Kroger KSR Game of the Week Preview: Lexington Catholic at CAL

It all comes down to this. Lexington Catholic and Christian Academy-Louisville will face off in this week’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week — the final one of the 2023 season — where the winner will advance to Kroger Field to play the winner of Hart County/Bell County in the 3A State Championship Game next week. The loser goes home empty handed.

Both Lexington Catholic and Christian Academy-Louisville have played 13 games each, but both teams have gone on completely separate journeys.

Christian Academy-Louisville enters Friday night’s matchup with a 12-1 record, their one loss coming in week four to Lexington Catholic rival Lexington Christian Academy and Cutter Boley. In a game featuring two of the best quarterbacks in the state (Boley and CAL’s Hodge), defense dominated. The Eagles knocked off CAL 14-12, ending the Centurions’ 18-game winning streak.

Lexington Catholic however started the season with uncertainty, beginning the season 2-4 with new head coach Nick Baisch at the helm. Following their 56-21 loss to Boyle County in week six, the Knights kicked things into another gear. Catholic has won seven consecutive games leading into Friday night by an average of 42 points a game. The Lex Cath defense has shutout their opponent in five of those seven victories.

Along with having last season’s two leading rushers, 3A will also boast two of the most prolific passers in the state.

QB Jackson Wasik (Lex Cath) – 2,954 YDS, 41 TD, 7 INT @WasikJackson

QB Cole Hodge (CAL) – 2,949 YDS, 48 TD, 4 INT @ColeHodge_QB_PG

Favorites to win 3A POY? pic.twitter.com/dzyDFOYZPM

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) August 8, 2023

Christian Academy-Louisville

East Carolina QB commit Cole Hodge followed up his stellar junior campaign with an even better senior season in 2023. Hodge finished the season with 3,542 passing yards, 52 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. Hodge’s 3,542 passing yards ranked fourth in the state, while his 52 touchdowns ranked third.

42% of Cole’s touchdown passes have gone to his brother Connor Hodge. In just his junior season, Connor hauled in 22 receiving touchdowns and 1,339 receiving yards. Connor ranked third in the state in receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. Hodge isn’t the only 1K receiver on the team, as Justin Ruffin also hit the 1K mark, finishing his senior campaign with 1,171 yards and 15 scores.

Along with leading the Centurions in receiving, Connor Hodge is also one of CAL’s best defensive players. Hodge’s 44 tackles ranked third on the team. He also garnered three TFL along with NINE interceptions, which is tied for most in the state of Kentucky. Hodge returned two of those interceptions for six points. Freshman LB Garyon Hobbs impressed mightily in 2023, leading the team in tackles (71) and TFL (22). He also finished with six sacks, the second most on the team.

Christian Academy-Louisville is on the hunt for their fourth state championship in school history and a state title victory in back-to-back seasons.

Lexington Catholic

Lexington Catholic senior quarterback Jackson Wasik might just be one of the most underrated players in the state of Kentucky. Wasik was quietly one of the most efficient players in the state this season, throwing for 2,698 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just two interceptions in his final season of high school ball. Wasik is also a threat running the football, as he scrambled for 264 yards and seven touchdowns, which led the team.

Wasik’s go-to receiver is Henry Clay transfer Jackson Kreutzer, who had a breakout 2023 season. In his first season as a Knight, Kreutzer hauled in 850 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Wasik distributed his passing touchdowns evenly, as four receivers hauled in four-plus touchdowns. Sophomore running back Joaquin Pereira led Catholic in rushing with 358 yards and six scores.

Jackson Wasik’s younger brother, linebacker Brady Wasik, had an incredible sophomore season in 2023. The younger Wasik led the Knights with 80 tackles (eight TFL) and a sack. Six Catholic defenders totaled 60-plus tackles en route to shutting out opponents in five of their last seven games.

With a victory Friday night, Lexington Catholic will be on the trail for their third ever state championship (2005 and 2007).

Whoever comes out on top between CAL and Catholic will likely be the heavy favorite to raise the state championship trophy at Kroger Field, so the stakes have never been higher. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST Friday night at Christian Academy-Louisville.