Tigers to face Kentucky Country Day in Class 1A title game
STAFF REPORT
BSN
PAINTSVILLE — Paintsville is set to face Kentucky Country Day in the KHSAA Class 1A title game at Kroger Field on Friday.
The Tigers and Bearcats did not meet during the 2020 high school football regular season. But Paintsville pulled away to defeat Kentucky Country Day 44-20 in the 2019 KHSAA Class 1A Semifinals.
Paintsville is 9-2. The Tigers defeated Newport Central Catholic 21-7 in the KHSAA Class 1A Semifinals.
Paintsville has rushed 391 times for 2,750 yards and 46 touchdowns. Leading Paintsville on the ground, sophomore Harris Phelps has rushed 160 times for 1,185 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Paintsville has completed 91 of 150 passes for 1,420 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jake Hyden has completed 69 of 115 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns for the Tigers.
Pacing Paintsville in receiving, Zach Taylor has hauled in 19 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Mason Lovely leads Paintsville with a team-high 108 tackles.
Kentucky Country Day is 10-1. The Bearcats beat Williamsburg 27-7 in the KHSAA Class 1A Semifinals.
Kentucky Country Day has rushed 336 times for 2,508 yards and 43 touchdowns. Nathan Caldwell and Eric Dickerson are the Bearcats' top two rushers. Caldwell has rushed 117 times for 978 yards and 21 touchdowns. Following Caldwell, Dickerson has rushed 103 times for 833 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Quarterback Luke Russo leads Kentucky Country Day through the air. Russo has completed 56 of 101 passes for 1,053 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Kentucky Country Day quarterback has thrown five interceptions.
Jalen Todd leads Kentucky Country Day in receiving. Todd has hauled in 23 receptions for 508 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively for Kentucky Country Day, Todd has posted a team-high 71 tackles, 7 tackles for losses and 6.5 sacks.
The Paintsville football program is competing in its 100th season.
Kickoff for the KHSAA Class 1A title game is set for 11 a.m. at Kroger Field on Friday, Dec. 18.