article Bluegrasspreps' Eastern Kentucky Power Rankings 9-29

1. Johnson Central Golden Eagles (4A, 5-1)- The Golden Eagles flew in a gentle breeze by dusting off East Carter. Greenup County is not a pushover, but Johnson Central should have no issue.

2. Ashland Tomcats (4A, 7-0)- The Tomcats get the slight bump thanks to the value of their win over Raceland looking better and better each week. After pounding Boyd County expect the same result against East Carter.

3. Belfry Pirates (3A, 5-1)- Belfry had little resistance from Floyd Central and now step back out of the District for the always stout Knights from Cabell Midland, WV. Pirates will get to see if their Defense is showing the improvement they hope.

4. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 5-1)- Corbin had a light jog to put McCreary Central away. Jackson County has improved, but expect another Second Half full of subs for the Redhounds again.

5. Raceland Rams (1A, 6-1)- After a hard fought Defensive stand-off against Somerset it is starting to look more and more than the Rams are the team the rest of 1A-East is chasing. After a well-deserved off-week the Rams will then dive into District play.

6. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 6-0)- Southwestern continues to legitimize that they are a team more than capable of playing deep into November by taking care of business against a reeling 6A Central Hardin. They can't let their guards down against South Laurel, the Cards are impressive.

7. Bell County Bobcats (3A, 6-0)- Facing their first real test of the year against undefeated Clay County the Bobcats made an emphatic statement with a blowout win. They will try to keep the forward momentum going against Clay County.

8. Pikeville Panthers (1A, 4-2)- Pikeville got back into the win column in a back and forth classic with Hazard. The Panthers needed the confidence boost and also need this week off to heal up.

9. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 5-1)- It wasn't Knox's most stellar performance, but the Panthers got the win and kept moving the ball forward. A massive game now looms this week with the eyes of 4A firmly fixed.

10. Somerset Briarjumpers (2A, 5-2)- If nothing else in their close loss to Raceland, the Jumpers proved that their Defense is as good as advertised. Somerset came up just short, but should still have the amount of swagger they want entering a monster clash with Danville.

11. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 5-2)- Rockcastle was no match for the Cardinal Offense and they seem to be humming nicely. It will be all hands on deck with a District Title essentially on the line this week.

12. Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 3-2)- Hazard may not have achieved the desired result they wanted against Pikeville, but the Bulldogs also proved they are not some second tier product. Before they can direct their ship toward a potential re-match they must first take care of business against an improved Phelps squad.

13. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 5-2)- Paintsville loaded up the buses for a long game against a quality 2A Walton-Verona team and returned happy. Expect the smiles to continue as Fairview will be no contest.

14. Montgomery County Indians (5A, 5-1)- The Indians made a nice statement against a solid South Laurel team. Their pursuit of a District Title now cranks up against Madison Southern, the reigning Title holder.

15. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 4-2)- The Maroons return to action for a game that has huge implications that most would not have expected entering the season. Lincoln County is playing great football and want nothing more than to force Pulaski to take their playoff games on the road.

The Next 5:

16. South Laurel Cardinals (5A, 4-2)

17. Williamsburg Yellowjackets (1A, 4-2)

18. Shelby Valley Wildcats (2A, 5-1)

19. Russell Red Devils (3A, 3-3)

20. Powell County Pirates (3A, 5-1)

Player of the Week:

RB Nathan Skidmore, Powell County- In the Pirates' win over Knott Central Skidmore was superb. He carried the ball 19 times for 209 yards and 3 TD's as Powell County looks to take the District Tiitle for a second season.

Game of the Week:

#11 Wayne County at #9 Knox Central- 4A District 6 will likely come down to the clash in Barbourville. The Panthers have been getting it done with Defense and outside of their loss to Tennessee power Alcoa, the Panthers have looked the part of a 4A team who can make a deep push. Wayne County ahs been the gold standard in their District and will look for a statement road win.