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SHELBYVILLE, Ky. - In just its third year of football, Collins High School will play for the Class 4-A state title after thoroughly dismantling visiting Warren East 58-7 Friday night.

The Titans, 33-8 in three years of football, will face Fort Thomas Highlands (13-1) in the finals Friday night at 8 p.m. at Western Kentucky University.

Highlands advanced with a 61-28 drubbing of Lexington Catholic.

Collins (11-3) started out quickly, scoring on their first drive, and never let up.

After Deandre Farris returned the opening kickoff 32 yards, the Titans went 56 yards in just six plays, Farris scoring on a 4-yard run.

After Blanton Creque knocked through a 25-yard field goal, the Titans' Isaiah Jones intercepted a Warren East pass and Collins then went 53 yards, capped by a 17-yard pass from quarterback Lawson Page to Farris.

That was only the start for Page, who finished with 260 yards passing and completed 14 of 18 throws, including two more TD passes - both of 26 yards to Logan Bailey and Nathan Sames.

"Warren East has a great team," said Collins coach Jerry Lucas. "We know that. We were just clicking tonight. We just got the momentum early, and our kids really capitalized on it."

When they are clicking, Lucas said it's tough to defend his team.

"We do so many different things offensively," he said. "Lawson Page - he was just tremendous tonight. He can throw the ball. He's something else. When he doesn't throw it, he can pull it down and run and run over you."

Lucas also pointed to his defense, a defense that stymied the Raiders (13-1) for most of the night.

"That's one of our best defensive performances of the year," he said.

Page also pointed to his team's defense. "The defense was just amazing," he said. "That is the best defense we've played all year."

Lucas said he knows they'll have a tough test against Highlands.

"We've seen them on video a couple of times," he said. "That's one of the best programs in the state - a traditional power. We're really excited about it."

Page said the Titans would be ready.

"I promise you we'll give them a fight," he said.

Warren East 0 0 7 0 7
Collins 10 14 27 7 58

C– Deandre Farris 4 run (Blanton Creque kick); C – Creque 25 FG; C – Farris 17 pass from Lawson Page (Creque kick); C – Logan Bailey 48 run (Creque kick); C – Masai Whyte 1 run (Creque kick); WE – Khyree Boards 41 run (Christian Flores kick); C – Bailey 26 pass from Page (run failed); C – Nathan Sames 26 pass from Page (Creque kick); Collins – Farris 20 run (Creque kick); C – Whyte 5 run (Creque kick).

http://www.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...2311230127