[KnightTime]

What is everyones preseason top 10?

[DDP5]

1. Highlands
2. Highlands jv
3. Highlands Fr.
4. Highlands Middle school
5. Boyle
6. Lex Cath
7. Knox Central
8. Allen County-Scottsville
9. Highlands cannon crew
10. Lou. Western

(and yes, I understand I'm a smart___)

[PHSForever]

1. Highlands
2. Highlands jv
3. Highlands Fr.
4. Highlands Middle school
5. Boyle
6. Lex Cath
7. Knox Central
8. Allen County-Scottsville
9. Highlands cannon crew
10. Lou. Western

(and yes, I understand I'm a smart___)

I'm just guessing here, I think you're a Highlands fan? LOL

[DDP5]

no, no I just know how many Highland fans are on here and if anyone else was number one on my list it would somehow ignite three pages of how Highlands isn't the same Highlands as before and I'm crazy for believing anyone could beat them. I respect their program and know they have a great tradition, I'm just having a little fun with their fan base.

[horst muhlmann]

1. Highlands
2. Boyle County
3. Cov Cath
4. Lex Cath
5. Johnson Central

I am not up to speed on the western half of the state, although I have heard good things about Lone Oak - are they 4A?

[charlie22]

1. Highlands
2. Boyle County
3. Cov Cath
4. Lex Cath
5. Johnson Central

I am not up to speed on the western half of the state, although I have heard good things about Lone Oak - are they 4A?

Yes, Lone Oak is 4A. Other contenders from the West are likely to be Owensboro, Allen County-Scottsboro, Franklin Simpson and Western. There may be others that I'm not as familiar with.

Not sure I'd put CovCath ahead of LexCath. Both have excellent QBs returning but LexCath's QB is getting more recruiting recognition for what that's worth if anything. LexCath is supposed to be very very good this year and some Boyle County folks are saying it's LexCath's year to win the district. Don't know if that's sandbagging or not.

Don't count out Rowan County either. Another very fine QB (committed to Marshall I believe). It will definitely be the year of the QB in the 4A East.

[cavery59]

Louisville Western should be in the top 5. Give me a reason why they shouldn't I would like to hear this !!!!!!!

[Hatz]

Louisville Western should be in the top 5. Give me a reason why they shouldn't I would like to hear this !!!!!!!

Had a great season last year and almost made the 4A Finals.

Who did they lose off of the team is the big question mark. If they return a lot I can easily see them in the Top 5 or competing for it.

At the moment I'd mix it around and say Highlands is the solid #1 and after that you have a mix of: Lex Cath, Boyle, Cov Cath, Lone Oak, Johnson Central, and Western.

I think A/C lost a lot as did Collins but if they can replace their losses they would be in the discussion as well. :Thumbs:

[The Iceboxx]

1. Highlands
2. Boyle County
3 Lone Oak
4. Johnson Central
5. Western
6. Collins
7. Holmes
8. Rowan County
9. Ashland Blazer
10. Lex Cath

[Hatz]

1. Highlands
2. Boyle County
3 Lone Oak
4. Johnson Central
5. Western
6. Collins
7. Holmes
8. Rowan County
9. Ashland Blazer
10. Lex Cath

It's hard to pick any sequential order this time of year but hats off at your list. I do believe that Lex Cath will be much, much higher however. :Thumbs:

[Balboa]

I'll give you 1 reason Western isn't top 5. They graduated over 3,000 yards of offense, pretty good reason. Until they prove the can replace the kids they lost, they shouldn't be top 5 IMO.

[rebel 4 life]

lex cath will be very good

[BoyleCounty]

Yes, Lone Oak is 4A. Other contenders from the West are likely to be Owensboro, Allen County-Scottsboro, Franklin Simpson and Western. There may be others that I'm not as familiar with.

Not sure I'd put CovCath ahead of LexCath. Both have excellent QBs returning but LexCath's QB is getting more recruiting recognition for what that's worth if anything. LexCath is supposed to be very very good this year and some Boyle County folks are saying it's LexCath's year to win the district. Don't know if that's sandbagging or not.

Don't count out Rowan County either. Another very fine QB (committed to Marshall I believe). It will definitely be the year of the QB in the 4A East.

