Local athletes compete in Meet of Champions

The Meet of Champions, the cross country state championship for elementary and middle school, was held Saturday in Lexington. Three Mason County students medalled- Cara Woods, middle school; Kara Moran, 6th grade and under; and Andrew Malone, 4th grade.

Prior to the elementary and middle school championships, high school athletes ran in graded competition. Nathan Woods medalled as the 21st senior boy. Valerie Rice was a trophy winner with a sixth place finish in junior girls race. Julia Woods was a trophy winner finishing fifth and Raylee Kirkland medalled in 15th place in the sophomore girls race. Nick Robinson was a trophy winner with a sixth place finish in the freshman boys race.

Mason County will host the Class 2A Region 6 Championship this coming Saturday.

Pairings set for the first round of the playoffs

The pairings are set for the first round of the football playoffs. Here are the match-ups in Class 3A Region 4:

East Ridge at Mason County

West Carter at Belfry

Fleming County at Sheldon Clark

Pike County Central at Russell

Here is a link to the Class 3A bracket.

Royals celebrate Senior Night with 55-27 win

The Mason County Royals celebrated Senior Night with a 55-27 win over the Greenup County Musketeers Friday night, extending their winning streak to nine games. Mason County recovered three onside kicks and scored each time, Jordan Gilbert returned the third quarter kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown and Brandon Watson returned a fumble 90-yards for a touchdown.

Greenup County fumbled on the third play of the game. Three plays later, Neal Pawsat scored on a quarterback sneak. Greenup County answered with a long scoring drive. Mason County then scored 21 straight points. Pawsat ran 49 yards for a touchdown. Mason County recovered the onside kick and Josh Harris scored on a three-yard run. The Royals recovered the onside kick and Pawsat threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Black. It was 28-14 at the half. Gilbert's kickoff return to start the third quarter got the Royals going again. Greenup County fumbled on its next possession. Pawsat threw a TD pass to Gilbert. Mason County recovered the onside kick and Pawsat threw a touchdown pass to Harris. Greenup County's next possession ended with a fumble. Brandon Watson scooped and scored and Mason County was up 55-14. Pawsat completed 8-of-11 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Greenup County senior half back Corey Lyle, the state's leading rusher, ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Mason County (9-1) hosts East Ridge in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs next week.

MC 1st Q 10:12 Neal Pawsat 1 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 7, GC 0

GC 1st Q 00:55 Corey Lyle 2 yard run (Wade Reed kick) MC 7, GC 7

MC 1st Q 00:36 Neal Pawsat 49 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 14, GC 7

MC 2nd Q 8:46 Josh Harris 3 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 21, GC 7

MC 2nd Q 7:22 Tyler Black 36 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 28, GC 7

GC 2nd Q 00:33 Corey Lyle 1 yard run (Wade Reed kick) MC 28, GC 14

MC 3rd Q 11:43 Jordan Gilbert 79 yard kickoff run (pass failed) MC 34, GC 14

MC 3rd Q 4:30 Jordan Gilbert 63 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 41, GC 14

MC 4th Q 11:49 Josh Harris 27 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 48, GC 14

MC 4th Q 8:00 Brandon Watson 90 yard fumble return (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 55, GC 14

GC 4th Q Corey Lyle 21 yard run (Wade Reed kick) MC 55, GC 21

GC 4th Q 1:21 Kenton Boggs 5 yard run (run failed) MC 55, GC 21

Royals host Greenup County on Senior Night

It's Senior Night at Mason County tonight. The 8-1 Mason County Royals host the 5-4 Greenup County Musketeers in the final game of the regular season. Mason County is riding an eight-game winning streak. Greenup County has won two straight games. The Musketeers are averaging 359 rushing yards per game. Senior halfback Corey Lyle has rushed for 2,060 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He rushed for 451 yards (not a misprint) and four touchdowns in Greenup County's 61-0 win over East Carter last week. Junior halfback Brandon Marsh has rushed for 816 yards despite missing the last two games with an injury. He is expected to play tonight. Mason County senior quarterback Neal Pawsat has completed 90-of-147 passes for 1,312 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mason County junior tailback Josh Harris has rushed for 866 yards and 15 touchdowns. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

