[Scotty_Bronson]

Thoughts? Who will rise to the top? Who are the dark horses? Class A usually has a top 1-3/4 that can compete for the title, but this year looks like Mayfields to lose again with Beachwood, Pikeville, Raceland, Fairview, and Russellville to fight amongst themselves to see who can give themselves a chance to give the Cardinals a run for their money. Many of those teams strengthened their schedules this year. I look for it to be an interesting year in single A. Lots of potential in many teams, just a matter of who steps up and lives up to it all. I do though, believe that this is a good year for a sleeper or dark horse surprise in the state finals.

Here's my preseason Top 9 and team assesments(feel like there is a major drop off after that...):

1 Mayfield:
Defending champ and return a lot of starters from that team, lost RB Jackson, which could be a big loss, but always a lot of talent in Mayfield. Tough schedule as always, we always know by week 5 what kind of Mayfield team we are looking at.

2 Beachwood:
Started putting things together a bit late last year, a good bit of young guys returning. Just depends on who steps up to fill the wholes. History plays a big roll in them being at number 2.

3 Pikeville:
Nearly every player back, were a VERY talented young team last year. Chase Hall came on strong toward the end of last year. They have a tremendous qb tandem, can't recall the names, but they were especially mobile. Look for them to be even better this year. Thought they are younger, their overtime victory against Raceland in the playoffs after being defeated by 40 pts earlier in the season gives them the edge over Raceland in my rankings.

4 Raceland: Have all of their skill guys back, 3 year starter at QB, both leading receivers and a 1,000 yard rusher and a 800 yard rusher in Beach and Litteral. The line is bigger and more experienced this year, with only the center to be replaced. The key for the Rams will be if they can play with some passion, if the seniors can set an example for the underclassmen this year, the next several years in Raceland look very bright. Scheduled Ironton, OH and Bryan Dawson, OH to fill the gaps left by Pikeville and Russell on the schedule. Coupled with Ashland-Blazer and Fairview, it's a good schedule to get an assessment of what the Rams will be early on in the season.

5 Fairview: TBH, it's a toss up for me. We don't really know what Fairview may or not bring in, or WHEN they will bring they will do so. Last year they were an incredible team to watch. I know they have a lot of their line back, which was where they won their 2 big games last year against Raceland and seeing Tanner Dolen run some last year keeps me thinking that Fairview, while they won't be ANY WHERE NEAR to what they were a year ago, they won't go away without a fight. They are a hard nosed bunch, big key for them will be leadership. Their schedule was beefed up with an early Region Semi's rematch on Sept. 20th with Hazard. They also scheduled Bellvue, Lawrence County, and James N Gamble from Cincinatti. Nice to see them put a stronger schedule together.

6 Hazard: Last year lost the Johnson kid at RB/WR/DB and they lost all of their explosiveness. They were a big and physical team last year, but just didn't have enough finesse or speed to keep up with Fairview and barley had enough to defeat Williamsburg. I'm sure they will get things in order this year, it's just a matter if they will have enough speed to compete.

7 Williamsburg: There's ALOT of talk coming out of Williamsburg, much like at Raceland and Pikeville of how much talent and potential they have. Williamsburg, much like Raceland is still battling a monkey on their back. They are always athletic and throw the ball well, their success will depend on the line and what kind of balance they can have with the running game. Their loss to Hazard dropped them to number 7 instead of 6.

8 Frankfort: Last year they were an impressive team to look at. Lots of size and lots of speed. Was surprised when they lost in the playoffs tbh. I thought they were the dark horse to win it all. They have a lot to replace but the Dirty Thirty can't really ever be counted out. Look for them to struggle early on because of their tough schedule, but it will pay off IF THEY CAN STAY HEALTHY through it.

9. Russellville: They gave a lot of teams more than they thought they would last year. They are always a battling and never say die team. I think they could give Mayfield a shock if the Cards aren't ready. Being from that district though, and on the other side of the state, I don't know a whole lot on what they return, just know they were a fairly junior heavy team last year.

thoughts? and please, lets not turn this into a "recruiting" argument....change the record...its old.

[jetpilot]

^^^
Excellent and well thought out post. In fact it is so good the thread can only go down from here haha...seriously, people will have varying opinions but what you wrote is hard to shoot any holes in.

[sportscritic]

Also like Pikeville at the 3rd seed. They can only move up with the transfer of Kash Daniels.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Wasn't he at Paintsville last year? If so, that is a scary thought. I was impressed with his arm strength. His throwing motion needed work, because he didn't use his hips or feet much in his release. But seemed to have a cannon. If that is the same kid, then that opens up Pikevilles ability to throw the ball. He had no time and absolutely no speed or skill guys outside to get the ball to. That being said, if all this is the case and he indeed was the qb at Paintsville last year, then that could very well change my opinion and put Pikeville as the favorite, atleast in my mind, to win the east. The east will be much more competitive than the west. The west will come down to Mayfield and Beechwood with an outside chance of Russellville suprising someone. With Pikeville, Hazard, Raceland, Fairview and an outside shot of Williamsburg out of the east.

