[16 special]

Now that we are in the new year let's get going. 4A will without a doubt be the most competitive class in the state again next year. Cov Cath returns a lot of production. Highlands reclasses after a semi-final appearance in 5A to give them a run in that district. Boyle County is on a revenge tour after their untimely exit from the playoffs in 2024. Franklin County returns every player that scored in the state finals but has some holes to fill on the defense that carried them through the playoffs. Corbin has a strong group coming back, but have to replace Mr. Everything QB Elam. Johnson Central and Ashland should still be strong in the far east of 4A. And let's not forget the defending 4A champ in Paducah Tilghman that return starting RB Wilson and young phenom Thompson. North Oldham looks to make some noise under third year HC Brock Roberts as he returns QB and big time target in Tompkins. The East is a gauntlet, there is no question about that with 6 teams that can theoretically make the big game at Kroger. Has the West closed that gap with the unlikely all west state final last year? Or was that a fluke and the East are still kings?

---

Now that we are in the new year let's get going. 4A will without a doubt be the most competitive class in the state again next year. Cov Cath returns a lot of production. Highlands reclasses after a semi-final appearance in 5A to give them a run in that district. Boyle County is on a revenge tour after their untimely exit from the playoffs in 2024. Franklin County returns every player that scored in the state finals but has some holes to fill on the defense that carried them through the playoffs. Corbin has a strong group coming back, but have to replace Mr. Everything QB Elam. Johnson Central and Ashland should still be strong in the far east of 4A. And let's not forget the defending 4A champ in Paducah Tilghman that return starting RB Wilson and young phenom Thompson. North Oldham looks to make some noise under third year HC Brock Roberts as he returns QB and big time target in Tompkins. The East is a gauntlet, there is no question about that with 6 teams that can theoretically make the big game at Kroger. Has the West closed that gap with the unlikely all west state final last year? Or was that a fluke and the East are still kings?

Also, who are some of the other front runners and who is most likely to make the trip to Lexington?

[King Kong]

Agreed,  the usual contenders will be right there and have their say. 

Is it this year that Highlands makes their way into 4a?  If so throw them into the mix of contenders.

[FromTheBleachers95]

I think we may see Highlands back in the picture.

[16 special]

District prediction (Seeding via half of state)
1 Paducah Tilghman (1)
2 John Hardin (2)
3 North Oldham (4)
4 Franklin County (3)

5 Covington Catholic (1)
6 Johnson Central (4)
7 Boyle County (3)
8 Corbin (2)

[UK1]

Cov Cath returns their QB and a few other skill guys. Not sure what else they return but that is a pretty good start. He put up 234 rushing yards in a win against Boyle and 164 yards in state semifinal loss. He has to be the best returning player for any of the teams listed above in 4A. Their QB and RB both return and averaged about 10 yards per carry. All the 4A teams going to have to figure out how to stop these guys as seniors when they had a hard time stopping them as juniors.

[Footballfan33]

Highlands will be tough next year in 4A. Corbin will have the best defensive player in the State in Malachi. Covington Catholic has that stud QB back, Franklin County will be good also. Boyle loses a lot but will be a contender. Boyle plays Saint X, Bullitt East, LCA, Ballard, Highlands, and Douglass. That's a tough schedule.

[16 special]

I do see Cov Cath being the team to beat next year. Those 2 in their backfield are absolute DUDES. The east is a gauntlet more so for regions 5 and 6 as 2 of the 4 teams of jc ashland, cov cath and highlands will go out round 2.

[Bull got out!]

I have been thinking about 4A myself after watching the playoffs and I am thinking like this, I think Franklin County will come into next season as the preseason #1 team in 4A based on what I seen this year. They have added coaches, they have added a team mentality of no quit. Franklin County was in the ballgame to the wire against Paducah Tilghman and if they would have connected on some wide open plays that didn't go for touchdowns then you may have saw Franklin County holding the trophy this year. 

