We’ve reached the semifinal round of playoff action in the Bluegrass State and there were three Northern Kentucky teams left standing and practicing on Thanksgiving. Here’s a look at how things unfolded and which teams are moving on.
CLASS 6A
SOUTH WARREN 36, RYLE 20
Ryle’s bid for a second straight championship game appearance ended Friday night as the Raiders fell 36–20 on the road to unbeaten South Warren in the Class 6A semifinals. Playing without star two-way standout Jacob Savage, who was injured in last week’s quarterfinal win, Ryle still battled early and took a 14–13 lead into halftime thanks to steady play from quarterback Nathan Verax and the receiving corps.
But the second half belonged entirely to the Spartans — and especially to standout runner Caden York. Ryle had no answer for York’s burst and vision as he powered South Warren’s offense with four rushing touchdowns, steadily wearing down the Raiders’ defense as the Spartans pulled away.
A 22-yard touchdown strike from Verax to Dillon Lee in the fourth quarter briefly gave Ryle life, but South Warren’s defense tightened from there, closing out the game and preserving the Spartans’ perfect season. Ryle finishes an impressive campaign at 10–4, while South Warren advances to the state finals seeking the program’s fourth championship.
CLASS 3A
MURRAY 27, LLOYD 20
Lloyd’s historic season ended one win shy of the state championship game as the Juggernauts fell 27–20 to Murray, undone by five costly turnovers on a cold late-November night. Seeking their first title-game appearance since 1976, Lloyd struggled early as Murray built a 17–6 halftime advantage behind steady offense and a disruptive defensive effort.
Momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter when Murray quarterback Wyatt Robbins went down with a leg injury. Lloyd immediately capitalized, as Kaleb Evans hit Colten Barger for a stunning 98-yard touchdown — the longest play of the Juggernauts’ season — and a successful two-point try pulled them within 17–14. On the next series, backup quarterback Kenyon Cunningham fumbled, and Lloyd turned it into a 1-yard Evans touchdown to take a 20–17 lead heading into the fourth.
But Murray’s defense took over from there. Two fourth-quarter takeaways stalled Lloyd’s comeback hopes, and Isaiah Martin punched in a 1-yard scoring run in the opening minute of the final quarter to reclaim the lead for good. The Tigers advance to their first state championship appearance since 1994.
CLASS 2A
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 41, BEECHWOOD 40
Beechwood came one play short of another state championship appearance, falling 41–40 in a wild Class 2A semifinal to Owensboro Catholic on Friday night. The Tigers traded blows all evening in a shootout that featured big plays from both offenses. Nathan Prabst punched in Beechwood’s first score, then later electrified the Tigers’ sideline with a kickoff return touchdown that briefly restored a 20–17 lead. Emmett Queen added multiple clutch throws, including a late strike to Tyler Fryman and the game-tying touchdown pass to Brody Aylor as time expired.
Trailing 41–27 early in the fourth, Beechwood fought back with a defensive stand and a Jude Evans touchdown run. After forcing another three-and-out, Queen led a final desperation march aided by consecutive pass interference calls, setting up an untimed down from the five. His touchdown to Aylor made it 41–40, and Beechwood boldly went for two and the win. But the conversion fell incomplete, ending the Tigers’ furious rally and remarkable season at 11–3. Owensboro Catholic advances to its third straight state final.
Get the complete scores from all of tonight’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
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