[Stardust]

(Teams listed in coaches' predicted order of finish)

Highlands
Coach: Dale Mueller (266-64 overall, 207-33 at Highlands)

Last year: 14-1 (Defeated Christian County 50-0 in the Class 5A state finals).

Players to watch: Senior QB Patrick Towles, senior DB Drake Bruns, senior WR Austin Sheehan, senior DL Chad Bowden, senior DB Carter New, senior RB Jake True; senior LB Josh Quillen; junior RB Colin Seidl; junior ATH Donovan McCoy; junior WR Jac Collinsworth.

Outlook: Coming off of four consecutive 5A state championships, and with a 58-2 record over that time period, the Bluebirds are expected to be among the favorites in 4A as well. There is plenty of talent returning at the skill positions, but Highlands is lacking experience along the offensive line.

Covington Catholic
Coach: Dave Wirth (39-34 overall, 12-12 at Covington Catholic)

Last year: 6-6 (Lost 41-28 to Johnson Central in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.)

Players to watch: Junior QB Blake Bir, senior OL Bradley Way, senior OL Jake Henderson, senior OL Tim Connaughton, junior DB Tanner Fangman, senior RB Gabe Gray, senior WR/P Mitch McDowell, senior DB Brady Reese, sophomore LB Sam Burchell, junior DL Spencer Hemmer, junior DL Sam Williamson.

Outlook: After the emergence of Bir under center as a sophomore last season and with a veteran offensive line returning, the Colonels are in position to make a run in Wirth's third season. CovCath has talent at wide receiver and defensive back, but some key players were lost to graduation.

Holmes
Coach: Terry Liggin (2-9 overall, first season at Holmes)

Last year: 8-3 (lost 29-26 to West Jessamine in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs)

Players to watch: Senior QB Charles Knox, senior RB/DB Carlos Gipson, senior LB Greg Clemons, senior RB Duane Coston, junior QB/WR Rashawn Coston, sophomore RB Bruce Scruggs, junior TE Eric Cutright, junior FB/DB Mikale Scruggs, sophomore RB Jonathan Scruggs, senior WR Deland Hayes

Outlook: Liggin, a former Miami University and Eastern Kentucky player, takes over at Holmes after previously coaching at Garinger High School in Charlotte, N.C. He inherits a Bulldogs team that has made great strides over the past two seasons and is very athletic and aggressive. One key issue for the team is that it doesn't possess much depth.

Pendleton County
Coach: Terry Brown (3-7)

Last year: 3-7

Players to watch: Senior QB/FS Sam Harrison, senior RB/SS Tyler Daugherty, senior OL/LB Austin Reed, senior OL/DE Steven Lambert, junior WR/DB Austin Pyles, junior OL/DT Aaron Teegarden

Outlook: Brown is trying to change the mindset of the program, and this year's senior class has provided significant leadership. "I feel the players are starting to become more comfortable with the new system I am trying to install here," Brown said. The team's goal is to go 2-2 in district play and try to earn our first postseason win in the program, according to Brown.