Few things in Kentucky high school football are as absolute as Louisville owning the big school state championship. A quarter century of T/X/H dominance has bred cynicism and perhaps a measure of apathy in regards to the yearly outcome of our largest classification. We're confident we "know" how it's going to end, but that doesn't mean we can't take pleasure in the journey.

The big school division was given a rare reprieve from Trinity's relentless pursuit of championship hardware last year. Rebuilding years are few and far between for the Rocks, but last year qualifies. They still reached the semifinals, but were handily dispatched by Male, capping T's first losing season since 1995. You have to go back nearly that far to find a time when Trinity went more than one year between state championships. You read that right… the Shamrocks haven't gone more than one season without a title in over twenty years. 

Pikeville has been the alpha dog of 1A under the current alignment and the foundation beneath its feet shows no signs of cracking. They'll enter this season as the top ranked team in the class again and just scrimmaged Johnson Central to a virtual tie. The Panthers haven't been this hot since Hillard Howard was patrolling the sidelines. But that lofty position carries with it a target on their back and several hunters will be taking aim this year. Let's do a fly-by of five potential contenders - or are they pretenders? - to Pikeville this season.

Every year, long before the schedules are released, you can point to certain games that have a "must see" quality. They're typically rivalry games that we see every season, but I'm moving away from the usual suspects. Below are six games from the 2022 docket that involve schools that have either never met or don't hook up often. Something fresh, although one of the games featured below was one of last year's high points of opening weekend and should be again. There's a hook for each game that should draw in viewers, listeners, and BGP browsers from Pikeville to Paducah. 

As the 2022 season draws near, it's time to sink our teeth into what's become our annual peak at the top contenders for Kentucky's most prestigious individual award, Mr. Football.

But first, a quick recap of last season: This time last year, it looked like a two horse race between 2020 Mr. Football Cam Hergott and Gavin Wimsatt. After Owensboro's star signal caller noped out on the remainder of the season in favor of early enrollment at Rutgers, all eyes were fixed on Hergott as the favorite to repeat. He put together a stellar season and was joined in the conversation by several others along the way, including Jack Sivori and the uber productive Joe Humphreys. But when the dust settled, it was Isaac Dixon who emerged with the prize on the heels of a turf tearing, legend making performance in the 3A State Finals.

Looking ahead: This year's field is as wide open as we've seen in a while. At this juncture, there appears to be no clear favorite, which could make for numerous twists and turns on the road to crowning this year's winner. Some names you may already know, while others may take time to come into focus.

I'll be doing my Top 30 countdown again this year of Kentucky High School Football Teams.

Football season starts in 30 days so I'll be counting down 1 team per day from #30 leading up to the start of the season.

I just couldn't resist getting something started for the NKY Girls soccer season on BGP.  We are 12 days away from the Soccerama games hosted at Beechwood Friday, Aug 5th and 6th.  Therefore, I have decided instead of revealing my Preseason Top 10 all at once I would mimic what Teeroy does on the Football Forum and give you a slow burn to my Top 10.

KRS 156.070 (2)(h)
Any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.

Congratulations to the St. Xavier Tigers, your 2022 Kentucky State Baseball Champions. 

Crooked numbers in the 3rd and 5th innings propel the Tigers to the program's 9th state title, more than any other school in state history. Ben Purnell had a big night at the dish with a pair of doubles and 4 RBIs. Jake Gregor (4 IP, 5H, 1 R) and Ben Tedesco (3 IP, 2 H) combined to pitch a great ballgame to compliment the two big offensive innings.

Commissioner Tackett was given time on the agenda for today's Board of Control meeting to discuss the results of the KHSAA's annual survey to member schools about currently sanctioned sports/state championships, and the addition of new sanctioned sports/state championships. Here are some of the highlights of that particular discussion...

2022 All BluegrassPreps.com Boys Basketball Team

Continuing its tradition of leadership in Kentucky high school sports information, news, and discussion, BluegrassPreps.com announces its eleventh annual All-BluegrassPreps.com Boys Basketball Team.

BluegrassPreps.com honors the state's top 10 players, with emphasis on building a true team. The All-BluegrassPreps.com team recognizes 10 players whose versatility and all-around contributions to their respective teams sets them apart.

"The Carter G Woodson Academy is the single biggest athletic advantage in the state. It is housed at Douglass and just makes it so much easier to get the talent in there."

Agree or Disagree?

The Breds football program is 86 years old. Why are they still playing their home games on another team's field?

I am presently working on a project with the Frazier Museum that will be opening later in the year. They have ask me to help them with a list of the biggest rivalries in high school sports in Kentucky....like Male vs Manual. The history of the "good old fashion, down to earth clean hate" is important. New rivalries are also important. As a long time follower of high school sports, I have given them a few names but we would like to expand our list.

It is my understanding that they will interview people and possibly display uniforms from those schools. Please list those teams that just "make you sick" when you lose. Please give some history of this rivalry.

Turner Buttry was named Mr. Basketball tonight. He is the second Bowling Green Purple to be named Mr. Basketball, after Josh Carrier who won in 2001.

Per the update thread.

Congrats to GRC!   GREAT final!


 

🏆🏆 Valkyries are back to back champs.

2021 Mr. Football - Isaac Dixon (Belfry)
2021 Coach of the Year - Kevin Wallace (St. Xavier)

Jeffersontown vs. Lincoln County
Muhlenberg County vs. North Oldham

Perry County Central vs. George Rogers Clark
North Laurel vs. Pikeville


Lyon County vs. John Hardin
Covington Catholic vs. Ashland

Henry Clay vs. Murray
Warren Central vs. Male

McCracken vs. Southwestern
Franklin County vs. Henderson County

Bethlehem vs. Bullitt East
Boyd County vs. Meade County


Cooper vs. Pikeville
Bowling Green vs. Letcher County Central

Corbin vs. George Rogers Clark
Anderson County vs. Sacred Heart

A new rules exception that allows a passer to intentionally throw an incomplete forward pass for the purpose of conserving yardage, and the redefining of the term “chop block” – both of which are intended to minimize risk of injury – are the two most notable rules changes coming to high school football for the 2022 season.

The KHSAA is contemplating allowing one "free" transfer for high school athletes. There would be exceptions to allow a second transfer, but those would be limited. It would be up to schools to change the KHSAA bylaw.

KHSAA to check with member schools for feedback on changing transfer rule.

2022 Boys' Sweet 16® Bracket

1. George Rogers Clark
2. Male
3. Ballard
4. Ashland
5. Covington Catholic
6. Greenwood
7. North Laurel
8. Pleasure Ridge Park
9. Lexington Catholic
10. Western

Tonight is the 5th Annual Dan Tieman Classic taking place at Northern Kentucky University's BB&T Arena. The game features the #5 Covington Catholic Colonels versus the #6 North Laurel Jaguars in a rematch from the championship game of the King of the Bluegrass Tournament from December 21, 2021. Cov Cath won that game 79-67.