After an impressive 24-17 victory at Franklin-Simpson in the first week of the 4A football playoffs, the Hopkinsville Tigers head to Logan County on Friday in search of their first win over the Cougars since a run to the state semifinals in 2020.
Despite a three-game losing streak to the Cougars and a 49-28 setback earlier this season, the Tigers enter the rematch with momentum after four straight wins. Junior quarterback Zach Moss has been at the heart of the Tigers’ strong play, including 266 yards through the air and a touchdown in the playoff opener.
For the season, Moss has completed 99 of 224 passes for 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns. Daisjaun Mercer leads the Tiger receiver corps with 722 yards and eight TDs on 34 catches, followed by Jacquez Coleman with 225 yards and two scores. In addition, Isaiah Manning emerged late in the season as a weapon on the offensive side with 176 yards on 11 catches and a pair of touchdowns.
With Mercer out for last week’s win over Frankin-Simpson, sophomore Treston Key picked up the slack with eight catches for 160 yards and a score.
The Tigers managed only a single rushing yard in last week’s victory and will need to strike a better balance to knock off the 10-1 Cougars. Devin Coleman and Darrius Green each rushed for four TDs so far this year, with Mercer finding the end zone five times.
For Hopkinsville to advance in the playoffs, the Tigers must slow down Logan County’s Ryan Rayno. The senior running back has amassed 1,776 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, including 202 yards and three scores in the regular season win over the Tigers.
Junior quarterback Davin Yates threw for 166 yards and two scores the first time around against Hoptown, and he has over 1,700 yards through the air with 21 TDs this year. His favorite target has been Zane Batten, with 35 catches for 537 yards and seven scores.
Senior Jaron Mills spearheads the Tiger defense charged with keeping the Cougars out of the end zone. Mills leads the team with 91 tackles, followed by junior DeAnthony Brown with 67 tackles. Senior CJ Stallworth has 60 tackles, including 19 for loss, to go with 13 sacks. Mercer has three interceptions and a return TD, and Manning has picked off two passes with a pick-six.
The Tigers and Cougars will kick off at 7 PM in Russellville on Friday. The winner will play the winner of Warren East and Madisonville-North Hopkins in the next round of the playoffs. The Maroons were 21-14 winners over Hoptown earlier this season.
