[blue1424]

In Kentucky high school football, the powers that have been are still the powers that be.

Grand Poobahs Trinity and Highlands, who share the record of 21 state titles, once again reign supreme in the pre-season.

Trinity is an overwhelming No. 1 pick in Class 6A as it chases its 10th championship in 12 years under Bob Beatty.

Highlands, the top choice in 4A, goes looking for its sixth consecutive title and 11th under Dale Mueller.

In 5A, perennial powers Bowling Green and John Hardin head the field.

In 3A, Central is favored to win its fifth title in six years, with Belfry, runner-up three times in the last five years, in the mix again.

In 2A, the coaches like traditional powers Newport Central Catholic and Danville.

In Class A, Mayfield and Beechwood, who own 19 titles between them, are ranked 1-2, with defending champ Hazard on their heels.

(Rankings based on a survey of coaches.)

CLASS 6A

1. Trinity (14-0) Rocks rated among nation's best again

2. St. Xavier (8-5) Tigers' 'A' game based on strong 'D'

3. Scott Co. (14-1) Could be best 6A public school again

4. Eastern (10-3) New coach inherits some D-I talent

5. Ballard (5-7) Bruins have talented skill players

6. Manual (9-3) Battling Trinity, St. X in district

7. Henderson Co. (9-4) Colonels look like best in the west

8. Butler (11-3) Bears capable of repeating 2011 success

9. Lafayette (9-4) Skill and experience on both sides of ball

10. Campbell Co. (9-5) QB Tyler Durham (6-4, 215) leads Camels

CLASS 5A

1. Bowling Green (15-0) Expect defending champs to reload

2. John Hardin (13-1) Bulldogs are 64-6 since 2007

3. Franklin Co. (11-1) Ryan Timmons highest-flying Flyer

4. Warren Central (11-2) QB Michael Bush has name and game

5. Harlan Co. (11-2) Black Bears' muscle gets them in top 10

6. Christian Co. (10-2) Colonels stocked with athletes again

7. Conner (7-6) QB Drew Barker can run it and throw it

8. North Bullitt (10-2) Eagles will get it done on the ground

9. Anderson Co. (12-3) State runner-up will rebuild for playoffs

10. Pulaski Co. (3-8) Look for Maroons to double their win total

CLASS 4A

1. Highlands (15-0) Donovan McCoy moves from WR to QB

2. Lex. Catholic (11-3) Knights have talent, depth, experience

3. Cov. Catholic (10-3) QB Blake Bir at controls for Colonels

4. Boyle Co. (9-4) Rebels again battle LexCath in district

5. Lone Oak (10-3) Jr. QB Cole Ousley has 6,681 yards, 86 TDs

6. Collins (11-3) Titans don't look like 3rd-year program

7. Knox Central (6-4) Jeffrey Canady is a versatile threat

8. Russell Co. (9-2) RB Nick Britt brightest of Lakers' stars

9. Ashland Blazer (9-3) Tomcats clawed to top of district last year

10. Johnson Central (9-3) Life without record-setter J.J. Jude

CLASS 3A

1. Central (12-3) Jackets seek fifth title in six years

2. Belfry (13-2) Philip Haywood's 350 wins top all-time

3. Breathitt Co. (12-1) QB Richard Trent leads Bobcats

4. Bell Co. (11-2) Bobcats on prowl with 14 starters back

5. Pad. Tilghman (10-3) Tornado always has talent, potential

6. Garrard Co. (12-2) Golden Eagles on uptick from last season

7. Monroe Co. (6-6) 17 returning starters ready to rumble

8. Fort Campbell (9-5) Falcons reemerged as contender last year

9. Bourbon Co. (8-4) Kentayvus Hopkins among top RBs in state

10. Corbin (7-5) 47-game district win streak ended last fall

CLASS 2A

1. Newport Cath. (11-2) 'Breds return 15 starters

3. Danville (8-4) Admirals primed to contend again

3. Somerset (9-5) Jumpers have 36 wins in last 3 years

3. Cov. Holy Cross (12-3)Defending champs have leftover talent

5. Owensboro Cath. (12-1) Aces have 'D' to go with potent offense

6. Murray (12-2) Tigers have 12 wins each of last 3 seasons

