Kentucky high school football scores: Updates from Friday's Final Four matchups
By the end of the night, all six Kentucky high school football state championship matchups will be set. Will your team advance to the final dance? Or will midnight signal the end of a fairytale season?
Please follow along for updates, scores and more on all 12 semifinal games. The Courier Journal will have in-person coverage of both Class 6A semifinal games starting with St. Xavier vs Madison Central at 6:00 p.m.
KHSAA football: Meet Michael Duddy, The Courier Journal's Athlete of the Week
10:56 p.m. Final scores from across the state
Here's the final scores from all of tonight's football semifinals action. The resulting state championship games will be on Dec. 3 (1A, 2A, 4A) and Dec. 4 (3A, 5A, 6A). Noon kickoffs are scheduled for each day's first game.
Class 1A
Pikeville 36, Raceland 7
Russellville 34, Bethlehem 21
Class 2A
Beechwood 38, Mayfield 7
Lexington Christian 58, Middlesboro 0
Class 3A
Belfry 48, East Carter 26
Paducah Tilghman 39, Glasgow 20
Class 4A
Boyle County 54, Logan County 16
Johnson Central 42, Franklin County 24
Class 5A
Frederick Douglass 35, Owensboro 7
South Warren 46, Woodford County 25
Class 6A
Male 48, Trinity 21
St. X 31, Madison Central 21
10:04 p.m. Belfry leads East Carter late, 48-26
Isaac Dixon scored his fourth touchdown of the night to give Belfry the 48-26 lead over East Carter with less than ten minutes left to play.
@isaac_dixon3 gets his fourth TD of the night, this time from five-yards out, as Belfry takes a 48-26 lead over East Carter with 7:52 to play in the game
— Justin Holbrook (@justholbrook) November 27, 2021
9:52 p.m. Johnson Central leads in the fourth quarter, 35-24
Johnson Central scores 14 unanswered points, including an 8-yd run from Zack McCoart, to retake the lead in the fourth quarter.
6:06 4th: Johnson Central 35, Franklin County 24.
Golden Eagles’ Zack McCoart punches in an 8-yard TD. Sawyer Crum XP. Holder Grant Rice with a sensational job corralling a high snap.— Zack Klemme (@zklemmeADI) November 27, 2021
9:45 p.m. Franklin County gets its first lead of the night
After trailing all evening, Franklin County leads Johnson Central 24-21 after 50-yard scoring rush from Kaden Moorman.
3:26 3rd: Franklin County 24, Johnson Central 21.
One play after Flyers QB Gavin Hurst limps off, Kaden Moorman goes to the Wildcat and takes off 50 yards to the house to give Franklin County its first lead.
Easton Powell XP.— Zack Klemme (@zklemmeADI) November 27, 2021
9:40 p.m. Final: LCA 58, Middlesboro 0
Lexington Christian blanks Middlesboro 58-0 to cement themselves in the 2A state championship game.
LCA 58 Middlesboro 0 in the class 2A semi finals @HLpreps @cdrummond97 @heraldleader pic.twitter.com/3s2tuQdM6L
— Mark Mahan (@MarkMahan) November 27, 2021
9:29 p.m. Johnson Central still in front of Franklin County, 28-21
Zack McCoart uses a 91-yard carry to score and widens the gap between Johnson Central and Franklin County, 28-21.
3:01 3rd: Johnson Central 28, Franklin County 21.
Golden Eagles’ Zack McCoart breaks through the line and into the clear and turns on the jets for a 91-yard TD.
Sawyer Crum XP.
Back and forth they go.— Zack Klemme (@zklemmeADI) November 27, 2021
9:23 p.m. Final: Male 48, Trinity 21
Male withstands a late Trinity rally to come out on top and send themselves to a fourth straight 6A state title game.
Male 48, Trinity 21, final. Bulldogs get St. X in 6A final at 8 p.m. next Saturday at UK’s Kroger Field.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
9:12 p.m. Male gets breathing room in fourth quarter
Daniel Swinney punches in his sixth score of the night to give Male a 48-21 lead over Trinity mid-fourth quarter.
