08-19-2018, 05:24 PM
Preseason:
#1 Trinity
#2 Saint Xavier
#3 Scott County
#4 Male
#5 Ryle
#6 Simon Kenton
#7 Butler
#8 Frederick Douglass
#9 Pleasure Ridge Park
#10 Central Hardin
#1 Trinity: Lost to Caramel [IN] 24-21
A loss is always a bitter pill to swallow, especially when it ends a 30 game winning streak. On the positive side it was a very close and competitive game that could have gone either way, and it was against the #2 (or #3 depending on source) team in Indiana. None of the teams lower on this list had a performance to justify taking Trinity's place, so they stay at #1. But the Shamrocks had better watch out because their throne isn't quite as secure as it used to be. The coaches will have plenty to work on to prepare the team for their game next week against the #1 team in Indiana; Warren Central.
#2 Scott County: Won vs North Bullitt 56-13
The Cardinals move up a spot to the number two position. Their game against North Bullitt was solid work, similar to last year's game (56-19), but it doesn't tell us much about Scott County, as this result is to be expected. North Bullitt, although a 5A regional finalist in 2016, went 2-8 last year and that slump does not appear to have ended just yet. Next week, the Cardinals take on Lafeyette at home. That should be a better game and give us an idea of what we can expect from Scott County this season.
#3 Male: Won vs Floyd Central [IN] 41-3
Male is in a similar position to Scott County. They both opened against relatively easy teams and will play a better team next week that shows a bit more of their real ability. It's nice that somebody from Louisville beat the hoosiers, but against Floyd Central that's to be expected from a team of Male's caliber. The Bulldogs move up a spot, but that's more due to what happened to the next team on the list than Male's performance. Next week Male plays Ballard at home.
#4 Saint Xavier: Lost to DeSales 19-16
I think I can safely say that nobody saw this coming. The Tigers are one of the premier teams in KY and the last time they lost to DeSales was 1986. You have to give it to the Breds, though. They played hungry and hard and their defense played lights out every time St. X got into the redzone with multiple goal line stands. 2A should be a be a fun class this year if this is going to be the caliber of their top teams. It would be fair to wonder why St. X is at #4 with a loss like this instead of lower, but they do have a few mitigating factors. Not only was it the first game of their new coach, Kevin Wallace, but the Tigers' starting QB injured his hand only a few days before this game. If St. X can correct these mistakes and turn things around they still have a shot to have a great season. At least they have plenty of time to prepare and better integrate their replacement QB as they are open next week, playing Bowling Green 8/31.
#5 Frederick Douglas: Won vs Wayne County 48-10
I had expected FD to win, but the surprise for me came from the margin of victory. Wayne County was a solid 4A semi-finalist last year and they are expected to do well again this season. That 38 point difference shows just how dominant the Broncos were and it tells me that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern half of the 6A bracket. Frederick Douglas plays Tates Creek next week. Another dominating performance there could really cement their place in the top five of 6A.
#6 Butler: Won vs Bullitt East 49-0
A dominating performance, similar to FD, but Butler's competition wasn't quite as stiff. This does show that last year's results weren't just a fluke, but next week will be a real test. DeSales, fresh off their win against St. X, will face the Bears in their den. If Butler wins here, they move into the top five, no question.
#7 Ryle: Lost to Covington Catholic 40-7
Most teams are going to lose to Covcath, they are a real buzzsaw of a team, both this year and last. Still, getting a running clock put on you is going to drop you some places regardless of who you're facing. Covcath was up 40-0 in the third quarter when they put in the second string. This is by no means a death knoll for the Raiders, but they need to improve to be a threat down the stretch. Next week they have a match against Lexington Catholic which they should win.
