PULASKI COUNTY (10-3) AT HIGHLANDS (12-0) What: Class 5A state football semifinal.
When: Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cecil Memorial Stadium, Fort Thomas.
Kypost.com coverage: Terry Boehmker (story), Kareem Elgazzar (photos).
John Lachmann’s pick: Highlands.
Terry Boehmker’s pick: Highlands.
Dan Wright’s pick: Highlands.
Notes: Pulaski County’s football team has never been a state power. The Maroons have not played in a state final, something the team is just one win away from accomplishing.
Pulaski County won just two games in 2005 and 2006, and the team was winless in 1993 and 1994.
The Maroons made an appearance in the 2003 state quarterfinals, finishing with an 11-2 record, and Pulaski County went 10-2 in 2007 and 8-4 in 2008, losing in the second round of the playoffs both years.
This year, Pulaski County lost its first two games of the season, but has won 10 of 11 since, including its last seven.
Junior Alex Abner and junior quarterback Zach Eastham have been Pulaski County’s two primary ball carriers. Abner has rushed for 943 yards and 16 touchdowns on 133 carries, and Eastham has 115 rushes for 899 yards and 10 TDs.
Eastham is 146-for-215 passing (67.1 percent) for 2,176 yards and 24 touchdowns. Senior R.C. White has been Eastham’s primary passing target, catching 36 passes for 619 yards and six scores.
Three other Maroons receivers have caught at least 25 passes. Abner has caught 28 passes for 407 yards, senior Mikey Shepherd has 28 receptions for 262 yards and junior Steven McQueen has 462 receiving yards on 26 recepts.
Pulaski County has slightly more rushing yards than passing, averaging 208.8 on the ground vs. 172.3 in the air.
Highlands is giving up 141.2 rushing yards per game, and 115.4 passing.
Senior Austin Collinsworth appears 100 percent after injuring his thumb earlier this season. He gained 159 rushing yards and scored three TDs on 14 carries last week in a win over Johnson Central, including a 62-yard touchdown run to open the scoring in the first quarter.
On the season, Collinsworth leads all Bluebirds with 1,199 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 140 carries.
Sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles continues to play mistake-free in place of injured senior Will Bardo. Towles has thrown just two interceptions in his 98 passes, completing 46 for 941 yards and nine touchdowns.
Seniors Nick Buten and John Drennan continue to have exceptional seasons as pass receivers. Buten has 29 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns, and Drennan has caught 24 passes for 692 yards and four TDs.
Pulaski County will probably have trouble slowing down the Highlands offense. The Maroons are allowing 25.3 points per game, surrendering 246.0 rushing yards and 101.8 passing yards per game.
Highlands enters Friday’s game with 26 straight wins, and the Bluebirds have won 39 straight against in-state opponents.
Highlands is looking to win three straight state titles for the second time in its history. The Bluebirds won championships in 1998-2000. Only Louisville Trinity has done that twice, and both Highlands and Beechwood have a chance to equal that feat this season.
These teams have never met before.