7. Green Co. (7-4) Dragons have emerged as top-10 program

8. Caldwell Co. (5-6) RB Jaylen Boyd gives Tigers juice

9. Prestonsburg (5-6) Bryson Williams can run it and catch it

10. Lex. Christian (6-7) Eagles should put up plenty of points

CLASS A

1. Mayfield (14-1) LB Jonathan Jackson top enforcer

2. Beechwood (12-2) RB Max Nussbaum is Tigers' go-to guy

3. Hazard (12-2) 'Dogs have made finals 3 of last 4 years

4. Lou. Holy Cross (11-2) Todd Crumbacker takes over as coach

5. Fairview (12-1) Eagles soared with 11 wins in a row last fall

6. Russellville (6-6) Panthers ready to return to glory?

7. Ky. Country Day (9-3) QB Robert Scholtz sparks Bearcats

8. Pikeville (11-3) Look for RB Chase Hall to have big year

9. Frankfort (7-6) WR Aaron Jackson is Panthers' playmaker

10. Williamsburg (9-4) Yellowjackets' offense hard to stop

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/11/22958...rylink=cpy

[RoShamBo]

These are crap. Nice try Fields, but please don't ever do a season preview again.

[Belfry0304]

The Garrard County Golden Lions, not Eagles. I quit reading right there, lol.

[RoShamBo]

The Garrard County Golden Lions, not Eagles. I quit reading right there, lol.

There are three #3 teams in 2A, no #2 team.

[Dumpster Diving]

Lmao at 3A

[BellCoBobcats09]

I'm sorry Bell Co 4th is wrong. After losing only 8 Seniors and 14 starters returning and 22 Seniors this year we should atleast be 2nd.

[BellCoBobcats09]

I think we lost on offense was 3 OG's and 1 RB starters.

[RoShamBo]

^The whole thing is wrong. I feel awkward for having actually read it. Don't take it to heart.

[Strikeout King]

I'm sorry Bell Co 4th is wrong. After losing only 8 Seniors and 14 starters returning and 22 Seniors this year we should atleast be 2nd.

Breathitt, Bell and Belfry all could be at 2, they all return a lot of players from last year's team.

[Norm Peterson]

These are crap. Nice try Fields, but please don't ever do a season preview again.

That is actually the coaches poll. Mike Fields runs it in his preview but the rankings are voted on by the coaches.

[bac2369]

I dont like Beechwood over Hazard in the class A rankings because they lost so much last season but they do return enough to be scary good. Mayfield can be # 1 because they returned quite a bit from last years team and then id put Hazard at 2nd and then Beechwood. Then you could just about rank the rest out in about any order you want.

[RoShamBo]

I wonder which coaches were surveyed, because this list is embarrassing IMO.

[Norm Peterson]

I wonder which coaches were surveyed, because this list is embarrassing IMO.

That's the problem with a lot of coaches polls, especially early in the season. Lots of times the coaches are more focused on their teams and don't take the time to really look at the other teams. The NCAA coaches poll is sometimes a mess as well. No matter who did this poll I agree with you that it sucks.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Ya know, for a few guys around here doing some polls, i think ours always look a lot better than this gabage that these papers put together.

[Hunter/James]

Its all about the politics.

[Backwoods]

5A poll # 10 Pulaski Co. Maroons look to double thier win total.
Doesn't that make them 6-5? I don't think that would be good enough to be #10 in 5A. CRAZY!!!!

[therealdealholyfield]

Mike Fields is No Jody Demling not even close. No connections does not travel to watch kids play clueless....

[RoShamBo]

5A poll # 10 Pulaski Co. Maroons look to double thier win total.
Doesn't that make them 6-5? I don't think that would be good enough to be #10 in 5A. CRAZY!!!!

Exactly what I thought when I read that.