[Objective]

With 6A football being the only class that doesn't really have a mountain contender a case can be made that this could be a great year for the Mountains

5A has Pulaski
4A has unproven Johnson Central on the outside looking in
3A you can make a case for Belfrey, Corbin, and Bell Co (with a chance for a all mountains finals
2A has Middlesboro
1A Pikeville and Williamsburg both have a shot

Who has the best shot ?
Is five out of six possible ?
will 3A have an all Mountains finals ?
Does Pikeville and Williamsburg beat each other up and leave the door open?
Can Pulaski finally climb up to the Highlands ? (pun intended)
Does Johnson Central have anything ?
Middlesboro is loaded with talent but so is 2A football can they make a run ?
Are Bell Co and Corbin good enough ?

Week 6 and the door is still open with a lot of unanswered question maybe more than when the season started when we thought Belfrey was a definite winner, when Williamsburg was the best of the Mountains 1A schools, til Pikeville set our worlds on fire. When Bell was 3 tds better than Middlesboro and Johnson Central was still unproven.

I don't think there is a clear cut favorite but there's a shot for 5 out of 6

[EKUAlum05]

1A... Maybe but Mayfield will be the favorite.
2A... Nope. DeSales and Caldwell are next level right now.
3A... Maybe..Belfry is the slight favorite.
4A.... Nope.
5A.... Doubtful. Pulaski is awesome...but Bowling Green is a monster.
6A... Nope. No teams.

3 is best case and unlikely... 2 is stretching it...one isn't guaranteed.

[EKUAlum05]

My honesty may offend

Who has the best shot ?
Belfry... 3A is really weak this year. Belfry may be the 4th best team in EKY right now but their path is the most ideal.


Is five out of six possible ?
No

Will 3A have an all Mountains finals ?
Highly doubtful...South Warren and Central both appear to be more likely than Corbin/Bell

Does Pikeville and Williamsburg beat each other up and leave the door open?
Mayfield controls that door... I am starting to think both those teams better keep an eye on Raceland

Can Pulaski finally climb up to the Highlands ?
Wrong Class

Does Johnson Central have anything ?
Yes... but what they have I am not sure of. Also Highlands is still the cock of the walk and JC's schedule is doing them no favors to get them ready

Middlesboro is loaded with talent but so is 2A football can they make a run ?
They can make a run to Bowling Green...but I have a hard time seeing nayone in the East 2A staying within 3 TD's of whoever wins Caldwell vs. DeSales (or Murray or CAL for that matter)

Are Bell Co and Corbin good enough ?
To win the title? Probably not. I don't think Bell has the playmakers or team speed. Corbin needed every yard to beat Southwestern...Belfry went on the road and dominated Southwestern in a game that could have been really ugly if not for penalties.

[Eagleland]

1A pikeville and williamsburg can do it
3A belfry can
4A. Johnson central hasnt played anyone. Their opponents record 14-34. I don't think their coach realizes weak district and non district games hurts them in the playoffs. I would completely do away with out of state teams. Also get away from gate money with 6 home games. They say no one will play them. Okay than next season is redistricting. They should reach out to 5a and 6a schools.

[64SUR]

1A yes.....Pikeville and Williamsburg has a shot 1A west is weaker than last year.
2A yes.....Anything possible.
3A yes.....Belfry and Corbin is capable winning 3A
4A yes.....Tough road
5A yes.....Pulaski County passing game anything can happen, Remember the 1st half last year.....Bowling Green is not as good as last year.
6A yes.....When we get a 6A team in Eastern Kentucky nicker:

[mysonis55]

First, let me catch my breath from laughing. Now, 64, I sure hope you guys come to BG thinking you have 1a wrapped up. It will be fun. Next, DeSales is so far out in front in 2a that it's not even funny. 3a, I could see. I really don't pay a lot of attention to 4a, but I don't have to in order to tell that it will most likely be Highlands. 5a, I do really like PC's qb but I don't think they are near the level of BG.