My next team is Covington Catholic. I think you could be safe putting either Covington Catholic or Franklin County at the top spot. Only reason I would give Franklin County the edge is they won this years matchup that also could have went either way. Covington Catholic brings back a QB that will make the rest of 4A live hard. 

After those 2 teams it's going to be really interesting with the rest of the top of 4A being Corbin, Boyle and Paducah Tilghman and Ashland as well as Johnson Central. You could put all those teams in a blender, and you will get a contender no matter who spills out. 

[Old School Hound]

As long as I get to stand at the gate to Campbell Field and watch the Blue F-0's get off their buses, I will be a happy camper. Can't wait to greet them with my signs !!! :)

[Bull got out!]

I think Paducah Tilghman and Ashland will be the 7th and 8th teams IMO. I think the 3rd through 5th spots will be Corbin, Boyle and Johnson Central. I added Highlands to the 6th spot. Taking a wild guess way too early. 

1. Franklin County
2. Covington Catholic
3. Corbin 
4. Johnson Central 
5. Boyle County *
6. Highlands .........................I completely forgot about Highlands being in 4A for 2025. 
7. Paducah Tilghman *
8. Ashland *

* Heavy Graduation in key positions, will take a few games to see what they are holding IMO... may be higher or lower.

[Upnorth]

Johnson central will lose nearly half their offense when they graduate McCourt. It’s going to be hard for them to replace that. Good news is they return most their line. Might want to scrap the whole defense and start from scratch though.

[Bull got out!]

Johnson central will lose nearly half their offense when they graduate McCourt. It’s going to be hard for them to replace that. Good news is they return most their line. Might want to scrap the whole defense and start from scratch though.

I may be wrong, but JC brings back the running back that looked really good against Ashland. I also was under the impression that they had some good underclassmen coming up.

[Upnorth]

Johnson central will lose nearly half their offense when they graduate McCourt. It’s going to be hard for them to replace that. Good news is they return most their line. Might want to scrap the whole defense and start from scratch though.

I may be wrong, but JC brings back the running back that looked really good against Ashland. I also was under the impression that they had some good underclassmen coming up.

They bring back Music who is very good. But he isn’t capable of running the ball 20-30 times a game. He has been injury prone and is not built like McCourt to take that beating.  They have some good upcoming Sophomores and Juniors but haven’t ran the ball much since middle school so they are a big question mark.

[Hoot Gibson]

Johnson central will lose nearly half their offense when they graduate McCourt. It’s going to be hard for them to replace that. Good news is they return most their line. Might want to scrap the whole defense and start from scratch though.

I may be wrong, but JC brings back the running back that looked really good against Ashland. I also was under the impression that they had some good underclassmen coming up.

You are not wrong, Bull. JC returns their starting fullback, Logan Morrow, starting running back Logan Music, and three young running backs who played well in limited action last season. I was very impressed with freshmen running back Brennon Daniels last season. Starting quarterback Austin Alone also returns this fall. 

Dalton Matney is also very capable at quarterback, fullback, and running back positions, if needed, so JC will have experience and some depth in the backfield next season.

[Bull got out!]

District prediction (Seeding via half of state)
1 Paducah Tilghman (1)
2 John Hardin (2)
3 North Oldham (4)
4 Franklin County (3)

5 Covington Catholic (1)
6 Johnson Central (4)
7 Boyle County (3)
8 Corbin (2)

Just looking at the 5th through 8 districts, I agree. I think Ashland graduates a large class. Also, I think Covington Catholic handles Highlands this year in that District. Now what that will do for down the road is make a big game between Highlands and Johnson Central if Covington Catholic and Johnson Central win the normal district games. I think this year's 4A East will be about as close as it's been in a while and will continue to be that way for a couple of years.

[Old School Hound]

If Corbin had Elam coming back I would feel comfortable putting them head and shoulders above the competition. However, that stud is a hard dude to replace. I look for the Hounds to be fine with Mr Salmons or Mr Estep.