• Mason County leads the series 8-4. The Royals have won the last five meetings including 47-13 last season;
• Senior Night ceremony will begin around 7 p.m. for all fall sports seniors except for boys' and girls' soccer. The senior soccer players preferred to have their Senior Night at a home soccer game;
• Several groups will be promoting Breast Cancer Awareness at tonight's game
• The tailgate party is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes pork tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, fried apples, buttered corn, White House salad, dinner rolls, dessert and drink for $5.

Mason County will play East Ridge in first round of football playoffs

The Mason County Royals will host the East Ridge Warriors in the first round of the Class 3A football playoffs on November 5. Mason County won Region 4, District 7 with a 4-0 district record. East Ridge is the No. 4 seed from District 8 with an 0-3 district record.

Russell, the No. 2 seed from District 7 will host Pike County Central, the No. 3 seed from District 8. The other two match-ups in Region 4 will not be determined until after Sheldon Clark and Belfry close out the regular season tomorrow night.

Sheldon Clark, Belfry and Pike County Central all finished district play at 2-1. A points system used to break the tie, bumped Pike County Central down to third place. Sheldon Clark and Belfry are still tied under the points system. How they do tomorrow night will determine the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, and it's a little complicated. Sheldon Clark hosts Pikeville, and Belfry plays at Johnson Central. If Sheldon Clark and Belfry both win or if they both lose, Belfry will be the district champion. A Belfry win and a Sheldon Clark loss, would also make Belfry the district champ. If Sheldon Clark wins and Belfry loses, Sheldon Clark wins the district.

West Carter, the No. 3 seed in District 7, will play on the road against the No. 2 seed in District 8. Fleming County, the No. 4 seed in District 7, will be on the road vs. the No. 1 seed in District 8.

Miller named to Coaches Pre-Season All-Sec second team

Darius Miller was named to the SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Pre-Season All-SEC second team today. Miller, a 6-7 junior, is the only returning starter for the Kentucky Wildcats. He averaged 6.5 points per game last season. UK freshman Brandon Knight was also named to the second team.

Miller scores 20 points in Blue-White scrimmage

Darius Miller played for both teams and scored 20 points in the University of Kentucky's Blue-White scrimmage at Rupp Arena tonight. The Blue team won 101-74. Miller started out on the Blue team and scored 14 points. He switched to the White team and tossed in six points. Kentucky plays its exhibition opener Monday night at home against Pikeville College.

Chenault is the Old Spice Player of the Week

Senior running back Troy Chenault is the Old Spice Player of the Week at Mason County High School. Chenault rushed for a career-high 134 yards and one touchdown in the Royals' 42-0 win over Fleming County Friday night.

Fairview and Ashland win Area 7 Championships at Mason County

The Fairview girls and the Ashland boys took the team titles at the Area 7 Championship Saturday at the Mason County cross country course. The Mason County girls, led by Julia Woods (third), finished third. Nick Robinson led the Mason County boys with a sixth place finish. Mason County eighth grader Cara Woods won the girls' middle school race. The winner of each race is the Area 7 Runner of the Year. The top seven in each race are first team Area 7. Runners in eighth through 14th place are second team. Here are the links to the results:

Varsity Girls

Varsity Boys

Middle School

Elementary School

Royals shutout Fleming County 42-0

The Mason County Royals ran their winning streak to eight games with a 42-0 victory over the Fleming County Panthers tonight in Flemingsburg. The Royals led 35-0 at the half and held the Panthers to 47 total yards in the first half. Neal Pawsat completed 12-of-19 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He threw two interceptions. Josh Harris rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a touchdown reception. Troy Chenault ran for 134 yards and a touchdown. Mason County goes 4-0 in the district for the third straight season. The Royals close out the season at home next week against the Greenup County Musketeers.

