KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl
The KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl is a series of football games, typically held on the first weekend of December, that determine the high school champions of the U.S. state of Kentucky. The tournaments that lead to the championship games, as well as regular-season competition, are governed by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA).
The KHSAA began conducting state football championships in 1959. Throughout its history, the competition has been divided into classes based on enrollment (though with historic exceptions noted below). The history of classifications is as follows:
- 1959–1974: Three-class system. All schools in Jefferson County, which includes (and is now consolidated with) the state's largest city of Louisville, were placed in Class 3A regardless of enrollment. Remaining schools were placed in Class 2A or A based on enrollment.
- 1975–1986: Quasi-four-class system. Initially, all high schools in Jefferson County were placed in Class 4A regardless of enrollment, though by the end of this era smaller schools began to be placed in their appropriate enrollment classes. In this era, there were two separate 4A champions—a "State 4A" winner from outside Jefferson County and a "Jefferson County 4A" champion—that would meet for an overall 4A title.
- 1987–2006: True four-class system, with all Jefferson County schools classified according to their enrollment.
- 2007–present: Six-class system, again based on enrollment, but with a slight change in calculation of enrollment. Historically, schools were classified based on total enrollment in grades 9 to 12, with all-boys schools treated as having twice their actual enrollment. With the expansion to six classes, the KHSAA changed the basis for classification to enrollment of boys only in the same grades.
Traditionally, the championship games were held in Louisville, first at Cardinal Stadium and later at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Starting in 2009, the games moved to Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. With the expansion to six classes, the Gridiron Bowl is now a two-day affair, with three championship games on Friday and three on Saturday.
6A State Champions
Year | Champion | Score | Opponent | State Champion Head Coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Male | 41-14 | Lexington Lafayette | Chris Wolfe |
2014 | Trinity | 47-14 | Dixie Heights | Bob Beatty |
2013 | Scott County | 21-14 | Meade County | Jim Mckee |
2012 | Trinity | 61-7 | Pleasure Ridge Park | Bob Beatty |
2011 | Trinity | 62-21 | Scott County | Bob Beatty |
2010 | Trinity | 42-0 | Male | Bob Beatty |
2009 | St. Xavier | 34–10 | Trinity | Mike Glaser |
2008 | Trinity | 48-0 | Simon Kenton | Bob Beatty |
2007 | Trinity | 34-28 OT | St. Xavier | Bob Beatty |
5A State Champions
Year | Champion | Score | Opponent | State Champion Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Bowling Green | 21-7 | Pulaski County | Kevin Wallace, Sr. |
2014 | Pulaski County | 14-7 | Graves County | John Hines |
2013 | Bowling Green | 49-14 | Pulaski County | Kevin Wallace, Sr. |
2012 | Bowling Green | 34–20 | Cooper | Kevin Wallace, Sr. |
2011 | Bowling Green | 55–3 | Anderson County | Kevin Wallace, Sr. |
