Danny Weddle for 10thRegion.com. Checkout Danny’s blog here: https://courtsidewithdannyweddle.blogspot.com/.

After closing the regular season with two blowout losses, the Mason County Royals regained their mojo and routed the Greenup County Musketeers 56-21 in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs. 

The second round will pit the Royals against the 10-1 Ashland Tomcats at historic Putnam Stadium in Ashland. 

The Tomcats have reeled off eight consecutive victories after suffering a 26-10 loss to Harvest Preparatory School of Ohio. 

Ashland has scored 41 or more points in each game during the winning streak and put up 50 or more points in four of those games. 

The Tomcats breezed past Harrison County 47-7 in the opening round of the playoffs. 

Ashland quarterback LaBryant Strader has passed for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns with just three interceptions. 

Braxton Jennings is the Tomcats’ leading rusher with 793 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Mason County’s win last week was a total team effort. Teegin Routt passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more TDs. 

Joey Staggs rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Royals defense forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery). 

Mason County also recovered an onside kick. 

Ashayne Jones rushed for a touchdown, picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

For the season, Routt has passed for 1,915 yards and 27 touchdowns with 27 interceptions. 

Ashland averages 43.5 points per and allows an average of 15.5 points per game. 

Mason County’s scoring average is 33.5 points per game and allows an average 17.5 per game. 

The Tomcats’ RPI is .70386 compared to .55007 for the Royals