[BlackcatAlum]

In 5A, I'd probably have Highlands and CovCath tied at No. 1. I know that BG is a very solid program and I respect their program very highly, but they lost a ton of their best players. Sure they re-load every year, but so does Highlands and CovCath. CovCath has a whole lot of starters returning, more than Highlands actually. CovCath, based on returning starters, could be considered by some to be the favorite over Highlands. But for now, I consider it a draw.

The Highlands CovCath matchup is going to boil down to whether Highlands can stop their running game. I'm not at all worried about their passing game as we will have the best dbs since 04 which will make them one dimensional on offense. But CovCath has a huge and talented O line returning that has me worried. Birds on offense will score a lot of points. The question is: if CovCath can move the ball on the ground and play keep away, will the Birds get many opportunities to touch the football?

Based on how their season unfolds, I might consider BG higher, but for now I think its Highlands and CovCath sharing the top spot. For what its worth, on another site, there are a fair number of posters that don't think BG is the best 5A team in the west. I hear Owensboro and John Hardin mentioned quite a bit and Christian County also.

It will be interesting to see what Letcher does during the season. I hear good things about them and was really impressed with their qb last year (Banks) whom is returning. However, their strength of schedule (or more appropriately lack thereof) probably won't give us a real read as to how good their team is until they get into the playoffs.

And in 3A, Louisville Central is loaded again this year and will be even better than last year defensively (which was pretty darn good). When Highlands plays them in the last regular season game, our newbie offensive linemen better have their chin straps tight.

Good analysis, your probably right since you obviously know more about that area of the state and I agree with you about Class 3A.