ASHLAND — What did we learn this weekend in the world of sports?

The Cincinnati Reds could clinch the National League Central before the end of the week (wow), Western Kentucky football is better than Kentucky football (ouch) and the Cincinnati Bengals are tied for first place in the AFC North (thanks to colleague Kyle Hobstetter for pointing that out).

As most of you know, I annually make my Super Bowl pick after Week 2.

Since I already laid out my predictions for the entire season in the Sept. 2 edition, I can’t recant.

I’ll stick with the Houston Texans in a 24-20 win over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLVII.

All right, time to zoom in on our little piece of the country.

After all, the QB is supposed to talk high school football, so he won’t disappoint.

Baker passes test

Well, not saying they have, but none of the elder Tomcats can pull any more freshman pranks on Quinton Baker.

It would be entirely explainable and understood if Baker had shrunk in such a raucous, hostile and new environment at Ironton’s Tanks Memorial Stadium.

But the ninth-grader refuses to back down from a challenge. Baker racked up 22 rushing attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown in Ashland’s 27-17 loss.

He is effectively showing he is ready to carry that load out of the backfield now, no matter how large the stage.

Eagles-Rams

anticipation

It’s now less than a month away. One of the area’s most-heated rivalries will be renewed in Westwood as Fairview and Raceland tussle, likely for the district’s top seed.

Playoff implications surround this meeting, which consists of a continuously growing anticipation as each week passes.

This past week, a pair of 60-point performances by their offenses have fans eagerly awaiting this possible regional final preview on Oct. 12.

Got any since?

‰Fairview’s 69 points on Friday were the most scored by the Eagles since ... ever. Fairview’s offensive onslaught against Casey County may be opening a few eyes.

‰Russell had not produced two 100-yard rushers in the same game since ... Sept. 16, 2011. The opponent? Boyd County. The backs? Googie Hayes and Paul Spradlin. The Red Devils again had running backs pair up to speed by the Lions, as Hayes and Troy Huffine each surpassed the century mark on the ground.

‰Lawrence County averaged 39.8 points per game spanning the 2009 and 2010 seasons. However, the Bulldogs have not scored 40 points in four consecutive games since ... 2001. Lawrence County fell a game short of matching that streak as it posted 23 points in a somewhat surprising loss to Letcher County Central on Friday.

‰Neither Greenup County nor East Carter has won a game since ... 2010. However, the Raiders and Musketeers don’t take the cake on being an opponent’s “cupcake.” That would be Knott County Central, which has lost 35 in a row. Its last win was a 40-0 defeat of Lewis County on Aug. 28, 2009.

Helmet Stickers

Four stickers: Patrick Lewis (Ironton). Lewis deserves this category to himself. By the time it’s all said and done, he may produce an entire catalogue of crowd-stirring touchdown runs. Lewis torched Russell with 247 yards on 13 carries two weeks ago. He burned Ashland for 266 yards on 15 carries.

In all, Lewis compiled six TD rushes of 45 yards or more against Russell and Ashland.

Needless to say, northeastern Kentucky has had a large dose of Patrick Lewis, a no one seems to know a cure.

It’s not over, either. Lewis is back in two weeks, as Ironton travels to Johnson Central in what should be an outstanding matchup.

Three: Quinton Baker (Ashland), Elijah King (Fairview), Raceland defense, Googie Hayes (Russell).

Two: Daylin Beach (Raceland), Devon Turner (Fairview), Troy Huffine (Russell).

One: Evan Yongue (Ashland), Chris Brewer (Fairview), Reid Dearfield (Boyd County), Montana Scaggs (Russell), Dylan Patrick (Ashland).

NOTE: Dylan Patrick becomes the first kicker to earn a sticker from the QB this season. He sent Friday night’s opening kickoff sailing through the end zone at Ironton, and then booted a 32-yard field goal to give the Tomcats a 3-0 lead. It was the first Ashland FG in quite some time. He also tacked on two extra points.

Snyder's

Super Seven

1. Ashland (4-1)

2. Johnson Central (3-1)

3. Raceland (4-1)

4. Fairview (4-0)

5. Rowan County (2-3)

6. Russell (2-2)

7. Lawrence County (2-3)

QB's Quiz

Rodney Johnstone was our Lucky Fan No. 5 aftercorrectly answering the QB’s question a week ago.

Johnstone predicted high school game winners along with the staff and ended up with an impressive 10-4 overall record (including NCAA, NFL) for the week.

Last week’s question: Ashland and Ironton have played in six one-point games against one another. How many of those have the Tomcats won?

Answer: Three (1951, ’74, ’87).

This week’s question: Five northeastern Kentucky teams (of the 13 included in the preview issue) have held a position in the Associated Press Top 10 poll for 80 or more total weeks in their history. Name at least four of them.

The first person to correctly answer the question (phone, email, Twitter or “The Independent” Facebook page) will be Lucky Fan 6 and will be able to pick games with the staff this week.

Wide right

Did you miss it? The following are area scores from Friday night: Fairview 69, Casey County 29; Fleming County 35, East Carter 14; Grant County 26, Greenup County 0; Ironton 27, Ashland 17; Johnson Central 46, Logan (W. Va.) 12; Letcher County Central 46, Lawrence County 23; Paintsville 33, Allen Central 6; Raceland 60, Sciotoville Community 8; Russell 35, Boyd County 6; West Jessamine 21, Rowan County 20.

Tweet the QB

Follow the Quarterback on Twitter, @DindependentQB, for area scores and news throughout the week.

Noteworthy

Prestonsburg poured it on Pike County Central on Friday night with 83 points! Yes, 83 points. It takes some teams a full season to get there.

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.