article Bluegrasspreps' Eastern Kentucky Power Rankings 8-19

1. Johnson Central (4A, 0-0)- The Eagles jump into action with a Pre-Season Top 5 team from West Virginia when they welcome the athletic Capital Cougars squad. All reports are that RB Joe Jackson is back and better than ever after he turned heads in a scrimmage against Beechwood.

2. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 1-0)- Corbin was not necessarily in mid-season form against Whitley County, but they also left no doubt they are for real once more. Corbin will take on Defending 2A Champion Danville.

3. Belfry Pirates (3A, 0-0)- Belfry will open against one of the best big schools in West Virginia when Huntington comes to Haywood Field. Huntington beat Belfry last year and will be a very stiff test.

4. Ashland Tomcats (4A, 1-0)- Ashland may have stubbed their toe against Harlan County in the 2017 debut, but no such thing came close to happening this season. Ashand will look to keep the momentum going against small-school rival Raceland.

5. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 1-0)- After winning the pre-season with some exceptional scrimmage performances the Warriors proceeded to open the year by dominating a Tennessee foe. Expect the tribe to keep riding when Dunbar takes them on.

6. Pikeville Panthers (1A, 1-0)- It was a big week for Pikeville football. The Panthers debuted one of the nicest locker rooms in the State earlier in the week and then followed it up by christening the facilities with a blowout win over Covington Holy Cross. Pikeville will look for a measure of revenge in the Pike County Bowl against Lexington Christian Academy, a team who beat them last season.

7. Raceland Rams (1A, 1-0)- Raceland was a bit slow out of the gate against 3A Lawrence County, but the Rams made some adjustments and took control in the 2nd Half. Raceland will look to make a big statement against Ashland.

8. Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 0-0)- Hazard got some good work in against Belfry in a scrimmage and will draw 5A Harlan County to officially open the year. Last season the Dogs beat the Bears and they will look to do it again.

9. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 1-0)- Pulaski began their rebound season by outlasting Clarksville-Northwest 48-39. There might be some cause for concern as the Viking were 1-10 a year ago and were no match for Southwestern in the same Bowl Game. Pulaski ill try to calibrate against a Wayne County team that took a loss.

10. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 1-0)- Paintsville made short work of 3A Estill County and rolled to a blowout victory behind a balanced Offensive assault. Expect the Tigers to have a similar type of performance against Harlan.

The Rest of the Top 20:

11. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 1-0)

12. Harlan County Black Bears (5A, 0-1)

13. Bell County Bobcats (3A, 1-0)

14. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 0-1)

15. Rockcastle County Rockets (4A, 1-0)

16. Somerset Briarjumpers (2A, 1-0)

17. Montgomery County Indians (5A, 1-0)

18. Russell Red Devils (3A, 0-0)

19. Greenup County Musketeers (4A, 1-0)

20. Whitley County Colonels (5A, 0-1)

Three Teams Who Impressed:

Pineville Mountain Lions (1A, 1-0)- Pineville entered a slight under dog to 2A Leslie County, they left a 50-12 winner in an almost 60 point swing from the season opener last year.

Powell County Pirates (3A, 1-0)- Powell has high expectation and they opened the season by taking down the always solid 3A Garrard County Golden Lions. Powell seems poised to be the team to beat in their District.

Sheldon Clark Cardinals (3A, 1-0)- Wins have not been common in recent years for Sheldon Clark, let alone wins by comfortable margins. The Cardinals put a hurting on 2A Bteys Layne and got off on the right foot.

Three Teams Who Want To Press Re-Start on the Season:

Leslie County Eagles (2A, 0-1)- Leslie fans felt as if the struggles of 2017 were in the past and the Eagles were poised to contend for a District Title, losing to Pineville alone would have been cause for concern, but to get taken to the woodshed had to be alarming.

North Laurel Jaguars (5A, 0-1)- North Laurel had owned the rivalry against their cross town foe, but this weekend it was the Cardinals who had the last laugh as they dominated the Jaguars.

Middlesboro Yellowjackets (2A, 0-1)- I don't think many expected Middlesboro to beat Bell County, but the 54-0 defeat has to serve as a reminder of how far Bell has come since having some "down" years and how far Middlesboro has not came. After being competitive against the Bobcats the past two season openers, it is clear Middlesboro has a long way to go to get close to their historical stature.

Player of the Week:

RB Dalton Cook, Lynn Camp

In Lynn Camp's season opening win over 3A Knott County Central, Dalton Cook was one Happy Camper. Cook ran for over 250 yards and added 3 TD's as the Senior laden Wildcats served notice that they plan to be a part of the Class 1A picture.

Game of the Week:

#18 Russell at #19 Greenup County- The battle for Greenup County should be as even as it has ever been. The Musketeers feel as confident entering a season as they have in many years, but need to get off on the right foot to build momentum for when the games start to count. Russell has a brutal schedule lined up and need a big momentum surge because losses are sure to come.