Tuesday, October 26, 1999

Five Kentucky teams on playoff bubble

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Ryle, Holmes, Conner, Ludlow, Dayton need to win

BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        As the football playoff chase enters its final week, five Northern Kentucky teams still don't know if their season will reach November.

        Eight local teams have qualified for the postseason. Ryle, Holmes, Conner, Ludlow and Dayton will sweat through the final Friday.

        A class-by-class breakdown:

Class AAAA
        Boone County is in as the third seed; Lexington powers Bryan Station and Henry Clay play for the district title Friday.

        Ryle visits Campbell County. If the Raiders win, they're in. If they lose, Scott County steals the district's fourth playoff berth.

Class AAA
        Highlands is the district champ. Dixie Heights and Covington Catholic are also in, and will meet Friday at Dixie with the No.2 seed — and a home playoff opener — at stake.

        Holmes plays host to Scott (0-4 in district play) while Conner travels to Highlands (4-0 in district). If the favorites — Holmes and Highlands — win, Holmes gets the fourth spot. But if Conner or Scott wins, Conner gets the bid.

Class AA
        Newport is in. If the Wildcats win Friday at Russell, they are district champs. If they lose, they get the third seed and have to begin the playoffs on the road.

Class A
        Bellevue is the district champion. Beechwood and Newport Central Catholic are also in, and will meet Friday at Newport with the No.2 seed — and a home playoff opener — at stake.

        Ludlow appears likely to get the last berth. Dayton could steal it, but only if it upsets Bellevue and Holy Cross upsets Ludlow.

        Once-beaten Highlands remained on top of the Enquirer's Northern Kentucky football poll with undefeated Bellevue second and Dixie Heights third with one week remaining.

       

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