Carson Riley put 116 yards and 2 TDs through the air and rushed for 1 TD in Nelson County’s 29-21 win vs. Warren East. It was the Cardinals’ first playoff win since a round-one win against Henry County in 2022.

Tilghman won its 26th straight first-round game, albeit by way of a forfeit (Marion County). Its last loss in the playoff’s opening round came in 1999 at Franklin-Simpson (Note: this total excludes the 2008 season, the only time this century the Blue Tornado didn’t make the postseason).

Matchups like these are why the playoffs are due for an RPI-driven overhaul beginning in 2027. A well-rested Tilghman, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A gets its true playoff start against a team that beat three solid teams that are still alive in the postseason (DeSales, Henry County and Spencer County) and finished No. 7 in 4A.

Walker Bell connected on a walkoff 22-yard field goal in overtime to send the Lakers past Elizabethtown 31-28. Leading up to that, Jackson Wyatt caught 5 passes for 71 yards and 2 TDs. Matthew Briedwell threw those balls, going 19 of 30 overall for 223 yards and 3 TD passes. He also ran for 92 yards and a TD on 17 carries.

Logan County cruised past Taylor County 52-20. Christian Helle scored five TDs for the Cougars and racked up 129 yards on 10 carries. Luke Rogers dealt for 205 yards and 2 TD passes.

RPI favors Logan but it isn’t a wide margin; it’s ranked 12th (.57743) to Calloway County’s 17th (.50927). The Cougars beat No. 16 last week without much trouble, but the Lakers proved they shouldn’t be taken lightly (E’town was ranked No. 9).

Knox Barrett, a 6-3 junior who’s gotten interest from some smaller FBS programs, was 10 of 14 passing for 113 yards and 4 TDs in Franklin County’s 49-0 win over Valley.

Five players scored for the Mustangs but Destin Lindsey and Ronin Renton crossed the goal line twice and each went over 70 yards on a handful of carries. Brody Pfeiffer was efficient (5/6 passing for 83 yards, 2 TDs) on a short night in their 57-0 rout of Western Hills.

I find myself attracted to the upset here (Franklin’s RPI No. 18 to North Oldham’s RPI No. 5). The Flyers twice in the last three seasons have ended North Oldham’s season, including a 42-25 win in the third round last year. It feels like this should be the Mustangs’ turn, but I wonder if they’re battle-tested enough to take down a perennial contender, even amid a down season. Call it a “brand” pick if you’d like, that’s probably fair.

After an impromptu bye week — the Rockets forfeited their final game of the regular season to take in the 8th Region volleyball championship game (in which Shelby County lost) — Xadrian Johnson rushed for a TD and threw 2 more in a 44-18 win at Breckinridge County. It was the program’s first playoff victory since 2018.

Jake Greene was unstoppable, going for 181 yards and 5 TDs on only 6 carries for the Bears in their 49-20 win over Waggener.

Spencer County won 42-7 in the regular season. Greene racked up even more yardage in that one.

Jasper Davis ran for 91 yards and 2 TDs in a 41-21 win vs. Mason County in round one. He also threw a TD. Ashur Wireman crossed the century mark on the ground (103 yards, 1 TD on 11 carries) and Nolan Clarkson did so through the air (101 yards, 1 TD on 4 receptions).

Three Highlands quarterbacks — Bryce Armstrong, Cale Harris and Jaxston Moeves — combined to go 13 of 18 for 265 yards and 5 TD passes to four different receivers in a 50-0 rout of Boyd County. Chase Jacob caught two while Quinton Simon had one and led in total yardage (84). Tayden Lorenzen rushed for 41 yards and a TD on 3 carries.

These programs met for the first time last season; the Bluebirds won 35-7 in the first round. Both appear better than they were a year ago, which doesn’t bode well for the Musketeers.

Kiyan Miller had 106 yards and 3 TDs on 11 rushes for CovCath, a 35-7 winner over Johnson Central in round one. Antonio Rodriguez posted 19 total tackles (13 solo) and 1 TFL.

Six players scored for Ashland in its 49-0 rout of winless Harrison County. Justin Hughes led the sextet, turning both of his catches into 111 yards and 2 TDs. Tanner Stutler was 6-for-6 for 203 yards and 3 TDs. James McDaniels had 72 yards on his only rush attempt.

Seems disrespectful to pick the RPI No. 10 Colonels here — the Tomcats are a deserving No. 2 team. It’s to shake their lone loss (42-20 at LexCath) and the potential absence of Trevonte Taylor, their leading rusher who didn’t play in that game or the first round. Home field should make a difference too, but I just don’t think it’ll be enough.

