Not sure what's with all the Young and Inexperienced comments about this Beechwood Team. There is no doubt that Beechwood lost some Talent, but by my estimates there are at least 15 players that played 1st team ball in the playoffs last year. Add In the Truly "young" talent that any team would kill to have and "young and inexperienced" just will not be problem. While you don't replace a Max Nussbaum, the truth is every other player's shoes will be filled nicely. While it may take a few players to fill in for Nussbaum, I like the combination punch of Stringer, Thomas and Studer to do that job.

 

I predict there will be alot of surprised BGP'ers early in the season.

 

 

Maybe but they are young and honestly the tag inexperienced sums it up nicely in at least one major department that is a huge key for Bw, the qb! I think they have got to develop the qb if they want to get past their usual stopping point and frankly, what I saw in the semi finals was a QB with a long way to go to get to the level they will need to get too but they certainly did demonstrate potential. The other IF is will or can Coach Rash adjust his offense to best fit his personnel. Will he be willing to open it up more or will we see the same ole same ole. Does Rash know how to develop a potent passing game? I assume he does and the past was just a case of him feeling like the stud backs were his best chance but clearly his run oriented offense of the past hurt the Tigers.

If Mayfield jells as a team and they don't get the injury bug then I think they should be the best team in 1A. All the playoff games will be in War Memorial.

I think the East side will be either Fairview or Raceland. Fairview did lose some great players (5-6) starters total, but a few new additions and the bulk of the team is back. The team is going to be bigger, stronger and faster. Don't be surprised if the Eagles are better than last year. Just my 2 cents.

 

I agree they won't just go away and say ok we aren't as good as last season. I bet they are sitting in the weeds thinking nobody believes. Everyone talking about other teams if I'm not mistaken they were state finalist last season.

Don't overlook Fairview folks . They return about 6 starters on O , & about 7/8 on D , because E King really only started 4 on D . The biggest part of these will return next yr as well . Fairview has a ton of very talented skill players , some with a lot of 1st string snaps. I know they have 3 very talented backs that had 3 1st string starts last yr as well . I'm not saying they will be 14-1 , but i'm telling ya if you overlook them they will beat ya . Wouldn't be suprised at all for them to make another semi , but would be tough.

^ I certainly agree and I don't think that anyone is looking past Fairview. Should anyone, no matter who they are, overlook them.......Big Mistake.

What will the top in 1A look like in the pre-season? What teams will surprise us? What normal top 10 teams will not be as good as expected? I'll start with what I expect. What do you think?

 

 

1. Mayfield

2. Beechwood

3. Pikeville

4. Raceland

5. Fairview

6. Hazard

7. Russellville

8. Frankfort

9. Williamsburg

10. Bellevue

Others:

Kentucky Country Day

Harlan

Nicholas County

Louisville Holy Cross

Bethlehem

Pineville

Eminence

Campbellsville

Paris

Bracken County

 

Did you just list 20 teams, in a class of 32? Anyone else see the lunacy in this? Why not include the other 12 under a "also to watch for" category?

 

No knock on you Ram, as these are the classes we have. But, are there really 20 good class A football teams in Kentucky this, or any year? I'd start with a top five, and then ask people to argue their school into that mix.

Did you just list 20 teams, in a class of 32? Anyone else see the lunacy in this? Why not include the other 12 under a "also to watch for" category?

 

No knock on you Ram, as these are the classes we have. But, are there really 20 good class A football teams in Kentucky this, or any year? I'd start with a top five, and then ask people to argue their school into that mix.

Feel free to start your own thread and list the number you like. The top 10 are the teams that were commonly ranked in top 10 last year, and the other 10 are what were considered "fringe" teams last year, so I put them in there for consideration by the other members as possible number 9 or number 10 teams. If you notice, I only ranked 10 teams, not 20.

 

And, for the record, I think there are 9 good teams in Class 1A, no more.