MC 1st Q 3:12 Josh Harris 1 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 7, FC 0

MC 1st Q 00:30 Josh Harris 28 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 14, FC 0

MC 2nd Q 9:08 Carson Gray 10 yard interception return (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 21, FC 0

MC 2nd Q 4:56 Josh Harris 34 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 28, FC 0

MC 2nd Q 3:31 Troy Chenault 2 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 35, FC 0

MC 3rd Q 2:10 Marcel Jackson 13 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 42, FC 0

Blakefield ties for 2nd in first stage of Q School

Mark Blakefield tied for second place in the first stage of the PGA Qualifying School and qualifies for the second stage to be played next month. Blakefield had a 72-hole total of 17-under 271 at Grasslands Golf and Country Club in Lakeland, Florida. He shot a 1-over 73 on Tuesday and then had three consecutive rounds in the 60s- 67 on Wednesday, 65 on Thursday and 66 today. Blakefield had seven birdies and one bogey in the final round. The top 23 and ties advance to the second stage which is another 72-hole tournament. The final stage is a 108-hole tournament in December.

Royals close out district play at Fleming County tonight

The Mason County Royals have already clinched their third straight district championship. Tonight, they will be looking to go 4-0 in district play for the third consecutive year when they play the Fleming County Panthers in Flemingsburg. Fleming County is 1-7 overall and 1-2 in the district. The Panthers defeated Lewis County 14-10 on Sept. 24. Since then, Fleming County has been outscored 137-14 in losses to Russell, West Carter and Newport. The Panthers were hit hard by graduation last year and have had numerous injuries this season. Junior quarterback Chris Jones suffered a broken collarbone in the loss to Russell. His replacement is sophomore Desmond McAdams. Mason County leads the series with Fleming County 17-16. The Royals have won five straight and eight of the last nine against the Panthers. Kickoff is at 7:30.

(Edited to correct Fleming County's record.)

Tolle and Tigers celebrating Homecoming win

Georgetown College junior defensive tackle Jackson Tolle (No. 14 in photo) had two solo tackles and two assisted tackles in the Tigers' 70-58 Homecoming victory over Pikeville College last week. Tolle had two tackles for a loss including a sack. Tolle missed the first four games of the season due to an injury. Georgetown (4-2) plays West Virginia Tech on the road this Saturday.

(Photo credit: Marc Tolle)

Mason County golf banquet

The Mason County High School golf banquet was held Tuesday night at the Maysville Country Club. In the photos below the players are (left to right): JV girls co-MVP- Brianna Littleton and Sarah Fite; Varsity girls awards: Most Improved- Lauren Vice, Coaches Award- Bridgit Morris, MVP Tiara Harris; JV boys co-MVP awards- Nathan Cracraft and Tyler Lippert; Varsity boys awards: Coaches Award Jackson Frame, co-MVP-Tanner Walton and Bradley Litzinger, Most Improved- Dee Hampton.

Mason County 7th grade girls win conference championship

The Mason County Middle School girls' 7th grade basketball team won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last weekend. The Lady Royals, coached by Stacey Berry and Kent Moore, defeated East Carter 21-18 in the first round, Fleming County 25-18 in the semifinals and Verity 28-24 in the championship game. The Lady Royals had an overall record of 13-7 and were 7-5 in conference play.

Chris Morris is second in Division III Golfstat Cup standings

Chris Morris is second in the Division III Golfstat Cup standings. Here is a link to the press release on the Centre College men's golf website.

Pawsat is Old Spice Player of the Week

Neal Pawsat is the Old Spice Player of the Week at Mason County High School. Pawsat had a hand in five touchdowns in the Royals 39-20 win over the West Carter Comets last week. He threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 45 yards and a touchdown, and returned an onside kick 30 yards for a touchdown.

2011-2014 football alignment approved, Mason County and Russell will remain district opponents

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control today approved the 2011-2014 football alignment, and Mason County and Russell will continue to be district opponents. Russell was slated to move down to Class 2A under the draft alignment released earlier this month, but the board approved Russell's request to play up in Class 3A. Mason County and Russell will be in Class 3A District 6 with East Carter, Fleming County, Lewis County and West Carter. Here is a link to the realignment.

