Hopkinsville will make its third playoff road trip in four weeks Friday with a Class 4A state semifinal appearance at Boyle County. At stake is a trip to the state championship game next week in Lexington.
The Tigers have won five straight games and will carry a 7-2 record into the contest against the unbeaten Rebels.
Hoptown’s defense is giving up just 11 points a game during its win streak but will face a Boyle County squad that is scoring 48 points a game. The Tiger pass defense has been strong in the postseason, giving up just 60 yards a game. They will look to contain Boyle County QB Jagger Gillis who has thrown for 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns with just one interception.
He has two targets — Luke Sheperson and Cole Lanter — with over 500 yards each. Will McDaniel leads the Rebels in rushing at 107 yards per game and 16 touchdowns.
Hoptown’s offense hasn’t put up huge numbers in its postseason wins, but its been efficient in third-down percentage and time of possession. The Tigers, who average 126 yards a game on the ground. will need to find a way to move the chains against a Boyle run defense that gives up just 44 yards a game.
Quarterback Trey Jefferson’s best two games of the season have come in the last two playoff wins. The junior is 22-of-35 for 400 yards and four touchdowns in wins over Logan County and John Hardin.
Reece Jesse’s touchdown catch in the win over John Hardin last week was the 24th of his career — a new school record. Both he and Daisjaun Mercer had key fourth-down catches in the fourth quarter last week.
For Hoptown to advance to the school’s first state championship appearance since 1997, its defense will need another week of big plays and coming up with ways to get the Rebels off the field following third down.
Offensively, they have to continue to own time of possession and take advantage of every red zone chance they get.
Boyle County has advanced to the state semifinals despite playing only one playoff game. The Rebels saw a first-round game with winless Anderson County wiped out when Anderson opted out. The Rebels beat Lexington Catholic 49-41 in the second round. A positive test in the Rowan County camp took them out of the playoffs and allowed Boyle to move into the semifinals.
The Rebels are 8-0 on the field and coming off a 2019 season that saw them fall in the 4A state championship game to Johnson Central 21-20. Boyle County has won 13 straight postseason games at home dating back to a 31-30 loss to Mercer County in the second round of the 2013 Class 4A playoffs.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7:30 eastern time in Danville.
