article BluegrassPreps.com Football Rankings (9/9)

Class 1A

 

For those that thought Pikeville was on track to runaway with the Class 1A title, Paintsville proved that the Panthers definitely will need to pack a lunch come November. The Panthers eventually prevailed 9-8 to retain the top spot, but it is now clear that Pikeville will still see their share of challenges, including a game versus Raceland this week. Campbellsville played hard but came up short against 3A Taylor County, they will get another Semi-Finalist from last year when Larue County hosts them. Crittenden County is a team lying in the tall grass, we will all get to see if they are a threat taking on a solid 2A Caldwell County team.

 

1. Pikeville vs. #6 Raceland

2. Campbellsville at 3A LaRue County

3. Paintsville vs. 5A East Jessamine

4. Williamsburg vs. Frankfort

5. Newport Central Catholic at 2A Walton Verona

6. Raceland at #1 Pikeville

7. Hazard at 3A Floyd Central

8. Crittenden County vs. 2A #7 Caldwell County

9. Kentucky Country Day vs. 5A Seneca

10. Louisville Holy Cross vs. 4A Holmes

 

 

Class 2A

 

Mayfield and Somerset each made statement wins. The Cardinals put away a stout 3A Paducah Tilghman and now get their second rival in as many weeks when 6A McCracken County rolls into town. Somerset put any doubt if they were legit or not to rest by unloading on Beechwood in a game never in jeopardy. Beechwood is staring down a rough stretch and will hope to get the ship upright against Corbin. Lexington Christian Academy got a tough challenge up in the Queen City but prevailed and now look to add a 6A win to their resume. Keep an eye on Newport. The Wildcats take Danville's spot, following an Admiral loss to Boyle County, after romping Carroll County and should keep their flawless record going this week.

 

1. Mayfield vs. 6A McCracken County

2. Somerset -- OPEN

3. Lexington Christian Academy vs. 6A Madison Central at Madison Southern

4. Beechwood vs. 4A #5 Corbin

5. Murray at 3A Union County

6. Owensboro Catholic at South Spencer (IN)

7. Caldwell County at 1A #8 Crittenden County

8. Breathitt County vs. 3A Estill County

9. Lloyd Memorial at 5A Conner (9/14)

10. Newport vs. 1A Bracken County

 

 

Class 3A

 

If there were ever a week to create separation at the top, this would be the week. All four of the Top 5 teams in action will get massive challenges against high quality competition. Highlighting the docket are a pair of Eastern Kentucky teams crossing state lines to the Buckeye State when Belfry and Ashland play traditional powerhouses. The trend also continues in the back half as well. Central Hardin is a 6A team poised for a successful season and Elizabethtown has already taken one loss to a county foe. Mercer County got a hard fought win over Anderson County, but take an even bigger step up against 4A's #1 ranked Boyle County.

 

1. Christian Academy of Louisville vs. 6A #5 Ballard

2. DeSales at 4A #3 Lexington Catholic

3. Belfry at Archbishop Alter (OH)

4. Bell County -- OPEN

5. Ashland at Wheelersburg (OH)

6. Elizabethtown vs. 6A #9 Central Hardin

7. Paducah Tilghman at 5A Graves County

8. Glasgow at 4A Allen County-Scottsville

9. Taylor County at 2A Green County

10. Mercer County vs. 4A #1 Boyle County

 

 

Class 4A

 

Perhaps the most impressive 4A team last week was a team who took a loss. Lexington Catholic led essentially up to the very end of regulation before falling to 5A Covington Catholic. The fighting effort caught eyes, and with the Knights hosting 3A DeSales, they may be able to land the signature win that just eluded them. Boyle County made short work of Danville and will make sure their name stays top of mind if they can take down a ranked Mercer County squad. Corbin doesn't lose often to local competition, but 5A Pulaski County had their number. They need to make a statement against a reeling Beechwood squad. Central finds themselves in a similar situation after a disappointing loss, but a heartbroken St. Xavier is a bit of a bigger hurdle to clear. Franklin County gets their biggest test so far as they look to improve their stock.

 

1. Boyle County at 3A #10 Mercer County

2. Johnson Central at South Charleston (WV)

3. Lexington Catholic vs. 3A #2 DeSales

4. Madisonville-North Hopkins at 5A Christian County

5. Corbin at 2A #4 Beechwood

6. Franklin County vs. Anderson County

7. Hopkinsville at 6A Henderson County

8. Central vs. 6A #3 St. Xavier

9. Knox Central at Harlan County

10. Wayne County at 5A Southwestern

 

 

Class 5A

 

The trend this week is apparently 5A's Top 10 testing their mettle against the other similar sized bigger schools. All ten games feature either a 4A or 6A foe, yet only one team draws a ranked opponent. Highlands is flying high, and a win against Simon Kenton would go a long way to furthering that bravado. Covington Catholic was given quite the scare against Beau Allen and Lexington Catholic, they will hope their second half effort continues for all four quarters this week. Scott County rebounded from an uncharacteristic performance to make a massive statement against 6A Manual and should have no issue with Bryan Station. Pulaski County and Owensboro will keep the gas pedal down after high quality wins a week ago.

 

1. Frederick Douglass at 6A Paul Laurence Dunbar

2. Covington Catholic vs. 6A Dixie Heights

3. Scott County at 6A Bryan Station

4. Highlands at 6A #8 Simon Kenton

5. South Warren vs. 4A Warren Central

6. Bowling Green vs. 6A Pleasure Ridge Park

7. South Oldham at 4A North Oldham

8. Pulaski County at 6A Henry Clay

9. Owensboro at 6A Apollo

10. Greenwood vs. 4A Warren East

 

 

Class 6A

 

Well, well, well! How about Male? The Bulldogs' 51-14 beat down of St. Xavier puts the state on notice, and if not for Trinity's equally as impressive showing against Moeller, the Bulldogs may have received more first place votes. The Shamrocks keep fighting for Kentucky's honor with their fourth straight game against an out of state opponent. St. Xavier joins Ballard as teams looking for a major rebound statement against a smaller class powerhouse. The Tigers get 4A Central while the Bruins draw 3A's #1 team Christian Academy of Louisville. Fern Creek took down Central in impressive fashion, if they can knock off Butler they will certainly be turning heads. Keep monitoring North Hardin and Central Hardin as they seem to be on a collision course. Central Hardin will get a chance to prove if they are a worthy challenge as they face an Elizabethtown team the Trojans have already handled.

 

1. Trinity vs. Waubonsie Valley (IL)

2. Male -- OPEN

3. St. Xavier at 4A #8 Central

4. North Hardin at Tates Creek

5. Ballard at 3A #1 Christian Academy Louisville

6. Manual vs. Oldham County

7. Fern Creek at #10 Butler

8. Simon Kenton vs. 5A #4 Highlands

9. Central Hardin at 3A #6 Elizabethtown

10. Butler vs. #7 Fern Creek

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