2010 | Highlands | 50–0 | Christian County | Dale Mueller |
2009 | Highlands | 35-7 | John Hardin | Dale Mueller |
2008 | Highlands | 35-15 | Christian County | Dale Mueller |
2007 | Highlands | 28-7 | Bowling Green | Dale Mueller |
4A State Champions
Year | State Champion | Score | State Runner-Up | State Champion Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | South Warren | 36-6 | Johnson Central | Brandon Smith |
2014 | Highlands | 49-42 | Owensboro | Brian Weinrich . |
2013 | Collins | 37-34 | Highlands | Jerry Lucas |
2012 | Highlands | 47-0 | Collins | Dale Mueller |
2011 | Highlands | 42-14 | Franklin-Simpson | Dale Mueller |
2010 | Boyle County | 21–14 | Allen County-Scottsville | Larry French |
2009 | Boyle County | 42-39 (2 OT) | Lone Oak[1] | Larry French |
2008 | Bell County | 15-13 | Bullitt East | Dudley Hilton |
2007 | Lexington Catholic | 49-7 | Lone Oak[1] | Bill Letton |
2006 | Trinity (14) | 41-7 | Ryle | Bob Beatty |
2005 | Trinity (13) | 14-6 | St. Xavier | Bob Beatty |
2004 | St. Xavier (8) | 49-9 | Scott County | Mike Glaser |
2003 | Trinity (12) | 17-14 | St. Xavier | Bob Beatty |
2002 | Trinity (11) | 59-56 | Male | Bob Beatty |
2001 | Trinity (10) | 45-19 | Male | Bob Beatty |
2000 | Male (3) | 34-14 | Trinity | Bob Redman |
1999 | St. Xavier (7) | 34-31 OT | Bryan Station | Mike Glaser |
1998 | Male (2) | 31-7 | Tates Creek | Bob Redman |
1997 | St. Xavier (6) | 3-0 | Trinity | Mike Glaser |
1996 | Nelson County (1) | 35-34 OT | Paul Dunbar | Mike Brown |
1995 | St. Xavier (5) | 26-0 | Henry Clay | Mike Glaser |
1994 | Trinity (9) | 21-7 | Boone County | Dennis Lampley |
1993 | Male (1) | 29-7 | Shelby County | Bob Redman |
1992 | St. Xavier (4) | 3-0 | Boone County | Mike Glaser |
1991 | George Rogers Clark (1) | 28-21 | St. Xavier | Don Danko |
1990 | Trinity (8) | 27-0 | Warren Central | Dennis Lampley |
1989 | Trinity (7) | 28-0 | Warren Central | Dennis Lampley |
1988 | Trinity (6) | 28-0 | DuPont Manual | Dennis Lampley |
1987 | Shelby County (1) | 17-14 | Boone County | Tom Becherer |
1986 | St. Xavier (3) | 27-14 | Boone County | Mike Glaser |
1985 | Trinity (5) | 28-7 | Lafayette | Dennis Lampley |
1984 | Christian County (2) | 14-10 | Ballard | Dan Goble |
1983 | Trinity (4) | 26-7 | Owensboro | Roger Gruneisen |
1982 | Christian County (1) | 10-3 | Southern | Dan Goble |
1981 | Henry Clay (1) | 20-7 | DeSales | Jake Bell |
1980 | Trinity (3) | 31-8 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | Roger Gruneisen |
1979 | Butler (1) | 21-7 | Henry Clay | Joe Hood |
1978 | St. Xavier (2) | 42-21 | Tates Creek | Mike Stewart |
1977 | Trinity (2) | 28-7 | Greenup County | Dave Moore |
1976 | Trinity (1) | 28-24 | Henderson County | Dave Moore |
1975 | St. Xavier (1) | 20-0 | Ashland Blazer | Bill Glaser |
3A State Champions
Year | State Champion | Score | State Runner-Up | State Champion Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Belfry | 43-0 | Lexington Catholic | Philip Haywood |
2014 | Belfry | 14-7 | Louisville Central | Philip Haywood |
2013 | Belfry | 3-0 | Wayne County | Philip Haywood |
2012 | Louisville Central | 12-6 (OT) | Belfry | Ty Scroggins |
2011 | Louisville Central | 15-14 | Belfry | Ty Scroggins |
2010 | Louisville Central | 46–7 | Belfry | Ty Scroggins |
2009 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | 21–0 | Somerset | Randy Wyatt |
