High school kickoff events on Friday include a rematch for the state title at Bryan Station

The high school football season kicks off Friday with some exciting games, including a rematch of last year’s Class 6A state championship between Trinity and Bryan Station that is sure to be played in front of a packed house on the Northside.

It will be the fourth meeting between the two programs in two years. Bryan Station surprised the Shamrocks in a 2022 regional championship game in Lexington. Trinity got revenge last year by winning all of its meetings, including the 41-20 victory at Kroger Field for the state title.

Trinity was ranked No. 1 in this year’s Herald-Leader Class 6A preseason poll, while the Defenders came in at No. 5. Although there isn’t a long history between the two schools, the intensity of their recent games has caught the attention of the Great American Rivalry Series, which has spotlighted high school football for 20 years.

“Just playing Trinity at home is a great opportunity, but knowing that you’re playing in a Great American Rivalry Series game – there are five national games a week – that you’re in one of those games says a lot about what we do and I think it’s going to be great for our kids,” Bryan Station coach Phillip Hawkins said.

In addition to being featured on the Rivalry Series website, each team’s top player will receive an award and a donation will be made to Bryan Station’s athletic program.

Glicod will stream the game on its YouTube channel. Kick-off is on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“We’ve created a little rivalry,” Hawkins said. “Last year’s games didn’t go the way we wanted, but our guys know that if they do the right thing and compete, we can be competitive in this game. I don’t have to put a lot of pressure on them. (Beating Trinity) is done. We’re excited.”

Orange on schedule in Paris

Paris High School’s renovations at Blanton Collier Stadium will continue after Friday’s home game against Frankfort, but Superintendent Stephen McCauley said the new orange turf field will be ready for kickoff.

The goal posts were installed this week and the end zone lettering should be sewn in Thursday. The No. 8 Greyhounds host Frankfort on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“The field will be complete and safe and all safety precautions will be taken,” McCauley said.

The rest of the renovations, including a new scoreboard and an artificial turf track behind the stands, are expected to be completed by Paris’ second home game on Sept. 13. A temporary scoreboard and the old sound system will be used on Friday, McCauley said.

“We will hold a ceremonial opening concert and present the (new) video board. Hopefully everything will be ready by then.”

Big games in Bowling Green on Saturday

Two top-ranked teams from Lexington will travel to Western Kentucky University’s Houchens Industries LT Smith Stadium for the annual Rafferty’s Bowl, which also features two defending state champions.

Class 2A No. 3 Lexington Christian will face Class 4A No. 1 Boyle County at 5 p.m. Central time. The Eagles surprised Boyle County in 2022 in Danville, handing the eventual state champions their only loss of the season. Last year, Boyle beat LCA in a thriller, 47-38, en route to its fourth straight state title.

A rematch of the 2022 Class 5A state championship game follows when Bowling Green (Class 5A No. 1) faces Frederick Douglass (Class 6A No. 3) at 8 p.m. Central Time.

The Broncos beat the Purples 28-7 at Kroger Field two seasons ago to win the 5A title before moving up to Class 6A. Bowling Green won the 5A title last season.

While most of the players involved in this 2022 title game have graduated, that is not the case for Bowling Green quarterback Deuce Bailey, who is surely determined to bury that memory of his sophomore year with a win in his senior year.

Other notable games on Friday

Unless otherwise stated, it is always 7:30 p.m. local time.

▪ Franklin County will face Scott County in the annual Battle of Elkhorn Creek at 6 p.m. Friday at Great Crossing, followed by Madison Southern vs. Great Crossing.

▪ Edmonson County travels to Grayson County for the annual Battle of the Tobacco Stick.

▪ Ashland Blazers at Raceland; Breathitt County in Belfry, Christian Academy-Louisville in Owensboro; Covington Catholic in Ryle; Manual in Central; Pikeville in Corbin.

▪ Other Lexington teams: Oldham County vs. Henry Clay (at Lafayette), 6 p.m.; Fleming County at Lafayette, 8:45 p.m.; Lexington Catholic at Highlands, Conner at Paul Laurence Dunbar; Covington Holy Cross at Sayre; Eastern at Tates Creek.

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