BETSY LAYNE - Betsy Layne will venture to Bracken County on Saturday evening for its season-opener. A much-improved Bracken County football team awaits the Bobcats.

Betsy Layne dominated in its 2011 meeting with Bracken County, defeating the Polar Bears 38-7.

Bracken County is projected to finish third in Class A, District 3. The Polar Bears are picked to finish behind Eminence (9-2) and Frankfort (7-6) and ranked one spot ahead of Paris (1-10) in the four-team Class A district.

After dropping its 2011 season-opener to the Bobcats, Bracken County posted five straight wins. The Polar Bears struggled in the second half of the regular-season, dropping four of their last five games.

Junior quarterback Cole McClain is back to lead the Bracken County football team. McClain rushed for 1, 417 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. The Bracken County quarterback also passed for nine touchdowns.

Betsy Layne, which competes in Class 2A, District 8 with Floyd County foe Prestonsburg (5-6), Leslie County (9-3) and Shelby Valley (5-6), finished the 2011 season 7-4. Like Bracken County, Betsy Layne excelled in the first half of the 2011 season, winning five of its first six games. Only two points separated the Bobcats from eventual Class 2A, District 8 champion Leslie County when the two teams met during the regular-season.

Junior quarterback Dylan Hamilton (6-2, 205) is back to lead the Bobcats. Other key returnees for Betsy Layne include Tony Dirico (6-0, 180, WR/S), Blake Spencer (6-2, 220, TE/DE), Lako Daniels (6-3, 190, RB/LB), Peyton Case (6-2, 160, WR/LB) and Blake Rose (6-3, 225, OT/NG).

South Floyd, Allen Central, Knott County Central, Paintsville, Hanna, W.Va. and Jenkins will hook up with Betsy Layne in additional non-district matchups.

Kickoff for the Betsy Layne-Bracken County game is set for 7 p.m.