[HDE]

I'm sure Pikeville did improve quite a bit, but Williamsburg was much, much better when I saw them both early in the season against Harlan.

[jetpilot]

I'm sure Pikeville did improve quite a bit, but Williamsburg was much, much better when I saw them both early in the season against Harlan.

Pikeville reversed a 40 point loss to Raceland early in the year with a playoff win. Williamsburg was not better than Pikeville in the postseason and lost a lot more to graduation.

[64SUR]

I wish you all the best this season Williamsburgs wins the east.forth smallest school in the state.let's play ball. :1:

[sportscritic]

I think Williamsburg is good, but Pikeville plays top notch competition year in and year out. That's why 40 point turnaround happens. Kash will give Pikeville more options. This is a great year to get on Pikeville's bandwagon. Pikeville has great leadership with Chase and Austin and enough young athletes to be dangerous.

[HDE]

I agree Williamsburg's schedule isn't that tough, but I expected to see some impressive wins for Pikeville when I looked at the schedule.
You guys are ripping Williamsburg and you have wins over Powell County, South Floyd, Phelps, Allen Central, Shelby Valley and Paintsville.
So, one nice overtime win over Raceland means you're No. 3 in the state?

[Scotty_Bronson]

I agree Williamsburg's schedule isn't that tough, but I expected to see some impressive wins for Pikeville when I looked at the schedule.
You guys are ripping Williamsburg and you have wins over Powell County, South Floyd, Phelps, Allen Central, Shelby Valley and Paintsville.
So, one nice overtime win over Raceland means you're No. 3 in the state?

We are all looking at what teams return from last year, what transfers have been attained or coaching changes have been made, as well as strength of schedule. All these things considered, i believe That IF the panthers put it all together then they are the favorite in the East with Raceland, Hazard, Williamsburg, Fairview having a say in things as well. It will all come down to whom will step up and work and not buy into the hype.

State yOur opinion as well. If facts arent given already, give them.

[Big Five-0-]

No doubt, there are some very good teams in class 1-A representing the east this upcoming season.
going to be very interesting by playoff time. Imo, Scotty Bronson did a good job with his top 9 assessments. Taking in consideration what Pikeville returns and with QB. Kash transferring in, this has to be one of the most talented teams the Panthers have fielded in a LONG time. Got to take a lot of factors in consideration before practice even starts, but just the talent factor makes them a scary team this season.

[Spud6]

I look for Pikeville to make a deep run in the playoffs like always, but I look for them to make an even deeper run this season. This team has talent shining everywhere.

[jetpilot]

I agree Williamsburg's schedule isn't that tough, but I expected to see some impressive wins for Pikeville when I looked at the schedule.
You guys are ripping Williamsburg and you have wins over Powell County, South Floyd, Phelps, Allen Central, Shelby Valley and Paintsville.
So, one nice overtime win over Raceland means you're No. 3 in the state?

Nobody ripped Williamsburg.

[HDE]

Someone had Williamsburg as having an "outside shot" in the east.
Like I said, Williamsburg looked a lot better than Pikeville when I saw them. I don't know if one impressive win makes this the best Pikeville team in a long time. I've seen a lot of Pikeville teams and the one last year had a long, long way to go.

[jetpilot]

Someone had Williamsburg as having an "outside shot" in the east.
Like I said, Williamsburg looked a lot better than Pikeville when I saw them. I don't know if one impressive win makes this the best Pikeville team in a long time. I've seen a lot of Pikeville teams and the one last year had a long, long way to go.

And they went a long long way from when you saw them in August. If you are going by August of last year, of course you don't know how good Pikeville will be this year. You do realize they had freshmen and sophomores all over the field don't you. Pikeville is loaded, period.

[bac2369]

I like Bronson's thinking .. So im going to throw my two cents in

1 mayfield- champs until beaten
2 beechwood- history says all
3 Pikeville- bc they have proven to win the big game
4 raceland- returns everyone but until they show they can win the big game there below Pikeville
5 Williamsburg- loaded with talent and I like there chances this year to win it
6 fairview- never know who will be there
7 hazard- young but defense is the key n get a young offense going.
8 Frankfort solid team but can't win the big game
9 Russellville- has a shot to challenge mayfield.
10 holy cross (Lou) a year older

[HDE]

I think Williamsburg is better.
I've seen lots of loaded Pikeville teams, but last year's team wasn't one of them. I'd be surprised if they improved that much. Again, it was only ONE quality win last year.

[jetpilot]

I think Williamsburg is better.
I've seen lots of loaded Pikeville teams, but last year's team wasn't one of them. I'd be surprised if they improved that much. Again, it was only ONE quality win last year.