I believe it's Allen County-Scottville.

Either way, they are going to be a major contender from the west. Along with Lone Oak and Western. However, East will have the West number again this year with the three headed beast of the east. That, of course, being Boyle County, Highlands and Lexington Catholic.

[BoyleCounty]

1. Highlands
2. Boyle County
3 Lone Oak
4. Johnson Central
5. Western
6. Collins
7. Holmes
8. Rowan County
9. Ashland Blazer
10. Lex Cath

Lexington Catholic at 10th? They are going to be a major contender in 4A this year and most polls will have them at 3rd.

[Balboa]

Louisville Western should be in the top 5. Give me a reason why they shouldn't I would like to hear this !!!!!!!

They graduate 3,000 yards of offense...I would say that is a good reason. Until the "new" guys prove themselves I would say they are bottom of the top 10.

[charlie22]

I believe it's Allen County-Scottville.

Either way, they are going to be a major contender from the west. Along with Lone Oak and Western. However, East will have the West number again this year with the three headed beast of the east. That, of course, being Boyle County, Highlands and Lexington Catholic.

You are not exactly correct (it's Allen County-Scottsville), but you were closer than I was. Thank you for the correction and no offense mean to the ACS fans.

[LWC]

Highlands


Boyle County
Lexington Catholic
AC-S
Lone Oak
Western
Johnson Central
Covington Catholic
Rowan County
Ashland Blazer

Knox Central/Rockcastle County (Both have big question marks but one of them can be a contender, no Bell County in their way this year)

[Hatz]

Highlands


Boyle County
Lexington Catholic
AC-S
Lone Oak
Western
Johnson Central
Covington Catholic
Rowan County
Ashland Blazer

Knox Central/Rockcastle County (Both have big question marks but one of them can be a contender, no Bell County in their way this year)

Probably very accurate at this point. :Thumbs:

I was somehow under the impression that ACS lost a lot from last year. I'll do some digging.

[Hatz]

From a little digging:

ACS returns their starting QB Costello but lose WR/QB Hobdy and their other starting WR.

Also lose their best 2 RB's in York and Boards.

Lose 4 of their 5 OLinemen.

Looks like they lose about half of their defense as well so I wouldn't rank them up there too highly. Great program but big rebuilding/reloading needs to take place. :Thumbs:

[Hatz]

Boyle returns for next season:

Rebs lose their entire OLine. QB and HB are gone but they return: Harrington & Talbott at WR, along with Cox as the premier back.

On Defense BC loses some key people (especially Lamar) but returns Kendrick, Thielman, Hester, Cox, Herrington and Hastings to build around this season.

I look for Boyle to struggle early against their schedule but be ready to compete come playoff time. :Thumbs:

[Hatz]

Cursory look from the less experienced "Bird Watcher" shows that HHS is missing 3/5 of their line on Offense for next year.

Gold is the lone "starter" returning from the backfield but Towles is back and nothing more need be said. He's looking to have one of the great campaigns/careers in Blue Bird lore.

Four starters from the State title game return to the Defensive side.

Truth is they have such depth no team will reload better than Highlands. They are the prohibitive favorite until proven otherwise when it counts - in November/December. :Thumbs:

[LWC]

Boyle returns for next season:

Rebs lose their entire OLine. QB and HB are gone but they return: Harrington & Talbott at WR, along with Cox as the premier back.

On Defense BC loses some key people (especially Lamar) but returns Kendrick, Thielman, Hester, Cox, Herrington and Hastings to build around this season.

I look for Boyle to struggle early against their schedule but be ready to compete come playoff time. :Thumbs:

That is true about ACS but they have been pretty good for a few years now. They have become one of those "reloading" teams. If we are talking about the West (who is better than they use to be but still probably not going to win it) you have to think they are as capable as anyone else.

[DollarBill]

Cursory look from the less experienced "Bird Watcher" shows that HHS is missing 3/5 of their line on Offense for next year.

Gold is the lone "starter" returning from the backfield but Towles is back and nothing more need be said. He's looking to have one of the great campaigns/careers in Blue Bird lore.

Four starters from the State title game return to the Defensive side.