One of the most entertaining games in round one was Perry Central’s 29-28 win against Lincoln County, in which the Commodores trailed 21-0 in the first quarter and didn’t lead until a PAT by Canen Jett made the final score with a little over 5 minutes to play. Josh Miller was a bulldozer in the comeback, rushing for 243 yards, 4 TDs and a 2-point conversion on 28 carries.

The Rebels put a running clock into play with just under a minute left in a 38-0 win vs. Whitley County. Thirteen different players has a rushing attempt for Boyle County. Jhet Raleigh was 6-for-7 for 160 yards and 1 TD on a short night. Lucas Akers was among four Rebels who forced fumbles and returned one for an 18-yard TD.

I’d be a bit surprised if Boyle County doesn’t have another first-quarter running clock.

The Cardinals won their third straight first-round game and for the second year in a row did it against Harlan County. They won 41-6 this year after beating the Black Bears 26-2 last season. Korbyn Edwards finished 7/11 passing for 169 yards and 2 TDs and added 58 yards and a TD on 12 carries. Ian Tucker ended with 122 yards and 2 TDs on just five receptions and had 3 TFL. Weston Hancock had a team-high 10 tackles and led the Cards in rushing (82 yards, 2 TDs on 12 carries).

Five Redhounds scored TDs in Corbin’s 64-7 win over Russell County, led by Mason Salmons and Trey Person with 2 apiece. Salmons also was 9/10 passing for 127 yards and a TD thrown to Jake Salmons, who had 52 yards on 2 catches.

Wayne County hasn’t beaten Corbin, ranked No. 6 in RPI, since 2019, a 63-49 barnburner in this same round. Those Cardinals were 10-1 entering the game and ranked No. 4 in RPI (this group sits at No. 19).

Trojans got their first shutout of the season in a 41-0 win over Graves County in the first round.

Ty Ashley rushed three times, scoring TDs each time from right outside the goal line in Owensboro’s 42-6 win vs. Greenwood. DaMarcus Ganaway continues to round back into form; he completed 11 of 15 passes for 177 yards and 2 TDs. Tyson Biggs came off the bench and was perfect on five pass attempts, dealing for 64 yards and a TD. Adyson Thomas had 3 catches for 84 yards and a TD.

Red Devils seem too potent for the Trojans, who to date have allowed 15.6 points per game.

Ryder Sandidge toted the rock 26 times for 162 yards and all 3 TDs for the Maroons in their 22-14 win over Grayson County in round one. They intercepted the Cougars near the end zone late to seal it.

The final score, 63-38, perhaps wasn’t indicative of how competitive Bowling Green’s first-round victory over Apollo was. The Purples didn’t get a lead until a bit into the second quarter and were up just two, 28-26, at halftime. It was a three-point game with under 4 minutes to play in the third quarter, after which Bowling Green finally seized control. Nick Graham rushed for 250 yards and 3 TDs while Anthony Davis threw 3 TD passes. Apollo quarterback Maxwell Johnson delivered big in his final game, putting up 420 yards and 5 TD passes.

Think last week was a wake-up call for two squads that were favored to advance and had contentious showdowns. These two have met just three times previously in the 21st century, all in the playoffs. Bowling Green took a 2024 first-round game 35-7, the only recent result. The Purples also won 25-0 in 2010. Madisonville won a 2004 showdown in the second round back in the old 3A days (predating six classes). The braver pick would be Madisonville, which can absolutely win this game if the Purples don’t contain Sandidge.

Eagles got their first shutout since a win at Doss on Sept. 11, blanking Butler 20-0 in the first round. They’ve won four straight and seven of their last eight games.

Atherton bounced back from a bit of a shocker in the last week of the regular season (fell 34-27 to 4A North Oldham). The Ravens took a 45-12 win against Jeffersontown on Friday, their sixth straight win in the first round.

This matchup wasn’t close last season when they met in the first round. Their respective RPIs — Atherton is No. 9 (.59937) and North Bullitt is No. 19 (.49758) — suggest it won’t be close again. The Ravens have won four straight in the series.

Redhawks quietly have been one of the season’s better stories. Their 20-13 win vs. Bullitt Central was their first playoff win since 2022, which also was the last time Seneca ended with a winning record (8-4).