Royals clinched district title with win over West Carter

The Mason County Royals clinched their third consecutive district title with a 39-20 victory over the West Carter Comets Friday night. The Royals close out district play this Friday night at Fleming County. Mason County will be looking to go 4-0 in the district for the third straight year. Even if Mason County and Russell both end up at 3-1, the Royals would win the district by virtue of their 21-7 victory over the Red Devils. Mason County will host the No. 4 seed from District 8 in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 5 Here are the district standings and this week's district schedules:

District 7

Mason County 3-0

Russell 3-1

West Carter 1-2

Fleming County 1-2

Lewis County 0-3

District 8

Sheldon Clark 2-0

Pike County Central 1-1

Belfry 1-1

East Ridge 0-2

This week's games (the final week of district play):

Mason County at Fleming County

Lewis County at West Carter

Sheldon Clark at Pike County Central

East Ridge at Belfry

Woods and the Lady Royals win, Royals 6th at Camp Nelson Run

Julia Woods won the individual title and led the Mason County Lady Royals to a first place finish in the Camp Nelson Run Saturday at East Jessamine Middle School. Mason County took sixth place in the boys' varsity race. Sarah Redmond won the girls' JV individual title and led the Lady Royals to the team title. Valerie Rice, Cara Woods, Sierra Anderson, Raylee Kirkland, Sarah Bellingham and Carley Moore also medalled in the girls' varsity race. Megan Pfeffer was second, Brittany Alley was third, Kelly Lee as fifth and Lauren Moore was sixth in the girls' JV race. Nick Robinson was third and Nathan Woods was sixth in the boys' varsity race. Daniel Appelman and Nathaniel Grayson also medalled in the boys' varsity race. Tyler Toombs was second and Tanner Kirkland was fourth in the boys' JV race. Garrett Appelman was 14th. Here are links to the results:

Girls Varsity

Boys Varsity

Junior Varsity

Pairings set for regional soccer and volleyball tourneys

The pairings are set for the regional soccer and volleyball tournaments. The St. Patrick Saints play the Bourbon County Colonels Monday at 8 p.m. in the 12th Region soccer tournament at Stonerside Field in Paris. The St. Patrick Lady Saints play Clark County Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the 10th Region volleyball tournament at Harrison County. Here links to the tournament brackets:

Soccer

Volleyball

(Edited to change the time of the St. Patrick vs. Clark County volleyball game.)

Pawsat leads Royals to 39-20 Homecoming win

Neal Pawsat threw three touchdown passes, rushed for a touchdown and returned a kickoff for a touchdown to lead the Mason County Royals to a 39-20 Homecoming win over the West Carter Comets in the Brian Payne State Farm Classic tonight. West Carter opened the game with an 80-yard scoring drive. Pawsat hit Tyler Black for a touchdown and Jordan Gilbert's extra point put the Royals up 7-6. Mason County would lead the rest of the way, but the Comets did not go away. Xavia Shurn returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and Pawsat threw another touchdown pass to Black to give Mason County a 19-6 lead. West Carter answered with a touchdown and a two-point conversion to get to within five points at 19-14. The Comets had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but Josh Harris intercepted a pass and Pawsat ran for a touchdown. Mason County led 26-14 at the half. Pawsat threw a touchdown pass to Harris in the third quarter and the Royals were up 33-14. West Carter scored midway through the fourth quarter. After the conversion try failed, the Comets were called for a personal foul and kicked off from their 25 yard line. The onside kick was tipped to Pawsat who ran it in from 30 yards out. Pawsat completed 7-of-17 passes for 153 yards. Mason County is 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the district. The Royals close out district play next week at Fleming County.

