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High School Football
By Chad Baker
On Wednesday, the KHSAA approved the newest round of football district realignment. Originally, the plan was for the new alignment to last until the 2026 season, however it was decided by the KHSAA that it would be effective for the next two seasons and it would be revisited following the 2024 season.
In the new district realignment, Pendleton County will remain in Class 3A however they will move from District 6 to District 5 alongside three brand new teams to 3A. The Wildcats will be joined by Lloyd Memorial, a Class 2A semifinalist a year ago. Also included in the district will be Bourbon County and Lexington Catholic, who both move down from Class 4A, District 5.
Second-year Pendleton County head football coach Kyle Pettit shared his thoughts about the new realignment and what lies ahead for the Wildcats.
“I was surprised to find that we were still in 3A considering our numbers. We have fallen in enrollment over the last few years, but it appears everyone else did too. So, the little schools got smaller, but the big schools must have gotten bigger. Given that the past eight years, we have been the geographical outlier team in 3A; it is a welcome to see Lloyd join our district. Now it seems instead of being the outlier, we are now an anchor for our district travel," Pettit said.
The Wildcats do have some history with Bourbon County as they were both paired up in Class 4A, district 5 from 2007-2010. The Wildcats and Colonels split their four matchups during their brief time in the same district.
Pendleton County has faced Lloyd Memorial twice in their 20-year history, losing matchups with the Juggernauts in 2013 and 2014. The Wildcats have also faced Lexington Catholic once, back in 2009 when the Knights won 62-0 in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
“Given that we have been in five- and six-team districts the last two alignments, I view this as a gift from the KHSAA. With only three mandatory district games, it makes scheduling very open for me to schedule competitive games while our kids are growing in size and experience. We will have seven games that I get to pick our opponent. Our level of competition has certainly gone up in this new alignment. Lexington Catholic is a state powerhouse dropping down into our class. Lloyd Memorial is coming off of a great stretch of wins and a great season, and Bourbon County is an old district rival renewed for this alignment.
"I am glad the state has decided this alignment will only be for two seasons. Using Covid-19 year data complicates how they will match schools up, and I'm glad they recognize the strange times we have in the post-covid football world.” Coach Pettit added.
During this two-year realignment agreement, Pendleton County’s new district will consist of only four teams, guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs. The sister district, 3A District 6, will be made up of Bath County, East Carter, Fleming County, Lewis County, Russell and West Carter.