Published: November 20, 2008 10:28 pm      

Central set to take on former state champ Male in second round of 6A playoffs

When he took over the football program at Madison Central six seasons ago, Kenny Turner had just one very specific long-term goal.

“We wanted to someday be (mentioned) with Highlands, Boyle County, Male and Boone County and those type of (state powerhouse) teams and that’s what we are (still) striving for,” Turner said.

The Indians are not at that level — at least not yet.

But, they certainly have made significant strides toward that lofty goal during Turner’s tenure.

Central is 51-20 since 2003, including six playoff victories, and has advanced to at least the second round of the postseason four times, highlighted by two trips to the regional final.

The Indians (9-2) picked up a solid win last week in the opening round of the Class 6A Playoffs against Bullitt Central setting up a match-up with six-time state champion Male (7-4) today in Louisville.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

“This is why for the past six years we’ve been doing what we’ve been doing,” Turner said. “I feel good about what we’ve accomplished as a team and a program, from top to bottom. We are trying to put ourselves in the upper echelon. We still have a long way to go, but we are making steady progress.”

Ultimately, its the tradition of a program like Male that Turner hopes to develop at Central.

The Bulldogs are the winningest team in the history of Kentucky high school football, compiling an impressive 788-297-49 record. They won state titles in 1960, 1963, 1964, 1993, 1998 and 2000 and have produced a long list of top-notch college players.

“They think they are supposed to win,” Turner said of Male. “They believe that. That’s what happens when you are successful.”

The Indians are well-aware of the rich tradition at Male, especially under coach Bob Redman (33 seasons — 305-111) and respect what the program has accomplished.

However, they know just how significant a playoff victory against the Bulldogs would be for their school.

“We want to go up there and make a statement,” Central senior running back Keshawn Simpson said.

If the Indians are going to knock off Male, Simpson and fellow senior running back Isaiah Kavanaugh will once again have to play key roles. The duo has combined for almost 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Zac Coldiron has also thrown for eight touchdowns and almost 800 yards.

“We feel like they have to worry about us as well,” Turner said of his team’s defense. “That’s not cocky, its just confidence. They are going to have to stop us. That’s just the way it is.”

The Bulldogs lost their last two regular-season games, but still finished in first district. They set a season-high for points last week as they blasted Shelby County, 59-31, in the playoff opener.

Male is among the Class 6A leaders in offense and has used a balanced attack to average more than 36 points a game.

Led by Justin Green (641 yards and 11 TDs), the Bulldogs have three backs with more than 400 yards and four receivers with 200 or more yards — including Tommy Ferguson (26 receptions for 476 yards and five TDs).

Quarterback Dexter Britt has also thrown for 1,370 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“They will spread it around to some different people,” Turner said. “They have excellent speed. They have enough size that they will give you a lot of problems. They are just very athletic.”

The Indians have played in hostile environments against state powerhouses in recent years, most notably at Highlands, and they know getting off to a good start will be key to pulling off an upset.

“We are just going to have make sure we maintain our focus and don’t get rattled,” Turner said.