[Glory_Days]

Well look at Male, St X or Trinity. See just how many 2,3 or 4 a teams they play in a season. You get better playing bigger schools that have the depth to come at you for 4 quarters. For instance look at Mayfield. They do not play anyone in their class or below except their district games. Their schedule is 3a, 5a, 3a,6a, 5a, 3a, district, district, district and 3a. I know you will have to travel but, there are big schools close. Look into Mo, Tn, In and Il.

55, I agree with you for the most part but here are some things to consider.

First, can any team in the state compare to St. Xavier or Trinity's non-district schedules (Bowling Green's is very close, and Central's is really good)? I don't put the Male non-district schedule any higher than any other 6A team per se.
*It's very understood that Male plays in the toughest district by far.

Male non-d schedule for comparison (using current MaxPreps ratings as a indicator)

Male
5A Floyd Central, IN (14.4)
6A Ballard (26.9)
5A Fairdale (-2.4)
6A Trinity (71.6)
6A Seneca (-25.7)
4A Western (3.5)

McCracken Co
3A Tilghman (8.4)
4A Warren Central (1.1)
4A Mad-NH (3.6)
2A Mayfield (34.9)
5A Pulaski Aca, AR (47.8)
5A Bowling Green (52.3)

Breakdown
-Toss MNH and Western as they are both 4A schools with same rating.

-Male's top opponent is nationally rated at (71.6) and greater than McCracken's top opponent (52.3). Most expect that gap to close a bit by season's end. But for now, a significant favor to Male on top opponent.

What remains?
Pulaski Aca, AR (47.8) > Ballard (26.9)
Mayfield (34.9) > Floyd Central, IN (14.4)
Tilghman (8.4) > Fairdale (-2.4)
Warren Central (1.1) > Seneca (-25.7)

Is it better to look at the quality of the opponent or the class size of such opponents? Looking at this breakdown, McCracken's non-district schedule is significantly more difficult in 4 out of 5 of the games. I'm sure many other teams would have similar breakdowns.
**Should also be noted that Male is defending 6A champ and considered to be a better team than McCracken Co, and no one questions their non-district schedule.

The bottom line is, that St. Xavier and Trinity are extremely different entities. Out of the remaining thirty 6A teams, the separation between roughly the next 15-20 isn't that great a difference. Historically speaking.


Second, With 6A being the largest class, those in it don't have an option to play up. Also, there are limited 6A schools outside of Louisville and Lexington with only 8 of the 32 being west of Louisville. 5 of those are in District 1. McCracken County has to drive 2hrs to their closest district opponent, so how many good large class schools do you think are closer than 3hours? As a Mayfield fan can you imagine driving to Lindsey Wilson for all their road games? Mayfield always makes an effort to schedule tough, but their opportunities are more available if you are only comparing by classification.

I think the only real options for a schedule upgrade is to get Christian Co back on the schedule and try for Owensboro or Henry Co, TN. Getting Graves County back on the schedule isn't a bad option either (not sure what happened there). I'm all for it! Wish Owensboro and Bowling Green were chalked in each year.

As for out-of-state
S Illinois - has zilch in larger classes (within 3hrs)
SW Indiana - Evansville area but those teams are smaller in class too, might as well stay in state and add a Caldwell Co or Hopkinsville
Tennessee - Henry County, but TN has huge districts with limited openings
SE Missouri - has zilch in larger classes (within 3hrs)