article Louisville Power Rankings - Preseason

Louisville Power Rankings - Preseason

 

1. Trinity (7-7)

After winning back-to-back state titles, Trinity fell to Male in the 2018 Class 6A Semifinals. But the Shamrocks have reloaded. Tradition-rich Trinity has captured 25 state titles and heads into the 2019 high school football season as the Class 6A favorite. Senior quarterback Seth Jutz is back to lead the Shamrocks. Along with Jutz, Trinity features numerous playmakers, including sophomore running back Armon Tucker.

Legendary head coach Bob Beatty continues to guide the Shamrocks.

 

2. Male (14-1, Class 6A State Champion)

Despite Trinity carrying the title of preseason favorite, defending champion Male remains a force. Male must replace several graduates, including quarterback Dennis Garrett. One of the state's most underrated high school football players in 2018, Garrett accounted for 51 touchdowns.

Male is without its entire secondary from the 2018 season but returns wide receiver Izayah Cummings, a Kentucky commit. Along with Cummings, sophomore defensive tackle Selah Brown will help to lead the Bulldogs.

 

3. St. Xavier (9-4)

Another tradition-rich program, St. Xavier will be pushing for its first state title since 2009. The Tigers finished the 2018 season 9-4, falling to eventual Class 6A champion Male in the quarterfinals.

Seniors Logan Davis (RB) and Hale Bohler (OLB) are among the leaders back for the Tigers.

St. Xavier has shown much improvement throughout the preseason.

 

4. Christian Academy of Louisville (15-0, Class 2A State Champion)

Defending Class 2A state champion Christian Academy of Louisville is under the direction of new head coach Hunter Cantwell. The Centurions' offensive attack starts up front along the offensive line with Kentucky commit John Young (OT). Along with Young, Christian Academy of Louisville returns quarterback Anthony Sabatino and running backs Brandt Babin and Harrison Zimmerer. Following realignment, Christian Academy of Louisville made the move up from Class 3A.

 

5. DeSales (11-2)

After compiling a 11-2 record with a pair of losses to Christian Academy of Louisville, DeSales will be looking to knock off its rival during the season ahead.

The Colts and Centurions are slated to compete in Class 3A, District 4.

Running back Antione Johnson, tight end Demetri Scott and running back/linebacker Darren Hollencamp are leading returnees for the Colts.

 

6. Ballard (8-5)

Ballard returns nearly 20 seniors along with a talented junior class. Leading the way for the Bruins will be senior defensive back/wide receiver Josh Minkins, who has committed to Kentucky.

In addition to Minkins, Ballard returns juniors Demetrius Huguley (TE/DL) and Justice Thompson (LB).

Ballard ended the 2018 season 8-5 after finishing as a region runner-up.

 

7. South Oldham (12-2, Class 5A State Semifinals)

The Dragons compiled a 12-2 record in 2018. South Oldham remains a district frontrunner following a move to Class 5A, District 4.

Senior running back/outside linebacker Keaton Martin is the top player back for the Dragons. A longtime leader for South Oldham, Martin has rushed for 4,325 yards and 55 touchdowns in three years.

 

8. Central (13-2, Class 3A State Champion)

Central is the reigning Class 3A state champion but must either rebuild or reload.

The Yellow Jackets have some holes to fill after losing several playmakers and key contributors from the 2018 season. Seniors Aiden Moore (DE) and Benjamin Bush (LB) are back to lead the Central defensive unit.

Thriving offensively and defensively, Central managed to outscore opponents 568-101 in 2018.

 

9. North Hardin (9-3)

On the rise, North Hardin returns 15 starters from the 2018 season. Eight of the returnees for North Hardin are on the defensive side.

Senior defensive tackle Octavious Oxendine (6-4, 305) is back to lead the Trojans.

Offensively, junior running back Lavell Wright is back for the Class 6A, District 2 favorite.

North Hardin finished the 2018 season 9-3. The Trojans are fresh off winning their first district title since 2004.

 

10. Moore (11-2)

Quarterback Rae Von Vaden is back for his senior season under center for the Mustangs. Moore must replace Kentucky signee JJ Weaver but still owns the nod of Class 4A, District 3 favorite heading into the 2019 season.

 

Teams ranked 11-15

11. Manual

12. Butler

13. Oldham County

14. Fern Creek

15. Bullitt Central

 

 

Preseason Players to Watch

 

Anthony Anderson, Pleasure Ridge Park, Sr., WR/DB

 

Braedin Babin, CAL, Jr., DL/LB/FB

 

Brandt Babin, CAL, Jr., RB/LB

 

Ethan Bednarczyk, South Oldham, Sr., WR/DB

 

Eli Blakey, Manual, Jr., WR/DB

 

Hale Bohler, St. Xavier, Sr., OLB

 

Selah Brown, Male, So., DT

 

Chaz Burks, Ballard, Sr., QB

 

Benjamin Bush, Central, Sr., LB

 

Warren Coogle, Bullitt Central, Sr., RB/LB

 

Izayah Cummings, Male, Sr., WR

 

Logan Davis, St. Xavier, Sr., RB

 

Antione Johnson, DeSales, Sr., RB/DB

 

Keaton Martin, South Oldham, Sr., RB/LB

 

Aiden Moore, Central, Sr., DE

 

Darren Hollencamp, DeSales, Sr., RB/LB

 

Demetrius Huguley, Ballard, Jr., TE/DL

 

Seth Juntz, Trinity, Sr., QB

 

Ryan Miller, Trinity, Sr., WR

 

Josh Minkins, Ballard, Sr., WR/DB

 

Octavious Oxendine, North Hardin, Sr., DT

 

Tyler Robertson, Trinity, Sr., DL

 

Justice Thompson, Ballard, Sr., LB

 

Armon Tucker, Trinity, So., RB

 

Rae Von Vaden, Moore, Sr., QB

 

Lavell Wright, North Hardin, Jr., RB

 

John Young, Christian Academy of Louisville, Sr., OT

 

 

Game of the Week

Central at Manual: The Yellow Jackets and Crimsons will meet for an early-season showdown between familiar Louisville high school football foes. The Week 1 matchup will help each program measure where it's at early in the 2019 high school football season. Central managed to shutout Manual 18-0 when the two teams met for a season opener on August 17, 2018.

Good stuff, @SportsLife.

 

In the middle of the rankings, I might go 6. South, 7. Central, 8. Ballard, but other than that this looks pretty spot on to me. I do wonder if Moore will be able to build on their spectacular season from last year, I certainly don't see them repeating it.

SportsLife, GREAT Job!

 

Couple points:

1. I think Nathan McElroy (JR) beat out Jutz for starting varsity QB for Trinity.

2. The great thing about these rankings are that they get tested every Friday Night.

Like the game of the week above. Central travels to Manual and I think either team could win and that's what makes it fun.

Edited August 23, 2019 by Purple88

Nice Work! @SportsLife

I would have 11-14 higher than Moore. I don’t see Moore being better than last year.

Fern Creek could be a candidate to move up the Louisville Metro rankings as the season progresses. They've got a great group of skill people. And the Tigers have six games this year against teams ranked ahead of them. I don't look for them to threaten Male in the district, but they could pick off some of these other teams.