State-title picks, top players to see as KHSAA football playoffs open
The Kentucky high school football playoffs will kick off this week with two programs from Louisville looking to continue their dynasties. Christian Academy has a state-best 32-game winning streak and is looking to win its fifth consecutive Class 3A championship. Only two other programs in Kentucky have won at least five consecutive state titles. Highlands won six from 2007-12, and Boyle County captured five in a row from 1999-2003. Trinity has a record 30 state championships and is looking for its fourth consecutive Class 6A title. The Shamrocks (9-1) are ranked No. 17 nationally in the USA Today Super 25 and have outscored their five Kentucky opponents this season (all Class 6A schools) by a combined 238-0. Here’s a class-by-class breakdown of the playoffs. Class A Top 10 teams (media poll): 1. Pikeville, 2. Sayre, 3. Raceland, 4. Kentucky Country Day, 5. Paintsville, 6. Middlesboro, 7. Bethlehem, 8. Louisville Holy Cross, 9. Eminence, 10. Covington Holy Cross. Top offense : Raceland, 46.8 ppg. Top defense: Sayre, 8.9 ppg. Top passer (yards): Paintsville senior Parker Helton has completed 110 of 185 passes for 1,849 yards and 15 touchdowns. Top rusher (yards): Nicholas County senior Jayden Watkins has carried 290 times for
