Since we are in the heart of wedding season, today we examine the Bridesmaids of Kentucky Football. The programs who have yet to hoist the trophy.

 

We will start with the 5 Programs which have historically been the strongest.

 

The criteria:

- I am looking at the teams who have sustained their success for the longest periods of time first and foremost. A team like Johnson Central has been really good in the past decade, but historically were pretty mediocre.

- Near misses matter. Winning a lot of games against inferior local competition does not make a great team, but teams who have made deep playoff pushes in different decades definitely matter.

- I am only doing schools who are still in existence. Harrodsburg would no doubt be on this list but since the Pioneers are no longer playing football independently they cannot make the list.

 

 

#5 Meade County Green Wave

 

Meade County has been a sort of an outlier for Kentucky football. Traditionally rural County teams have really struggled to maintain consistency. Even moreso, large classification rural county teams have especially felt this burden. he Green Wave program though has consistently positioned themselves as a "solid" program. Twice they have reached the State Finals to fall short. In addition, Meade County gets bonus points for a successful coaching tree that helped change the game of football throughout the state with the way the Wishbone attack was taught.

 

 

#4 Prestonsburg Blackcats

 

The Blackcats have racked up wins and Regional Finals for decades. Widely considered one of the best programs in East Kentucky they have produced numerous First Team All State players. If anyone exemplifies the "Bridesmaid" moniker it would be the Blackcats who have had the misfortune of having great teams who just happen to have an even greater team in their path. The most painful of the Blackcat's two Runner-Up finishes was the 1993 loss to Mayfield after Pburg had ended Danville's run of dominance.

 

#3 Boone County Rebels

Though the Rebels have not really been a major factor on the scene in recent history, that was not always the case. The Rebels reached the State Championship game 4 times in a 10 year span only to fall short each time. The most painful was a 3-0 defeat to St. Xavier. The Rebels also boast one of the best individual players to come through Kentucky without a ring in Shaun Alexander.

 

#2 Owensboro Catholic Aces

 

The Aces have four Runner-Up finishes, the same as Boone County... but those have came over the span of three separate decades. OCath also gets the distinction of the most heralded Head Coach of the list to finish his career without a title in Mojo Hollowell. The Aces have been a strong small school power for years but simply cannot overcome the hurdle of getting the hardware.

 

 

#1 Somerset Briarjumpers

 

The obvious choice for this distinctively ominous honor has to be the Somerset Briarjumpers. Four times the Bridesmaid, the painful part is their last close call came in 2009 and their first in 1978.. signifying for 31 years Somerset was playing at a high level. If only it was that painful! The Jumpers have in fact been one of the winningest programs in Kentucky History and have legitimately been a powerhouse for the better part of 50 years. To make matters worse, in 2014 they had to sit by and watch their cross county rival claim their first State Title. It is hard to feel bad for Somerset with trophy cases full of Regional Titles, but at the same time all our hearts break for a program who has been so close so many times.

Honorable Mention:

Warren Central (As you can see since I cannot figure out how to delete the picture)

Rockcastle County

Paintsville

Now the Five Schools Without a Title Most Likely To Win One First

 

#5 Frankfort Panthers

 

The Panthers have established themselves as consistently one of the Top 5 teams in 1A. The misfortune they have had has been than usually the #1 and #2 team have been in their path. With Mayfield in 2A only Beechwood remains. One win against the Tigers and their odds will look good in Bowling Green.

 

 

#4 Raceland Rams

 

Much like Frankfort, the Rams have established themselves in the 1A pecking order.Near misses have plagued Raceland, but with a favorable 1A Class, and a bright future, their prospects to reach the Finals are strong. In a single game setting anything can happen, and without Beechwood in their way int he earlier rounds the Rams get the edge on Frankfort.

 

#3 South Warren Spartans

 

No class opened it up more for new blood to hoist the trophy more than the new 4A alignment. With the top 3 contenders all being neophytes, it is bound to happen that one will get over the hump. South Warren has exploded onto the scene in the program's young history and became a major factor in 3A. A talented roster, a respected young coach, and a nasty defense will assure they are a factor. The question remains is how will they respond to a bit tougher of a path in the West?

 

 

#2 Johnson Central Golden Eagles

 

No team breathed a heavier sigh of relief than JC when the new alignment came out. Finally free from Highlands and CovCath... the two most dominating programs in their classification... suddenly a path to Bowling Green became clear and tangible. The Eagles are loaded with young talent and will be the early favorite from the East to reach Bowling Green the next two years.

 

#1 John Hardin Bulldogs

 

Johnson Central could have hardware if not for a team in their path... John Hardin WOULD have hardware. There has been little doubt John Hardin has not been the "best team besides the Champion" in their class a handful of times over the past decade. Unfortunately Bowling Green's record run stood in their way. Much like Johnson Central the Bulldogs are absolutely loaded with young talent and will be a major factor. They get the edge over the Eagles and Spartans based off the fact they have proven they can get to Game #1 5 when they lost to Highlands in 2009.

Interested to see how redistricting in Bowling Green/Warren County will affect South Warren.

Interested to see how redistricting in Bowling Green/Warren County will affect South Warren.

 

It shouldn't affect high schools too much. It's more about making changes at the elementary level. There are a few elementary schools that are divided into 2 or 3 high school feeder schools. The goal is to have each elementary school only feed into one high school. The primary schools this will affect are Natcher Elementary, Lost River, and Rockfield. My guess is Lost River will solely feed into Warren Central, Rockfield will feed into South Warren, and Natcher will only feed into Greenwood.

