article BluegrassPreps Football Rankings (11/4)

Class 1A

 

Pikeville simply continues to do things 1A teams don't normally do. The Panthers absolutely demoralized a team thought to be among the best in Virginia's Class 2A and enter the playoffs undefeated and the clear favorite everyone is chasing. Perhaps the top contender is Newport Central Catholic, after the Breds surprised Beechwood in the season finale. Paintsville played Pikeville tight during the regular season, but the Tigers enter on the heels of a lopsided loss to LCA. One of the best opening match-ups will feature Bethlehem and Campbellsville.

 

1. Pikeville -- BYE

2. Newport Central Catholic vs. Dayton

3. Paintsville vs. Fairview (11/7)

4. Raceland vs. Betsy Layne

5. Kentucky Country Day vs. Berea

6. Hazard vs. Phelps

7. Williamsburg vs. Harlan

8. Louisville Holy Cross vs. Fort Knox

9. Bethlehem vs. #10 Campbellsville

10. Campbellsville at #9 Bethlehem

 

Class 2A

 

The top three teams all posted quality wins over ranked opponents in the season finale, with Mayfield's victory over 4A Madisonville as perhaps the most dramatic. Somerset got pushed hard by Corbin but prevailed, they cannot look ahead to a potential rematch with Lexington Christian Academy as Danville will be upset minded. Caldwell County and Murray played to an instant classic type of performance a few weeks ago, and will square each other up for the chance to see Mayfield again. Beechwood backs into the playoffs after a tough loss, but Covington Holy Cross should give them an instant boost of confidence. Awaiting them will be either Newport or Lloyd Memorial in another contest featuring Top 10 teams.

 

1. Lexington Christian Academy vs. Washington County

2. Somerset vs. Danville

3. Mayfield vs. Fort Campbell

4. Beechwood vs. Covington Holy Cross

5. Breathitt County vs. Knott County Central

6. Caldwell County vs. #7 Murray

7. Murray at #6 Caldwell County

8. Owensboro Catholic vs. Todd County Central

9. Lloyd Memorial vs. #10 Newport

10. Newport at #9 Lloyd Memorial

 

 

Class 3A

 

The madness of Class 3A extended into the final week, where arguably the three top contenders for the title all took losses that were not exactly the best for their resume. Bell County handled their business against Harlan County and as the lone undefeated team, now enter the playoffs as the top seed. The biggest game of the first round will be in Harrodsburg, as Mercer County and CAL rematch after a first game was simply stellar.

 

1. Bell County vs. Garrard County

2. DeSales vs. Western Hills

3. Belfry vs. Floyd Central (11/7)

4. Ashland vs. Greenup County

5. Mercer County vs. #7 Christian Academy of Louisville

6. Elizabethtown vs. Thomas Nelson

7. Christian Academy of Louisville at #5 Mercer County

8. Russell vs. East Carter

9. Bardstown vs. Larue County

10. Glasgow vs. Adair County

 

 

Class 4A

 

Just when Boyle County started to look untouchable, Johnson Central unloads on Belfry on the road and make a statement that the Golden Eagles are ready for the challenge if it happens. Class 4A boasts more undefeated teams than any other class, and as Boyle County and Johnson Central steal the headlines, Franklin County has quietly put together a sensational slate of their own. The Flyers won a competitive district, which in turn sets up a great opening game with Central and Shelby County. District 1 provided the best fireworks though, and after a three way tie, Hopkinsville gets the favorable path while Madisonville and Logan County line up with a Top 10 team sitting at home afterwards.

 

1. Boyle County vs. Anderson County

2. Johnson Central vs. Letcher County Central

3. Franklin County vs. Waggener

4. Lexington Catholic vs. Bourbon County

5. Wayne County vs. Lincoln County

6. Corbin vs. Knox Central

7. Madisonville-North Hopkins at #10 Logan County

8. Hopkinsville vs. Calloway County

9. Central vs. Shelby County

10. Logan County vs. #7 Madisonville-North Hopkins

 

 

Class 5A

 

Just when it appeared that the clear contenders were primed and ready to take stage, South Oldham reminds everyone that they are on a nine game winning streak by not only beating Central Hardin, but dominating them. Conner shocked Highlands the first meeting and will look to do it once more, but the Cougars enter after a surprising loss to George Rogers Clark. Fairdale finally makes their Top 10 debut after an impressive 9-1 season.

 

1. Covington Catholic vs. Cooper

2. Frederick Douglass vs. Great Crossing (11/7)

3. Scott County vs. Montgomery County

4. Bowling Green vs. Christian County

5. South Oldham vs. Atherton

6. South Warren vs. Greenwood

7. Owensboro vs. Muhlenberg County

8. Highlands at #9 Conner

9. Conner vs. #8 Highlands

10. Fairdale vs. Iroquois

 

 

Class 6A

 

Manual fired a warning shot over Male that nearly sent shock waves. The Bulldogs were lucky to survive and will enter the playoffs with the top ranking, but it appears this may be the most wide open this class has been in a while. Central Hardin suddenly is trending down rapidly after their big loss and they have an inopportune time to face a Meade County team that is finally healthy and riding high after shocking 3A DeSales. Another good game to take note of outside the Top 10 will be McCracken County and vastly improved Apollo in Western Kentucky.

 

1. Male vs. Southern

2. Trinity vs. Marshall County

3. Manual vs. Pleasure Ridge Park

4. North Hardin vs. Barren County

5. St. Xavier vs. Butler

6. Fern Creek vs. Bullitt East

7. Central Hardin vs. Meade County

8. Ballard vs. Eastern at Seneca

9. Simon Kenton vs. Campbell County

10. Henderson County vs. Daviess County