I didn't say Pikeville was loaded last year, I said this year!
And you clearly don't know the difference between August and November of the same season, so I don't expect you to understand how much better Pikeville will be in Nov of this season than they were in Week 0 of last season. Opinions will differ, but we shall see.

[jetpilot]

BTW, Williamsburg had zero quality wins. Harlan turned out to be a major bust and the other teams they beat were horrible.

[HDE]

Pikeville reversed a 40 point loss to Raceland early in the year with a playoff win. Williamsburg was not better than Pikeville in the postseason and lost a lot more to graduation.

I don't know the difference between August and November and my math isn't good either.
The rosters I saw had Pikeville with five seniors and Williamsburg with five seniors.

[HDE]

BTW, Williamsburg had zero quality wins. Harlan turned out to be a major bust and the other teams they beat were horrible.

Harlan isn't a quality win and yet they beat Pikeville by 20.
Even if that's right though, it's only one quality win compared to none. Both districts are really bad. You disagree that the teams Pikeville beat (except for Raceland) were also horrible?

[jetpilot]

Harlan isn't a quality win and yet they beat Pikeville by 20.
Even if that's right though, it's only one quality win compared to none. Both districts are really bad. You disagree that the teams Pikeville beat (except for Raceland) were also horrible?

Again, you are stuck in Week 0. Pikeville played a much tougher schedule and it paid off...they grew up and improved a ton. Williamsburg played a very weak schedule, there is no indication they improved during the course of the season, and they exited the playoffs earlier than the hype was predicting. Nothing against Williamsburg, I like their team, but it's a fact that they will have to crank it up a notch to beat any of the teams Scotty has ranked above them. And Scotty is a Raceland fan, btw...Since you don't believe me, maybe he can explain the difference between August Pikeville and November Pikeville...

[Scotty_Bronson]

The two games against Pikeville differed greatly for many reasons. They had a few guys out in the first match up and Chase Hall has always seemed to be a little week until he hits week 3 or 4. He is a cold weather player. They also hadnt installed the dual qb system yet. And Raceland played like a team with a chip on their shoulder that night, trying to avenge the 22-20 loss from the year prior and then the blow out in the playoffs that same season. Beating them by 40 pts was another contributing factor to the playoff loss. Tbh, Raceland never truly recovered from the two losses in the regular season.

I think it was mainly cause by the fact that they beat themselves. They had 8 or 9 turnovers at ashland 4 on drives that we should have scored on but gave the ball away instead. It was 22-19 at half time, then we got blown out. Fairview was a similar situation, turnovers and a loss of Daylen Beach lossed that game.

Pikeville improved vastly. Primarily within their run defense. They caught a fairly young Raceland team over looking them toward a rematch with Fairview, Raceland got caught off gaurd by their improvement and never really got in rhythm. Pikeville was and IS a great football team. With their additions, they will be even more of a tough out.

And idk about anyone else, but my reasoning behind my disbelief in Wburg is this. Since the realignment Williamsburg and Cville have traded places on who wins the district, much like Fairview and Raceland in ours. But each year its been someone from either our district or Pikevilles district that moves on. Its been awhile since Wburg has done nething other than exit after the 2nd round.

[Scotty_Bronson]

Does anyone know what all Fairview will field this year? What they lost and HAS come in(no rumors please) i stated in the beginning what raceland has, which is more numbers, more frosh n soph that r game ready and that freshman class is special, but i dnt believe ne transfers r a factor this year for the rams, as for fairview idk. I am just curious as to who they lost, who is coming back, and shat they will do to replace the 3 headed monster.

[EKUAlum05]

Harlan isn't a quality win and yet they beat Pikeville by 20.
Even if that's right though, it's only one quality win compared to none. Both districts are really bad. You disagree that the teams Pikeville beat (except for Raceland) were also horrible?

I think your argument is a bit of a stretch. Everyone knew Pikeville was one of the, if not the, youngest teams in 1A last season. Against Harlan you had a young QB making his first ever start and he looked every bit the part, panicking at times and constantly missing wide open WR's with the slightest bit of pressure. It also didn't help he had a young Line which couldn't block a soul. Harlan, OTOH, had a good bit of experience and a QB who had seemed like he had been playing there for 6 years.

Pikeville's District IS awful. Noone can dispute that, noone will dispute that Raceland was their only quality win as well. To overlook a Pikeville schedule where they played two top shelf teams (Belfry and Swain County)and played up in class 3 times (Powell County, Shelby Valley, and Sheldon Clark), and took on a Raceland team who was clearly one of the Top 6 or 7 1A teams... and not acknowledge that it is expected a team as young as Pikeville would mature significantly faster doing this... is fallible logic. Pikeville didn't win those games, but they played three teams who were on a completely different level than anyone Williamsburg faced in the regular season. Include their playoff run and I would venture to say Pikeville's 5 Top Opponents were all better than W-burg's top opponent (Hazard)

Pikeville is the team I follow probably the 2nd closest outside of Belfry and I will root for the Panthers to do well when they are not playing Belfry. The difference between Pikeville in Week 0 and Pikeville in Week 4 was substantial. Pikeville operated much more smoothly on offense and the line finally was hitting their assignments.