Daniel Swinney with his sixth touchdown run of the night, a 3-yarder to give Male a 48-21 lead over Trinity with 6:05 remaining.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
9:01 p.m. Franklin County inches closer to Johnson Central
Gavin Hurst used a 12-yard trot to draw Franklin County within a touchdown of Johnson Central, who still leads it 21-17 in the third quarter.
9:04 3rd: Johnson Central 21, Franklin County 17.
Flyers QB Gavin Hurst scores untouched from 12 yards out on a draw.
Easton Powell XP.— Zack Klemme (@zklemmeADI) November 27, 2021
8:54 p.m. Trinity still has fight left
Brady Wills scores from nine yards out to keep Trinity in the game, but Male still holds a 41-21 lead late in the
Brady Willis 9-yard TD run. Trinity not going away quietly, pulling within 41-21 with 2:40 left in the third quarter.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
8:51 p.m. Final: St. X 31, Madison Central 21
St. X defeats Madison Central 31-21 to send themselves to the 6A state title game.
FINAL.
THE TIGERS ARE OFF TO LEXINGTON!!!
Tigers 31 | Indians 21 pic.twitter.com/49UNOsEzOB— Tiger Football (@StXTigersFB) November 27, 2021
8:45 p.m. Tucker scores for Trinity
Armon Tucker scores his second touchdown of the evening, but Male still holds a 41-14 lead over Trinity in the third quarter.
Armon Tucker 2-yard TD run. That's his second TD of the game. Male leads Trinity 41-14, 6:16 in third quarter.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
8:36 p.m. Douglass 35, Owensboro 0
Cameron Dunn scores from 10 yards out and will appear to have punched Douglass' ticket to the 5A state championship game
TOUCHDOWN! @FDouglassFB 35, Owensboro 0. 3:16 4Q. Cameron Dunn @cdunn04 with a 10 yard sprint to the corner to put the finishing touches on this one. Douglass will return to the Class 5A title game for the 2nd time in 3 years pic.twitter.com/FvWbqu8vg3
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 27, 2021
8:30 p.m. Male-Trinity halftime stats
Here's a look at some of the halftime numbers as Male leads Trinity 41-7 at halftime:
MALE HALFTIME STATS
17 first downs
349 total yards (226 pass, 123 rush)
QB Nic Schutte - 10 for 10, 226 yds, 1 TD
RB Daniel Swinney - 20 carries, 108 yds, 5 TDs
WR Vinny Anthony - 3 catches, 66 yds, 1 TD
WR Max Gainey - 3 catches, 46 yds
WR Dominic Vrbancic - 2 catches, 82 yds— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
TRINITY HALFTIME STATS
8 first downs
163 total yards (84 rush, 79 pass)
RB Armon Tucker - 8 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
QB Brady Willis - 7 for 16, 79 yards
WR Colin Bratcher - 3 catches, 21 yards— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
8:23 p.m. South Warren up big over Woodford County
Kobe Martin used a 78-yard score for his second touchdown and gives South Warren a 31-3 lead over Woodford County.
Woodford County tried stopping Kobe Martin, but to no avail. He goes 78 yards for his second touchdown of the evening. Spartans get a two-pointer after, too.
South Warren 31, Woodford County 3, 10:54 left 2Q. pic.twitter.com/qsCn9mevKZ— Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) November 27, 2021
8:16 p.m. Score updates from around Kentucky
Here's a few other updates from some of the other semifinal games being played across Kentucky:
State semifinal score updates:
KHSAA 2A
Beechwood 24, Mayfield 0 - HALF
KHSAA 3A
Paducah Tilghman 7, Glasgow 0 - 8:24 1Q
TSSAA 2A
Martin Westview 0, Riverside 0 - 1Q
TSSAA 5A
Henry County 0, Page 0 - 1Q— Jeff Bidwell (@AKAJeffBidwell) November 27, 2021
8:13 p.m. Douglass gets pick-6, leads Owensboro 28-0
Frederick Douglass uses a TJ Horton pick to go up 28-0 over Owensboro in the fourth quarter
TOUCHDOWN! @FDouglassFB 28, Owensboro 0. 11:32 4Q. @Tjhorton_ takes the ball against the grain and to the house from about 16 yards out. Turnover into points for second drive in a row for Douglass pic.twitter.com/JAbW2pVMWd
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 27, 2021
8:09 p.m. St. X leads Madison Central late, 31-21
Jack Sivori uses a seven-yard scoring scramble to give St. X a 31-21 lead over Madison Central late in the fourth quarter.