MY PICKS WEST BRACKET

1. Mayfield

2. Russellville

3. Beechwood

4. Frankfort

 

My take is Mayfield has a lot back and should be at very least be one of the favorites. Maybe their best QB ever and a very, very special line returns to the man from last year. This is the same line that completely dominated Beechwood and Fairview in the semis and finals. If history is any indication, Mayfield will be a tough out when they are really good upfront.

BUT

Russellville is absolutely loaded and could be good enough to win it all this year.

Beechwood is always a threat to win it all but I am not sure they are going to be very good early in the year and only time will tell us if they can develop the young team into a contender by late in the season

Frankfort, usually a stronger 1A team and to be honest that is why I have them at 4 because I don't know much about them but they are stronger every year

EASt BRACKET

I am to far away to know as much but I would expect 4 to contend

Hazard, Williamsburg, Raceland, Pikeville

 

Williamsburg played a soft schedule but returns a lot and should be pretty good behind a solid QB. I don't see many here giving them much thought, is that due to their weak schedule or other?

Raceland returning a lot is well documented here with the large following they have on this site

Pikeville also returns a lot I am told

Hazard is like Frankfort, always in the mix

 

We like it like that.

Not sure what's with all the Young and Inexperienced comments about this Beechwood Team. There is no doubt that Beechwood lost some Talent, but by my estimates there are at least 15 players that played 1st team ball in the playoffs last year. Add In the Truly "young" talent that any team would kill to have and "young and inexperienced" just will not be problem. While you don't replace a Max Nussbaum, the truth is every other player's shoes will be filled nicely. While it may take a few players to fill in for Nussbaum, I like the combination punch of Stringer, Thomas and Studer to do that job.

 

I predict there will be alot of surprised BGP'ers early in the season.

Obviously I think BW will do very well, but not to take anything away from the young players who they are going to count on this year, but BW undefeated freshmen team could have beaten their first two playoff opponents, they did well against Frankfort, but for the most part looked like a lost ball in high weeds against Mayfield...and that is who they have to beat to get to the championship game. They are loaded with young talent, but you never know how those players are going to react when the lights come on in a big game...for example the young QB's fumble against Mayfield before halftime inside the 10 yard line, he wasn't even touched...IMO early growing pains and when they jell they will be fine.

I like Thomas, Studer and Stringer as well....just going to throw a name out there...watch for Talley, from what I hear he looks great.

Rankings look pretty solid but I do not think Williamsburg is the 9th best team.. I think they are more around the 5 or 6th spot.. I also am by no means a Williamsburg fan but just know the talent they have and I think they are worthy of the 5th spot.. Hazard is a spot or two high right now but should be worthy by seasons end until they can get there offense going but defensively they will be solid.. Pikeville and Raceland are neck and neck but as of right now Pikeville gets the nod from me because raceland hasn't proved they can win the big game yet..

Rankings look pretty solid but I do not think Williamsburg is the 9th best team.. I think they are more around the 5 or 6th spot.. I also am by no means a Williamsburg fan but just know the talent they have and I think they are worthy of the 5th spot.. Hazard is a spot or two high right now but should be worthy by seasons end until they can get there offense going but defensively they will be solid.. Pikeville and Raceland are neck and neck but as of right now Pikeville gets the nod from me because raceland hasn't proved they can win the big game yet..

Good post Bac, I agree with what you have there. Also, welcome to bgp.

Thanks rambler..

This is possibly the best team to ever come out of Williamsburg.

After what I seen today, Fairview will be top 3... Gave GRC all they had and then some..

1. Mayfield

2. Beechwood

3. Fairview

4. Pikeville

5. Raceland

6. Williamsburg

7. Russellville

8. Hazard

 

That's my "pre season" rankings, Raceland should maybe be higher but have lost to Fairview in Reg. Season and Pikeville in playoffs. Untill the Rams take their district back and beat Pikeville I can't put them ahead of either one. Mayfield and Beechwood are the 1A powers until someone proves otherwise.