It shouldn't affect high schools too much. It's more about making changes at the elementary level. There are a few elementary schools that are divided into 2 or 3 high school feeder schools. The goal is to have each elementary school only feed into one high school. The primary schools this will affect are Natcher Elementary, Lost River, and Rockfield. My guess is Lost River will solely feed into Warren Central, Rockfield will feed into South Warren, and Natcher will only feed into Greenwood.

 

Jody Richards is the primary school that needs to be addressed. Brand new school and it's already over populated.

 

I think Natcher will go back to a Greenwood/Central split, and Rockfield back to Central only. JMO.

One I was shocked not to see on the Top 5 'Always a Bridesmaid'...Glasgow.

 

Most recently State Runners-Up in 2011 to Cov. Holy Cross. Fell short to Boyle in 99 & 00 in the 2A Finals.

 

In the 80's, Mayfield and Fort Knox kept them out of getting there. I'm missing a couple other State-Runner Up finishes on them, I think.

It shouldn't affect high schools too much. It's more about making changes at the elementary level. There are a few elementary schools that are divided into 2 or 3 high school feeder schools. The goal is to have each elementary school only feed into one high school. The primary schools this will affect are Natcher Elementary, Lost River, and Rockfield. My guess is Lost River will solely feed into Warren Central, Rockfield will feed into South Warren, and Natcher will only feed into Greenwood.

 

They've talked about something with that for years, and I simply don't see it ever happening. Not to thread jack here, but I'd also go on to say that would be crazy, reckless, and just plain stupid. If they did that, just close Warren Central and be done with it. It must be noted that Lost River is already entirely districted to Warren Central, so what you'd be talking about would be only removing from Warren Central (which has worked GREAT so far, thanks WCPS) and giving nothing back. South Warren has only a small portion of the Rockfield territory with the large majority (I'd guess 75% at least) of area going to Warren Central. I would guess the South Warren portion is more densely populated. Central doesn't have a large area of the Natcher district, and probably gets even less since people from that area tend to like to enroll in other schools, but it would still hurt to lose anything. The proposal you put forth is just the type of thing that Warren Central supporters fear and I guess maybe it should have some credence since the school board has shown a propensity to be willing to do almost anything to destroy Central in their grand social experiment.

 

I've always heard - and continue to hear - almost exactly the opposite. That the entirety of Natcher will be shifted to Central, and/or that kids would be sent from Rockfield back to Warren Central. (For the record, I did not, do not, and never will believe that this would be done either.) I've never made any bones about it - not a single Rockfield kid should be districted to South Warren. There is no reason the South Warren opening should have destroyed Warren Central, and yet here we are, and it is by and large tied to that one decision. The distance is the main argument for Rockfield kids going to South Warren, but then ask why does the entirety of Plano go to South Warren when there are homes literally a mile away from Greenwood?

 

In the purposes of this thread, the unfortunate truth is that even without the redistricting, Warren Central would not appear on the list of top 5 most likely, because with the extra kids, they'd still be stuck in 5A with Bowling Green. And in 4A in the current state, they've really got to make a move this year because the lower levels just aren't very good so far. They're basically always in between a rock and a hard place. And South Warren's place on the list - they'd better do it this year. John Hardin is going to be extremely tough to take down, and aside from the rising freshmen, I haven't heard or seen the greatest things from some of South Warren's lower levels.

Edited June 21, 201511 yr by DragonFire

I've always heard - and continue to hear - almost exactly the opposite. That the entirety of Natcher will be shifted to Central, and/or that kids would be sent from Rockfield back to Warren Central. (For the record, I did not, do not, and never will believe that this would be done either.) I've never made any bones about it - not a single Rockfield kid should be districted to South Warren. There is no reason the South Warren opening should have destroyed Warren Central, and yet here we are, and it is by and large tied to that one decision. The distance is the main argument for Rockfield kids going to South Warren, but then ask why does the entirety of Plano go to South Warren when there are homes literally a mile away from Greenwood?

.

 

IMO, Rockfield goes to SW because Chaffin wanted his kids to go there. Three of their best players from 2014? all lived in the same subdivision I grew up in.

 

As far as Plano goes, well, I have no idea.

 

It doesn't matter anyways because I'm driving my kids to Glasgow when they begin school. #SchoolChoice

McCracken Co may be a good addition

I did something similar last year with a formula that gave a certain number of points for district titles, playoff wins, and state championship losses. Running the numbers going into this season my Top 10 without a title looks like this:

 

10. Raceland

9. Paintsville

8. Warren Central

7. Meade County

6. Prestonsburg

5. Henderson County

4. Owensboro Catholic

3. Boone County

2. Somerset

1. Glasgow

I did something similar last year with a formula that gave a certain number of points for district titles, playoff wins, and state championship losses. Running the numbers going into this season my Top 10 without a title looks like this:

 

10. Raceland

9. Paintsville

8. Warren Central

7. Meade County

6. Prestonsburg

5. Henderson County

4. Owensboro Catholic

3. Boone County

2. Somerset

1. Glasgow

 

Great list but I think Somerset is hands down the top brides maid.

I did something similar last year with a formula that gave a certain number of points for district titles, playoff wins, and state championship losses. Running the numbers going into this season my Top 10 without a title looks like this:

 

10. Raceland

9. Paintsville

8. Warren Central

7. Meade County

6. Prestonsburg

5. Henderson County

4. Owensboro Catholic

3. Boone County

2. Somerset

1. Glasgow

 

Good list... Glasgow I gave a passing glance to but I am sure I probably should have taken a deeper look.

McCracken Co may be a good addition

 

I toyed with them for the 5 teams most likely to win a title first... but truth be told I just simply have a hard time giving credence to them in 6A as history shows the odds are not in their favor, especially with a Louisville powerhouse always looming in the Semi's

Man I hate being at the top of this list...but I'd rather have four runner-ups than none.