[mysonis55]

I love how 1a is always weak in the west according to 64.

[bucslover68]

No

[Jarons]

No

[pjdoug]

NO!. 1 out of 6 maybe.

[Don Carlo]

1A pikeville and williamsburg can do it
3A belfry can
4A. Johnson central hasnt played anyone. Their opponents record 14-34. I don't think their coach realizes weak district and non district games hurts them in the playoffs. I would completely do away with out of state teams. Also get away from gate money with 6 home games. They say no one will play them. Okay than next season is redistricting. They should reach out to 5a and 6a schools.

If you're that miserable scribe why don't you just stay away? Your not an eagle fan either so quit posing as one.

[RoShamBo]

Since no one is showing them love I guess I'll be the first. Prestonsburg should be the front runner to come out of 2A region 4 at this point. But I could definitely see the winner of region 4 be it Middlesboro, Prestonsburg, or maybe even Danville, representing the East in Bowling Green. But I have to agree with the posters above, DeSales is on another level right now.

[UK#24]

1A .... NO..... Mayfield
2A .... NO..... Christian Academy-Louisville or DeSales
3A .... YES.... Belfry
4A .... NO..... Boyle County or Highlands
5A .... YES.... Pulaski County
6A .... NO CHANCE

I'm saying 2/6.

[realityone]

In a word, no. The best shot for one is 3A with a long shot for 1A

[panther nation]

1a .... Yes...Williamsburg or Pikeville
2a..... No...
3a...... Yes ... Belfry
4a...... No ....
5a ..... Yes .... Pulaski County
6a ..... No .....

I'd give the mountains 3/6

[bac2369]

1a Pikeville, Hazard Williamsburg, Raceland
2a Prestonsburg Middlesboro
3a Belfry,Bell
4a nope. Johnson Central but got to beat Cov Cath and Highlands
5a Pulaski Co
6a No mountain team

[ballboy]

Belfry has a shot and maybe Williamsburg or Pikeville has an outside chance, But for Pulaski, Johnson Central I say NO, Highlands and Covington Catholic just two much for the Golden Eagles. Pulaski could be back in the Finals but Bowling Green has the horsepower to win it maybe even 6A. Belfry has a shot their class is weak but not taking nohing away from them they should be in the semifinals. Williamsburg and Pikeville should be in the regional finals But Mayfield will win class A. As a whole Eastern Kentucky is down in Highschool Football No disrespect to NO one.

[FBfan4life]

Belfry! That's its..

[tvtimeout]

Did Belfry gets its top runningback back? I know he left a few weeks before the Pikeville Game. Also, are there number 2 and 3 backs healed up? It makes a huge difference if those guys can not go. I don't care how weak 3A is without the horses that are needed Central will take it. As far as 1A is concerned, there is Mayfield then everyone else until proven otherwise! 5A is Bowling Green. I like Pulaski and think they will make it back but the Purples got it going on!

[mrknowitball]

a case can be made that this could be a great year for the Mountains

It would be a really, really weak case. 3A maybe, everything else is no shot or long shot.

[jw4914]

Nope....

[Football1987]

Johnson Central won't make it past Covington Catholic. Way too much for JC just like last season.

[PHSForever]

Did Belfry gets its top runningback back? I know he left a few weeks before the Pikeville Game. Also, are there number 2 and 3 backs healed up? It makes a huge difference if those guys can not go. I don't care how weak 3A is without the horses that are needed Central will take it. As far as 1A is concerned, there is Mayfield then everyone else until proven otherwise! 5A is Bowling Green. I like Pulaski and think they will make it back but the Purples got it going on!

Please learn to read other threads. The Joplin kid was NOT their top running back. That was arguably Catron, who went out with a broken collarbone. But he had a grand total of one carry before going down. Their top back is Hatfield, then Xondre Willis and Keaton as of now. The "top rb loss" thing just continues to perpetuate the myth that Belfry was severely short handed against Pikeville and their loss was somehow a fluke. Pikeville controlled the LOS. End of story. But I do hope they get Catron back soon and wish them well the rest of the way.

