article BluegrassPreps Football Rankings (10/29)

Class 1A

 

At first glance, one would see that in the final week of the season there was not a single Top 10 team in Class 1A who took a loss and assume it was a pretty quiet end of the Regular Season. In fact, several teams were actually challenged and firmly in competitive games that were not decided until the 4th Quarter. Beechwood will end the year ranked #1, yet the Tigers were pushed by 2A Newport Central Catholic. Three other teams in the Top 10 - Hazard, Raceland, and Campbellsville, all won by single score margins. Don't expect any dramatics in Round 1 from the Top 10. The playoff structure of Class 1A will ensure either first round byes or match-ups against decided underdogs, but keep tuned moving forward as Class 1A is sure to offer twists and turns throughout November.

 

1. Beechwood -- Bye

2. Pikeville vs. Pineville

3. Paintsville vs. Bracken County

4. Raceland vs. Bishop Brossart

5. Hazard vs. Harlan

6. Campbellsville -- Bye

7. Crittenden County vs. Caverna

8. Williamsburg -- Bye

9. Frankfort -- Bye

10. Lynn Camp vs. Phelps

 

 

Class 2A

 

Four teams in the Top 10 used their last game as a final challenge to sharpen their mettle entering the playoffs. Mayfield and Glasgow both earned quality wins by knocking off ranked foes from Class 3A. Newport Central Catholic fell to Class 1A's top team, but the Thoroughbreds exceeded expectations and have to feel good flipping the calendar to November. Owensboro Catholic may have been a bit optimistic in their challenge as 5A South Warren flexed their muscle and showed why they are perhaps one of the five best teams in all of Kentucky. All but one of the Top 10 will open at home in games they will be considered substantial favorites to win. The lone exception will be Danville. The Admirals will have to take the long bus trip to Leslie County to keep their dreams of a title defense alive. Perhaps the best game to watch will be a pair of teams just outside the Top 10. Washington County travels to Lloyd in a very intriguing game.

 

1. Mayfield vs. Hancock County

2. Christian Academy of Louisville vs. Covington Holy Cross

3. DeSales vs. Newport

4. Owensboro Catholic vs. Webster County

5. Somerset vs. East Ridge

6. Glasgow vs. Owen County

7. Newport Central Catholic vs. Shawnee

8. Lexington Christian vs. Prestonsburg

9. Danville at Leslie County

10. Walton-Verona vs. Metcalfe County

 

 

Class 3A

 

While many teams and classes geared down the last week of the season, it was an especially active week for Class 3A. Half of last week's Top 10 took on ranked foes. The most imposing of the lot was Belfry travelling to 4A's #1 team Johnson Central. The undermanned Pirates put up a valiant effort but fell short. Caldwell County and Elizabethtown can relate as they both also were on the losing side of their games. Lexington Catholic and Corbin took home hard fought victories to give them a shot of momentum entering November. Western Hills got their mettle tested but came out ahead against a much improved 4A Harrison County squad. The Wolverines would love a second shot at Boyle County, but they must first go on the road to take on a quality Lawrence County team. Another game that should be worth keeping an eye on will be Casey County travelling to Powell County to take on the Pirates and star RB Nathan Skidmore.

 

1. Boyle County vs. Floyd Central

2. Corbin vs. Morgan County

3. Central vs. Fleming County

4. Belfry vs. Garrard County

5. Lexington Catholic vs. Pike County Central

6. Caldwell County vs. Edmonson County

7. Paducah Tilghman vs. Hart County

8. Bell County vs. Estill County

9. Western Hills at Lawrence County

10. Elizabethtown vs. Trigg County

 

 

Class 4A

 

Perhaps no team in the State ended their season on a higher note than Johnson Central. The top team polished off rivals Ashland and Belfry in successive weeks and will now wear the target as 4A's top team as the playoffs begin.Knox Central targeted a statement win against Corbin, but the Panthers came up short despite putting in an effort that still raised eyebrows. Scott rallied to finish the season on a strong note despite losing the three-way tiebreaker for their district. The Eagles will now host Greenup County in perhaps the best first round match-up. Logan County will be on upset alert, hosting Warren East as well.

 

1. Johnson Central vs. Bourbon County

2. Franklin-Simpson vs. Calloway County

3. Ashland vs. Holmes

4. Franklin County vs. Russell County

5. Knox Central vs. Collins

6. Wayne County vs. North Oldham

7. Madisonville-North Hopkins vs. Warren Central

8. Moore vs. West Jessamine

9. Logan County vs. Allen County-Scottsville

10. Taylor County vs. Western

 

 

Class 5A

 

Two teams have seemingly cleared the pack entering the playoffs in South Warren and Covington Catholic. Both of these undefeated heavyweights took care of business to complete the end of the season. South Warren left little doubt pounding a Top 5 Class 2A team, and Covington Catholic handled their duties in shutout fashion over a stout 6A Campbell County team. Anderson County wrapped up a perfect 10-0 record and will be rewarded with a first round bye. Bowling Green is still one of the teams most will pencil in for a potential deep playoff push. The Purples, though, may draw the most difficult opening game as they host Christian County. The Colonels’ record leaves a lot to be desired, but their defense has been consistent and these two programs are very familiar with each other. Pulaski County has gotten hot, but the Maroons almost stumbled against one-win 4A Collins and will need to stay focused on task as Whitley County has enough to make their game interesting.

 

1. Covington Catholic vs. Woodford County

2. South Warren vs. Apollo

3. Highlands vs. Madison Southern

4. South Oldham vs. Fairdale

5. Bowling Green vs. Christian County

6. Anderson County -- Bye

7. Owensboro vs. Greenwood

8. Pulaski County vs. Whitley County

9. Oldham County vs. Doss

10. Southwestern vs. Perry County Central

 

 

Class 6A

 

Frederick Douglass is the last undefeated team standing in Class 6A, but their 20-0 win over Conner proved they will have to bring their A-game throughout the playoffs to keep their pursuit of perfection going. Henry Clay's loss to Cooper serves notice that the Blue Devils have a long way to go and their win over Scott County is now looking more like an outlier than a sign of things to come. Ballard and Manual both ended the year with wins by razor slim margins. Manual will get tested right off the bat against North Hardin in one of the best playoff openers in all of Kentucky. Simon Kenton was the toast of Northern Kentucky Class 6A, but the Pioneers get an interesting draw against a Bryan Station team who just dominated Madison Central and who gave the Pioneers a tough game at the start of the season. Another game to keep an eye on is Scott County making a rare first round road trip to take on a Campbell County team capable of making this game interesting.

 

1. Frederick Douglass vs. Pleasure Ridge Park

2. St. Xavier vs. Ohio County

3. Male vs. Meade County

4. Butler at Central Hardin

5. Trinity vs. Muhlenberg County

6. Scott County at Campbell County

7. Simon Kenton vs. Bryan Station

8. North Hardin vs. #10 Manual

9. Ballard vs. Daviess County

10. Manual at #8 North Hardin