11-12-2010, 08:48 AM
No. 3 Bellevue (5-6) At No. 1 Beechwood (8-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 54 Beechwood Rd., Fort Mitchell
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood has played six Class 1A opponents this season and has allowed just six first-half points. Expect Beechwood to stop Bellevue's running attack and force third-and-longs and be rewarded with good field position.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood beat Bellevue 52-7 just three weeks ago. Not much has changed since then.
No. 2 Walton-Verona (8-3) At No. 1 Frankfort (8-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Sower Field, Frankfort
WHAT TO WATCH: Frankfort's defense has held opposing teams to six points or fewer in six of its 11 games. During its current five-game winning streak, Walton-Verona is averaging 45.2 points per game. If the Bearcats are able to establish the run, as they've done lately, they'll keep this game close. .
BOTTOM LINE: Walton-Verona has had the best season in program history. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, it probably will end tonight.
No. 2 Christian Academy Of Louisville (7-4) At No. 1 Newport Central Catholic (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Christian Academy quarterback Jacob Richter has thrown for 1,112 yards and is the team's leading rusher with 948 yards on the ground. The Thoroughbreds defense has fared pretty well against similar dual-threat quarterbacks this season. Expect them to put plenty of pressure on Richter.
BOTTOM LINE: Newport had CAL on the ropes last week but couldn't pull off the upset. The Thoroughbreds should steadily pull away for the victory.
No. 2 Holy Cross (6-5) At No. 1 DeSales (7-4)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 1230 E. Burnett St., Louisville
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross running back Chad Fuller passed the 1,000-yard mark in last week's win over Carroll County. The Indians should be able to reach two more milestones tonight. Senior quarterback Jerry Arlinghaus is just 95 passing yards short of 2,500 and senior receiver Josh Jasper needs just 79 yards to reach 1,000. But it won't be easy. DeSales allows just 140 passing yards a game.
BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross nearly upset DeSales in last year's playoffs. DeSales is a slight favorite again.
No. 3 Dixie Heights (6-5) At No. 1 Highlands (10-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 2400 Memorial Parkway, Fort Thomas
WHAT TO WATCH: Highlands is coming off a 70-8 victory over Woodford County, a game in which the Bluebirds intercepted four passes, returning three for touchdowns. For the season, Highlands have 17 interceptions and have returned six for touchdowns. Drake Bruns and Carter New lead the Bluebirds with four picks each. The first time these teams met this season, the Bluebirds returned a pick for a touchdown.
BOTTOM LINE: During the regular season Highlands beat Dixie Heights 42-14. The Colonels are still underdogs, but if they avoid turnovers they should be able to keep the game close.
No. 2 Covington Catholic (6-5) At No. 1 Johnson Central (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 257 N. Mayo Trail, Paintsville
WHAT TO WATCH: CovCath sophomore quarterback Blake Bir was cool as can be in his first varsity playoff game - throwing for five touchdowns and no interceptions in last week's win over Ashland Blazer. But that was a first-round Saturday afternoon home game against an overmatched No. 4 seed. Tonight's game is a four-hour road trip into the mountains to face one of the state's best Class 5A teams. The Golden Eagles will test Bir's mettle and his nerves.
BOTTOM LINE: Johnson Central is 9-2 in home playoff games since 2006. The Colonels won one of those games and should escape with a victory.
No. 2 Simon Kenton (9-2) At No. 1 Henry Clay (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 2100 Fontaine Rd., Lexington
WHAT TO WATCH: Henry Clay junior Vinny Miller has scored six touchdowns or more in two games this season. Although he's been playing quarterback, Miller started the season as a receiver. The Blue Devils get him the ball in a variety of ways. Miller also is a dangerous return man.
BOTTOM LINE: Simon Kenton won at Henry Clay once this year - preserving a 21-18 victory by forcing a fumble in the final minutes. The game should be similarly close this time around.
No. 3 Campbell County (6-5) At No. 1 Ryle (10-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 10379 U.S. 42, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle has a knack for making big plays in the running game. The backfield trio of Travis Elliott, Conner Hempel and Deion Mullens is a tackle-breakin', daylight-runnin' unit. If the Camels defense doesn't wrap them up, the Raiders will make it pay.
BOTTOM LINE: During the regular season Ryle edged Campbell County 35-30. Both teams have improved since then, but the Raiders seem to be hitting their stride. Expect them to win.