WC 1st Q 5:50 Danny Cline 2 yard run (kick failed) WC 6, MC 0

MC 1st Q 5:04 Tyler Black 49 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 7, WC 6

MC 1st Q 4:02 Xavia Shurn 12 yard return on a blocked punt (kick failed) MC 13, WC 6

MC 2nd Q 9:34 Tyler Black 34 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (run failed) MC 19, WC 6

WC 2nd Q 7:15 Harrison Bond 1 yard run (Caleb Whitt pass from Harrison Bond) MC 19, WC 14

MC 2nd Q 1:49 Neal Pawsat 25 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 26, WC 14

MC 3rd Q 4:44 Josh Harris 28 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 33, WC 14

WC 4th Q 6:03 Danny Cline 7 yard run (pass failed) MC 33, WC 20

MC 4th Q 5:50 Neal Pawsat 30 yard kickoff return (run failed) MC 39, WC 20

Royals host West Carter on Homecoming

It's Homecoming tonight at Mason County as the Royals host the West Carter Comets in the Brian Payne State Farm Classic. Mason County is 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the district. West Carter is 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the district. West Carter's two losses were by a total of 10 points (16-13 to unbeaten Fairview in overtime in the season opener and 13-6 to Russell). The Comets are averaging 238 rushing yards a game and have scored a total of 100 points in their last two games. West Carter needs one more win to secure is first winning season since 1986. Royals Coach David Buchanan says this is the best West Carter team in his 15 years at Mason County. The Royals have won six straight games this season and 11 straight district games over the past three seasons. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Notes:

• Mason County is averaging 34.4 points per game and West Carter is averaging 31.6 ppg;
• Mason County is allowing 14.4 ppg, West Carter is giving up just 10.5 ppg;
• West Carter senior halfback Danny Cline has rushed for 666 yards and eight touchdowns on 63 carries;
• West Carter senior quarterback Harrison Bond has completed 41-of-74 passed for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 392 yards for three touchdowns;
• Cody Stamper is the Comets' leading receiver with 19 catches for 316 yards and six touchdowns;
• Mason County quarterback Neal Pawsat has completed 71-of-111 passes for 1,159 yards and 10 touchdowns;
• Royals tailback Josh Harris has rushed for 691 yards and 13 touchdowns on 101 carries;
• Mason County receiver Jordan Gilbert has 37 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns;
• Mason County leads the series 18-4. The Royals have won the last 10 meetings including 26-12 last season. West Carter's last win over Mason County was in 1995;
• The tailgate party is from 5-7 p.m. Tonight's menu includes Tavern ham, brown beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, drink and dessert.

(Edited to correct the district game winning streak.)

Darius Miller at UK Media Day

(Photo credit: Gary Kidwell)

St. Patrick advances to volleyball and boys' soccer district finals

The St. Patrick volleyball and boys' soccer teams posted district tournament semifinal wins last night and will play in the championship games tonight.

The Lady Saints defeated the Mason County Lady Royals 2-0 in the semifinals of the 40th District volleyball tournament. The scores were 25-8 and 25-12. The Lady Saints play the Harrison County Fillies in the championship game tonight at 7 o'clock at Harrison County.

The St. Patrick Saints shutout the Walton-Verona Bearcats 2-0 in the semifinals of the 23rd District soccer tournament. The Saints play the Pendleton County Wildcats in the championship game tonight at 7 o'clock at Grant County.

District volleyball and soccer tournaments continue tonight

The St. Patrick Lady Saints and the Mason County Lady Royals meet tonight at 7:30 in the semifinals of the 40th District volleyball tournament at Harrison County. St. Patrick and Mason County split their two regular season matches with the home team winning 2-1 both times.

The St. Patrick Saints play the Walton-Verona Bearcats tonight at 7 o'clock in the semifinals of the boys' 23rd District soccer tournament at Grant County. St. Patrick did not play Walton-Verona in the regular season. The Grant County Lady Braves and the Walton-Verona Lady Bearcats meet tonight at 7 o'clock in the championship game of the girls' 23rd District soccer tournament at Mason County. In last night's semifinals, Grant County shutout Mason County 3-0 and Walton-Verona blanked Pendleton County 3-0.