#8 Simon Kenton Won vs Meade County 29-28
Dropping two places on a win might seem unreasonable to some fans, but I'm a big believer that the quality of a win or loss matters more than just getting the W or L in your column. Meade County has had losing seasons (3-9, 2-9, 5-6) since their appearance in the 2014 semi-finals. They have not been a powerful team in 6A for a few seasons and SK was expected to dominate them them like last year (47-13). Instead, the Pioneers struggled to win and barely closed out the game. If Meade County turns out to be a strong team this year, that win won't look so bad and SK will climb back up in the rankings. But as it sits right now SK drops two places. Next week is against Bryan Station, another team that SK typically dominates. If the Pioneers perform well in that game they'll start looking better, but another struggle could see them leave the top ten.
#9 Pleasure Ridge Park Won vs Valley 37-6
Similar to the Scott County and Male games, this was an expected result against a weak team. PRP is expected to be down by some due to their losses to graduation, but this game is only four points different from last year's (41-6) and it doesn't tell us much about this year's team. Next week the Panthers face Bowling Green at Bowling Green and that will be a real test of this PRP team.
#10 Central HardinLost to Bowling Green 20-13
Speaking of Bowling Green, the Bruins played a close, hard-fought game against them last night. It was 20-0 at the half and Central Hardin made several key adjustments on offense and defense to bring themselves back into striking range, including a goal line stand late in the 4th quarter. Despite how good it looked, a loss is a loss, so they stay in 10th, but if PRP takes a heavier loss to Bowling Green next week you can bet that the Bruins are moving up. Next week Central Hardin plays at Bullitt East in a game they should win.
Honorable Mentions:
Ballard Lost to Boyle County 35-21
Ballard is knocking on the door to the top ten, but they aren't there just yet. The Bruins played well against Boyle County, but you aren't going to win a game when you give up 5 turnovers compared to the 2 from the other team. Ballard gets an opportunity to move up next week with a game against Male.
Henry Clay Won vs Tates Creek 50-22
The Blue Devils had their way with Tates Creek and show themselves to be the #2 team in Lexington 6A. It will be interesting to see how that score compares to Frederick Douglas as they play Tates Creek next week. Henry Clay plays Covcath next week and while they aren't expected to win, a victory would definitely rocket them into the top ten.
Agree?
Disagree?
Share your thoughts below.
#1 Trinity
#2 Saint Xavier
#3 Scott County
#4 Male
#5 Ryle
#6 Simon Kenton
#7 Butler
#8 Frederick Douglass
#9 Pleasure Ridge Park
#10 Central Hardin
Week Zero
#1 Trinity: Lost to Caramel [IN] 24-21
A loss is always a bitter pill to swallow, especially when it ends a 30 game winning streak. On the positive side it was a very close and competitive game that could have gone either way, and it was against the #2 (or #3 depending on source) team in Indiana. None of the teams lower on this list had a performance to justify taking Trinity's place, so they stay at #1. But the Shamrocks had better watch out because their throne isn't quite as secure as it used to be. The coaches will have plenty to work on to prepare the team for their game next week against the #1 team in Indiana; Warren Central.
#2 Scott County: Won vs North Bullitt 56-13
The Cardinals move up a spot to the number two position. Their game against North Bullitt was solid work, similar to last year's game (56-19), but it doesn't tell us much about Scott County, as this result is to be expected. North Bullitt, although a 5A regional finalist in 2016, went 2-8 last year and that slump does not appear to have ended just yet. Next week, the Cardinals take on Lafeyette at home. That should be a better game and give us an idea of what we can expect from Scott County this season.
#3 Male: Won vs Floyd Central [IN] 41-3
Male is in a similar position to Scott County. They both opened against relatively easy teams and will play a better team next week that shows a bit more of their real ability. It's nice that somebody from Louisville beat the hoosiers, but against Floyd Central that's to be expected from a team of Male's caliber. The Bulldogs move up a spot, but that's more due to what happened to the next team on the list than Male's performance. Next week Male plays Ballard at home.