TOUCHDOWN @StXTigerSports! Sivori takes it in from 7-yards out, giving the Tigers their largest lead of the night. It's been slow and ugly, but St. X has retook control of the game. @StXTigerSports 31 @MCHSNews 21
3:28 4th quarter @GabrielCStovall @TheSleepyScribe— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 27, 2021
8:05 p.m. Daniel Swinney with five TDs, Male leads Trinity 41-7
Daniel Swinney continues to add to the score sheet, as he uses his fifth touchdown to put Male up 41-7 over Trinity.
After a diving catch by Vinny Anthony for a 32-yard gain to the 1-yard line, Daniel Swinney goes the final yard for his fifth TD of the night. Bulldogs up 41-7 with 1:00 left in second quarter and will go for 2 here to try and get the running clock.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
8:00 p.m. Douglass up 21-0 over Owensboro
A Ty Bryant touchdown has Frederick Douglass with a 21-0 lead over Owensboro deep in the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN! @FDouglassFB 21, Owensboro 0. @Ty_Bryant32 3 yards to cap an 80-yard drive. 3:02 3Q pic.twitter.com/nJ8UWitFqo
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 27, 2021
7:57 p.m. LCA blanking Middlesboro, 38-0
JVeontae Emerson scores from three yards out to give Lexington Christian a commanding 38-0 lead over Middlesboro
TOUCHDOWN: JVeontae Emerson ripped off a long-distance run before then finishing the job from 3 yards out.
LCA leads 38-0 with 9:27 left in the first half.
We’ve got a running clock for the rest of this Class 2A state semifinal. pic.twitter.com/Xp1CBOT7E7— Cameron Drummond (@cdrummond97) November 27, 2021
7:53 p.m. Male dominating Trinity, 35-7
Nic Schutte throws his second touchdown of the night to Vinny Anthony to put Male up 35-7 over Trinity.
Nic Schutte with a 27-yard TD pass to Vinny Anthony, who made an incredible catch. Male leads Trinity 35-7, 7:04 in second quarter. That's five possessions, five TDs for the Bulldogs. Complete dominance.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
7:50 p.m. Four scores for Swinney
Another Daniel Swinney score has Male up 28-7 over Trinity in the second quarter.
Touchdown run No. 4 for Daniel Swinney, this one a 2-yarder. Male leads Trinity 28-7, 10:04 in second quarter.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
7:47 p.m. St. X takes the lead, 24-21
A 34-yard field goal from Nolan Wolford has given St. X the lead as the third quarter comes to a close.
Nolan Wolford comes out to attempt a 34-yard field goal and he ... NAILS IT! St. X retakes the lead. @StXTigerSports 24 @MCHSNews 21
27 seconds left in the 3rd quarter @GabrielCStovall @TheSleepyScribe— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 27, 2021
7:44 p.m. Johnson Central up 8-0 over Franklin County
A 68-yard burst from Zack McCoart has Johnson Central leading Franklin County early in the first quarter.
11:17 1st: Johnson Central 8, Franklin County 0.
Zack McCoart busts free 68 yards down the sideline on the second play from scrimmage.
Grant Rice keeps for 2-pointer.— Zack Klemme (@zklemmeADI) November 27, 2021
7:41 p.m. South Warren leads Woodford County, 9-0
A Caden Veltkamp-Keegan Milby score has South Warren up 9-0 over Woodford County.