2008 | Louisville Central | 40-19 | Breathitt County | Ty Scroggins |
2007 | Louisville Central | 27-17 | Belfry | Ty Scroggins |
2006 | Covington Catholic | 28-7 | Bowling Green | Jon Rodenberg |
2005 | Lexington Catholic | 49-21 | Bowling Green | Bob Spire |
2004 | Highlands | 22-6 | Boyle County | Dale Mueller |
2003 | Boyle County | 44-10 | Highlands | Chuck Smith |
2002 | Boyle County | 21-0 | Rockcastle County | Chuck Smith |
2001 | Boyle County | 49-14 | Rockcastle County | Chuck Smith |
2000 | Highlands | 48-27 | Owensboro | Dale Mueller |
1999 | Highlands | 48-10 | Waggener | Dale Mueller |
1998 | Highlands | 56-7 | Waggener | Dale Mueller |
1997 | Covington Catholic | 21-13 | Hopkinsville | Lynn Ray |
1996 | Highlands | 21-14 | Hopkinsville | Dale Mueller |
1995 | Bowling Green | 28-12 | Highlands | Dan Haley |
1994 | Covington Catholic | 24-21 | Bowling Green | Lynn Ray |
1993 | Covington Catholic | 28-13 | Lincoln County | Lynn Ray |
1992 | Highlands | 15-6 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | Tom Duffy |
1991 | Bell County | 35-13 | Meade County | Dudley Hilton |
1990 | Paul Blazer | 45-13 | Lincoln County | Vic Marsh |
1989 | Highlands | 27-3 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | Tom Duffy |
1988 | Covington Catholic | 30-24 OT | Paducah Tilghman[2] | Lynn Ray |
1987 | Covington Catholic | 16-6 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | Lynn Ray |
1986 | Owensboro | 14-0 | Belfry | Larry Moore |
1985 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | 29-14 | Belfry | Allan Cox |
1984 | Danville | 24-6 | Hopkinsville | Tom Duffy |
1983 | Conner | 12-7 | Franklin-Simpson | Bob Lewis |
1982 | Highlands | 6-0 | Franklin-Simpson | Bob Herrmann |
1981 | Highlands | 40-24 | Elizabethtown | Bob Herrmann |
1980 | Franklin-Simpson | 16-0 | Conner | James Matthews |
1979 | Franklin-Simpson | 33-0 | Belfry | James Matthews |
1978 | Russell | 17-7 | Woodford County | Ivan McGlone |
1977 | Highlands | 6-0 | Shelby County | Bob Herrmann |
1976 | Lloyd Memorial | 24-0 | Shelby County | Jim Dougherty |
1975 | Highlands | 21-0 | Franklin-Simpson | Roger Walz |
1974 | St. Xavier | 48-14 | Westport[3] | Bill Glaser |
1973 | Trinity | 16-0 | Southern | Dave Moore |
1972 | Trinity | 21-0 | Butler | Jim Kennedy |
1971 | Flaget[4] | 7-7 | Thomas Jefferson[5] | Pete Compise |
1970 | Butler | 20-0 | Trinity | Elmer Collina |
1969 | St. Xavier | 15-0 | Butler | Leon Dunagan |
1968 | Trinity | 29-18 | Seneca | Jim Kennedy |
1967 | Flaget[4] | 21-0 | Thomas Jefferson[5] | Norm Mackin |
1966 | DuPont Manual | 33-6 | Butler | Charlie Bentley |
1965 | Seneca | 13-12 | Flaget | Ron Cain |
1964 | Male | 27-0 | Eastern | Charlie Kuhn |
1963 | Male | 23-7 | Waggener | Charlie Kuhn |
1962 | St. Xavier | 7-6 | Valley | Johnny Meihaus |
1961 | Flaget[4] | 41-13 | Fairdale | Paulie Miller |
1960 | Male | 1-0 | Eastern | Charlie Kuhn |
1959 | DuPont Manual | 44-14 | Durrett[3] | Tom Harper |
2A State Champions
Year | Champion | Score | Opponent | State Champion Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Mayfild | 17-7 | Newport Central Catholic | Joe Morris |
2014 | DeSales | 26-0 | Newport Central Catholic | Harold Davis |
2013 | DeSales | 34-26 | Newport Central Catholic | Harold Davis |
2012 | Newport Central Catholic | 30–26 | Caldwell County | Edward Eviston |
