[Bull got out!]

Class 3A | District 1

Hopkins County Central (2024: 4-7), Union County (2024: 12-3), Webster County (2024: 2-8), Murray (2024: 8-4)
Union County had a very, very special season that saw them go 12-3 overall and make a run all the way to the Class 3A state championship game. Unfortunately for the Braves, CAL was destined to get the three-peat. Despite that, the future appears to be very bright for the Braves.

Dual-threat star Jarren Johnson, who ran for 2,682 yards and 44 touchdowns and threw for 719 yards and seven touchdowns, graduated this offseason. When you lose a player like that, it can really shake your program. So, it’ll be interesting to see how Union County adjusts heading into 2025.

As a part of realignment, Murray was moved into District 1 in Class 3A, and behind senior quarterback Wyatt Robbins, the Tigers may win District 1. As a junior, Robbins posted 2,618 yards and 24 touchdowns through the air and 489 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.



Class 3A | District 2
Adair County (2024: 10-2), Butler County (2024: 1-9), Glasgow (2024: 5-6), Hart County (2024: 12-1), Edmonson County (2024: 6-5), LaRue County (2024: 0-11)

For the past two seasons, Hart County has been flawless during the regular season, and for that reason, they should probably be the favorites to win District 2. They return senior quarterback Jacob Shoulders, who threw for 1,485 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. However, they do lose three 1,000-yard rushers to graduation. So, that may be an issue, to say the least.

Adair County will look to knock off Hart County on October 3rd for the first time since 2021, and they have the squad to do it. Last year, they only lost to Hart County in the regular season, then Union County in the playoffs. Senior Lane Grant, who ran for 1,248 yards, passed for 329 yards and amassed 21 total touchdowns, will have to continue to perform for the Indians if they want to take that next step in 2025.


Class 3A | District 3
#19 Central (2024: 9-4), #7 Christian Academy-Louisville (2024: 12-3), Bardstown (2024: 9-4), DeSales (2024: 9-4), Thomas Nelson (2024: 2-8), Western (2024: 3-7)

Death, taxes and CAL winning when they get to the state championship game. It never fails. If you don’t knock them out before the winner-take-all finale, you’re toast. After what was somewhat of a rocky 3-2 start to their 2024 season, the Centurions caught fire and only lost one game the rest of the way. That loss came to Central, but CAL would get the last laugh in the playoffs.

Central should be a pretty solid squad in 2025 too. They do lose running back Cortez Stone, who tallied 1,882 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground last season, to graduation. However, they return a plethora of talent elsewhere, and the sum of the parts is always greater than the whole. With an experienced group of upperclassmen to lead the charge, the Yellowjackets may be a sleeper in 2025.

In 2022, Bardstown squared off against CAL in the state championship game, but they fell victim to the whole “death, taxes…” thing. Last year, first-year head coach Justin Grundy won nine games and made it to the third round of the playoffs — certainly not a bad way to begin a tenure. Maybe they can continue to improve heading into yet another year under Grundy’s leadership.


Class 3A | District 4
Casey County (2024: 0-11), Garrard County (2024: 8-4), Marion County (2024: 5-6), Mercer County (2023: 7-5), Lexington Catholic (2024: 7-7)

Lexington Catholic’s 2024 season was the definition of a roller coaster. After an abysmal 0-6 start, the Knights would go on a seven-game winning streak that extended all the way to the fourth round of the playoffs, where reality — and CAL — would strike them down.

Brady Wasik will be behind center in what will be his senior season. As a junior, he recorded 300 passing yards and three touchdowns playing second-string, while also running for 319 yards and two touchdowns along the way. He also caught 29 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. If he can continue to provide that amount of versatility at an elite level, the Knights could make some noise in Class 3A.

There’s also Garrard County and Mercer County — both of which could be in contention to win District 4 as well. Casey County, however, is just looking to get back into the win column in 2025. It’s a very deep and underrated district, but Casey County is a few steps back from the cross-district foes.


Class 3A | District 5
Bourbon County (2024: 1-10), Lloyd Memorial (2024: 9-3), Pendleton County (2024: 2-9), Carroll County (2024: 1-9), Henry County (2024: 5-5)

Lloyd Memorial should be the only team in District 5 with high hopes heading into this season. Unlike District 4, this one’s rather top-heavy.

