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For the second straight week, RacelandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s defense flexed its postseason muscle to lead the Rams back the Class A state championship game for the third consecutive season in a 14-0 win at Kentucky Country Day on a cold and blustery night at "The Mo."

Raceland surrendered only 128 total yardsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥”44 coming on one passing playÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥”while holding the team ranked fourth in the state in rushing offense with 239 yards a game to a mere 76.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey just showed what theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve showed all year,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� KCD coach Matthew Jones said of the Rams defense. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey are resilient and tough and they bounce back.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, RacelandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s offense marched 59 yards in seven plays, with Jacob Waller wrapping up the final three yards with a plunge into the end zone and a 7-0 lead. KCD returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raceland 35, but the Rams defense held on fourth-and-2 as the offense looked to extend the lead.

Raceland worked 61 yards on 16 plays while moving the ball to the KCD 27, but a failed fourth-down conversion kept the Bearcats within striking distance at the half.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe reflected on that halftime, not sure if the fast start was almost too easy for us and we kind of lost focus a little bit, offensively speaking,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Salmons said of the opening score. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œJust really big for us to come out and seize the momentum. We sputtered a little bit, offensively speaking, but our defense was playing so well.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

KCDÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s defense set the tone for the second half after forcing Raceland (11-4) into a quick three-and-out while grabbing the momentum in the contest still down seven.

Starting at their own 3, KCD quarterback Caden Long completed a 44-yard pass on third down to move into Raceland territory. Long tried to go for the deep ball once again, but Landyn Goodall delivered a punishing blow that knocked the ball free to force the Beacats into fourth down and another punt.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt was big,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Jones said of the big hit. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe came down here and just couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t hold onto that one pass. That would have got us down there in scoring position. We needed a score and just wasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t able to.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Salmons credited Jones and the Bearcats approach to slowing down the Rams.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œReally wanted to come out in the third quarter and get that two-possession game there," Salmons said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHad a couple things happen on a couple of drives and we just couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t put them away.

"We stayed the course. I thought in the first half that we had two drives that we really couldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve separated, but again, it's playoff football. They had a good game plan. But there at the end, the way we are built, our body blows really started to wear on them.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

The fourth quarter, however, belonged to Raceland and more notably, running back Shannon Marushi. The junior tailback stampeded for a career-high 137 yards on 24 totes while imposing his will on each carry in a 15-play, 98-yard drive that featured only two third-down conversions, with the second going to the end zone by Jonah Arnett on a 3-yard run and a 14-0 lead.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œ(Salmons) told us all week that we have to win the A gap,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Marushi said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe just took it upon ourselves to take it to them and make them like it. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what we do.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Marushi was quick to deflect the praise for the career night.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t do it without my offensive line,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Marushi said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt all starts there. Every play they put their nose down, they block for me and they pick me up after every play. I just couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t do it without them.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Raceland tallied 233 rushing yards on 58 carries, resulting in a 4-yard average, with Marushi pushing nearly 6 a touch.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFirst of all, and IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m sure he would be the first to tell you, to credit our offensive line,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Salmons said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey were really surging. Shannon is a big, physical running back. When he gets the ball, he runs like heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mad. On a night like tonight on the biggest stage, you try to find the hot hand and you ride him. I thought there in the second half, he really ran possessed.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Salmons called the final drive a defining moment for the season.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what defines championship teams, championship moments in championship football,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe are down to four teams remaining and seven days left coming in, and those are the types of drives you have to have to survive and advance. We were really physical and over time, we just really exerted our will on them. We feel like thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s who we are and that last drive there showed that.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

KCDÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s final drive stalled out with a Max Burton interception at the RamsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ 31-yard line with 2:59 to play in the contest.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMax and Landyn are just two guys that fly under the radar and donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t get much publicity, but those guys are blue-collar program guys who absolutely bring their lunch pails every day,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Salmons said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMax is just a warrior, and those guys are where they need to be when they are supposed to be there. I think that is what defines discipline and I think thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what defines this football team. Great to see them making big plays on the big stage and I couldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t be more proud for them.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Raceland moves its record to 3-0 over KCD (10-3) with back-to-back wins over the Bearcats in the semis and advances to Kroger Field Friday at noon against Sayre in a rematch of last yearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s region championship in Lexington. Sayre will make its first-ever trip to the final game of the season, while Raceland heads to the carpet for the fourth time in program history with the hopes of changing up the color of the trophy that travels back home.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe are just grateful and thankful for seven more days today,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Salmons said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThis will be our fourth time in eight years. We know what the silver tastes like and I think our guys are hungry to make that change. ThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a sign that hangs in our locker room that some Twitter warrior put out there that had the Class A 2024 preseason top 15 and we were nowhere to be found. We all knew better than that. ... We are going to let it all go hang out, and we are excited to get there.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

RACELAND 7 0 0 7 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” 14

KCD 0 0 0 0 ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” 0

FIRST QUARTER

RÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥”Jacob Waller 3 run (Waller kick), 7:29

FOURTH QUARTER

RÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥”Jonah Arnett 3 run (Waller kick), 4:59

R K

First Downs 21 5

Rushes-Yards 58-233 27-76

Comp-Att-Int 7-11-0 4-10-1

Passing Yards 72 52

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0

Punts-Avg. 4-27.8 5-32.0

Penalties-Yards 4-17 2-10

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Raceland rushing: Marushi 24-137, Waller 5-(minus 10), Arnett 14-46, Bloss 3-25, Cooper 10-37, Team 2-(minus 2).

KCD rushing: Cantley 5-11, Rudolph 10-40, Long 7-10, Wilson 5-15.

Raceland passing: Waller 7 of 11 for 72 yards.

KCD passing: Long 4 of 10 for 52 yards, interception.

Raceland receiving: Rowsey 2-13, Marushi 1-9, Ison 3-43, Arnett 1-7.

KCD receiving: Cantley 1-1, Bates 3-51.