article BluegrassPreps Rankings (10/22)

Class 1A

 

The very best television shows and movies will save the most dramatic plot twist for the end for dramatic emphasis. When Paintsville shocked Raceland last week 6-0, it became the cliff hanger that made an already stellar eastern semi-state just a bit more dramatic. Raceland now need a win over rival 3A Russell to regain their posture heading into November. Another eastern Kentucky district was decided when Lynn Camp saw their undefeated dreams come crashing to the tune of the 72 points scored by Williamsburg. Expect a pretty light workload in the season finale. Beechwood is the only team in the top ten facing a ranked foe, although Campbellsville will need to bring their A-game against a solid 3A Larue County squad.

 

1. Beechwood at 2A #7 Newport Central Catholic

2. Pikeville vs. Tolsia (WV)

3. Paintsville -- OPEN

4. Raceland vs. 3A Russell

5. Hazard vs. 5A Whitley County

6. Campbellsville at 3A LaRue County

7. Crittenden County vs. 4A Hopkins County Central

8. Williamsburg vs. 2A Middlesboro

9. Frankfort vs. Phelps

10. Lynn Camp at 3A McCreary Central

 

 

Class 2A

 

Danville is ready to put the 2018 regular season in the past. The defending champions will hobble into the playoffs 4-6 after losing to LCA. In the process they also surrender nearly any semblance of home field advantage they were hoping to gain. Mayfield enters the final week still holding on to the top spot. The Cardinals have perhaps the hardest draw of the Top 3 teams for the finale against a tough 3A Caldwell County team searching for their biggest statement win of the season. As good as Caldwell County is, the distinction of most difficult week ten foe will go to Owensboro Catholic as they square up a 5A South Warren team who is one of the better all around teams in Kentucky. Newport Central Catholic also draws a tough hand against 1A's best team, Beechwood.

 

1. Mayfield vs. 3A #6 Caldwell County

2. Christian Academy of Louisville vs. 5A Bullitt East

3. DeSales vs. 5A Southern

4. Owensboro Catholic vs. 5A #2 South Warren

5. Somerset -- OPEN

6. Glasgow at 3A #9 Elizabethtown

7. Newport Central Catholic vs. 1A #1 Beechwood

8. Lexington Christian at 3A Estill County

9. Danville -- OPEN

10. Walton-Verona vs. 1A Bellevue

 

 

Class 3A

 

Western Hills had Boyle County on the ropes, but the Rebels responded in the clutch to extend their lead and then ice the game with a 100-yard pick six. All that stands in the way of Boyle County's perfect regular season is a date with a Mercer County team that they will enter as a heavy favorite. The story of the class will be a pretty arduous slate of games that may cause some last minute ranking shake-ups. Half of the top ten will square up ranked foes from other classes. Caldwell County and Belfry each draw teams ranked #1 in their respective divisions. Belfry could make a statement that the team who has won four of the last five 3A titles is a force to contend with if they can knock off 4A Johnson Central. Corbin makes the short trip to play Knox Central, while Elizabethtown stays at home as they look for perhaps their biggest signature win taking on 2A Glasgow.

 

1. Boyle County vs. 4A Mercer County

2. Corbin at 4A #5 Knox Central

3. Belfry at 4A #1 Johnson Central

4. Central at 6A Pleasure Ridge Park

5. Lexington Catholic vs. 5A #10 Southwestern

6. Caldwell County at 2A #1 Mayfield

7. Paducah Tilghman at 5A Christian County

8. Bell County at 5A Harlan County

9. Elizabethtown vs. 2A #6 Glasgow

10. Western Hills vs. 4A Harrison County

 

 

Class 4A

 

Johnson Central left little doubt that the road to the State Finals will once again run through Paintsville. The Golden Eagles dominating win over Ashland serves the purpose, both figuratively and literally, as Johnson Central clinches home-field advantage for as long as they win or reach the state title game. All that stands as a hurdle to Central's momentum is a big rivalry game with 3A power Belfry with pride on the line. Perhaps two of the hottest teams hail from Western Kentucky. Franklin-Simpson continues to steamroll, their latest victim being a Warren East team that could not get any semblance of offense going. Madisonville also kept their momentum going in a hard fought win over the ever-stout Christian County Colonels. Knox Central is the team in the top five who may not get the attention they think they deserve. An upset over 3A Corbin would certainly give them that.

 

1. Johnson Central vs. 3A #3 Belfry

2. Franklin-Simpson vs. 1A Russellville

3. Ashland -- OPEN

4. Franklin County at 6A Tates Creek

5. Knox Central vs. 3A #2 Corbin

6. Wayne County at 5A Madison Southern

7. Madisonville-North Hopkins at 3A Fort Campbell

8. Moore vs. 3A Henry County

9. Logan County at 2A Todd County Central

10. Taylor County vs. 2A Green County

 

 

Class 5A

 

When South Warren shocked Bowling Green in last year's playoffs many wrote it off as a surprise or an outlier. Those that doubted the Spartans had to eat their words as South Warren left little doubt they were the dominant team by crushing Bowling Green. The Spartans need only survive a strong 2A Owensboro Catholic to finish 10-0 entering the playoffs. Two other teams would love to keep perfection in place. Covington Catholic and Anderson County both should have strong shots in games they are each expected to win. The biggest shakeup of the week came from a familiar name in Class 5A. After being cast aside by many following a tough start, Pulaski County is now surging and their latest victim was previously undefeated Southwestern. To avoid a two-game losing streak, the Warriors now must rally against the explosive Knights of Lexington Catholic, who are seeking a perfect regular season record.

 

1. Covington Catholic vs. 6A Campbell County

2. South Warren at 2A #4 Owensboro Catholic

3. South Oldham at 4A Shelby County

4. Highlands vs. 6A Boone County

5. Bowling Green vs. Bullitt Central

6. Anderson County at 4A North Oldham

7. Owensboro at 6A Henderson County

8. Pulaski County vs. 4A Collins

9. Oldham County at 6A Jeffersontown

10. Southwestern at 3A #5 Lexington Catholic

 

 

Class 6A

 

It is only fitting that Class 6A ramps down the final week after a roller coaster season featured a wild week nine slate. Frederick Douglass continues to make statement upon statement. The latest victim was Henry Clay as the new-found high school left little doubt they were the pride of Fayette County by exorcising the Blue Devils. Last week six of the top ten teams were all from Louisville, and they were all playing each other in some manner. Manual wound up taking the worst of it. The Crimsons were the only team to suffer a lopsided defeat as Male outclassed them and knocked them from the top ten. St. Xavier garnered possibly the best victory with their defensive struggle with Butler. The Tigers now take on their doppelgangers from the Queen City. The Bombers are not in their finest form, but anytime you can beat one of the GCL's elite programs it would be a huge win worth taking note.

 

1 Frederick Douglass at Conner

2 Saint Xavier at Saint Xavier (OH)

3 Male -- OPEN

4 Butler -- OPEN

5 Trinity -- OPEN

6 Henry Clay at Cooper

7 Scott County -- OPEN

8 Simon Kenton -- OPEN

9 North Hardin at 5A Doss

10 Ballard at Central Hardin

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