#4 Saint Xavier: Lost to DeSales 19-16
I think I can safely say that nobody saw this coming. The Tigers are one of the premier teams in KY and the last time they lost to DeSales was 1986. You have to give it to the Breds, though. They played hungry and hard and their defense played lights out every time St. X got into the redzone with multiple goal line stands. 2A should be a be a fun class this year if this is going to be the caliber of their top teams. It would be fair to wonder why St. X is at #4 with a loss like this instead of lower, but they do have a few mitigating factors. Not only was it the first game of their new coach, Kevin Wallace, but the Tigers' starting QB injured his hand only a few days before this game. If St. X can correct these mistakes and turn things around they still have a shot to have a great season. At least they have plenty of time to prepare and better integrate their replacement QB as they are open next week, playing Bowling Green 8/31.
#5 Frederick Douglas: Won vs Wayne County 48-10
I had expected FD to win, but the surprise for me came from the margin of victory. Wayne County was a solid 4A semi-finalist last year and they are expected to do well again this season. That 38 point difference shows just how dominant the Broncos were and it tells me that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern half of the 6A bracket. Frederick Douglas plays Tates Creek next week. Another dominating performance there could really cement their place in the top five of 6A.
#6 Butler: Won vs Bullitt East 49-0
A dominating performance, similar to FD, but Butler's competition wasn't quite as stiff. This does show that last year's results weren't just a fluke, but next week will be a real test. DeSales, fresh off their win against St. X, will face the Bears in their den. If Butler wins here, they move into the top five, no question.
#7 Ryle: Lost to Covington Catholic 40-7
Most teams are going to lose to Covcath, they are a real buzzsaw of a team, both this year and last. Still, getting a running clock put on you is going to drop you some places regardless of who you're facing. Covcath was up 40-0 in the third quarter when they put in the second string. This is by no means a death knoll for the Raiders, but they need to improve to be a threat down the stretch. Next week they have a match against Lexington Catholic which they should win.
#8 Simon Kenton Won vs Meade County 29-28
Dropping two places on a win might seem unreasonable to some fans, but I'm a big believer that the quality of a win or loss matters more than just getting the W or L in your column. Meade County has had losing seasons (3-9, 2-9, 5-6) since their appearance in the 2014 semi-finals. They have not been a powerful team in 6A for a few seasons and SK was expected to dominate them them like last year (47-13). Instead, the Pioneers struggled to win and barely closed out the game. If Meade County turns out to be a strong team this year, that win won't look so bad and SK will climb back up in the rankings. But as it sits right now SK drops two places. Next week is against Bryan Station, another team that SK typically dominates. If the Pioneers perform well in that game they'll start looking better, but another struggle could see them leave the top ten.
#9 Pleasure Ridge Park Won vs Valley 37-6
Similar to the Scott County and Male games, this was an expected result against a weak team. PRP is expected to be down by some due to their losses to graduation, but this game is only four points different from last year's (41-6) and it doesn't tell us much about this year's team. Next week the Panthers face Bowling Green at Bowling Green and that will be a real test of this PRP team.
#10 Central HardinLost to Bowling Green 20-13
Speaking of Bowling Green, the Bruins played a close, hard-fought game against them last night. It was 20-0 at the half and Central Hardin made several key adjustments on offense and defense to bring themselves back into striking range, including a goal line stand late in the 4th quarter. Despite how good it looked, a loss is a loss, so they stay in 10th, but if PRP takes a heavier loss to Bowling Green next week you can bet that the Bruins are moving up. Next week Central Hardin plays at Bullitt East in a game they should win.
Honorable Mentions:
Ballard Lost to Boyle County 35-21
Ballard is knocking on the door to the top ten, but they aren't there just yet. The Bruins played well against Boyle County, but you aren't going to win a game when you give up 5 turnovers compared to the 2 from the other team. Ballard gets an opportunity to move up next week with a game against Male.
Henry Clay Won vs Tates Creek 50-22
The Blue Devils had their way with Tates Creek and show themselves to be the #2 team in Lexington 6A. It will be interesting to see how that score compares to Frederick Douglas as they play Tates Creek next week. Henry Clay plays Covcath next week and while they aren't expected to win, a victory would definitely rocket them into the top ten.
Agree?
Disagree?
Share your thoughts below.