South Warren going straight for the jugular. Spartans go up 9-0 after Caden Veltkamp finds Keegan Milby wide open for six. pic.twitter.com/wKbdHsKHLK
— Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) November 27, 2021
7:37 p.m. St. X ties game in third quarter
St. X's Jack Sivori uses a 12-yard carry to tie the game with Madison Central at 21-all in the third quarter.
TOCHDOWN @StXTigerSports! Sivori ties the game back up with a 12 yard score! @StXTigerSports 21@MCHSNEWS 21
6:48 3rd quarter @GabrielCStovall— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 27, 2021
7:30 p.m. LCA up 21-0 over Middlesboro
Lexington Christian has three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter for the 21-0 lead over Middlesboro.
TOUCHDOWN: Third rushing touchdown already from LCA, this one by Parker Chaney.
LCA leads Middlesboro, 21-0, with 4:59 left in the 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/kL2RD456dR— Cameron Drummond (@cdrummond97) November 27, 2021
7:29 p.m. Male up two touchdowns on Trinity
Following a botched kickoff return, Daniel Swinney has his third touchdown of the night to give Male a 21-7 lead over Trinity in the first quarter.
Daniel Swinney with his third touchdown of the night, a 4-yarder that gives Male a 21-7 lead over Trinity, 4:46 in first quarter. Trinity D has zero answer for Male's offense so far.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
7:24 p.m. Male leads Trinity 14-7
Armon Tucker scored to get Trinity on the board, but Male still holds a 14-7 lead thanks to a second scoring rush from Daniel Swinney following a 60-yard hookup between Nic Schutte and Dominic Vrbancic.
Male needs just two plays to answer Trinity touchdown - a 60-yard pass from Nic Schutte to Dominic Vrbancic and a 5-yard TD run from Daniel Swinney. Schutte to Ethan Mays on the 2-point conversion and Male leads Trinity 14-7, 6:21 in first quarter.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
7:14 p.m. Douglass up 14-0 over Owensboro
TOUCHDOWN! @FDouglassFB 14, Owensboro 0. @Samuelcornett10 goes 53 yards to @WebbTylon on a 2nd and 17 with 31.6 to play in the half. Then they get a deflection on the kickoff, recover and take a knee for the break. Uncle Mo going with them pic.twitter.com/otBcnIkUsv
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 27, 2021
7:08 p.m. Male scores on first drive vs. Trinity
A 14-yard touchdown run by Daniel Swinney on their opening drive has Male up 6-0 over Trinity in the first quarter.
Daniel Swinney up the middle for a 14-yard TD run. PAT is blocked. Male leads Trinity 6-0, 9:02 in first quarter. Bulldogs needed just five plays to score after the nice kickoff return.
— Jason Frakes (@kyhighs) November 27, 2021
7:01 p.m. St. X closes gap just before halftime
St. X scores late in the second quarter to draw within a touchdown of Madison Central, as a 65-yard reception for Mekhi Smith has the scoreboard at 21-14 going into halftime.
Touchdown @StXTigerSports! Sivori drops back and launches it to Mekhi Smith for a 65-yard touchdown. That's probably exactly what the doctor ordered for the Tigers. @MCHSNews 21 @StXTigerSports 14
57 seconds left till halftime— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 26, 2021
6:52 p.m. Frederick Douglass takes lead over Owensboro
Davaun Hart used a three-yard rush to put points on the board for Frederick Douglass, who now have a 7-0 lead over Owensboro with less than five minutes remaining in the half.
TOUCHDOWN! @FDouglassFB 7, Owensboro 0. 4:58 2Q. Davaun Hart @davaun_gidron caps long drive and gets a little help to punch it in from the 3. pic.twitter.com/AMRq8nLZMQ
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 26, 2021
6:43 p.m. Madison Central with two-score lead over St. X
Hensley uses his third rushing touchdown of the night to extend Madison Central's lead to 21-7 over St. X in the second quarter.
