My blind stab:

 

1. Belfry- Defending Champs return 7 starters each way including possibly the nastiest D-Line in the State.

2. LexCath- Knights drop to 3A and have some elite talent. The question remains who will get the ball into the hands of that elite talent.

3. Boyle County- Also dropping down I expect Boyle to improve in Smith's 2nd year. Should be very stout on defense.

4. Central- Wasn't a vintage Central team that reached the Finals, but it was an overachieving young team. Return 8 starters each way.

5. Bell County- Bobcats return a nice core of talent and a ton of beef up front.

6. Paducah Tilghman- I expect big strides in Roger's 2nd year. He hit the restart button last year and should have some dangerous skill returning.

7. Corbin- Redhounds were a legit Top 5 team last year but graduation did them no favors.

8. Russell- Red Devils fought to the Semi's with a young team where they were over matched. Think Maynard continues to build them in Year 2 and they show vast improvement.

9. Lawrence County- A lot better team than people knew. Ton of offensive firepower and a strong O-line return. Dalton is the best player in 3A you haven't heard of.

10. Caldwell County- Life after Sindelair. Still have one of the State's top players returning to build around... but it will be tough sledding in 3A.

 

Five Others To Watch:

Bardstown- The change of scenery away from CAL and DeSales may do them some good as the program continues to evolve.

Etown- Didn't get over the hump last year but will once again improve. One of the Top RB's in the State.

Garrard County- Good and solid team... darn near impossible district. Would be the favorite to win their old district.

Fleming County- Really took a giant step forward last year. With a favorable District if they can gain momentum and upset Russell they could be a darkhorse.

Magoffin County- Had a historic year for their program. Weakest 3A District gives them a chance to do it again.

I'd say this is a pretty good starting projection!

 

Except, no Adair County? I thought they returned everything.

I'd say this is a pretty good starting projection!

 

Except, no Adair County? I thought they returned everything.

 

I see Adair in that 13-17 range and right alongside Magoffin County and Fleming County. The problem for Adair is they were a bit of Fool's Gold last year and when they finally stepped into real competition got crushed. 3A is a bear next year... especially out West

I see Adair in that 13-17 range and right alongside Magoffin County and Fleming County. The problem for Adair is they were a bit of Fool's Gold last year and when they finally stepped into real competition got crushed. 3A is a bear next year... especially out West

 

I'd put Casey over Adair.

Stacked

 

The West is ridiculous.

Didn't Fleming graduate the house? Great numbers there & talent coming up w/in it I'm sure, but I was thinking they lost most, if not all of their play makers?

ATL,

 

You said it about Timmy Dalton of Lawrence County.

Who'd have thought that Boyle County and LexCath would drop in class, get away from Highlands and things would get tougher? That's exactly what has happened. Tougher district and class now for both schools IMO. Garrard County will be pretty good this year.

Didn't Fleming graduate the house? Great numbers there & talent coming up w/in it I'm sure, but I was thinking they lost most, if not all of their play makers?

 

22 seniors graduated, I believe.

Garrard County will be pretty good this year.

 

Garrard returns almost all their skill players but has to do some rebuilding on their lines. I think they should be fine as the year progresses, though.

Didn't Fleming graduate the house? Great numbers there & talent coming up w/in it I'm sure, but I was thinking they lost most, if not all of their play makers?

 

Yes they did. 20 of 66 players according to their roster. Another 23 on the roster were freshmen. Young team to say the least with seemingly alot of underclassmen being called upon to play. Could be a rebuilding year.

Young team to say the least with seemingly alot of underclassmen being called upon to play. Could be a rebuilding year.

 

Rebuilding year, yes, but a promising future too, it would appear.

Didn't Fleming graduate the house? Great numbers there & talent coming up w/in it I'm sure, but I was thinking they lost most, if not all of their play makers?

 

They did graduate a ton! Their young kids did very well at the JV and freshman level also. Not sure what to make of them for next year, but their future should be pretty good.

Belfry is and should be on the one line. They return too much from Back to Back championships. I like the odds in coming out of the east, however Corbin may have some say in that. No way LCath and Boyle are 2 and 3 over Louisville Central. LCath and Boyle still have a lot to prove after to prove. The only reason Boyle is place there is because of their coaching staff, a great may I add. Louisville Central returns 9 on Offense and 8 on Defense to a team that should not have been in the State Championship Game last year. I would put them on the 2 line, then Boyle and LCath.

They did graduate a ton! Their young kids did very well at the JV and freshman level also. Not sure what to make of them for next year, but their future should be pretty good.

 

Their incoming Sophomore group is talented. They will be very good again this season at the JV level but the issue will be alot of those kids will be playing varsity as well.