article Five Games in 2016 Worthy of a National Television Audience

When National Sports Stations such as ESPN or FOX schedule High School Games, the purpose is often a little more abstract than simply highlighting two great teams. It is always about ratings and what will bring the most people to turn on their television to tune in. More often than not this means recruiting.As proud as many of us are about our favorite programs, in the end ESPN knows that a school with a fan base of 25,000 people will never override a single player who has multiple college.

Thus, a pre-requisite for making this list is the game must feature at least one FCS Level prospect.

The other aspect that plays into the selection of games will be the story line at hand. A High School game is a long broadcast for unfamiliar announcers and there is only so much fodder they can use or so much they can bring up recruiting. If a game features a compelling storyline it always appeals more. Some common themes are rivalries, history of producing NFL or College greats, current products of the school playing at the next levels, legendary coaches, historical records, etc.

The final thing to consider is travel logistics and venue. Frankly put it costs a lot of money for an ESPN to broadcast a game and a lot of behind the scenes work must go on to pull it off. Rarely will you see ESPN venture too far from a sizable city. When a large crew is needed for three or more days on site, it financially must make sense for them to be there.

With this in mind, let's look at the upcoming 2016 KY HS Season and select the Five Games that would be most fitting for a National Audience.

5. South Warren at Franklin-Simpson - South Warren has a pair of FCS prospects in CJ Haynes and Zach Haynes. Frnaklin-Simpson has one of the State's Top Line Prospects in Cole Kirby. The kicker though is Class of 2019 DT Jacob Lacey who has a good shot of being a major prospect. One knock though is geography. Franklin-Simpson is doable from Nashville, but a little more rural than ESPN would like.

4. Lexington Catholic at Ryle - Everyone loves a good QB battle and that is what you can expect in this one. Jack Fagot has turned heads this Summer and has began to garner attention. The headliner though will be Ryle's Tanner Morgan who has had a superb Summer and has seen his stock skyrocket. As an added bonus you can throw in LexCath OL Woodford Lankford. Lexington Catholic also affords extra time on air for the notable players that have went on, as well as coaches who have seen success around the country. With the game in the Cincy area it helps as well.

3. Male at Manual - From strictly a prospect standpoint this game isn't as notable as it has been in other years. DL Sean Cleasant and DB Bryce Cosby of Manual both check the box, but Male doesn't have the normal marquee name you expect. What the game lacks in starpower though it makes up in History and storylines. The state's oldest rivalry, numerous standouts at the professional level both on and off the playing field, and the added bonus of Male currently being the State's 6A Defending Champs. Louisville makes it an easy trip for ESPN or FOX as well.

2. Trinity at Lafayette - Having the large school flagship program for the State, and the school with the most renown name Nationally, certainly helps. Trinity's long history of ext level stars certainly helps feel the dead spaces in the conversation... just the name Brohm alone is worthy 25 minutes of discussion. Even though Trinity may not have their normal collection of D-1 recruits, Lafayette makes up for it with QB Walker Wood. The guy who makes it a no-brainer though? 5* All-American Jedrick Wills. Having Wills on by himself will guarantee a large television audience from fanbases scouting out the guy they hope to one day anchor their favorite teams' Oline

1. Belfry at Knoxville Catholic, TN - Six players with confirmed FCS Offers, four of which with Power 5 Offers. Defending State Champs from two different states. Super star Power in 4* WR Amari Rodgers (Clemson Commit), 4* OL Cade Mays (Tennessee Commit), and 3* OL Cole Bentley (over 20+ Offers and the #2 player in KY by most services). Sprinkle in favorable geography, legendary Head Coach Phillip Haywood, former NFL players from Knoxville Catholic, and you have yourself a dream matchup for a National Audience.

Great thread!

One thing that had me thinking about this last week was the 6A championship rematch between Lafayette and Louisville Male in a preseason scrimmage. I don't know the particulars as far as format is concerned but this should be a great matchup.

Male hosts Manual this regular season. This game is already broadcast online via the Great American Rivalry series, equipped with a full production crew and broadcasters who seemed to have done a fair amount of research considering they go from state to state doing high school games. The crowd alone last season at historic Manual Stadium was electric. Two years ago at Male was one of the largest crowds I've seen at Male in years.

And one would have to think Male @ Trinity would garner the 6A preseason hype and early in the year meaning it could be a sign of the season ahead.

Male hosts Manual this regular season. This game is already broadcast online via the Great American Rivalry series, equipped with a full production crew and broadcasters who seemed to have done a fair amount of research considering they go from state to state doing high school games. The crowd alone last season at historic Manual Stadium was electric. Two years ago at Male was one of the largest crowds I've seen at Male in years.

I know they played Male/Manual at Papa Johns a few times recently, but I'm really glad they went back to the high school stadiums for this one. Both facilities are really cool and I think makes for a great environment.

Great article! Makes me super excited for the season to kick off!!

For NKY purposes, I am going to say three games. Two of them I am partial towards because it is the team I root for.

Cooper vs. Ryle - Ryle QB Tanner Morgan and Cooper WR Dante Hendrix and OL Sander Rocsvag. Three potential D1 football players as the two from Cooper haven't committed anywhere yet.

Cooper vs. SK - QB Racke, OL Williams and the two from Cooper. Quickly becoming the best 6A game in the area.

SK vs. Ryle - Already mentioned above both teams.

Lexington Catholic-Boyle County. That game could be televised every year. More often than not the final score is a one possession ballgame and regardless of what their fans may say NO ONE ever knows how it will turn out. We only know it will be an awesome game.

Lexington Catholic-Boyle County. That game could be televised every year. More often than not the final score is a one possession ballgame and regardless of what their fans may say NO ONE ever knows how it will turn out. We only know it will be an awesome game.

South Oldham vs. Anderson County

Every game the last 6 years has been decided with just minutes to go in the game. Anderson has the majority of the wins by far, but it has not been lopsided recently as it was in the beginning of the series...

Highlands vs Covcath! Throw the records out the door! They hate each other!

Highlands vs Covcath! Throw the records out the door! They hate each other!

Haven't the Bluebirds won 16 straight matchups?

Trinity at Ensworth 8/19 or Trinity hosting Brentwood Academy 8/26 would be worthy. Both venues provide the television folks great facilities to utilize for the broadcast. I am not convinced of Lafayette's overall prowess but I appreciate Trinity being in the conversation.

Lexington Catholic-Boyle County. That game could be televised every year. More often than not the final score is a one possession ballgame and regardless of what their fans may say NO ONE ever knows how it will turn out. We only know it will be an awesome game.

I doubt that Lex Cath would want to be on a nationally televised game any time in the near future given the current situation there.

Haven't the Bluebirds won 16 straight matchups?

They have.

Haven't the Bluebirds won 16 straight matchups?

They have.

Is that really a rivalry at the moment? Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE for this to get to 50/50.

Is that really a rivalry at the moment? Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE for this to get to 50/50.

Uh-oh. Now you are going to get it. Wasn't me this time, guys.