The Woodford County High School football team just keeps finding ways to win.
The Yellow Jackets remain undefeated against in-state opponents this season, and Friday, Nov. 13, they will look to keep that streak alive when they host Collins in the second round of the KHSAA Class 5A playoffs at Community Stadium.
Woodford has used a balanced offense and timely defensive stops to continue its winning ways, including a 55-34 victory over Collins on Oct. 9. Now, the Yellow Jackets will try to defeat a familiar opponent for the second time this season, with a trip to the regional round of the postseason on the line.
Standing in their way is one of the state’s most productive quarterbacks.
Collins quarterback Kade Goodin, a legitimate Kentucky Mr. Football candidate, enters the rematch with 52 touchdown passes and 20 rushing touchdowns, accounting for 72 scores this season.
Goodin’s ability to make plays through the air and on the ground challenges a Woodford defense that saw both sides of his game in the teams’ first meeting.
Although Woodford won that matchup by 21 points, the final score did not reflect how close Collins came to taking control in the second half.
The Yellow Jackets built a 37-20 halftime advantage before Goodin and the Titans scored twice in the opening four minutes of the third quarter to cut the lead to 37-34.
Woodford responded with 18 unanswered points, using timely defensive stops and an offense that found multiple ways to reach the end zone.
Containing Goodin will again be a priority for coach Dennis Johnson and his defense.
In the first meeting, Johnson pointed to Goodin’s ability to extend plays and create opportunities when the original play breaks down. The Collins quarterback demonstrated that ability throughout the game, finding receivers downfield and using his legs to keep drives alive.
“He works his tail off and makes things happen,” Johnson said following the October meeting.
Goodin’s production has continued to make him one of the state’s most dangerous offensive players. His combination of passing and rushing touchdowns means Woodford must account for him both inside and outside the pocket.
The Jackets found success in the first meeting by making stops when they mattered most. After Collins pulled within three points, Woodford kept the Titans out of the end zone for the remainder of the game.
Two fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter helped preserve the victory, while Wyatt Peters ended Collins’ final scoring opportunity with a one-handed interception.
While Goodin provides much of the offensive production for Collins, Woodford has relied on a balanced attack that has allowed several players to contribute.
Quarterback Foxx Coons threw five touchdown passes in the first meeting, connecting twice each with Omari Jointer and Kael Rihtar and once with Greyson Hodge.
The Jackets also found success on the ground, with Ryan Brown, JT Jackson and Darrian Tomlin each scoring rushing touchdowns.
That distribution of scoring opportunities has been an important part of Woodford’s offensive success. Opposing defenses must account for multiple receiving threats while also respecting the Yellow Jackets’ ability to run the football.
The variety was evident against Collins, when Woodford scored five touchdowns in the first half and converted two fourth-down opportunities into touchdowns during the second quarter.
“We just looked dynamic. Offense stepped up,” Coons said after the victory.
Woodford’s offensive balance also proved important when Collins made its third-quarter run. Rather than allowing the Titans to take the lead, Coons connected with Hodge for a touchdown to push the advantage to 43-34.
Jointer and Rihtar added fourth-quarter touchdown receptions as the Yellow Jackets pulled away.
The rematch presents a different challenge, with both teams having already seen what the other can do offensively.
For Collins, Goodin remains the centerpiece of an attack capable of scoring quickly and erasing large deficits. For Woodford, the opportunity lies in continuing to spread the football among its playmakers while limiting the explosive plays that helped Collins remain within striking distance in October.
The Yellow Jackets have already shown they can withstand a Collins comeback. Friday, they will have to do it again, extend their unbeaten run against Kentucky opponents and take another step toward a Class 5A state championship.