G. Michael Graham Football Predictions for 5A

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Bluebirds enter the playoffs seeking their ninth straight championship game appearance. They've won seven state championships in the last eight seasons.

FTMSports.com writer, G. Michael Graham takes a look at the 5A playoffs. We looks at each game in the first round and every likely matchup throughout the playoff bracket.

We have given each game a "confidence" score. A score of 10, means we are absolutely sure it'll happen to a 1, which means we aren't feeling great about the prediction.

Without further adieu:

Class 5A Predictions:

Region 3 First Round:
Highlands over Woodford County.
Bluebirds have won 23 straight first-round contests.
Confidence score: 10

Montgomery County over Dixie Heights.
Alex Harvey, a 1,202-yard rusher, could have a big night for the Indians.
Confidence score: 9

Madison Southern over Grant County.
Eagles exit tough district with Pulaski County and win surprising first-ever district championship.
Confidence Score : 9

Covington Catholic over Anderson County.
Colonels find way to win close one over Bearcats at Dixie Heights.
Confidence score: 6

Region 3 Semifinals:
Highlands over Montgomery County.
Bluebirds contain Harvey and company.
Confidence score: 7

Covington Catholic over Madison Southern.
Colonels go on road again and record close second round victory.
Confidence score: 6

Region 3 Title Game:
Highlands over Covington Catholic.
Bluebirds always pick things up against Colonels and this will be no different.
Confidence Score: 7

Region 4 First Round:
Pulaski County over Letcher County Central.
Veteran Head Coach John Hines and staff won't let defending 5A state champs overlook the visitors from the mountains.
Confidence score: 9

Harlan County over Lincoln County.
It's tough to leave Harlan with a victory in the playoffs.
Confidence score: 5

Southwestern over Whitley County.
Warriors right ship in first round of playoffs.
Confidence score: 6

North Laurel over South Laurel.
Battle of London heavily favors rising Jaguars.
Confidence score: 8

Region 4 Semifinals:
Pulaski County over Harlan County.
Maroons should be too much for Black Bears.
Confidence score: 9

Southwestern over North Laurel.
Edge in tight game goes to team with tougher schedule.
Confidence score: 6

Region 4 Title Game:
Pulaski County over Southwestern.
Albeit a lot closer than regular season, Maroons still get it done.
Confidence score: 6

Region 1 First Round:
Owensboro over Grayson County.
Confidence score: 9

Greenwood over Graves County.
Confidence score: 8

Christian County over Barren County.
Confidence score: 8

Bowling Green over Owensboro Apollo.
Confidence score: 9

Region 1 Semifinals:
Owensboro over Greenwood.
Red Devils are determined to get back to state championship in higher class.
Confidence score: 7

Bowling Green over Christian County.
Colonels may give Purples fits, but not enough to pull the shocker.
Confidence score: 6

Region 1 Title Game:
Owensboro over Bowling Green.
Red Devils win rematch at home and avenge lone loss of regular season.
Confidence score: 4

Region 2 First Round:
South Oldham over Louisville Southern.
Confidence score: 9

Louisville Fairdale over Bullitt East.
Confidence score: 6

North Bullitt over Louisville Doss.
Confidence score: 7

Louisville Fern Creek over Bullitt Central.
Confidence score: 8

Region 2 Semifinals:
South Oldham over Fairdale.
Confidence score: 7

North Bullitt over Fern Creek.
Confidence score: 5

Region 2 Title Game:
South Oldham over North Bullitt.
A lot of unknowns in this region.
Confidence score: 3

State Semifinals:
Pulaski County over Highlands.
Maroons have been more consistent than Bluebirds throughout season.
Confidence score: 3

Owensboro over South Oldham.
Red Devils do not need lucky bounce this time.
Confidence score: 4

Class 5A Championship Game:
Pulaski County over Owensboro.
Maroons use experience to win consecutive crowns.
Confidence score: 3