The name is the same only the location is different for the Hopkinsville Tigers in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs Friday night. For the second consecutive year, Hoptown will take on the Warren East Raiders in a first round matchup.
The Tigers enter the contest with a record of 4-6, but have won their last three contests, outscoring their opponents 134-6. Warren East comes into the game at 6-4, and with the number two seed in their district. The Raiders could easily be 8-2, as two of their losses came by a total of three points.
In 2016, the teams met at the Stadium of Champions, with Hopkinsville rolling over the Raiders 54-0. Jalen Johnson had a big night for the Tigers, running for two touchdowns and passing for two more. JaTorian Dillard also rushed for two touchdowns for Hopkinsville in the contest, but neither player will be in uniform for Friday’s matchup.
Aside from last year, Hopkinsville and Warren East have met just one other time in the playoffs. That game was in 1996 and won by Hopkinsville 52-35.
This week’s contest is set to kickoff at 7:00pm at Warren East.