Friday football digest, week 9
Three weeks ago, Lincoln County was just about done. The Patriots were 0-5 and 0h-so-close to going off the rails.
But look at them now, sitting at 3-5 and in a first-place tie in District 5A-7. It’s an impressive about-face, and it gives considerable meaning to their home finale tonight against Southwestern, the very team they are tied with. With only one district game remaining after tonight, the winner will have the inside track to the title and the home playoff games that go with it.
This is a game Southwestern will be expected to win, because right from the start the Warriors looked like the team to beat in this district. But the very fact that Lincoln finds itself in such a game after its dismal first half is an achievement in itself.
Which is not to say that the Patriots couldn’t prevail. They’re getting better by the week these days, especially when it comes to running the ball, and they’re facing a team that has seen its share of trouble this season with the sudden resignation of coach Dale Anderson. That happened just over three weeks ago as well, and former Casey County head coach Andy Stephens has gone 3-0 as interim coach since Anderson stepped down.
Southwestern can light up a scoreboard with the best of them, so Lincoln will have its hands full tonight in Death Valley. But now that the Patriots are on the rise, who knows how high they’ll climb?
Another team on the rise is Garrard County, which is coming off its second overtime win of the season and has a chance to effectively lock up the 3A-5 title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a home win over Western Hills. Look for the Golden Lions to take care of business and start pointing toward the postseason.
Elsewhere, Danville’s bid to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Somerset could be hurt by pass-happy Middlesboro, whose offense specializes in what the Admirals’ defense isn’t that good at stopping; Boyle County has had two weeks to stew over its loss to Lexington Catholic, and Marion County will have to pay a price for that; Mercer County has a good chance to make it three wins in a row by winning at Taylor County; and Casey County should get back on track in a non-district game at struggling Metcalfe County.
The predictions:
- Boyle County over Marion County.
- Casey County over Metcalfe County.
- Danville over Middlesboro.
- Garrard County over Western Hills.
- Mercer County over Taylor County.
- Southwestern over Lincoln County.
Last week: 3-2; season: 34-6 (.850).
