Trigg County’s reward for making the playoffs after a two-year absence is to play at one of the top scoring teams in the state.
The Wildcats (5-5) missed the postseason in back to back years for the first time since the state expanded the playoffs in the early 1990s. However, a win over Fort Campbell knocked the Falcons from the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
Trigg County is coming off a 44-12 loss to Union County two weeks ago and appear to be the healthiest they have been in several weeks. Quarterback Cam Jordan has thrown for 959 yards and leads the Wildcats in rushing with 517 yards.
When Jordan was healthy, the Wildcats averaged 29 points in their first five games. Trigg is scoring just 18 points in their last five games while giving up 31.
They will face an Elizabethtown team that is ranked fourth in this week’s Class 3A football poll. The Panthers are 9-1 with their only loss coming to defending 2A state champion Christian Academy-Louisville. They are averaging 42 points and 313 yards of offense under long-time Coach Mark Brown, who in 36 years as a head coach has won 311 games and a state title at Nelson County.
E-town features a shotgun Wing-T offense that has produced some of Brown’s best offensive numbers since taking the E-town job in 2014. Quarterback Tyler Durbin has thrown for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding six rushing scores. Senior Jay Becherer averages over 10 yards a carry in leading the Panthers with 721 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has four special teams touchdowns.
Friday’s game will be the first-ever matchup between the schools.
Trigg County is making their 26th playoff appearance. The Wildcats are 24-23 all-time in the postseason but have lost six of their last seven playoff games dating back to 2009.
Elizabethtown is making their 30th playoff appearance. The Panthers are 39-32 all-time in the postseason. They won a state title in 1969 and were runner-up four other times, the last time being in 2003. E-town has advanced to the state semifinals each of the last two years.
Kickoff Friday in Elizabethtown will be 6:30 local time.