2011 | Covington Holy Cross | 33-14 | Glasgow | Bruce Kozerski |
2010 | Newport Central Catholic | 42–0 | Owensboro Catholic | Edward Eviston |
2009 | Fort Campbell | 29–9 | DeSales | Shawn Berner |
2008 | Fort Campbell | 26-23 | Newport Central Catholic | Shawn Berner |
2007 | Fort Campbell | 21-7 | Newport Central Catholic | Shawn Berner |
2006 | Mercer County | 15-12 | Russell | Marty Jaggers |
2005 | Russell | 27-14 | Owensboro Catholic | Ivan McGlone |
2004 | Belfry | 28-21 | Owensboro Catholic | Philip Haywood |
2003 | Belfry | 33-27 OT | Elizabethtown | Philip Haywood |
2002 | Breathitt County | 52-0 | Corbin | Mike Holcomb |
2001 | Bardstown | 47-16 | Prestonsburg | Joey Downs |
2000 | Boyle County | 38-6 | Glasgow | Chuck Smith |
1999 | Boyle County | 29-6 | Glasgow | Chuck Smith |
1998 | Caldwell County | 38-28 | Danville | Pat Gates |
1997 | Bourbon County | 39-28 | Owensboro Catholic | Dudley Hilton |
1996 | Breathitt County | 25-21 | Fort Knox | Mike Holcomb |
1995 | Breathitt County | 42-35 2OT | Franklin-Simpson | Mike Holcomb |
1994 | Danville | 39-7 | Bullitt East | Sam Harp |
1993 | Mayfield | 13-12 | Prestonsburg | Paul Leahy |
1992 | Danville | 34-7 | Mayfield | Sam Harp |
1991 | Danville | 17-14 | Mayfield | Sam Harp |
1990 | Fort Knox | 21-7 | Corbin | Joe Jaggers |
1989 | Danville | 7-3 | Mayfield | Sam Harp |
1988 | Fort Knox | 45-21 | Somerset | Joe Jaggers |
1987 | Danville | 24-23 | Mayfield | Tom Duffy |
1986 | Mayfield | 21-20 OT | Newport Catholic[6] | Jack Morris |
1985 | Mayfield | 18-8 | Newport Catholic[6] | Jack Morris |
1984 | Newport Catholic[6] | 12-7 | Fort Knox | Bob Schneider |
1983 | Fort Knox | 19-14 | Somerset | Joe Jaggers |
1982 | Corbin | 18-6 | Glasgow | Larry "Cotton" Adams |
1981 | Bardstown | 20-6 | Somerset | Garnis Martin |
1980 | Corbin | 16-7 | Fort Campbell | Archie Powers |
1979 | Fort Campbell | 26-0 | Pikeville | Marshall Patterson |
1978 | Mayfield | 22-6 | Somerset | Jack Morris |
1977 | Mayfield | 14-13 | Corbin | Jack Morris |
1976 | Corbin | 6-0 | Mayfield | Archie Powers |
1975 | Scott County | 22-20 | Middlesboro | Bill Wilson |
1974 | Owensboro | 14-7 | Middlesboro | Gerald Poynter |
1973 | Paducah Tilghman[2] | 27-8 | Boyd County | Dan Haley |
1972 | Tates Creek | 16-7 | Paul Blazer | Roy Walton |
1971 | Bryan Station | 14-3 | Madisonville | Terry Clark |
1970 | Highlands | 30-13 | Madisonville | Mike Murphy |
1969 | Elizabethtown | 21-8 | Bryan Station | Vince Hancock |
1968 | Highlands | 32-7 | Elizabethtown | Mike Murphy |
1967 | Paul Blazer | 19-14 | Elizabethtown | Jake Hallum |
1966 | Hopkinsville | 27-6 | Highlands | Fleming Thornton |
1965 | Hopkinsville | 24-6 | Middlesboro | Fleming Thornton |
1964 | Highlands | 36-0 | Madison[7] | Owen Hauck |
1963 | Caldwell County | 14-7 | Highlands | Fred Clayton |
1962 | Danville | 13-6 | Corbin | Ray Callahan |
1961 | Highlands | 12-0 | Madison[7] | Homer Rice |
1960 | Highlands | 21-13 | Lafayette | Homer Rice |
1959 | Henderson[8] | 12-7 | Highlands | Don Shelton |
1A State Champions
Year | Champion | Score | Opponent | State Champion Head coach |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Pikeville High School | 42-28 | Beechwood High School | Chris McNamee |
2014 | Mayfield | 28-27 OT | Williamsburg | Joe Morris |
