[16 special]

Now that we are in the new year let's get going. 4A will without a doubt be the most competitive class in the state again next year. Cov Cath returns a lot of production. Highlands reclasses after a semi-final appearance in 5A to give them a run in that district. Boyle County is on a revenge tour after their untimely exit from the playoffs in 2024. Franklin County returns every player that scored in the state finals but has some holes to fill on the defense that carried them through the playoffs. Corbin has a strong group coming back, but have to replace Mr. Everything QB Elam. Johnson Central and Ashland should still be strong in the far east of 4A. And let's not forget the defending 4A champ in Paducah Tilghman that return starting RB Wilson and young phenom Thompson. North Oldham looks to make some noise under third year HC Brock Roberts as he returns QB and big time target in Tompkins. The East is a gauntlet, there is no question about that with 6 teams that can theoretically make the big game at Kroger. Has the West closed that gap with the unlikely all west state final last year? Or was that a fluke and the East are still kings?

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Now that we are in the new year let's get going. 4A will without a doubt be the most competitive class in the state again next year. Cov Cath returns a lot of production. Highlands reclasses after a semi-final appearance in 5A to give them a run in that district. Boyle County is on a revenge tour after their untimely exit from the playoffs in 2024. Franklin County returns every player that scored in the state finals but has some holes to fill on the defense that carried them through the playoffs. Corbin has a strong group coming back, but have to replace Mr. Everything QB Elam. Johnson Central and Ashland should still be strong in the far east of 4A. And let's not forget the defending 4A champ in Paducah Tilghman that return starting RB Wilson and young phenom Thompson. North Oldham looks to make some noise under third year HC Brock Roberts as he returns QB and big time target in Tompkins. The East is a gauntlet, there is no question about that with 6 teams that can theoretically make the big game at Kroger. Has the West closed that gap with the unlikely all west state final last year? Or was that a fluke and the East are still kings?

Also, who are some of the other front runners and who is most likely to make the trip to Lexington?