article 1A Notebook Week 1 - More Questions than Answers

It is just one week in so we can't expect to know what all these teams have. But we were hoping to start getting a few questions answered. Instead, there might be more questions than we had before the opening games. Looking at 1A pre-season, we could split the top ten in half. The top five were more answers than questions. Each of the top five have a lot of talent returning and were solidly in place. The bottom five, that's where the questions are. So what answers did we get from the teams that played games in week 0?

Week 0 Review

Nothing significant to report from the top. The #1 ranked Beechwood Tigers didn't even get to play their scheduled scrimmage as last minute scrimmage replacement Shawnee changed their mind and decided not to make the trip up I-71. Meanwhile #2 Hazard did get their scrimmage in but with several key players held out of the action, including possible Mr. Football candidate Cory Smith, they also are heading into their opening game without the tuneup they were hoping for.

The rest of our top 5 played their openers and did what was expected. Paintsville, Kentucky Country Day and Williamsburg all made easy work of their opening opponents. No question marks on these three. All three look as strong as expected.

As we move on to the bottom 5 of our top 10 looking for answers, we see a couple familiar names did work to remove the question marks from their names. Raceland and Pikeville are like most of our bottom 5 in that they lost many of their key players from last year's excellent teams. The Rams and Panthers picked up nice opening wins to get their new lineups off to a good start. We consider the Rams win over 3A Lawrence County more impressive than the Panthers win over 2A Covington Holy Cross, even though the Panthers had a much more lopsided score in their victory. With Holy Cross looking to be very down from last year's team, we still have question marks about the 2017 Panthers. They will get answered this week when Pikeville takes on one of this year's best in 2A, Lexington Christian.

Russellville and Louisville Holy Cross gave us some clues that they are going to be solid teams as they both played close games against tough opponents. However, both took losses so while they looked strong in those opening games, they didn't get wins so the questions remain about how strong these two are.

Then there is #10 Bracken County. The Polar Bears posted a win in their opener to hang onto their top 10 ranking. It was a rather inauspicious win, but a win nevertheless. Some people questioned Bracken County at #10 and their opening 26-6 win over a weak Switzerland County IN team didn't do anything to remove those questions. But a win is a win and that is all the Polar Bears and their fans care about.

Answers in Week 1?

Week 0 was just a little appetizer. No major games and no clear answers to our questions. Week 1 is going to be different. The schedule for our top 10 is challenging. When we are back with next week's notebook, there will surely be some stories to look at. Here is the lineup for week 1:

#1 Beechwood at 2A Lloyd - The Tigers will get a test in their opener. Lloyd posted a nice 34-14 win over 4A West Jessamine in their opener and will be confident they can take out the Tigers. Beechwood could get off a a slow start with it being their first game and no scrimmage last week. Beechwood squeaked out a 12-0 win last year over the Juggernauts. This will be a challenging opening game for the defending champions.

#2 Hazard vs. 5A Harlan County - The Bulldogs also will have their hands full, even more than the Tigers. Harlan County rolled over a highly thought of Ashland team 49-28 last week. If Hazard does not get the players who sat out last week's scrimmage on the field for this one, this could be an early setback for a Bulldogs team many consider a co-favorite to win it all in 1A.

#3 Paintsville at Harlan - Paintsville should have no trouble in this one. The Tigers will get a win here and be poised to move up the rankings if one or both of the teams above them in the rankings stumble in their opening games.

#4 Kentucky Country Day at 2A #8 Walton-Verona - This one should be a good one. Both of these teams are trying to make statements about their seasons and build momentum. Both teams had nice opening wins. Which of these two normally run happy teams will put together a passing attack and get the win? In a week full of top notch contests, this one may be the best of the bunch.

#5 Williamsburg at 2A #10 Somerset - The Yellow Jackets vs. the Briar Jumpers. You gotta love this good old southeastern Kentucky matchup. Somerset is in desperate need of a win in week 2 as their schedule is brutal the rest of the way. Williamsburg features one of the best QB's in 1A, Alec Poore. This isn't Jellico. The Jackets will be tested in this one.

#6 Raceland at 4A #8 Ashland - The Tomcats really want this one. After a lopsided loss in their opener and losing to Raceland last year in this rivalry game, Ashland will have plenty of fire in their belly. Raceland's roster of new starters will need to take a step up quickly if they want to get to 2-0 on the year. If the Rams get a win in this one, they will answer a lot of the questions we have about them and be back in the mix as a serious contender.

#7 Russellville vs. 3A Fort Campbell - Russellville needs to get a win if they want to answer the questions about whether their new lineup is still the team to beat out of western Kentucky. Fort Campbell should not be a serious threat to beat Russellville if the Panthers expect to contend for a title in 1A.

#8 Louisville Holy Cross vs. 4A Valley - This game is much like the Russellville one just above. Valley will be a test but if Holy Cross wants to make a statement about their contending chances, they need to get a win in this one.

#9 Pikeville vs. 2A #3 Lexington Christian - Now here is a test. This is no Covington Holy Cross. Pikeville put up a big number in their opening win. But Lexington Christian is the #3 ranked team in one of the most competitive classes in Kentucky. Let's see how the Panthers fair in this one. The way they handle this challenge provides an opportunity to answer our questions and make a jump in the rankings.

#10 Bracken County vs. Ludlow - Ludlow got an opening win for their new head coach. They are led by one of the more dynamic players in 1A, QB Justin Blackburn. The Polar Bears struggled to an 18-13 win in last year's game. They will have their hands full with Ludlow. The #10 ranked team in 1A should win this game. Another chance to prove yourself for the Polar Bears.

Whew! That is one heck of a lineup of games. Friday night is going to be a good one in class 1A. Answers are coming - one way or another.

Wonderful smorgasbord of games this coming weekend. Thanks VOR for breaking each one down.

Weighing in on the KCD/Walton Verona tussle in Louisville Friday--the tape on Walton Verona is impressive. I love how they spread the love around on offense, loads of jet sweeps and counters, good power dive game as well, Alford, Smith and Talbott all run hard....that's complimented by "home run" style passing game with 6'6" monster target Zach Klinkenbeard. A lot to like. And plenty balanced.

The fun part Friday is KCD's passing game, which put up some nice numbers and equaled the rushing totals against Atherton. Looking at tape from the scrimmage vs Lloyd Memorial and then the game at East Jessamine, I'm not sure WV has seen as strong an air game yet. Doesn't mean WV isn't up to the challenge--lots of defensive acumen there...physical team with good athletes in the secondary.

#9 Pikeville vs. 2A #3 Lexington Christian - Now here is a test. This is no Covington Holy Cross. Pikeville put up a big number in their opening win. But Lexington Christian is the #3 ranked team in one of the most competitive classes in Kentucky. Let's see how the Panthers fair in this one. The way they handle this challenge provides an opportunity to answer our questions and make a jump in the rankings.

I think this game is answer some question for both teams. I can't wait to see what happens in this matchup.

Every one of those games for the top 10 will show something. Friday night is going to be very good football watching for 1A.

With ludlow beating bracken do they take Bracken's number 10 spot?

With ludlow beating bracken do they take Bracken's number 10 spot?

It was a good win. The big question will be whether the rankings folks think Ludlow is better than Frankfort, Paris, Fairview, maybe Brossart.

It was a good win. The big question will be whether the rankings folks think Ludlow is better than Frankfort, Paris, Fairview, maybe Brossart.

Considering Ludlow is 2-0 and just beat Bracken County, the question becomes who out of all those teams you just listed should Bracken County stay ranked in front of - including Ludlow.