article Bluegrasspreps' Eastern Kentucky Power Rankings 8-26

1. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 2-0)- The Redhounds looked good by taking care of business against the defending 2A Champions and QB Chase Estep is proving the drop off after Cameron Sizemore is not nearly what people expected.

2. Johnson Central Golden Eagles (4A, 0-1)- The Eagles took a tough loss to Capital, WV. They will try to rebound against Henry Clay. The good news is Joe Jackson is back and as good as we remember.

3. Belfry Pirates (3A, 0-1)- Belfry had a tough hand to work against Friday missing their veteran QB and turning it over 4 times against a very good foe, but the Pirates still had a chance to win the game in the 4th Quarter. Bryan Station will be the second straight large school coming into CAM Stadium.

4. Ashland Tomcats (4A, 2-0)- Ashland had to do some scrambling to survive small school rival Raceland, but the Tomcats got the answers they need to pull it out. George Washington, WV should be a game they can post another "W" in.

5. Pikeville Panthers (1A, 2-0)- No team in EKY made as big of an impression as Pikeville in their desolation of Lexington Christian Academy. Pikeville is a bonafide 1A Contender and after they take an off-week, expect a HUGE clash against Paintsville.

6. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 2-0)- Southwestern didn't exactly make a statement against one of Fayette County's weaker programs, but they will have their second shot at a 6A statement win against a solid Madison Central squad.

7. Raceland Rams (1A, 1-1)- Raceland may have suffered a loss against 4A Ashland but they proved they are legit in the process by giving the Tomcats all they wanted. The Rams should bounce back quickly against an over matched West Carter club.

8. Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 1-0)- Hazard's debut was solid. The Bulldogs kept 5A Harlan County at bay and held on for a three score victory. Hazard will draw their second consecutive 5A foe with Letcher Central next on the slate.

9. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 2-0)- There is no doubt Paintsville has looked strong outscoring their first two foes 106-6. Neither Harlan or Estill County will be a factor in their class' playoff picture though, but 6A Frederick Douglass is everything you want to see as a measuring stick.

10. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 1-1)- Speaking of Frederick Douglass. The Cardinals of Wayne County looked solid rebounding from their blowout loss to the Stallions for a quality win against Pulaski County. Warren East should be a winnable game, but the Cardinals will have to play well.

11. Bell County Bobcats (3A, 2-0)- Dudley's crew is 2 for 2 after getting the job done against Letcher Central. They welcome fellow 3A Pike Central and should move to 3-0 if they can continue to get Defensive stops.

12. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 1-1)- Wayne County was too stiff of a test and the Maroons now will have to rally against powerhouse Corbin to once again avoid being on the wrong side of 2 losses before Labor Day.

13. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 1-1)- The Panthers had the unenviable task of Tennessee powerhouse Alcoa and as expected they were a bit out classed. Knox will lick their wounds before getting back into action against Harlan County.

14. Somerset Briarjumpers (2A, 2-0)- Somerset continues to rise up the rankings after not only handling Williamsburg, but seeing the Lincoln County team they previously dominated put a hurting on Rockcastle County. The Jumpers really have a chance to turn heads against 1A's top team Beechwood.

15. Greenup County Musketeers (4A, 2-0)- Greenup moves into the Top 15 after leaving little doubt against rival Russell. The Musketeers eye a little payback against Fleming County, the Panthers beat them this time last season.

The Next 5:

16. Harlan County Black Bears (5A, 0-2)

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

18. Whitley County Colonels (5A, 1-1)

19. South Laurel Cardinals (5A, 2-0)

20. Perry Central Commodores (5A, 2-0)

Three Impressive Winners:

Phelps Hornets (1A, 1-0)- The Hornets have came a long way in a few years and now resemble a formidable 1A team. Phelps outclassed 2A East Ridge in every sense of the word.

Powell County Pirates (3A, 2-0)- The Pirates started last year 0-2 with losses to Garrard County and West Carter, so far they have turned it around to beat both of those teams.

East Carter Raiders (4A, 2-0)- East Carter is 2 for 2 on the early season. So far the Raiders have scored 7 Offensive TD's in each of their games and will be a hevay favorite for 3-0 against 2A Betsy Layne.

Three Tough Losses:

Prestonsburg Blackcats (2A, 0-1)- After North Laurel took a lopsided loss in Week 1, the Blackcats needed to at least go toe to toe to prove they have something to say. North Laurel controlled the game against P'burg and the Blackcats now need answers.

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B]Rockcastle County Rockets (4A, 1-1)[/b]- Rockcastle caught a skeptical eye in Week 1 with a closer than expected win over Paris, getting ran off the field by 5A Lincoln County caused the Rockets to fall out of orbit and out of the Top 20.

Fairview Eagles (1A, 0-1)- Fairview already has a tough hill with Paintsville and Raceland already being loaded for bear in their District. Losing their season opener in lopsided form to win-starved Boyd County did not help.

Player of the Week:

RB Seth Johnson, Shelby Valley- with Shelby Valley's Defense struggling to stop the Pike Central offense, it was apparent that the Wildcats needed to outscore the hawks to win. Johnson stepped up to the plate with 215 rushing yards and 3 TD's.

Game of the Week:

Powell County at Bath County- If there was a #21 and #22 position in the rankings this week it would be held down by these two teams respectively. The Wildcats opened their season with an OT win over a vastly improved Rowan County team behind Landan Swartz carrying the load over 40 times for over 200 yards. The Pirates of Powell County are 2 for 2 against 3A foes and will be looking to keep that streak going.