The first round foe for the Caldwell County Tigers in the Class 3A playoffs will be no stranger to Coach David Barnes and his team. The Tigers are set to host the Hart County Raiders at Tiger Stadium Friday night.
Since the Tigers moved up to Class 3A in the 2015 season, the Tigers have faced Hart County in the first round every year, this season included.
In 2015, Caldwell County entered the playoffs at 8-2. Just like this season, the Tigers lost their opener to Christian County and their regular season finale to Mayfield, with 8 straight wins in between. When the opened the playoffs in 2015, the Tigers hosted Hart County, coming up with a 50-15 win. Shane Burns led Caldwell County that night with 261 yard passing and three touchdowns.
In 2016, the Tigers entered the playoffs at 6-4, and the number one seed in the district. For the second year in a row, Caldwell County hosted Hart County at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers again had little trouble with the Raiders, winning 49-8. Shane Burns again had a big night, passing for 192 yards and five touchdowns.
This year, the Tigers come in at 8-2, and just like two years ago, the Tigers lost their regular season opener and finale to Christian County and Mayfield. The Raiders will come into Tiger Stadium with a mark of 2-8, with their only wins coming over Caverna and Adair County.
Hart County has never won a playoff game in nine previous appearances, while Caldwell County is 28-20 in 22 career appearances.
The game is set to kickoff Friday night at 7:30.