2013 | Mayfield | 42-0 | Williamsburg | Joe Morris |
2012 | Mayfield | 55–8 | Fairview | Joe Morris |
2011 | Hazard | 24–6 | Mayfield | Mark Dixon |
2010 | Mayfield | 47–6 | Hazard | Joe Morris |
2009 | Lexington Christian | 55–19 | Mayfield | Paul Rains |
2008 | Beechwood | 14–7 | Hazard | Noel Rash |
2007 | Beechwood | 38–35 | Lexington Christian | Noel Rash |
2006 | Newport Central Catholic | 37-34 | Danville | Bob Schneider |
2005 | Newport Central Catholic | 42-7 | Mayfield | Bob Schneider |
2004 | Beechwood | 23-7 | Danville | Mike Yeagle |
2003 | Danville | 42-7 | Beechwood | Sam Harp |
2002 | Mayfield | 14-7 | Beechwood | Joe Morris |
2001 | Danville | 14-13 | Newport Central Catholic | Sam Harp |
2000 | Danville | 23-9 | Newport Central Catholic | Sam Harp |
1999 | Beechwood | 45-22 | Hancock County | Mike Yeagle |
1998 | Middlesboro | 27-6 | Mayfield | Ken Roark |
1997 | Beechwood | 26-0 | Harrodsburg[9] | Mike Yeagle |
1996 | Beechwood | 21-14 OT | Harrodsburg[9] | Mike Yeagle |
1995 | Mayfield | 28-27 | Beechwood | Paul Leahy |
1994 | Beechwood | 18-16 | Murray | Mike Yeagle |
1993 | Beechwood | 13-12 | Bardstown | Mike Yeagle |
1992 | Beechwood | 21-14 | Bardstown | Mike Yeagle |
1991 | Beechwood | 34-6 | Pikeville | Mike Yeagle |
1990 | Russellville | 21-7 | Bellevue | Ken Barrett |
1989 | Pikeville | 20-7 | Trigg County | Hillard Howard |
1988 | Pikeville | 28-10 | Harrodsburg[9] | Hillard Howard |
1987 | Pikeville | 28-6 | Russellville | Hillard Howard |
1986 | Heath[1][10] | 27-12 | Cumberland[11] | Rodney Bushong |
1985 | Crittenden County | 14-6 | Paintsville | Pat Gates |
1984 | Beechwood | 35-26 | Paris | Bernie Barre |
1983 | Russellville | 42-13 | Cumberland[11] | Ken Barrett |
1982 | Paris | 35-6 | Cumberland[11] | Randy Reese |
1981 | Paris | 19-7 | Bellevue | Randy Reese |
1980 | Russellville | 16-0 | Bellevue | Ken Barrett |
1979 | Bellevue | 7-0 | Madison[7] | Fred Bernier |
1978 | Fort Campbell | 15-13 | Paintsville | Marshall Patterson |
1977 | Bellevue | 21-0 | Frankfort | Bill Baldridge |
1976 | Fort Campbell | 22-0 | Bellevue | Marshall Patterson |
1975 | Ludlow | 7-6 | Heath[1][10] | Randy Reese |
1974 | Murray | 14-0 | Beechwood | John Hina |
1973 | Paris | 21-12 | Elkhorn City[12] | Homer Goins |
1972 | Trigg County | 22-0 | Pikeville | Joe Jaggers |
1971 | Trigg County | 30-23 | Lynch East Main[13] | Joe Jaggers |
1970 | Bardstown | 13-6 | Lynch East Main[13] | Garnis Martin |
1969 | Mt. Sterling[14] | 21-13 | Bardstown | Charles Ishmael |
1968 | Lynch East Main[13] | 14-6 | Frankfort | Ed Miracle |
1967 | Bardstown | 20-13 | Mt. Sterling[14] | Garnis Martin |
1966 | Dayton | 6-2 | Russellville | Ray King |
1965 | Lloyd Memorial | 27-0 | Old Kentucky Home[15] | Jack Turner |
1964 | Elkhorn City[12] | 33-7 | Russellville | Jack Hall |
1963 | Lynch East Main[13] | 13-6 | Shelbyville[16] | Ed Miracle |
1962 | Versailles[17] | 21-0 | Lynch East Main[13] | John Snowden |
1961 | Murray | 14-13 | Lynch East Main[13] | Ty Holland |
1960 | Lynch East Main[13] | 39-0 | Murray | Ed Miracle |
1959 | Lynch East Main[13] | 40-0 | Henderson Douglas[18] | Ed Miracle |
Championships, by schools
- The following is a list of all schools that have won at least one KHSAA Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl Championship, along with what years they have won their championship(s).
