[Hoot Gibson]

WMYT shows no respect to Coach Peck and his staff, who overcame key injuries and the loss of one of the top coaches in the state to reach the 4A title game. JC will be returning what is arguably their best and deepest group of running backs in school history. To rank a 4A team that has at least a 50/50 chance of entering the playoffs undefeated #5 is nothing but somebody's wishful thinking. 

The game at Ironton is the only one on JC's schedule in which the Golden Eagles will not be a solid favorite to win. Ironton is a notoriously tough road game no matter who the Fighting Tigers' opponent is and the team returns a lot of talent from a very successful 2021 season. Johnson Central has Belfry at home this season and have to be considered a big favorite to win that game, although the series has been filled with upsets.

The losses of some great linemen and an outstanding quarterback may mean that JC will get off to a slower start than last year but JC's most dominating run to the 4A state title featured a freshman quarterback, who later led the team to a second state title in his senior season. Coach Matney left some big shoes to fill but Coach Peck deserves more respect for the role that he and his staff have played in building a very successful program. 

Preseason polls and scrimmage results don't really matter, but I would have ranked Johnson Central #1, based on the strength of 4A last season and the return of the team's top two rushers from both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, along with their starting fullback and Carter Conley. I would rank Southwestern #2, Pikeville #3, Belfry #4, and Corbin #5, although I expect that Belfry may get off to a slow start after losing one of the top running backs in the state. The results of tonight's games will result in an early shuffling of the preseason rankings if Corbin and/or Pulaski win their openers.