Mason Co. hosts Rowan Co. on Homecoming

The Mason County Royals host the Rowan County Vikings tonight on Homecoming. Mason County is 3-0. Rowan County, a Class 4A team, is 3-1 with victories over Morgan County (60-6), Estill County (63-7) and Fleming County (56-26). The Vikings lost to Garrard County 41-35 in the Death Valley Bowl at Lincoln County. Mason County is coming off a 43-14 win over the Bourbon County Colonels. Rowan County is led by running back Darrell Cross who has rushed for 616 yards and six touchdowns. Cross has returned a kickoff or a punt in each game this season. He has returned both a kickoff and punt in two games. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Homecoming festivities will take place at halftime. The tailgate party is from 5 to 7 pm. The menu includes Deshas chili and cornbread, pimento cheese sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches, desserts and a drink. Here are some game notes:

• Mason County is first in Class 3A in scoring (42 ppg), first in scoring margin (25.7 ppg), third in passing (187 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (16.3 ppg);
• Mason County quarterback Neal Pawsat is fourth in passing (181 yards per game)
• Mason County tailback Josh Harris is tied for sixth in scoring (10.7 ppg) and is tied for 11th in rushing (93 yards per game);
• Two Mason County receivers are in the top 10- Malcolm Jones is 8th (48 yards per game) and Jordan Gilbert is 10th (46 yards per game)
• Rowan County is second in Class 4A in scoring (53.5 ppg), second in scoring margin (33.5 ppg), third in rushing (333 yards per game), first in passing defensive (38 yards per game)and ninth in passing (92 yards per game);
• Cross leads the state (all six classes) in scoring (19.5 ppg) and is fourth in rushing in Class 4A (154 yards per game)
• Rowan County leads the series 15-7. Mason County has won the last five meetings.