[ArmChairHC]

With what Sayre lost, it’s hard to figure what they will be like. They also don’t have a huge following on here, especially for a defending state champ. Based on what I’ve seen, heard, read about, and everything else considered, I think Paris will be better this year than they have been in awhile, but I’ve not heard anything in terms of major transfers that will make them a preseason top 5 team. With practices starting back up tomorrow, I still really can’t give a ranking I feel confident in.

Based on last years results, and/or what teams return it’s still hard for me to give a legit ranking to anyone. I think coming into this season we just have some groups/tiers of teams…

Tier 1
Raceland, Campbellsville, Pikeville, KCD and Hazard…yes you read that right Hazard.

Raceland returns damn near the house, as does Campbellsville. Raceland returns nearly an entire roster that has been at Kroger the last two seasons, getting closer and closer each time to the elusive first state title. Campbellsville has played very good football the last two years and have a roster that returns a ton of production on both sides of the ball. KCD is very explosive if they can open up their offense a little they have the players that can get them over the semi final hump. Pikeville, while young, has a TON of young talent that in a year or two will have them looking like the Pikeville teams that went on a dominant run. Can’t count them out of the title contention just yet, just because they are young. Hazard has had some really solid lineman transfer in over the dead period, that is where they were weak last year. I honestly think they will be right in the thick of it all come playoff time.

Tier 2
NCC, Paris and Sayre…they could be very good. They could stay the same or take a step back. It all just depends on the talent that has come in over the offseason. Sayre plays everything close to the vest and the rumor mill swirling in Paris makes it hard to judge much of anything. These are the two teams I believe could be dark horses this year for that very reason.

Tier 3…
Everyone else. I think you can kind of pull names out of a hat at this point with this group and not be wrong while ranking them.

This is a year that will be similar to last year with close games in the semis I believe and a competitive title game again. The Covid kids have phased out and it’s back to the transfer portal on who gets the big dogs again. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out.