Behind senior quarterback Kaleb Evans, Lloyd Memorial should continue to ascend amongst the better teams in Class 3A. In 2024, he threw for 2,070 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. It appears that sophomore wideout Colton Barger may be Evans’ favorite target heading into this season. As a freshman, Barger was second on the team in both receiving yards (415) and receiving touchdowns (5).

Last season, Henry County missed the postseason for the first time since 2019 when they went just 1-9. It wasn’t that bad for them in 2024, though. The Wildcats got off to a solid 4-0 start, but that was followed by a four-game skid. Then, they proceeded to split their last two games of the season. Head coach Matt Wright loses his top passer, rusher and all of his receiving production (yes, all of it) heading into this season, so it may be a rough one.


Class 3A | District 6
Bath County (2024: 3-8), East Carter (2024: 7-5), Fleming County (2024: 1-9), Lewis County (2024: 0-10), Russell (2024: 9-4)

Russell started 2-3 last season, but proceeded to not lose again until the third round of the playoffs when they ran into Belfry. Quarterback Elijah Hankins, who threw for 1,658 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, graduated this offseason, and it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear-cut candidate to be the starting quarterback in 2025, so that will be interesting to monitor.

Senior Jayden Frasure, who threw just 13 passes for 53 yards last season, seems like likely option, but no matter who starts behind center, they’ll have senior tailback Kaiden Benge to hand the ball off to. As a junior, Benge posted 557 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Additionally, the Red Devils’ top receiver from a year ago, senior Cayden Pennington, is back for one more go at it. In 2024, he caught 31 passes for 706 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a matter of fact, they actually get their top three receivers back. There’s also Caden Mitchell and Jayden Pennington, who combined for 597 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last year. They could also be a team to watch for in Class 3A to surprise some people.


Class 3A | District 7
Bell County (2024: 11-2), Clay County (2024: 6-4), Knox Central (2024: 5-6), McCreary Central (2024: 4-6), Rockcastle County (2024: 10-2)

Speaking of teams to watch for, welcome to District 7, home to Bell County and Rockcastle County. District 7 is also home to arguably the best player in Class 3A, who happens to play head coach Dudley Hilton and the Bobcats.

If you’re unfamiliar with the name Kaleb Miller, you won’t be for long. The senior tailback ran for 2,105 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, carrying on the tradition and lineage of elite backs to come from Bell County. They also return senior quarterback Blake Burnett, who threw for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

As for Rockcastle County, they return a talented back of their own, senior Isaiah Jackson. In 2024, Jackson ran for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Caden Lovell will also be back after recording 650 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago. It should be interesting to see which of these two heavyweights will win District 7 this year.


Class 3A | District 8
Estill County (2024: 6-5), Lawrence County (2024: 8-4), Magoffin County (2024: 2-8), Powell County (2024: 4-7), Letcher County Central (2024: 6-6)

Letcher County Central moved down from Class 4A during realignment, and that move may suit them well after a 6-6 campaign in 2024 — not bad necessarily, but there’s certainly room for improvement. However, it isn’t like they’re ducking any smoke. In week one, they face a traditional power in Johnson Central at Shelby Valley in the Blue and White Bowl.

Junior quarterback Gunner Holbrook could help the Cougars elevate in 2025. In 2024, he passed for 2,174 yards and 24 touchdowns while also tallying 128 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Letcher County Central made it to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years last season. Maybe they can break through and advance even further thanks to realignment.

Lawrence County, however, poses a major threat in District 8 following an 8-4 2024 campaign. Senior quarterback Luke Fetherholf should be one of the best players in Class 3A this year. As a junior, he managed to put up 2,052 yards and 25 touchdowns via the pass, and he ran for a team-high 657 yards and also scored seven touchdowns on the ground on 70 carries.


KSR’s Preseason Honors:
Class 3A Player of the Year – Kaleb Miller (Bell County)
Class 3A Coach of the Year – Hunter Cantwell (Christian Academy-Louisville)
Class 3A State Champion – Christian Academy-Louisville Centurions

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildc...-class-3a/