[WhomTheBellTolls]

While I think Pikeville, Mayfield, and Belfry are all very, very slim favorites in their classes to repeat, I believe J.C., Frederick Douglas, and Trinity may have easier paths to the championship next year and will be much more favored in their respected classes, IMO. Although I'd pick Pikeville, Mayfield, and Belfry as my pre-season favorites I wouldn't be shocked at all if they didn't win it in 2020 or even make it to the championship game.

1A - Pikeville won't even come close to dominating 1A like they did this year. They lose quite a bit but they still have some studs coming back. With MacNamee still under center, the Panthers are a threat regardless of who they play. The kid is special! Who knows, it could very well come down to an all Eastern Kentucky final again, but I doubt it; other teams to keep an eye on in 1A is Paintsville, Newport Central, Raceland, Hazard, and Williamsburg.

2A - Mayfield is always up there but their going to have to find a replacement for stud QB Jayden Stinson. The kid was a star for the Cardinals and will be hard to replace. But, in the end, it's still Mayfield and they always find a way; with that said, they still have the defending champs Somerset to deal with along with Breathitt County, LCA, Owensboro Catholic, who all will be contenders. (Two teams to pay close attention to will be Beechwood and Danville. Both had rebuilding years last year but you can guarantee they'll be back in the mix in 2020). 2A may be the most competitive class in the state next fall, IMO.

3A - Belfry loses a MONSTER class to graduation. This group of seniors are the last to have won a middle school championship and are the last to have played with that dominant 2016 class that won 4 straight state titles. But the Pirates still have some studs returning. QB Brett Coleman, RB Isaac Dixon, DE Brad Lowe, DE Rudy Blackwell, and LB Seth Mounts will lead the charge for the Pirates and will make a strong push to make it "back to back" championships for Belfry again. (NOTE: Belfry has always won at least two in a row everytime they've won a championship, so the odds may be in their favor, LOL). The Pirates offensive line lose only one starter to graduation, Center Ethan Wolford, and they will be alot better starting off next season than they were at the start of this season. These guys helped block for three 1,000 yard rushers this past season and will have plenty of experience coming back. If they can find a center to anchor the O-Line the way Wolford has done the last three years then they may very well be one of the best lines in 3A again; I look for teams like Bell County, Ashland, DeSales, E-Town, and P.T. to all be in the mix again next year. Also, watch out for Wayne County. Anytime you have a player like Braedon Sloan in the backfield anything is possible! Like 2A, this class could also be very, very competitive in 2020.

4A - Johnson Central, like Belfry, loses a ton of good/great players. But they too have some studs coming back and the stable is full of young and eager Golden Eagles ready to step in and take over. I think JC will be more favorable than the first three classes are next year because they were hardly even challenged this past year until the championship game against Boyle County, who loses a TON!; still I look for teams like Corbin, Central, and Boyle to make it a challenge for the Eagles. (Corbin will be a team to pay close attention to next year in 4A).

5A - (I don't know very much about this class) but I do believe 2020 will be the year for Frederick Douglas. With their "headache" Mr. Football now headed off to college, 2020 will be the "year of the Bronco" in 5A, IMO; other teams to watch for will be Bowling Green, Owensboro, Scott County, and Covington Catholic.

6A - (I know even less about this class) Trinity is Trinity! They always have been and always will be the favorite, most years anyway, in 6A until something drastically changes; but you still have some heavy hitters in 6A that will always challenge them like Male, St. X, North Hardin, and a few others.

wayne isn't 3a .. they're 4a they won their district (lincoln, corbin, knox) and got beat out by johnson central

other than that pretty solid breakdown