[Stardust]

Zaga, you guys were fairly close with your top five, then it looked like you just started making crap up

1.Bell Co.
2.Harlan Co
3.Johnson Central
4.Belfry
5.Hazard
6.Somerset
7.Prestonsburg
8.Breathitt
9.Corbin
10.Pike Co. Central

Mountain Examiner Top 10

1. Bell County - The perennial powerhouse Bobcats start out the season on the top again. This year they will be without Dudley Hilton at the helm as he moved on to coach college ball UPike. Expect a big season from Senior Running Back Cory Davenport.

2. Harlan County - To say that Harlan County has overachieved in their short time as a school would be an understatement. With Highlands out of the picture in 5A, the Black Bears could be looking at a run for the State Title if they play like they did last season.

3. Johnson Central - Johnson Central was as strong as anyone in the mountains last year but unfortunately they met the Highlands Blue Birds in the playoffs and suffered the same fate as Harlan County. The Golden Eagles will be a force to be reckoned with.

4. Hazard - The Bulldogs will be gearing up for yet another 1A Title run. Their worst finish in the last three years was a loss in the semifinals to Lexington Christian. Could this be the year they break through?



5. Belfry - Belfry will be pounding the ball this year with senior running back Trey Willis. They graduated some talented seniors but still have a great pool of talent to work with. Expect coach Haywood to plug the holes and compete at a high level like the Pirates do every year.

6. Knox Central - Knox lost their highly respected coach Wayne Mills last year when he was offered the Bell County job. They return several key players and really look to make some noise in their District.

7. Sheldon Clark – Sheldon Clark returns the majority of their tackles and yards this season. The mountains are stacked in Class 3A this year and the Cardinals will be pushing Belfry and Bell County for the top spot.

8. Prestonsburg - The Blackcats return a huge portion of their successful team from last year and will be lining up on offense with one of the premier athletes in the mountains in Joseph Jamerson.

9. Whitley County - Whitley County has been a steady force in 5A-District 8 over the last few years and it would be wise for other teams to respect their physical play. Can they pull the upset over the Black Bears and take the District?

10. Breathitt County - Breathitt County has started slow the last couple of seasons but ended up making a run for the regional title every year. The Bobcats ended last year with a heartbreaking three point loss to Somerset. Coach Holcomb will have his boys ready to go this season to try and get back to Bowling Green



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