School | Titles | Years |
---|---|---|
Ft. Thomas Highlands | 23 | 1960, 1961, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 |
Trinity | 23 | 1968, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 |
Mayfield | 12 | 1977, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
St. Xavier | 12 | 1962, 1969, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2009 |
Beechwood | 11 | 1984, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008 |
Danville | 10 | 1962, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2003 |
Boyle County | 7 | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010 |
Male | 7 | 1960, 1963, 1964, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2015 |
duPont Manual [19] | 6 | 1925, 1936, 1938, 1948, 1959, 1966 |
Covington Catholic | 6 | 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2006 |
Fort Campbell | 6 | 1976, 1978, 1979, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
Bowling Green | 5 | 1995, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 |
Central | 5 | 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
Newport Central Catholic | 5 | 1984, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012 |
Bardstown | 4 | 1967, 1970, 1981, 2001 |
Belfry | 5 | 2003, 2004, 2013, 2014 2015 |
Lynch | 4 | 1959, 1960, 1963, 1968 |
Pikeville | 4 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 2015 |
Notes and references
- ^ a b c d Consolidated into McCracken County High School as Mustangs on August 9th 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tilghman did not participate in the McCracken County High consolidation, as it is operated by a separate district.
- ^ a b Defunct.
- ^ a b c Closed in 1974.
- ^ a b Closed as a high school; still exists as a middle school.
- ^ a b c This was the all-boys school that merged with the all-girls Our Lady of Providence High School to form today's Newport Central Catholic.
- ^ a b c This school, located in Richmond, was absorbed into Madison Central High School in 1989.
- ^ Later merged into today's Henderson County High School.
- ^ a b c Merged into Mercer County High in 2006.
- ^ a b This is the "Heath" of the 1997 Heath High School shooting. The district that operates Heath, the McCracken County Public Schools, has received state approval for plans to consolidate its three current high schools into the new McCracken County High School, which it opened on August 9th 2013.
- ^ a b c Consolidated into Harlan County High School in 2008.
- ^ a b Consolidated into East Ridge High School in 2002.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Consolidated into Cumberland High School, which was in turn consolidated into Harlan County High in 2008.
- ^ a b Consolidated into today's Montgomery County High School.
- ^ Consolidated into today's Nelson County High School. Nelson County High's attendance zone will be cut roughly in half in 2012 with the opening of Thomas Nelson High School.
- ^ Consolidated into today's Shelby County High School. In 2010, Shelby County High's enrollment and attendance zone were cut roughly in half with the opening of Martha Layne Collins High School.
- ^ Consolidated into today's Woodford County High School in 1964.
- ^ This was Henderson's former black high school, which was closed when the city's schools integrated, with its students going to either the Henderson city district or the Henderson County district. The two districts merged in the 1970s, creating today's Henderson County High.
- ^ "Manual Football Champions". Manual Football.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.