Bull, what do you think? If Kid Elam was back for another year would Corbin run the table?

[UK1]

I think Paducah Tilghman and Ashland will be the 7th and 8th teams IMO. I think the 3rd through 5th spots will be Corbin, Boyle and Johnson Central. I added Highlands to the 6th spot. Taking a wild guess way too early. 

1. Franklin County
2. Covington Catholic
3. Corbin 
4. Johnson Central 
5. Boyle County *
6. Highlands .........................I completely forgot about Highlands being in 4A for 2025. 
7. Paducah Tilghman *
8. Ashland *

* Heavy Graduation in key positions, will take a few games to see what they are holding IMO... may be higher or lower.

I agree with this for the most part.  Crazy to see Boyle 5th.  I do think with what Franklin and Cov Cath having coming back they should be top two.  3-7 are interesting as to where they will really be next year.

[Bull got out!]

If Corbin had Elam coming back I would feel comfortable putting them head and shoulders above the competition. However, that stud is a hard dude to replace. I look for the Hounds to be fine with Mr Salmons or Mr Estep. 

Bull, what do you think?  If Kid Elam was back for another year would Corbin run the table?

I think Corbin is in good hands with Salmons. Salmons is a good dude. Saying that, he will bring back a talented team in 2025 and has some nice pieces to work with. Based on the film I saw on Salmon's boy as QB, he will come in fine if he wins the position. Corbin has a host of talented athletes that can come right in and make hay. As far as Elam for another year, no doubt with all the heavy graduation that most the teams has had other than Franklin County and Covington Catholic, you would absolutely have to put Corbin as the top team but thats playing with a big if. But its not happening and therefore I cant put Corbin as the top team over Franklin County and Covington Catholic. Corbin can no doubt play with either of these teams. Have in the past and will this year also.

[Bull got out!]

I think Paducah Tilghman and Ashland will be the 7th and 8th teams IMO. I think the 3rd through 5th spots will be Corbin, Boyle and Johnson Central. I added Highlands to the 6th spot. Taking a wild guess way too early. 

1. Franklin County
2. Covington Catholic
3. Corbin 
4. Johnson Central 
5. Boyle County *
6. Highlands .........................I completely forgot about Highlands being in 4A for 2025. 
7. Paducah Tilghman *
8. Ashland *

* Heavy Graduation in key positions, will take a few games to see what they are holding IMO... may be higher or lower.

I agree with this for the most part.  Crazy to see Boyle 5th.  I do think with what Franklin and Cov Cath having coming back they should be top two.  3-7 are interesting as to where they will really be next year.

I was hoping to get some good debate with the Boyle crowd by putting them at 5th spot but looks like the weather has them all drinking hot chocolate and bundled watching College football playoffs. But Boyle will be fine. If I know Haddix, he will use this as motivation to get his team fired up and Boyle will be a mystery till, we see them for real on the turf. I do know they have a stacked amount of talent coming up and by no means is the cup bare in Danville. I think Boyle easily can still become the team to beat in 2025 by seasons end. I have not seen a Haddix coached team be an easy out and they won't be this year either. He has put some hefty opponents on his schedule for this coming year. But just for fun, I put them at 5th. No way, blind folded I could have put them at 1, 2, 3. Possibly the 4 spot but by week 10, lets see what they look like.    I do expect a dog fight from all these teams for this coming year. I think Boyle, Highlands, Corbin, Johnson Central, Franklin County and Covington Catholic will be wars when we see these teams face one another. Last season, 4A had some of the best football games to watch that I had witnessed yet. Coming down to the wire. So Expect no different for 2025.

[Old School Hound]

If Corbin had Elam coming back I would feel comfortable putting them head and shoulders above the competition. However, that stud is a hard dude to replace. I look for the Hounds to be fine with Mr Salmons or Mr Estep. 

Bull, what do you think?  If Kid Elam was back for another year would Corbin run the table?

