article Central Kentucky/Lexington Power Rankings 10/31/19

The final week of the regular season is upon us. It’s a bittersweet time to me for a couple of reasons. The bitter part is that we have just 5 weeks of football left before it’s over and the sweet part is that we are a couple weeks away from some exciting playoff football and the crowning of 6 state champions. I’m hoping for at least 2 titles from Central Kentucky.

The Top 10

1. Boyle County (4A, 9-0, RPI .736)

The Rebels rolled to a 53-13 victory over Bourbon County. Both of Bourbon’s scores came with the game well in hand. Mr. Football contenders Reed Lanter and Reese Smith were efficient in their opportunities with the ball. Lanter was 8/11 for 177 and 3 scores. Reese had 3 catches for 80 yards and a score along with 2 carries for 45 yards and another TD. Gray Rahbany scored on a KO return for the 4th time this season. The Defense dominated allowing -24 rushing yards and just 78 passing yards giving them 54 total on the night.

Boyle will travel to 5A Madison Southern (5-4) for their season finale. Southern is coming off a Bye and is led by dual threat QB Tobias Storm, RB Adrian Jones and WR Walt Smith.

2. Frederick Douglass (5A, 9-0, RPI .670)

The Broncos continued their streak of giving up 0 points to 7 games by beating Montgomery County 56-0. The defense allowed just 141 yards and came away with 2 interceptions on the night. Offensively Douglass was able to share the love as 5 different ball carriers were able to score. The Broncos seem to be on a mission to prove they are the best team in 5A outscoring opponents 417-14 on the season so far. This week the secondary will be put to the test when they go visit Beau Allen and Lexington Catholic. The last time Beau’s offense was without a TD was August 25, 2017 against Covington Catholic.

3. Scott County (5A, 9-1, RPI .670)

Scott County ended their regular season with a 46-45 OT victory over 6A Ballard. The Cards ran for 512 yards and 6 TDs on the night with Bronson Brown, Philip Garner and Jaxon Saylor all went over the century mark and scored on the night. The outcome comes with some concern mostly due to the fact Scott County teams of old would have won by a more comfortable margin. On the bright side the Cards will have an opportunity to have almost 2 weeks to heal and work on some weak spots before the playoffs begin.

4. Franklin County (4A, 9-0, RPI .712)

The Flyers survived their lowest scoring output of the season coming away with a 14-12 victory over Central securing the district 1 seed for the playoffs. The offense was only able to muster 164 yards. The Defense on the other hand was led by Brenton Sears 18 tackles and Brady Holleran’s 12. All signs point to a must see rematch between the 2 teams in round 2 of the playoffs. Franklin County will finish their season against 5A Great Crossing (1-8) that is coming off of their first victory of the year.

5. Lexington Christian Academy (2A, 8-1, RPI .773)

LCA soared to a 38-13 win over district rival, Danville. Jayden Barnhardt had a nice night passing for 274 yards and 4 scores. Leading receiver was none other than DeAirious Smith who had 121 yards and 2 scores on the night. Defensively Andrew Long led the way with 11 tackles and 3 sacks. LCA will make the long trip to take on Single A title contender Paintsville (7-2). Paintsville has won its last 4 and will provide a good test for LCA heading into the playoffs.

6. Lexington Catholic (4A, 6-3, RPI .690)

The Knights secured the 2 seed in their district with a 49-7 win over Anderson County. Beau Allen was stellar passing for 342 yards and 4 scores. Jackson Corbett was the leading receiver with 137 yards and a score. Allen and company will be put to the test when they host undefeated 5A Frederick Douglass, a team that has allowed just 14 points on the year.

7. East Jessamine (5A, 7-2, RPI .591)

The Jags secured the 1 seed in the district with a 48-20 win over Woodford County. Dylan Moore led the rushing attack with 236 yards and 3 scores. Miles Valdon tacked on 86 yards and a score as well as a TD receiving. East will host 3A Western Hills (3-6) in their season finale. Look for the rushing attack of the Jags to be too much for the Wolverines.

8. Mercer County (3A, 7-2, RPI .652)

The Titans executed a great game plan against DeSales as they held a slim lead at the half but were unable to slow down the Colts ground game in the second half falling 39-23. Mercer LB Bryson Yeast racked up 21 tackles on the night. Malachi Yulee had 2 rushing scores and Dillon Warren had 6 catches and a score along with an INT. It should be noted this is the most regular season wins for Mercer since their 2006 title team. Mercer will end the regular season against winless 5A West Jessamine. West has shown some life offensively the last couple weeks but their defense continues to be dismal.

9. Tates Creek (6A, 5-4, RPI .526)

Creek pitched a shutout on the way to a 32-0 win over Henry Clay. Luke Duby threw for 309 yards and 3 scores. Miles Thomas caught 5 of Duby’s passes for 90 scores and 2 TDs. Matthew Underwood put forth a solid effort running the ball for 79 yards and a score. Creek will finish their season with a big challenge hitting the road to take on 5A Pulaski County. The Maroons had won 7 straight before last weeks OT loss to Southwestern.

10. Taylor County (3A, 7-2, RPI .581)

Taylor County was victorious over Adair County 31-20 last week. It was the Wes Oliver show as he ran for 327 yards and 3 scores on 21 carries. You will see him mentioned later on. The Cards will end their season by hosting 4A Bourbon County (4-5). The Colonels are coming off back to back losses against Boyle and Lex Cath respectively.