Fairdale wasted no time getting back in the saddle after an unexpected forfeiture by Shelby County left it without a game in the last week of the regular season. The Bulldogs handled Iroquois 42-0.

Despite being less than 15 miles apart in Louisville, Fairdale and Seneca haven’t played this century. Bulldogs are a hefty favorite by total RPI standing but Seneca has played a slightly tougher schedule. Leaning Fairdale due to its more robust track record of playoff success.

Cardinals put a running clock on Conner with over a minute left in the 1Q of a 56-14 win in round one. Mr. Football hopeful Timmy Emongo barely played, rushing three times for 83 yards and 2 TDs before sitting.

Cooper’s lack of offensive “oomph” extended into the postseason against an Anderson County team that finished 3-7 and allowed 32.3 ppg to its opponents. The Jaguars won 21-7, getting 196 yards and a TD from senior Corey Freihofer.

The Jaguars get to host as a district champion but also are favored in the RPI (No. 5 vs. No. 7, so somewhat negligible). Their defense has been among the stingiest in the state, giving up just over 200 total yards and 14.1 ppg. I just can’t see Cooper’s offense keeping up with the Cardinals.

The Titans’ style of play often leads to plenty of points going up from both sides of the field, but they kept Dixie Heights at bay enough in a 45-35 win. Ball State commit Kade Goodin was his usual self, rushing for 236 yards and 3 TDs on 21 carries while delivering 179 yards and 3 TDs through the air.

Yellow Jackets put a running clock into effect before halftime in a 36-6 win over Scott, one of the state’s biggest RPI disparities in round one (No. 3 vs. No. 35).

I’m of the opinion that Collins is a team deserving of more love in Class 5A than it’s gotten. The Titans’ offense might be the explosive in the state; if they and Cooper could get together, you might have an undefeated team well on its way to a state title. Woodford County’s already taken advantage of the Titans’ porous defense once this season, though; the Yellow Jackets won 56-34 on Oct. 9. Six different Woodford County players scored in that one, with Omari Jointer and Kael Rihtar getting into the end zone twice each.

A battle between Jaguars was lopsided in favor of North Laurel last week. It won 42-0 against East Jessamine. Jude McWhorter threw just four times, connecting on every attempt for 90 yards and a TD. He also carried just four times, maxing them out for 114 yards and 3 TDs.

Caleb Spann put up 268 yards and 4 TD passes on a 25 of 29 clip to lead the Colts in a 35-8 win over Southwestern. Fourteen of those throws went to Eli Scott, who turned them into 121 yards and a score.

Colts’ best season in program history continues rolling in the right direction but not without a stiff test from a dual-threat force in McWhorter and his running mate Bryson Nantz, on his heels with 816 yards and 9 TDs.

Survive and advance! South Laurel took that to heart last week, holding on for a 42-40 win over Madison Southern. Noah Ison led the way with 281 yards and 2 TDs on 34 carries.

Six Maroons crossed the goal line in their rout of 63-13 rout of Montgomery County. Kasen Brock had two TDs and 117 yards on 5 carries.

Pulaski County is the No. 1 RPI team in 5A and gets the job done like it did earlier in the season when these two met (66-31 on the road).

Apologies to the Colonels (and Tailgater! readers), as I got this score mixed up on Saturday. Henderson County last week got a 39-7 win at Meade County, in which Jack Dalton carried 12 times for 163 yards and 2 TDs. Brody Belt added 77 yards and 2 TDs on 8 rushes and threw for 152 yards and a TD.

McCracken County kept Central Hardin winless on the year with a 49-14 round-one decision. Cole Presswood went for 390 yards and 5 TDs on 15/21 passing. Jakari Matchem cashed in big, bringing six balls down for 177 yards and 3 TDs.

Matchem put up a similar stat line — 164 yards, 2 TDs on 7 catches — in the Mustangs’ 49-35 win over Henderson on Oct. 23. If the Colonels contain him, they might have a shot.

Six players scored for the newly minted Tigers in the program’s first playoff win. Deasian Harris paced the field with 74 yards, 2 TDs and a 2-point conversion on six carries. Alijah Holland, who had a TD reception, intercepted two passes and had a TFL.

The Spartans were off last week (a bracket necessity, no withdrawal).

South Warren had a week to nurse some wounds and should be expected to advance to a likely rematch of last year’s Class 6A title game.

Zayden Winfield accounted for 173 total yards of offense, including 138 yards and a TD on the ground, to lead the Bruins in a 21-0 shutout of Oldham County. It was a nil-nil match at halftime.

Kaden Mack was exceptional in a 48-10 win over Eastern, the Crimsons’ sixth straight round-one victory. He was 8-for-9 with 176 yards and 3 TDs through the air and had 116 yards and 2 TDs on just four carries. Noah Price caught seven of those passes, turning them into 158 yards and 2 TDs.

Cursed may not be a strong enough word to describe Manual’s recent second-round woes. The Crimsons fell 15-14 to Male last year, two weeks after a rousing 52-13 win in the state’s oldest rivalry. As the top-seeded team by RPI in 2024 they fell to Great Crossing 28-21. Ballard got ’em 48-42 in double overtime in 2023. Manual was one-point shy in 2022, falling 36-35 at eventual 6A champion Bullitt East. After getting routed by St. X in the regular season, they dropped an 18-16 heartbreaker to the Tigers in 2021’s second round. If it doesn’t happen for the Crimsons this year, they should consult a witch.

The Tigers have taken some lumps in Brian Landis’ first year in the big chair but they cruised in round one, eliminating Ballard 37-13. Cooper Yates rushed 13 times for 98 yards and a TD and Parker Landis brought down 2 catches for 93 yards and a score.

Four of Zane Johnson’s five completions went for TDs in Trinity’s 49-0 win over Pleasure Ridge Park. Jason Hagan had two of those TDs.

It was all Shamrocks when these two met at St. X on Sept. 25. I’d anticipate this one being a little closer, but not by much.

Cruze Sauley had an even 100 yards and a TD on 5 carries for Ryle, a winner in the first round for six straight years. He also caught two passes for 37 yards and a TD.

The Chargers got a season-high 182 yards on 20 carries from Brayden Carby, who scored 3 TDs in their 63-33 win over Great Crossing. Will Egan was 15 of 22 for 275 yards and 6 TD passes.

Bullitt East hasn’t advanced to the regional round since winning the 6A title in 2022. Look for that to change on Friday.

Tyson Kinsel led with 124 yards on 26 carries and caught a TD in Male’s 37-7 win vs. Campbell County.

Seven players scored for a TD for Simon Kenton, paced on the ground by Kai Brewer (63 yards, 1 TD on 8 carries). Jaxon Hayes scored on his only reception, a 14-yarder, and returned an interception for a TD in the Pioneers’ 56-0 rout of Southern.

The Pioneers last reached a region final in 2019. Male has advanced to the third round every year seven of the last eight seasons (2024 was the exception; the Bulldogs lost 23-17 to Ballard in overtime in round two).

GRC pulled away at Paul Laurence Dunbar 34-10. Carter Muzic continued to pad his school-record passing total, putting up 192 yards and 4 TDs while also rushing for 86 yards and a TD on 6 runs. Athias Morris caught three of those TDs and had 95 yards on 7 receptions.

Bronson Parker scooted for 119 yards and a TD on 8 carries to lead seven Indians who scored TDs in their 56-20 win vs. Tates Creek. Liam Dailey was a havoc-maker on ‘D,’ forcing two fumbles and returning one for a 25-yard TD. He also had 8 tackles (1 TFL).

Madison Central is a formidable football program against which a team like the Cardinals will measure themselves as they try to leverage an exclusive talent pool and become a contender. Earlier this year the measuring stick showed that they’re still a ways away. (The Indians ran away 63-12 in Richmond.)

Station untied a 7-7 game in a blink at the end of the first half and momentum carried into the next in a 38-7 win at Lafayette. Jermiah Turner had 74 yards on 14 carries and 2 receptions for 33 yards and a TD. Jordan Haskins, a U of L commit, had 2 interceptions, one of which he returned 94 yards for a TD. CJ Lewis scored the Defenders’ first TD on a blocked punt.

A 64-12 rout of Henry Clay started before each team got off the bus. Dakari Talbert returned a kickoff 77 yards for a TD to start the game and then the Mr. Football hopeful sat the rest of the night. Demond Green then returned a punt 35 yards for a score after the Blue Devils’ first drive. Jeremiah Brown and Treyshaun Douglass scored two TDs apiece, combining for 71 yards on 11 carries.

The Defenders can win this game. They’ll put enough speed and playmaking on the field to give themselves a chance; it’s just a matter of catching some breaks and not getting in their own way. They didn’t have a turnover in their 25-12 loss at Douglass on Oct. 16. Replicate that and it could be a ballgame in the fourth, but it’s hard not to take the team with an unbeaten resume against other Lexington schools.