The greatest Elder football teams had strong offensive lines, notably the back-to-back Division I state champions of 2002 and '03. The 2009 team might not have marquee names, but the five first-year offensive line starters have the Panthers on the

Freshman John Wall scored a season-best 23 points, including clutch shots in the final minute that sent the game to overtime and lifted Kentucky over Stanford in the championship game of the Cancun Challenge.

Beechwood football coach Noel Rash's postseason record is 14-1 with two state titles. And he knows this: "In November, it always comes down to what you can do up front.

Highlands center Tyler Combs might be outsized tonight when the Bluebirds (13-0) play Pulaski County (10-3) in a Class 5A state semifinal in Fort Thomas. The size disadvantage will be just one more thing he'll have to deal with in

The Newport boys' basketball team has a legitimate chance to reach the Ninth Region tournament for the first time in more than a decade, returning most of its players from last season's 17-11 team and adding a key transfer.

The Highlands girls' basketball team ended last season with a regional semifinal loss to Boone County, then said goodbye to seven seniors - and four starters. But these are the perennially powerful Bluebirds, so reloading is rarely a problem.

This weekend's state semifinal games at glance:

Each week The Enquirer's prep football experts will pick selected games from throughout the area. Fans can make their picks by voting online.