[Cat Daddy]

I don't think we have a chance to win five championships this year in Bowling Green, but we realistically have a shot to win a couple of titles. Here are my thoughts;

1A:
Pikeville - If they can beat Belfry, they can beat anyone in 1A.

Williamsburg - With advancing to the state title game last year, this group will have the experience this year to make another run at a championship.

2A:
Prestonsburg - Offensively they are as good as anyone in the state in 2A. If their defense keeps improving and they can avoid any costly injuries, they have a shot at pulling off an upset in the finals.

3A:
Belfry - Although they lost to Pikeville, I still feel like Belfry is the team to beat in 3A. They are the champs until someone knocks them off.

Corbin - Coach Haddix has put the excitment back into the Redhound football program, and he has the talent around him to make a serious run at a title.

4A:
I would generally put Johnson Central in this spot, but they haven't played any team who would be deemed "respectable" up to this point in the season, therefore I have no idea how good this team really is.

5A:
Pulaski County - The best team in Eastern Kentucky, hands down. They to gained a lot of experience last year playing in Bowling Green, and I look for them to be able to give Bowling Green all they can handle this year.

[AtlPirateFan]

Did Belfry gets its top runningback back? I know he left a few weeks before the Pikeville Game. Also, are there number 2 and 3 backs healed up? It makes a huge difference if those guys can not go. I don't care how weak 3A is without the horses that are needed Central will take it. As far as 1A is concerned, there is Mayfield then everyone else until proven otherwise! 5A is Bowling Green. I like Pulaski and think they will make it back but the Purples got it going on!

As far as I am aware the top RB, X Willis is healthy and has been all season as is leading rusher FB Austin Hatfield. They lost a Joplin who was the 2 or 3 back on the depth chart but hadn't had much production. Catron who looked bright was hurt early in game 1 of the year and will be back by the playoffs. The rest of their backfield is healthy (3-5 deep) and is currently a RB by committee for the #2 HB spot. If rumors are true Taylor (one of the top 3 athletes on this team) could see some time at H-back in southern ohio this week. All in all Belfry is in good shape and should be fine.

[Tight End]

I never 2nd guess the mountain boys no matter who they play with. Just seems like to me from watching things play out over the years, they are tuffer when called on to be tuff than most of the city type teams (player for player). I know they made the BEST warriors when going to war in studying - reading history. They were the head scouts, the great marksmen and usually strong/savy types. So...mountain boys, prove me wrong!! irateSho

[CentreColonel]

It's a stretch to think 5 out of 6 titles is even possible, but one or two may be conceivable. That's why they play the games though.

[Pantherfan59]

1A- pikeville and Williamsburg. One of those two will be in the championship game. Idk if they can beat Mayfield, but it is possible.

2A- Prestonsburg has an excellent QB and a big line to play with. Middlesboro will make noise also, but won't win state. IMO DeSales has that one all wrapped up.

3A- Belfry has the best shot. I don't tnink Corbin or Bell will win state, but they will play spoiler.

4A- Johnson Central could make it far but it would take a total team effort. Another name to throw in this is Knox Central. Don't think I'm saying this because I'm biased. I don't think Knox will win state, but I do think they could play spoiler. (Boyle).

5A- Pulaski has the best shot in 5A to beat Bowling Green. Best team in the mountains. Also don't forget about North. If they win their district, which is very possible, then they Will make lots of noise in the playoffs. This Notth squad is very talented. They just struggle to put the pieces together. Also throw in Harlan if they rally.

6A- no.

Whether or not a mountain squad wins state, I think it is very easy to see that the mountains will have a HUGE impact on the state playoffs this year. Except for 6A, that is. It's going to be extremely fun watching it all unfold in the coming weeks. Good luck to all teams.

[topnotch]

Yes We Can.