There’s frost in the morning, leaves on the ground and excitement in the air.

That’s right, it’s playoff time.

Post-season action gets underway tonight on Log Mountain as the Bell County Bobcats host McCreary Central in first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Bell County (10-0) comes into the game after completing their first unbeaten regular season since 1993 with a 35-20 win at Lexington-Tate’s Creek. The perfect record is even more impressive considering the Bobcats had just three home games and have been on the road since Sept. 28.

“To go up to Lexington and finish it off makes it a little more special,” said Bobcat coach Dudley Hilton. “That’s a big-name school. I don’t care what their record is. Tate’s Creek football is Tate’s Creek football. They’re a solid program that plays tough competition. That win says alot about our program.”

The win was a costly one for Bell as senior quarterback Kyle Nelson was knocked out with a concussion in the second half. After undergoing tests this week, he’ll be held of out tonight’s game as a precaution. Hilton said the four-year starter should be fine to play in the second round.

Junior Shawnta Zachery will move over from receiver to man the quarterback position Thursday, with freshman Ben Madon also likely to see action. Both played as the Bobcats defeated McCreary 63-0 on Oct. 19.

Senior running back T.R. Christopher needed just eight carries to put up 111 yards and four touchdowns in that game, while leading rusher Spencer Greer had 135 yards and a score on ten carries. Greer, a junior, has 1221 rushing yards on 169 carries this season and also leads the Bobcats with 19 total touchdowns.

“I feel like we’ve been clicking right along all year, we’ve just got a bunch of players and different kids step up in different games,” Hilton said. “It seems like everybody’s got a ‘name’ player — for Middlesboro it’s Adams, for Corbin it’s Cashen, for Clay County it’s Lewis.

“We don’t try and put up stats or showcase anybody. We’re more of a team and I feel good about how we’ve played.”

Running back Aaron Watts leads McCreary Central (3-7) with over 1300 rushing yards and 300 receiving. He’s scored 18 touchdowns and even thrown a TD pass.

In the regular season meeting Bell held the Raiders to just 57 total yards in the shutout. The Bobcats give up just 8.1 points and 174 yards per game.

“Our defense has been unbeleivable. We’ve only given up one touchdown in the first quarter all year and just two or three in the second quarter,” Hilton said.

Like the offense, the Bobcat defense has a depth of talent that keeps any one player from putting up spectacular stats. But the unit’s strength is up front and in the middle.

“(Tackles) Christian Mason and Shawn Henderson have got to be two of the best players in the state of Kentucky and (linebacker) Matthew Craig is just unreal, the way he gets after people,” said Hilton.

The Bobcat players and fans are sure to be excited for the team’s first home game in over a month. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

With a win, Bell will host the winner of Friday’s Rockcastle County at Knox Central game next week for the District 7 title.

From the start of the season, consensus around the state is that either Bell or Lexington Catholic will be the class 4A state champion.

If they keep winning, the two teams will meet Thanksgiving weekend in the Region 4 championship game. Bell County would host as odd numbered district champs host in odd numbered years.