Touchdown @MCHSNews! Hensley powers it in from 2-yards out. The time is now for the Tigers to respond. @MCHSNews 21 @StXTigerSports 7
7:46 2nd quarter— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 26, 2021
6:30 p.m. Big play at Douglass HS
There's score as of yet between Frederick Douglass and Owensboro, but Kenyatta Carbon has a first quarter pick for the Red Devils in their 5A state semifinals tilt.
INTERCEPTION. Owensboro @SrHighFootball’s @CarbonKenyata with the first big play of the game after a series of punts. No score. 3:00 1Q at Douglass. Class 5A semis. pic.twitter.com/Nj8pZ98kyX
— Jared Peck (@HLpreps) November 26, 2021
6:25 p.m. Hensley puts Madison Central up 14-7
Another Hensley score, this one from 64 yards out, has put Madison Central over St. X 14-7 in the first quarter.
Touchdown @MCHSNews! Hensley takes it 64-yards to paydirt! He had to break about two and half tackles and then showcase a second gear to pull that off. @StXTigerSports 7 @MCHSNews 14
4:13 1st quarter @GabrielCStovall— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 26, 2021
6:20 p.m. Madison Central Strikes back
It didn't take long for Madison Central to respond and tie the game, as a 1-yd Brady Hensley results in a touchdown.
Touchdown @MCHSNews! Hensley takes it in from a yard out to knotting things up. It took 7 plays to get 13 yards for Madison Central. If St. X can take care of the ball, the Tigers defense should be up for the challenge.
St. 7
Madison Central 7
6:50 1st quarter @GabrielCStovall— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 26, 2021
St. X strikes first, up 7-0 over Madison Central
The St. Xavier Tigers are certainly not wasting time in their 6A semifinal game against Madison Central, as a Jack Sivori-Michael Duddy connection has the Tigers up 7-0 in the the first quarter
The PA system is back on. St. X's offense is rolling and things have seemingly returned to normal ...
Touchdown @StXTigerSports! Sivori hits Michael Duddy for a 3-yard score. @StXTigerSports 7@MCHSNews 0
10:11 1st quarter @GabrielCStovall— J.L. Kirven (@JL_Kirven) November 26, 2021
Friday night scoreboard
Class 1A
Raceland at Pikeville 7:30
Bethlehem at Russellville 7:00
Class 2A
Mayfield at Beechwood 7:00
Middlesboro at Lexington Christian 7:00
Class 3A
Belfry at East Carter 7:30
Paducah Tilghman at Glasgow 7:00
Class 4A
Logan County at Boyle County 7:30
Franklin County at Johnson Central 7:30
Class 5A
Owensboro at Frederick Douglass 6:00
South Warren at Woodford County 7:30
Class 6A
Trinity at Male 7:00
Madison Central at St. Xavier 6:00
While you have some time prior to kickoff, take a chance to catch up on some of the most important storylines in high school football this week.
What you need know before St. Xavier vs Madison Central
When St. Xavier (12-1) and Madison Central (10-3) meet up on Friday, a trip to the Class 6A Championship will be on the line. For the Tigers and Indians, every accomplished obstacle this season has led to this point.
Only one team's journey toward the title can continue. Both squads have talented, capable and battle-tested leaders and stars that have carried them throughout the season. They'll have to step up once again.
Who are the five top players to watch in this Friday's Class 6A semifinal? From quarterbacks to defensive linemen, there will be talent all over the field but these are the guys that could potentially shape the game in their image.
Take a look inside the mind of Male's defense
Male’s defense has been on another level as of late. The Bulldogs allowed an average of less than eight points per game during their 9-0 run through the regular season, which is impressive enough. But they’ve only stepped it up from there in the postseason, having allowed only eight points through the first three weeks of the playoffs as well.
“We don’t like getting scored on at all,” said senior linebacker Thomas Price, who is the Bulldogs’ third-leading tackler with 31 stops. “It don’t matter what it is. Points keep us up at night. We expect zero every game.”
Can we pick 'em?
Take a look at who the Courier-Journal's high school sports staff has picked to win this week's biggest area games.
Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football scoreboard: Friday night updates, highlights