The Difference between Week 4 and Week 11 was even more night and day. Pikeville went from a team who was showing continuity and confidence on offense, to a team who truly was clicking with three legit playmakers. Charles became a much more confident QB, ran the offense better, and through his confidence suddenly became a threat with his feet. Early in the season he was no offensive threat at all. Defensively, they improved substantially.

[Scotty_Bronson]

One thing about Pikeville that impressed me is what worries me about the Raceland team. As soon as Pikeville scored their 2nd td in the playoff win over Raceland, they started showing passion. Last years Raceland team ALWAYS seemed flat. Even against Fairview, even when thy were dominating people. Raceland has the speed, size, tallent, veterans, and NUMBERS this year to make it the best season/team in RWHS history, but if they dont add, ATTITUDE AND DETERMINATION to win at all costs, it will again be a disapointing season. There is something to be said for teams who play a bit gritty. Play with in the rules, but if u can hold inside the numbers, hold inside the numbers, tell the opposing guy u will knock him on his back...then proceed to due so. Raceland has lost some of that on the field in recent years. Play with pride and respect, but dont go out there the better team and lose because u get pushed around. Pikeville was the only team that truly beat us and we didnt contribute to their victory with a bunch of turnovers.

[64SUR]

I agree Williamsburg's schedule isn't that tough, but I expected to see some impressive wins for Pikeville when I looked at the schedule.
You guys are ripping Williamsburg and you have wins over Powell County, South Floyd, Phelps, Allen Central, Shelby Valley and Paintsville.
So, one nice overtime win over Raceland means you're No. 3 in the state?

:howdy: keep your eyes on the score board this year our schedule is just as tough as anybody in 1a in the east will prepare us better for playoff.against them dang hazard bulldogs. hazard has my respects. untill then pikeville, raceland and fairview go at it.meet you all in williamsburgs moke:

[HDE]

The two games against Pikeville differed greatly for many reasons. They had a few guys out in the first match up and Chase Hall has always seemed to be a little week until he hits week 3 or 4. He is a cold weather player. They also hadnt installed the dual qb system yet. And Raceland played like a team with a chip on their shoulder that night, trying to avenge the 22-20 loss from the year prior and then the blow out in the playoffs that same season. Beating them by 40 pts was another contributing factor to the playoff loss. Tbh, Raceland never truly recovered from the two losses in the regular season.

I think it was mainly cause by the fact that they beat themselves. They had 8 or 9 turnovers at ashland 4 on drives that we should have scored on but gave the ball away instead. It was 22-19 at half time, then we got blown out. Fairview was a similar situation, turnovers and a loss of Daylen Beach lossed that game.

Pikeville improved vastly. Primarily within their run defense. They caught a fairly young Raceland team over looking them toward a rematch with Fairview, Raceland got caught off gaurd by their improvement and never really got in rhythm. Pikeville was and IS a great football team. With their additions, they will be even more of a tough out.

And idk about anyone else, but my reasoning behind my disbelief in Wburg is this. Since the realignment Williamsburg and Cville have traded places on who wins the district, much like Fairview and Raceland in ours. But each year its been someone from either our district or Pikevilles district that moves on. Its been awhile since Wburg has done nething other than exit after the 2nd round.

The Pikeville fans believe it's unfair to use the early season struggles from last year as a gauge for their team, yet Williamsburg's postseason struggles from past years are used against them.
I've watched Williamsburg play for many years, and I thought their team last season was the best I've seen and most of those guys were juniors. I expect Williamsburg to make it to the state finals, and I have no allegiance or connection to Williamsburg in any way. A 7-0 loss to the defending state champions is hardly a reason to write Williamsburg off as a team that can't win the big game.

[jetpilot]

The Pikeville fans believe it's unfair to use the early season struggles from last year as a gauge for their team, yet Williamsburg's postseason struggles from past years are used against them.
I've watched Williamsburg play for many years, and I thought their team last season was the best I've seen and most of those guys were juniors. I expect Williamsburg to make it to the state finals, and I have no allegiance or connection to Williamsburg in any way. A 7-0 loss to the defending state champions is hardly a reason to write Williamsburg off as a team that can't win the big game.

Hazard got dismantled by Fairview the following week so hanging your hat on that won't get you very far.

[#1 Blackcat Fan]

Hazard got dismantled by Fairview the following week so hanging your hat on that won't get you very far.

nicker: