Lexington, Kentucky is set to host four high school football teams vying for a spot in their respective state championship games this Friday. Teams from Lexington Christian Academy, Lexington Catholic, Frederick Douglass, and Sayre High School will compete in crucial semifinal matchups.
Lexington Christian Academy (LCA), ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, travels to face No. 3 Beechwood in Fort Mitchell. This showdown marks the first encounter between the two schools in a state semifinal, although they have faced off in the playoffs previously. Despite having only one state title to their name, LCA has a history of close contests against Beechwood, losing three state championship games in the last two decades. Coach Doug Charles emphasized the significance of overcoming past disappointments, stating, “Our goal has always been to get back to Kroger Field and exorcise some demons.”
Lexington Catholic, currently ranked No. 17 in Class 3A, will again meet the top-ranked Christian Academy-Louisville in a rematch from last year’s semifinals. The Knights lost 43-8 in the previous encounter. This time, they will head to Louisville with the experience of nine returning starters. Coach Nick Baisch acknowledged the challenge posed by CAL, emphasizing the need to navigate through a talented roster to reach the state championship.
Class 6A No. 4 Frederick Douglass will also face No. 1 Trinity in an away game. The Broncos are seeking redemption after an overtime loss in last year’s semifinals to the Shamrocks. Douglass must focus on limiting turnovers and special teams’ errors, having suffered from significant mistakes in their regular-season matchup against Trinity, which they lost 23-13. Improvements in defensive performance will be vital for Douglass to secure a victory.
In contrast, Sayre, ranked No. 2 in Class A, hosts its semifinal match against No. 3 Campbellsville. This game is historic for Sayre, representing their first meeting with Campbellsville and a chance for the Spartan program, which is only eight years old, to continue making a name in state football. After capturing their first regional title by defeating Pikeville last week, Sayre’s aspirations for reaching Kroger Field are very much alive. The Spartans boast a powerful offense, led by quarterback Luke Pennington, who has delivered exceptional performances this season.
These semifinal matchups highlight an exciting day of high school football in Lexington, featuring teams battling not only for city pride but also an opportunity to compete for a state title. Schools are preparing for game day with hopes of making history in their respective programs while showcasing the best of Kentucky high school football.