I think Corbin is in good hands with Salmons. Salmons is a good dude. Saying that, he will bring back a talented team in 2025 and has some nice pieces to work with. Based on the film I saw on Salmon's boy as QB, he will come in fine if he wins the position. Corbin has a host of talented athletes that can come right in and make hay. As far as Elam for another year, no doubt with all the heavy graduation that most the teams has had other than Franklin County and Covington Catholic, you would absolutely have to put Corbin as the top team but thats playing with a big if. But its not happening and therefore I cant put Corbin as the top team over Franklin County and Covington Catholic. Corbin can no doubt play with either of these teams. Have in the past and will this year also.

Kid Salmons is a flat out talented football player. His first position is QB. Last season with Elam as QB, they moved him to a defensive back and he was a star there. Hard, hard hitter. This kid's a ballplayer. I've seen him throw  40 and 50 yd dimes at QB.

[Bull got out!]

One thing I like about Corbin right now is the mentality of the team. They are not about themselves; they are playing for each other. That is a direction that Salmons has implemented immediately. I broke down the film the way I look at it this past year and honestly Corbin looked good by season end. The biggest thing about winning football is winning the minds of the team. Salmons keeps doing that and those kids will run through a wall for him. I think Corbin will have another very good season this coming year and may look different from the past few years without Elam. Elam is a once in a lifetime QB. Not throwing any shade at any other QB, its just he was special to watch. I think one thing to keep in mind is what Covington Catholic did last season. They also graduated a ton of talent. Went back to work and no one honestly gave them much of a chance to beat Boyle at Boyle. So I credit the coach at Covington Catholic with putting the no quit attitude in his team and having them prepared for battle. Thats why I like 4A East. Now with added teams in the East districts, 2cd round, 3rd round, 4th round, 5th round games is just fun to watch. With 4A having so many well coached teams and also games coming down to the wire will make for some hard predictions come playoffs. So like Covington Catholic with a no quit attituded, Salmons seems to be doing the same thing with Corbin at the moment.

[Old School Hound]

One thing I like about Corbin right now is the mentality of the team. They are not about themselves; they are playing for each other. That is a direction that Salmons has implemented immediately. I broke down the film the way I look at it this past year and honestly Corbin looked good by season end. The biggest thing about winning football is winning the minds of the team. Salmons keeps doing that and those kids will run through a wall for him. I think Corbin will have another very good season this coming year and may look different from the past few years without Elam. Elam is a once in a lifetime QB. Not throwing any shade at any other QB, its just he was special to watch. I think one thing to keep in mind is what Covington Catholic did last season. They also graduated a ton of talent. Went back to work and no one honestly gave them much of a chance to beat Boyle at Boyle. So I credit the coach at Covington Catholic with putting the no quit attitude in his team and having them prepared for battle. Thats why I like 4A East. Now with added teams in the East districts, 2cd round, 3rd round, 4th round, 5th round games is just fun to watch. With 4A having so many well coached teams and also games coming down to the wire will make for some hard predictions come playoffs. So like Covington Catholic with a no quit attituded, Salmons seems to be doing the same thing with Corbin at the moment.

Bull , I saw this past summer what you are talking about in your above post. I saw two of the Corbin kids at a restaurant. They had just come from practice. This was just before the hire. I asked them what they thought of the team's chances this season. They were not overly enthusiastic about their chances. They told me they thought they would be okay, but nothing like the previous year. They talked about seeing Haddix around campus and thinking he was gonna be the next coach. I could tell they were disappointed when that didn't pan out.

I saw these same two kids come into the same restaurant exactly two weeks later. Salmons had just recently been announced as the new coach. These two youngsters had a totally different mindset from just two weeks prior. They were enthused, said they loved their new coach, and said they thought the team was going to be very good . The change in these two kids psyche was dramatic in just a few short days. They had completely bought in to what their new coach was selling. I knew, at that point, they were going to have a much better than expected season. And they did. I give Salmons a A- on his initial campaign at Corbin. The only reason for the minus is how the second half of the last game went down.

