LOG MOUNTAIN — Two of Class 3A’s hottest teams will collide Friday night in one of the state’s premier regional championship matchups as the Bell County Bobcats (11-1) welcome the Lawrence County Bulldogs (11-1) to Log Mountain with a spot in the 3A state semifinals on the line.
Bell County enters with a slightly higher RPI (.70603) than Lawrence County (.70002), and both teams have been among the most explosive and balanced units in their class all season. Each program carries elite playmakers, powerful ground attacks, opportunistic defenses, and momentum at exactly the right time of year.
Bobcats Lean on Defense, Dominant Run Game
Bell County has won two straight since its lone loss — a 35-34 heartbreaker to Pulaski County — and has looked sharp in the postseason. The Bobcats opened with a 44-0 rout of Powell County before rolling past Knox Central, 43-14, in last week’s second round.
The Bobcats average 41.1 points per game and allow only 13.4, powered by a run-first attack that produces 278.4 rushing yards per game. That ground game centers around one of Kentucky’s top backs — Kaleb Miller, who has already amassed 1,814 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, while averaging chunk plays every Friday night.
Quarterback Blake Burnett has been mistake-free through the air, passing for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns without throwing a single interception in 99 attempts. He is also a running threat, adding 321 rushing yards and eight scores.
Behind Miller, the backfield is deep and dangerous.
• Nathaniel Saylor: 575 rushing yards, 7 TDs
• Logan Greene: 219 yards, 4 TDs
Burnett also has a reliable receiving group led by Joseph Brigmon (26 catches, 488 yards, 8 TDs), Saylor (373 yards, 3 TDs), and Cayden Huff (127 yards, 1 TD).
But Bell County’s calling card may be its turnover-hunting defense. The Bobcats have forced 28 turnovers, including an astounding 19 interceptions.
• Burnett leads the state-level conversation with nine interceptions and a pick-six.
• Brigmon has four picks, three returned for touchdowns.
• Huff has three interceptions, while James Neal leads the team with a pair of fumble recoveries, including one for a score.
Bell County has combined lockdown pass coverage with discipline up front, making the Bobcats one of Class 3A’s most complete defenses.
Bulldogs Bring Explosive Balance and Star Power
Lawrence County enters the matchup with eight straight wins, its only loss coming to Class 5A’s North Laurel, 21-0. The Bulldogs have been equally impressive in postseason play, defeating McCreary Central 55-14 in the first round and outlasting Rockcastle County 32-26 in a physical second-round battle.
Lawrence County averages 39.5 points per game and allows 18.8, while showcasing one of the most balanced offenses in Class 3A:
• 217 rushing yards per game
• 198.3 passing yards per game
Dual-threat quarterback Luke Fetherolf has been outstanding, throwing for 2,267 yards and 28 touchdowns, while adding 609 rushing yards and seven more scores. His efficiency — five interceptions on 148 attempts — has helped Lawrence County maintain control of games.
The Bulldogs’ rushing attack is powered by a committee of physical runners:
• Cavin Williams: 669 yards, 8 TDs
• Kaden Johnson: 592 yards, 9 TDs
• Chandler Preece: 230 yards, 4 TDs
The passing game is equally dangerous thanks to a strong receiving corps:
• Gary Derifield: 26 catches, 769 yards, 15 TDs
• Kaden Johnson: 758 yards, 8 TDs
• Carlo Chicko: 334 yards, 4 TDs
Defensively, Lawrence County has forced 23 turnovers, including 15 interceptions.
• Braxton Davis leads the way with six picks, including a pick-six.
• Ratcliff and Johnson each have three interceptions.
• Cameron Castle anchors the run defense with four fumble recoveries and is second on the team with 102 tackles.
Chicko, the Bulldogs’ defensive engine, leads the team with 138 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Lawrence County has recorded 12 sacks overall as a unit.