Truth is they have such depth no team will reload better than Highlands. They are the prohibitive favorite until proven otherwise when it counts - in November/December. :Thumbs:

Actually, Gold, last season's team MVP at WR, graduates. One starting WR, Austin Sheehan returns as well as Jake True, who started part of year at RB along with 2 starting OL as you mentioned. In addition, on defense, Quillen, a starting LB last year as a Jr (and starter at LB for much of second half of year as a Soph) returns after being injured in 4th game and out for rest of year. He will be a key returner and I expect him to be one of the leaders of the defense along with Bruns brothers among others. I also anticipate that the starting defense may include at least 9 seniors all of whom have had substantial varsity experience.

[Balboa]

Didn't mean to post twice! Sorry.

[cavery59]

You must not have seen Armond Langford run the ball for Louisville Western !!!!! Trust me yall was saying the same thing last year when we lost Dominic Turner . Everybody was like Western wont be able to recovery the lost of tuner what did we do !!!!! We was one game away from state. So lost of Ritchie will not stop Western from having a bad season . They are still a top 5 team . ACS lost way more then we did and yall still got them in the top 5 !!!!!!!!! Also most the starter were Juniors and Sophomores last year ... Western is still returning 3 OL ,3 DL , 2 QB, 4 WR , 1CB , 3 LB and 1 SS .. They all started last year to !!!!!

[BoyleCounty]

You are not exactly correct (it's Allen County-Scottsville), but you were closer than I was. Thank you for the correction and no offense mean to the ACS fans.

Touche. :thatsfunn

It was an honest typo. :biggrin:

[Balboa]

Western lost 3,000 yds and their BEST 3 players on defense...the roster only had 45 kids and when I was at the 4A semis they might have had 30 kids dressed. I hope they do well, I was rooting for them, but it is what it is and they lost a ton of starters! Here are stats from the KHSAA:
Rushing
24 Jacorey Ritchie (Sr.)
14 231 1821 22
34 Kenyon Young (Sr.)
14 64 407 7

4 Leon Melvin (Sr.)
14 37 308 2

Receiving
14 Kenneth Simmons (Sr.)
13 21 541 4
4 Leon Melvin
14 4 91 0
24 Jacorey Ritchie
14 9 124 1

This is a big hit on both sides of the ball, not including some quality OL/DL. I hope they do well, but I wouldn't proclaim them a contender just yet.

[Hatz]

Actually, Gold, last season's team MVP at WR, graduates. One starting WR, Austin Sheehan returns as well as Jake True, who started part of year at RB along with 2 starting OL as you mentioned. In addition, on defense, Quillen, a starting LB last year as a Jr (and starter at LB for much of second half of year as a Soph) returns after being injured in 4th game and out for rest of year. He will be a key returner and I expect him to be one of the leaders of the defense along with Bruns brothers among others. I also anticipate that the starting defense may include at least 9 seniors all of whom have had substantial varsity experience.

:Thumbs: Thanks. I knew someone could give a little more substantial analysis than I. Based it mainly on starting lineups in title game vs. roster. (Which makes me wonder why the KHSAA can't give starters' class. It would make it easier. :ChairHit

Appreciate the report DollarBill. :thanks:

[horst muhlmann]

You must not have seen Armond Langford run the ball for Louisville Western !!!!! Trust me yall was saying the same thing last year when we lost Dominic Turner . Everybody was like Western wont be able to recovery the lost of tuner what did we do !!!!! We was one game away from state. So lost of Ritchie will not stop Western from having a bad season . They are still a top 5 team . ACS lost way more then we did and yall still got them in the top 5 !!!!!!!!! Also most the starter were Juniors and Sophomores last year ... Western is still returning 3 OL ,3 DL , 2 QB, 4 WR , 1CB , 3 LB and 1 SS .. They all started last year to !!!!!

They'll get a chance to see if they can compete with the upper echelon of 4A when they visit Ft. Thomas. Hopefully they'll be better than Louisville Eastern was last year.

[bac2369]

1 Highlands
2 Boyle County
3 Lex Cath
4 Cov Cath
5 Johnson Central
6 Lone Oak
7 Collins
8 Owensboro
9 Western
10 Rowan County