[BEChargers]

I think Paducah Tilghman and Ashland will be the 7th and 8th teams IMO. I think the 3rd through 5th spots will be Corbin, Boyle and Johnson Central. I added Highlands to the 6th spot. Taking a wild guess way too early. 

1. Franklin County
2. Covington Catholic
3. Corbin 
4. Johnson Central 
5. Boyle County *
6. Highlands .........................I completely forgot about Highlands being in 4A for 2025. 
7. Paducah Tilghman *
8. Ashland *

* Heavy Graduation in key positions, will take a few games to see what they are holding IMO... may be higher or lower.

I agree with this for the most part.  Crazy to see Boyle 5th.  I do think with what Franklin and Cov Cath having coming back they should be top two.  3-7 are interesting as to where they will really be next year.

I was hoping to get some good debate with the Boyle crowd by putting them at 5th spot but looks like the weather has them all drinking hot chocolate and bundled watching College football playoffs. But Boyle will be fine. If I know Haddix, he will use this as motivation to get his team fired up and Boyle will be a mystery till, we see them for real on the turf. I do know they have a stacked amount of talent coming up and by no means is the cup bare in Danville. I think Boyle easily can still become the team to beat in 2025 by seasons end. I have not seen a Haddix coached team be an easy out and they won't be this year either. He has put some hefty opponents on his schedule for this coming year. But just for fun, I put them at 5th. No way, blind folded I could have put them at 1, 2, 3. Possibly the 4 spot but by week 10, lets see what they look like.    I do expect a dog fight from all these teams for this coming year. I think Boyle, Highlands, Corbin, Johnson Central, Franklin County and Covington Catholic will be wars when we see these teams face one another. Last season, 4A had some of the best football games to watch that I had witnessed yet. Coming down to the wire. So Expect no different for 2025.

Will be interesting to see the identity of the Rebels next year.  Haddix will get the ball up and down the field.  Just how will be interesting to see.  Boyle does have some talent ready to step in.  Seneca Driver, TE class of '27 just received two more offers this week from Missouri and Wisconsin.  I expect him to used quite a bit more the next two seasons.  I'm more concerned about the Rebel defense.  I think the defense will determine how deep the Rebels go in next years playoffs.

[Bull got out!]

District prediction (Seeding via half of state)
1 Paducah Tilghman (1)
2 John Hardin (2)
3 North Oldham (4)
4 Franklin County (3)

5 Covington Catholic (1)
6 Johnson Central (4)
7 Boyle County (3)
8 Corbin (2)

As for John Hardin and North Oldham, do they bring back a good majority of last years production on the team. No doubt they may make some noise in 2025.

[King Kong]

I think Paducah Tilghman and Ashland will be the 7th and 8th teams IMO. I think the 3rd through 5th spots will be Corbin, Boyle and Johnson Central. I added Highlands to the 6th spot. Taking a wild guess way too early. 

1. Franklin County
2. Covington Catholic
3. Corbin 
4. Johnson Central 
5. Boyle County *
6. Highlands .........................I completely forgot about Highlands being in 4A for 2025. 
7. Paducah Tilghman *
8. Ashland *

* Heavy Graduation in key positions, will take a few games to see what they are holding IMO... may be higher or lower.

I agree with this for the most part.  Crazy to see Boyle 5th.  I do think with what Franklin and Cov Cath having coming back they should be top two.  3-7 are interesting as to where they will really be next year.

