Jake Chisholm's fantastic career and the Ryle Raiders' hopes for a Kentucky football championship ended shockingly Friday night after QB Easton Pilyer went out with a first-half injury.
The second-ranked Raiders fell at home to Butler 20-14 on a rough night for Northern Kentucky teams in the first round of the playoffs.
Only nine of the 23 NKY teams remain. Beechwood, a top seed in Class 1A, had a bye for Week 11 while the other 22 were in action.
We love our Seniors !!! #aargh pic.twitter.com/Ia4S1bsf5O
— Ryle Raider Football (@ryleraiderfball) November 4, 2017
Chisholm had 36 carries for 156 yards and a score and finished his storybook career as Ryle's all-time leading rusher with over 2,300 yards this season.
Meanwhile, No. 3 Simon Kenton cruised past Jefferstown behind three TD passes by quarterback Matt Shearer. Fifth-ranked Campbell County won at home over Eastern, 19-14.
Covington Catholic, which finished the regular season undefeated and atop our final TSF NKY Team Rankings, had no problems rolling past Bullitt East. The Colonels rushed for 355 yards and scored 42 first-quarter points in the rout.
Scott, which finished the regular-season No. 6 in our rankings, advanced in its 4A matchup against Rowan County. Seventh-ranked Lloyd and No. 8 Highlands also moved on with wins over Green County and Oldham County, respectively.
Aside from Ryle the next biggest surprise came with Ludlow falling to Louisville Holy Cross at home, 30-21. The Panthers started the season 7-0 but closed out by dropping three of its last four contests.
Senior Justin Blackburn, who entered the game as the leading rusher in Class 1A statewide, surpassed 2,100 yards as he finished with 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Here’s who is still standing:
6A Bracket
Simon Kenton (def. Jefferstown 48-17)
Campbell County (def. Eastern 19-14)
5A Bracket
CovCath (def. Bullitt East 56-14)
Highlands (def. Oldham County 34-7)
4A – Bracket
Scott (def. Rowan County 49-7)
2A – Bracket
Walton-Verona (def. Shawnee 72-0)
Lloyd (def. Green County 43-6)
NewCath (def. Metcalfe County 37-12)
1A – Bracket
Beechwood (Week 11 bye)
