwell has already gone further than I expected, but I will really be surprised if they knock off Newport Central Catholic.

Class 3A
Lou. Central 18 - 13 Monroe Co.
Belfry 35 - 10 Bourbon Co.

State Championship Game:  Belfry (13-2) v. Lou. Central (12-3)

This is a rematch of the 2011 title game, which Central won 15-14.  It's also a rematch of the 2010 title game, which Central won 46-7.  There's not a lot of parity in Class 3A.

Class 4A
Collins 58 - 7 Warren East
Ft. Thomas Highlands 61 - 28 Lex. Catholic

State Championship Game:  Ft. Thomas Highlands (13-1) v. Collins (11-3)

Highlands has not lost a playoff game since November 11, 2006, when they were beaten by Covington Catholic 25-15 in the old Class AAA playoffs.

Class 5A
John Hardin 13 - 14 Bowling Green
Harlan Co. 7 - 17 Cooper

State Championship Game:  Cooper (13-1) v. Bowling Green (14-0)

It's hard to see BGHS losing this game in its home town.

Class 6A
Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park 61 - 21 Lou. Eastern
Lou. Trinity 21 - 14 Scott Co.

State Championship Game:  Lou. Trinity (12-1) v. Lou. Pleasure Ridge Park (14-0)

It is, of course, beyond ludicrous that this classic battle between the public schools and the parochial schools in Jefferson County is being decided on the campus of Western Kentucky University.  Personally, I think the state title games should always be played in Louisville.  But even if the other games are going to be moved, the 6A game should definitely be played in Louisville.

We are all, of course, very tired of Trinity's dominance, and all non-Shamrocks would be thrilled if they finally lost.  But in Trinity's defense, it should be noted that they played six games this year against big out-of-state schools in the hopes of winning a mythical national title.  That went by the boards, of course, when they were beaten by Archbishop Moeller of Cincinnati, 45-42, on October 27.  In the last two weeks, as they have struggled to put away St. X and Scott County, I have wondered if they are worn out from their hard schedule.