Bluegrasspreps.com Class 3A Football Rankings

Bluegrasspreps.com Class 3A Football Rankings

1. Somerset vs. Wayne County
2. Central at Moore
3. Paducah Tilghman vs. McLean County
4. Mason County vs. West Carter
5. Union County vs. Webster County
6. Belfry at #7 Sheldon Clark
7. Sheldon Clark vs. #6 Belfry
8. Pike Central vs. East Ridge
9. Russellville at Adair County
10. Breathitt County at Powell County

Semifinals of the girls' 23rd District soccer tournament are tonight at Mason County

The semifinals of girls' 23rd District soccer tournament will be played tonight at Mason County. The Mason County Lady Royals play the Grant County Lady Braves at 6 p.m. folllowed by the Pendleton County Lady Wildcats against the Walton-Verona Lady Bearcats at 8 p.m. Walton-Verona edged St. Patrick 2-1 in the first round Monday night. Mason County did not play Grant County in the regular season.

The St. Patrick Saints shutout the Mason County Royals 3-0 in the first round of the boys' 23rd District soccer tournament last night. The Saints play Walton-Verona in the semifinals Wednesday night at 7 o'clock.

The St. Patrick Lady Saints beat the Deming Lady Devils 2-0 in the first round of the 40th District volleyball tournament Monday night. The scores were 25-21 and 32-30. St. Patrick plays Mason County in the semifinals Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Harrison County.

(Edited to correct the date for the St. Patrick vs. Mason County match in the 40th District volleyball tournament.)

Chris Morris ties for first at Greensboro-Gordin Classic

Centre College senior Chris Morris of Maysville tied for first place in the Greensboro-Gordin Classic and led Centre to a 10th place finish in Greensboro, N.C. Here is a link to the press release on the Centre College website.

Xavion Johnson is the Red Zone Player of the Week

Xavion Johnson is the Red Zone Player of the Week at Mason County High School. Johnson had eight tackles from his cornerback position in the Royals' 21-7 district win over the Russell Red Devils Friday night. The Red Zone Player of the Year program is nationally sponsored by Proctor and Gamble Old Spice Red Zone® Deodorant. The program is created and managed by 360 Youth, LLC, an Alloy Company.

District soccer and volleyball tournaments begin tonight

The district soccer and volleyball tournaments begin tonight. The St. Patrick Saints and the Mason County Royals meet in the first round of the boys' 23rd district soccer tournament tonight at 6 o'clock at Grant County. St. Patrick defeated Mason County 3-1 at the Tom Browning Boys and Girls Club on September 13. The winner of tonight's game advances to the semifinals to play the Walton-Verona Bearcats Wednesday at 7 p.m. The St. Patrick Lady Saints play the Walton-Verona Lady Bearcats in the first round of the girls' 23rd district soccer tournament tonight at 6 o'clock at Mason County. St. Patrick did not play Walton-Verona in the regular season. The winner moves onto the semifinals to play the Pendleton County Lady Wildcats tomorrow night at 8 o'clock. The St. Patrick Lady Saints play the Deming Lady Devils in the first round of the 40th District volleyball tournament tonight at 7:30 at Harrison County. Deming beat St. Patrick 2-0 (25-20, 25-19) in Mt. Olivet on August 30. The winner advances to the semifinals to play Mason County Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Lady Royals 2nd, Royals 4th in GRC Coaches Classic

The Mason County Lady Royals finished second and the Mason County Royals took fourth place in the GRC Coaches Classic Saturday at Lykins Park in Winchester. Julia Woods led the Lady Royals with a second place finish. Valarie Rice was fifth and Cara Woods was eighth. Nick Robinson led the Royals with a second place finish. Nathan Woods was third. Here are links to the results:

Girls Varsity

Boys Varsity

Girls Middle School

Boys Middle School

Litzinger T44 at state golf tourney

Mason County junior Bradley Litzinger tied for 44th place in the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Boys' State Golf Championship. Litzinger shot a 9-over-par 81 today at Bowling Green Country Club. He had a two-day total of 17-over 161.