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 54 Beechwood Rd., Fort Mitchell
WHAT TO WATCH: Beechwood has played six Class 1A opponents this season and has allowed just six first-half points. Expect Beechwood to stop Bellevue's running attack and force third-and-longs and be rewarded with good field position.
BOTTOM LINE: Beechwood beat Bellevue 52-7 just three weeks ago. Not much has changed since then.
No. 2 Walton-Verona (8-3) At No. 1 Frankfort (8-3)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Sower Field, Frankfort
WHAT TO WATCH: Frankfort's defense has held opposing teams to six points or fewer in six of its 11 games. During its current five-game winning streak, Walton-Verona is averaging 45.2 points per game. If the Bearcats are able to establish the run, as they've done lately, they'll keep this game close. .
BOTTOM LINE: Walton-Verona has had the best season in program history. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, it probably will end tonight.
No. 2 Christian Academy Of Louisville (7-4) At No. 1 Newport Central Catholic (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 900 E. Sixth St., Newport
WHAT TO WATCH: Christian Academy quarterback Jacob Richter has thrown for 1,112 yards and is the team's leading rusher with 948 yards on the ground. The Thoroughbreds defense has fared pretty well against similar dual-threat quarterbacks this season. Expect them to put plenty of pressure on Richter.
BOTTOM LINE: Newport had CAL on the ropes last week but couldn't pull off the upset. The Thoroughbreds should steadily pull away for the victory.
No. 2 Holy Cross (6-5) At No. 1 DeSales (7-4)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today; 1230 E. Burnett St., Louisville
WHAT TO WATCH: Holy Cross running back Chad Fuller passed the 1,000-yard mark in last week's win over Carroll County. The Indians should be able to reach two more milestones tonight. Senior quarterback Jerry Arlinghaus is just 95 passing yards short of 2,500 and senior receiver Josh Jasper needs just 79 yards to reach 1,000. But it won't be easy. DeSales allows just 140 passing yards a game.
BOTTOM LINE: Holy Cross nearly upset DeSales in last year's playoffs. DeSales is a slight favorite again.
No. 3 Dixie Heights (6-5) At No. 1 Highlands (10-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. today; 2400 Memorial Parkway, Fort Thomas
WHAT TO WATCH: Highlands is coming off a 70-8 victory over Woodford County, a game in which the Bluebirds intercepted four passes, returning three for touchdowns. For the season, Highlands have 17 interceptions and have returned six for touchdowns. Drake Bruns and Carter New lead the Bluebirds with four picks each. The first time these teams met this season, the Bluebirds returned a pick for a touchdown.
BOTTOM LINE: During the regular season Highlands beat Dixie Heights 42-14. The Colonels are still underdogs, but if they avoid turnovers they should be able to keep the game close.
No. 2 Covington Catholic (6-5) At No. 1 Johnson Central (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 257 N. Mayo Trail, Paintsville
WHAT TO WATCH: CovCath sophomore quarterback Blake Bir was cool as can be in his first varsity playoff game - throwing for five touchdowns and no interceptions in last week's win over Ashland Blazer. But that was a first-round Saturday afternoon home game against an overmatched No. 4 seed. Tonight's game is a four-hour road trip into the mountains to face one of the state's best Class 5A teams. The Golden Eagles will test Bir's mettle and his nerves.
BOTTOM LINE: Johnson Central is 9-2 in home playoff games since 2006. The Colonels won one of those games and should escape with a victory.
No. 2 Simon Kenton (9-2) At No. 1 Henry Clay (9-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 2100 Fontaine Rd., Lexington
WHAT TO WATCH: Henry Clay junior Vinny Miller has scored six touchdowns or more in two games this season. Although he's been playing quarterback, Miller started the season as a receiver. The Blue Devils get him the ball in a variety of ways. Miller also is a dangerous return man.
BOTTOM LINE: Simon Kenton won at Henry Clay once this year - preserving a 21-18 victory by forcing a fumble in the final minutes. The game should be similarly close this time around.
No. 3 Campbell County (6-5) At No. 1 Ryle (10-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, 10379 U.S. 42, Union
WHAT TO WATCH: Ryle has a knack for making big plays in the running game. The backfield trio of Travis Elliott, Conner Hempel and Deion Mullens is a tackle-breakin', daylight-runnin' unit. If the Camels defense doesn't wrap them up, the Raiders will make it pay.
BOTTOM LINE: During the regular season Ryle edged Campbell County 35-30. Both teams have improved since then, but the Raiders seem to be hitting their stride. Expect them to win.