I was hoping to get some good debate with the Boyle crowd by putting them at 5th spot but looks like the weather has them all drinking hot chocolate and bundled watching College football playoffs. But Boyle will be fine. If I know Haddix, he will use this as motivation to get his team fired up and Boyle will be a mystery till, we see them for real on the turf. I do know they have a stacked amount of talent coming up and by no means is the cup bare in Danville. I think Boyle easily can still become the team to beat in 2025 by seasons end. I have not seen a Haddix coached team be an easy out and they won't be this year either. He has put some hefty opponents on his schedule for this coming year. But just for fun, I put them at 5th. No way, blind folded I could have put them at 1, 2, 3. Possibly the 4 spot but by week 10, lets see what they look like.    I do expect a dog fight from all these teams for this coming year. I think Boyle, Highlands, Corbin, Johnson Central, Franklin County and Covington Catholic will be wars when we see these teams face one another. Last season, 4A had some of the best football games to watch that I had witnessed yet. Coming down to the wire. So Expect no different for 2025.

Will be interesting to see the identity of the Rebels next year.  Haddix will get the ball up and down the field.  Just how will be interesting to see.  Boyle does have some talent ready to step in.  Seneca Driver, TE class of '27 just received two more offers this week from Missouri and Wisconsin.  I expect him to used quite a bit more the next two seasons.  I'm more concerned about the Rebel defense.  I think the defense will determine how deep the Rebels go in next years playoffs.

Congrats to the young man for getting those offers.  Those are some big time offers!

[16 special]

District prediction (Seeding via half of state)
1 Paducah Tilghman (1)
2 John Hardin (2)
3 North Oldham (4)
4 Franklin County (3)

5 Covington Catholic (1)
6 Johnson Central (4)
7 Boyle County (3)
8 Corbin (2)

As for John Hardin and North Oldham, do they bring back a good majority of last years production on the team. No doubt they may make some noise in 2025.

Their districts are terrible and they are head and shoulders above everyone else in their districts. That said, JH returns state leading rusher. NO returns their qb and a few of their top receivers. Spencer county can beat North oldham in the second round and the 2 from district 1 could possibly beat John Hardin. I was just going by district winners and where they would fall in the RPI.

[Future]

After doing some research. I think Taylor County will have a strong team in the district with John Hardin. Elizabethtown is a mystery. It looks like John Hardin returns quite a bit. Pittman at running back must be pretty dynamic. Looks like they return QB, tight end 3 or 4 starting offensive lineman. One interesting score i noticed is that John Hardin beat Desales pretty soundly in week 11 and then Desales beat North Oldham pretty soundly in round 2. I am not sure that matters but it just was interesting. Of course John Hardin ran in to the state champs in round 2 and wasn't ready for that. So I would guess John Hardin and Taylor county should be around top 10 ish to start the season. It looks like Elizabethtown lost most of their offensive production. They had 18 or 19 seniors on the KHSAA scoreboard. District one will still be PT to lose and then maybe the next 3 could be in any order. John Hardin beat Warren East in round 1 in a shoot out last year. Not sure what ACS, WE, FS all return. I also am not sure if where Logan County fits in that picture. Those teams seem to go back and forth in that district.

[truebluefan89]

As long as I get to stand at the gate to Campbell Field and watch the Blue F-0's get off their buses, I will be a happy camper. Can't wait to greet them with my signs !!! :)

Glad to hear we are still living rent-free in your mind. If you would like to see the 4A state championship trophy just stop by Paducah Tilghman high School.

[Old School Hound]

As long as I get to stand at the gate to Campbell Field and watch the Blue F-0's get off their buses, I will be a happy camper.  Can't wait to greet them with my signs !!! 

Glad to hear we are still living rent-free in your mind. If you would like to see the 4A state championship trophy just stop by Paducah Tilghman high School.

It's a fraudulent trophy.  The Boyle County Rebels are Old School's '24 4A state champs. By far, the best team all season. Congrats to the Rebels and their classy players and fans. Five straight!!!

[FCSPY]

I think FC will have a great nucleus returning.. But I know they lost some really good players... and experience.. So I am interested to see what kind of team runs out in August. They no doubt have a schedule that will get them ready early. I know one thing their off season will for sure grow some young kids up next.. I will be interested to see if any of the incoming frosh can contribute. They were back to back state champs.