The next 5

11. Madison Southern (5A, 5-4, RPI .491)

Southern had a bye week to prepare for this week’s opponent, 4A Boyle County (9-0). Boyle will bring a plethora of talent and experience and will test Madison Southern through the air, on the ground and will put their offense to the test.

12. George Rogers Clark (6A, 5-4, RPI .480)

The Cardinals came away with a huge 26-24 win over Oldham County and locked up the 1 seed in their district. RB Azariah Israel was at it again running for 273 yards and 3 scores on 20 carries. GRC will head north to take on 5A Conner (7-2). Conner had won 6 straight before falling to 5A power Cov Cath last week.

13. Anderson County (4A, 4-5, RPI .560)

The Bearcats as a whole have not performed to the level most of us expected to start the season. This past weeks 49-7 loss to Lex Cath did nothing to help with the disappointment. Zach Labhart was able to rush for over 100 yards and the lone Bearcat score. Anderson will have their hands full yet again against a very tough and athletic Bardstown (7-2) squad coming off a 20-14 loss to Etown.

14. Dunbar (6A, 5-4, RPI. 460)

The Bulldogs have made strides since their 0fer campaign in 2017. 5 wins is their most since they had 6 wins in 2013. Last week Dunbar beat Lafayette 35-20. Jamarcus Robinson led Dunbar offensively with 120 receiving yards and 85 rushing yards and 2 total TDs. John Law stood out defensively with 2 sacks. This week Dunbar will complete their FCPS tour by taking on Bryan Station (3-6).

15. Campbellsville (A, 6-3, RPI .590)

The Eagles are missing star Malachi Corley something terrible. They fell to Louisville Holy Cross 28-12. The biggest call outs come from the defensive side of the ball. Tyler Gribbons had 18 tackles and a sack and Reggie Thomas had 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Campbellsville will hit the road to visit undefeated Kentucky Country Day. This will be a good test to see if the Eagles are a real contender in Class A.

Teams 16-20

16. Lincoln County (4A, 3-6, RPI .454)

17. Woodford County (5A, 5-4, RPI .490)

18. LaRue County (3A, 5-4, RPI. 526)

19. Danville (2A, 3-6, RPI .557)

20. Bourbon County (4A, 4-5, RPI .501)

Teams on the rise

1. Dunbar- the Bulldogs have won 4 of their last 5 assuring them of at least a .500 regular season for the first time since 2013.

2. Nicholas County- RB Cain Saucedo and company have won their last 3 games and have the 1 seed heading to the playoffs.

Teams on the decline

Washington County and Berea- district play wasn’t kind to either team as they each went 0-3 and will be the 4 seed in their respective districts.

Mr. Football Watch

Beau Allen

Last week: 17/27 342 yards 4 TD INT. 3 carries 18 yards

Season: 196/285 3025 yards 33 TD 4 INT. 95 carries 403 yards 9 TD

Reese Smith

Last week: 3 receptions 80 yards TD, 2 carries 45 yards TD, 2 tackles

Season: 36 receptions 1043 yards 14 TD. 5 carries 116 yards 3 TDs. 20 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 INT.

Players of the week

1. RB Wes Oliver, Taylor County- 21 carries 327 yards 3 TDs

2. RB Azariah Israel, GRC- 20 carries 273 yards 3 TD

3. WR Jamarcus Robinson, Dunbar- 4 Receptions 130 yards TD, 4 carries 85 yards TD

4. LB Darrian Bell, Danville- 21 tackles

5. LB Bryson Yeast, Mercer County- 21 tackles.

Last Week’s Game of the week

DeSales 39 Mercer County 23

Mercer led at the half but DeSales wore down the Mercer D in the second half and came away with the win. Don’t be shocked if these two meet again in round 2 of the playoffs.

This week’s Game of the Week

Frederick Douglass @ Lexington Catholic.

In a game filled with D1 talent it will be interesting to see if the defense of Douglass or the offense of Lexington Catholic prevails.

Is this the strongest Central Kentucky has ever been from top to bottom?

Is this the strongest Central Kentucky has ever been from top to bottom?

Honestly I feel like it’s more down than usual. The best I can remember CKY football being was back in the late 90’s and Early 2000’s. You had Boyle, Danville, Harrodsburg, Catholic was making its rise, along with a time that Lexington Public School Football was above average as a whole. Dunbar, Tates Creek, Bryan Station and Henry Clay all made deep runs into the playoffs. Even the next tier of teams were pretty good; Mercer, Madison Central, Bourbon County, Harrison County, East Jessamine were playoff regulars in a time where making the playoffs meant you had to beat a few teams to get there.

My thinking is that Lexington Christian will win 2A. Mercer County has proven that they are a contender. Boyle County and Lexington Catholic are two of the best teams in 4A with Boyle County the easy favorite. 5A has both Frederick Douglass and Scott County. 6A is a little weak with their teams but overall Central KY seems to be stacked.

Another great post keep doing #BigThings !

And how could I forget undefeated Franklin County.

My thinking is that Lexington Christian will win 2A. Mercer County has proven that they are a contender. Boyle County and Lexington Catholic are two of the best teams in 4A with Boyle County the easy favorite. 5A has both Frederick Douglass and Scott County. 6A is a little weak with their teams but overall Central KY seems to be stacked.

I’d say stacked at the top yes. The middle to the bottom isn’t very good though. After About 13 the teams in the rankings honestly aren’t all that good. They aren’t awful but they have a very slim chance to go past round 2. Campbellsville is the exception as their season depends on the health of Corley.