Kroger KSR Game of the Week: Dixie Heights at Woodford County

Welcome to the first round of the playoffs. Many games across the Commonwealth will be decided before the busses turn off the engine. Week-one matchups rarely produce intrigue, but we think this one may. Dixie Heights out of northern Kentucky will head to Versailles to take on Woodford County in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week.

WOODFORD COUNTY

The Yellowjackets are 6-3 on the season and lacking a tenth regular season game due to a rainout against Simon Kenton. Coach Dennis Johnson’s offense is led by quarterback Justus Wertzler who has thrown for 695 yards and 7 touchdowns in 8 games. The running game is by committee and made up of Leland Taylor, Wyatt Crowe, Dayvion Preston, and others. Wertzler is mobile and ranks second in rushing yards. Leland Taylor also paces Woodford with 20 receptions for 454 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.

The Jackets average 30.4 points per game and allow 24.6. Kicker Logan Ford is 5A’s top-ranked kicker after nailing four field goals out of four attempts. Graham Hodge is the Jackets’ top tackler with 65.5 including 7 for loss and 1.5 QB sack. Dayvion Sturgis adds 60 stops, 6 TFL, and 2 QBS. The team’s top havoc producer is Layton Starks. The DE has recorded 16.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. His 8 QBS rank fourth in 5A. Coach Johnson’s defense is long, athletic, and surprisingly features multiple freshman starters that include safety Wyatt Peters, Darrian Tomlin, and Josiah McKee.

DIXIE HEIGHTS

Dixie Heights enters Friday 4-6 but has played a particularly challenging schedule with losses coming to the likes of 4A’s top-ranked team Covington Catholic, defending 2A champ Beechwood, and 5A’s top-rated Fort Thomas Highlands. Coach Pat Burke’s Colonels are led by versatile and explosive quarterback Armani Gregg. The junior has thrown for 1,528 yards and rushed for 711. He’s been accountable for a combined 30 touchdowns in 2023. Gregg and the Colonels are averaging 34.2 points per game and give up 26.3.

David Anderson is the team’s top rusher with 715 yards and 11 scores. Hudson Blank has four receiving scores. Tyson Beach and Nolan Goetz both have three for the season. Brach Rice is 5A’s top tackler with 135, 30 tackles for loss, and 12 QB sacks. Rice also ranks second in the classification in quarterback sacks. That’s an incredibly high amount of production from an individual player. As a team, the Colonels have 110 TFLs and 44.5 QB sacks in 2023. DHHS has recorded the most QB sacks in 5A with 44.5 and is listed second in the class after allowing just 42 rushing yards per contest.

The regular season was fun; now, it counts. KSR would like to thank Kroger for making all this possible. We will be with you all the way through the semi-final round. Kroger is your one-stop shop for everything you need.