The Bell County (Pineville, KY) varsity football team will host a playoff game against Lexington Catholic (Lexington, KY) on Friday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 3A.

What: Kentucky High School Football
Who: Bell County (KY) vs Lexington Catholic (KY)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Team Comparison: Lexington Catholic vs. Bell County

As we head into the heart of the Kentucky football season, a head-to-head comparison of Lexington Catholic and Bell County reveals two teams with different profiles but similar ambitions for success. Here’s a breakdown of their performances, strengths, and standout statistics for the 2024-2025 season.

Team Records and Overall Performance

• Lexington Catholic: With a 7-6 overall record, Lexington Catholic has shown resilience through both wins and losses. The team’s league performance is impressive with a perfect 3-0 record in the district, demonstrating dominance within their region. The team has been strong at home (4-3) but has faced challenges on the road (2-3).
• Bell County: Bell County has been the more dominant team this season, boasting an impressive 11-1 overall record. Their district performance has been flawless (4-0), and they have been nearly unbeatable on the road with a 7-1 record. Bell County’s performance has been consistent across all formats, including a perfect 4-0 in district play and an unblemished 4-0 in away games.

Scoring Averages and Team Dynamics

• Lexington Catholic: The Knights’ scoring has varied throughout the game. They average 11 points in the first quarter, dropping to 8.3 in the second. Their performance tails off in the third quarter (5.8) before slightly improving in the fourth (6.0). However, in overtime, the team averages 7 points per game. Their total scoring average is 32.5 points per game, a respectable number that shows the team has the potential to put up solid offensive performances.
• Bell County: Bell County has a unique scoring trend. The team averages just 5.4 points in the first quarter but significantly picks up the pace in the second quarter, averaging 11.4 points. Their third-quarter scoring is fairly consistent (6.3), while they finish strong in the fourth with an average of 8.9 points. Bell County’s total points per game (38.3) is higher than Lexington Catholic’s, indicating a consistently more productive offense.

Team Stat Comparison

• Offensive Yardage:
  • Lexington Catholic: The team averages 227.5 yards per game, with a heavy reliance on their ground game. They rush for 168.3 yards per game but struggle in the passing game, averaging just 59.2 yards per game.
  • Bell County: Bell County, on the other hand, excels in rushing with 173.4 yards per game, almost identical to Lexington Catholic’s rushing stats, but their passing game is more effective, averaging 90.4 yards per game.
• Points Per Game:
  • Lexington Catholic: With 18 points per game, Lexington Catholic has been solid but could benefit from greater offensive consistency across all quarters.
  • Bell County: Averaging 38.3 points per game, Bell County is a high-scoring team with offensive depth and efficiency.

Team Leaders

• Lexington Catholic:
  • Kaleb Miller leads in both rushing (173.4 yards per game) and total offense (191 yards per game). He also contributes significantly to the team’s scoring, with 15.4 points per game.
  • Blake Burnett, the team’s quarterback, averages 90.4 passing yards per game.
  • Joseph Brigmon leads receiving with 38.1 yards per game.
• Bell County:
  • Kaleb Miller again stands out for Lexington Catholic, but Bell County’s standout player is also a running back, Kaleb Miller, who rips up the field with 173.4 rushing yards per game.
  • Blake Burnett leads the passing attack for Bell County with 90.4 yards per game, highlighting the balanced offense of the team.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have demonstrated notable strengths, but Bell County stands out due to its remarkable consistency across various metrics.

• Lexington Catholic has an overall record of 7-6, with a solid 3-0 district record, while Bell County is far ahead with an 11-1 mark, undefeated in their district (4-0).
• The home-field advantage has favored both teams, though Bell County’s perfect away record of 4-0 is particularly impressive, showcasing their ability to perform in hostile environments.

Conclusion

As both teams prepare for their next games, Bell County seems poised to continue their dominance, while Lexington Catholic will need to capitalize on their district success and improve their offensive consistency. Bell County’s higher points per game and overall efficiency make them a formidable opponent. However, Lexington Catholic’s ability to grind out wins in district play should not be underestimated, especially if they can adjust their strategy in the second and third quarters.

Both teams have demonstrated exceptional qualities this season, making this matchup one to watch closely as they head into the final stretch of the season.