Royals run win streak to six with a 21-7 victory over Russell

The Mason County Royals scored 21 unanswered points and ran their winning streak to six games with a 21-7 victory over the Russell Red Devils Friday night in Flatwoods. Mason County had two touchdowns called back on penalties on their opening drive. The Royals quick kicked on third down from the Russell 45 yard line. The punt rolled to the one yard line. Russell went 99 yards in 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. It was 7-7 at the half after Neal Pawsat threw a touchdown pass to Jordan Gilbert. The Royals recovered an onside kick to start the second half and took the lead on a 16-yard touchdown run by Troy Chenault. Mason County stopped Russell on a 4th down pass play in the red zone early in the fourth quarter. Josh Harris' five-yard touchdown run put the Royals up by two touchdowns with 2:46 left in the game. Russell marched to the Mason County five yard line, but Matt Eads intercepted a pass in the end zone to secure the Royals' third straight win over the Red Devils. Josh Harris rushed for 95 yards including the 2,000th of his career. Neal Pawsat completed 9-of-14 passes for 124 and a touchdown. He threw one interception. Mason County (6-1 overall and 2-0 in the district) host West Carter on Homecoming nextFriday night.

R 1st Q 1:05 Patrick Cooper 20 yard run (Tanner Locey kick) R 7, MC 0

MC 2nd Q 7:27 Jordan Gilbert 24 yard pass from Neal Pawsat (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 7, R 7

MC 3rd Q 10:23 Troy Chenault 16 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 14, R 7

MC 4th Q 2:46 Josh Harris 5 yard run (Jordan Gilbert kick) MC 21, R 7

Litzinger is the only local golfer to make the cut at state tourney

Mason County junior Bradley Litzinger was the only local golfer to make the cut at the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Boys' State Golf Championship. Litzinger shot an 8-over-par 80 Friday at Bowling Green Country Club and made the cut on the number. St. Patrick senior Russell Rigg shot an 81 and missed the cut by one shot. Mason County had a team total of 343, The team cut was 329. Tanner Walton shot an 86. Dee Hampton had an 87. Jackson Frame had a 90, and Tyler Lippert shot a 100. Only the four lowest scores are used for the team total.

Royals take on Russell in Flatwoods

The Mason County Royals travel to Flatwoods tonight to play the Russell Red Devils in a district game. Mason County has won five straight games. The Royals opened district play last week with a 56-8 win over Lewis County. Russell has put together a three-game winning streak after losing three in a row. The Red Devils are 2-0 in district games. The Royals have outscored their last four opponents 172-45. Russell is led by senior quarterback Patrick Cooper. He rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown and threw for another TD in the Red Devils' 48-8 win over Fleming County last week. Two years ago, Mason County beat Russell in Flatwoods for the first time. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

• Mason County is third in scoring (36.7 ppg), fourth in scoring defense (15.7 ppg) and second in scoring margin (21) in Class AAA;
• Tailback Josh Harris leads Class AAA in scoring with an average of 14.3 points per game:
• Russell Coach Ivan McGlone was inducted into the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame earlier this year;
• Russell leads the series 13-4. Mason County has won the last two meetings. Two years ago, the Royals beat Russell in Flatwoods for the first time. Mason County defeated Russell 34-21 last season.

40th District volleyball tournament bracket

The 40th District Tournament will be played at Harrison County October 11-14. Click on the bracket to enlarge it.

Lady Royals finish 9th in state golf tournament

The Mason County Lady Royals finished 9th at the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Girls' State Golf Championship. The Lady Royals had a 364 team total in the second round today at Bowling Green Country Club. Mason County's two-day total was 724. Green County won its second straight state championship with a total of 667, 13 shots better than the runner-up, Sacred Heart. Tiara Harris led the Lady Royals today with an 89. Bridgit Morris shot a 91. Christian Arn and Lauren Vice had 92s. Christen Cropper shot a 97. The four lowest scores are used for the team total.

Harris is Red Zone Player of the Week at MCHS

Josh Harris is the Red Zone Player of the Week at Mason County High School. Harris rushed for 95 yards and four touchdowns and threw for another touchdown in the Royals' 56-8 win over the Lewis County Lions.

Former Mason County trainer Greg Himes is the new hoops coach at Southern State Community College

Greg Himes, a former trainer for the Mason County Royals basketball team, was named head coach of the men's basketball team at Southern State Community College in Hillsboro, Ohio Tuesday. Himes, who served as trainer for Kelly Wells' Mason County teams from 2001 to 2004, has been running the N2Hoop AAU basketball program at Eastern Brown. Himes was Bob Hall's assistant coach at Bracken County High School in 1990. Himes will continue to serve as the Sports Medicine/Exercise Science Instructor at Southern Hills Career and Technical Center in Georgetown, Ohio. Himes has scheduled a player meeting for Thursday evening. Conditioning begins October 12. Southern State will play its exhibition opener November 3 and its season opener on November 5.

Whitehead leads Royals to win, sets single-season scoring record

Mason County senior Dylan Whitehead had a hat trick to lead the Royals to an 8-0 Senior Night victory over the West Union Dragons Tuesday night. Whitehead also broke the Royals' single-season scoring record. Whitehead has scored 24 goals with one game left in the regular season (tonight at home vs. Paris). The Mason County Lady Royals shutout the West Union Lady Dragons 4-0. Jessica Shotwell scored two goals. Caitlin Keef and Taylor Dudley each scored a goal.

Lady Royals make the cut at the state tournament

The Mason County Lady Royals made the cut at the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Girls' State Golf Championships. The Lady Royals had a first round total of 360 today at Bowling Green Country Club and are tied for 11th place, 17 shots behind the leader, Green County. Only the top 12 teams advance to the second round on Wednesday. Lauren Vice led Mason County with an 88. Bridgit Morris followed with an 89. Christen Cropper shot a 90. Tiara Harris had a 93 and Christian Arn shot a 100. The four lowest scores are used for the team total.

Royals and Saints will meet in first round of district tourney

The Mason County Royals and the St. Patrick Saints will meet in the first round of the boys' 23rd District Soccer tournament Monday at 6 p.m. at Grant County. Click on the bracket to enlarge it.

KHSAA releases draft football alignment

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has released the 2011-2014 draft football alignment. Under the proposal, Mason County would remain in Class 3A. The Royals' longtime district rival, Russell, would move down to Class 2A. Mason County's district opponents would be East Carter, Fleming County, Lewis County and West Carter. Schools have until October 14 to provide feedback on the plan. The KHSAA Board of Control is scheduled to vote on the alignment

on October 18. Here is a link to the draft football alignment.

Royals will play Princeton in Bluegrass-Buckeye Holiday Classic

The Mason County Royals will play the Princeton Vikings of Cincinnati in the 2010 Bluegrass-Buckeye Holiday Classic Sunday, December 12 at 2:45 p.m. at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. Mason County is 2-0 in the Bluegrass-Buckeye Holiday Classic. The Royals defeated Cincinnati St. Xavier 62-55 in 2008 and beat Dixie Heights 48-34 last year. Here is the schedule for this year's classic (Saturday's game times have not been set):

Saturday, December 11

Dixie Heights vs. Colerain

Holmes vs. Aiken

Male vs. Taft

Sunday, December 12

1:00 p.m. Ryle vs. Oak Hills

2:45 p.m. Mason County vs. Princeton

4:30 p.m. Covington Catholic vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier

First round tee times set for state golf tournaments

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has released the first round tee times for the state golf tournaments. The Mason County Lady Royals will play in the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Girls' State Championships. The Mason County Royals and St. Patrick senior Russell Rigg will play in the Leachman Buick & GMC/KHSAA Boys' State Championships. Both tournaments will be played at Bowling Green Country Club. Here are the links to the tee times:

Girls

Boys