Simply put, I will list two schools in each class and you let us know whether they have legit chance of contending for the State Title or if they are simply playing for Moral Victories

 

 

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER

 

1A

Frankfort

Paintsville

 

2A

Owensboro Catholic

Shelby Valley

 

3A

Paducah Tilghman

Russell

 

4A

Collins

Ashland Paul Blazer

 

5A

Covington Catholic

Owensboro

 

6A

McCracken County

Simon Kenton

Simply put, I will list two schools in each class and you let us know whether they have legit chance of contending for the State Title or if they are simply playing for Moral Victories

 

 

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER

 

1A

Frankfort.

Paintsville

 

2A

Owensboro Catholic

Shelby Valley

 

3A

Paducah Tilghman

Russell

 

4A

Collins

Ashland Paul Blazer

 

5A

Covington Catholic

Owensboro

 

6A

McCracken County

Simon Kenton

 

1A

Both contenders

 

2A

Shelby Valley contender

O Cath has a rough road

 

3A

Both contenders

 

4A

Both Pretenders

 

5A

Both contenders

 

6A

McCracken contender

 

Nice posts Atl. I've enjoyed your preseason build up.

5A Owensboro is a contender. Speed, size and 16 or 18 returning starters. New head coach who was an assistant here for 5 years and the kids believe in him. As good or better than last years state runner up team. Fear the Fork!

Since I started it:

 

 

1A

Frankfort- PRETENDER. No class has a clearly defined favorite like 1A in Beechwood, and truth be told Frankfort really wasn't competitive with the top tier 1A team a year ago

 

Paintsville-CONTENDER*. Do I think Paintsville can reach Bowling Green? Definitely..but I just struggle to see them having a shot at Beechwood if they get there. I have to label them a contender since I feel they can position themself for a "winner take all", but the odds are definitely not in their favor

 

2A

Owensboro Catholic- PRETENDER. I like what the Ace's return, especially at QB, but 2A is littered with strength at the top and it would take a Herculean effort for OCath to suddenly jump to that level.

 

Shelby Valley-PRETENDER. No team in the State returns as much offensive production as the Surprise Team of 2014. With that said NewCath exposed that SV simply wasn't on par with the top of the class. Though I expect the Wildcats to be an even tougher out in 2015, until they prove they can go toe to toe with a Championship caliber team you have to label them as PRETENDER.

 

3A

Paducah Tilghman- PRETENDER. The enigma known as Tilghman will be in the Second Year of the Rogers regime. In my mind two things hurt Tilghman. For starters the 2014 edition did little to disprove the stigma that PT was the most schizophrenic team in the state. Even more important, now they must navigate the gauntlet known as 3A-WEST.

 

Russell- PRETENDER. If Russell were a stock I would say "Buy Low". The Devils made immediate progress in the dawn of the Maynard Era and have a host of young talent and enthusiasm. With that said, though I expect the Devils to significantly improve off a team that reached the Semi's and return a slew of talent, their Region will be a bear and the ever looming West Representative in the Finals makes Russell an underdog in the truest sense.

 

4A

Collins- CONTENDER. After emerging as gangbusters on the Kentucky scene, the Titans took a step back in 2014. Though they are not on the short list of the 4A Front Runners, I have to think that with a class loaded with teams who have not tasted Finals success that a program littered with elite athletes that has claimed a ring should not be discounted on a single rebuilding year.

 

Ashland Paul Blazer- PRETENDER. Ashland has the best player in 4A in Q Baker, but even with the lightened workload brought on by realignment it doesn't change the fact the Tomcats simply were a mediocre team with serious holes in 2014. With Johnson Central back, a team who had a running clock on their rival Tomcats, the boys from NEKY will need to prove they are something more than the Baker Show.

 

5A

Covington Catholic- Abstain for the sake of entertainment

 

Owensboro- CONTENDER. The Devils simply ran out of gas in the State Finals. With a good core back and the much more peaceful waters of the approach through the Western Semi-State I think they will definitely factor into the 5A Title Picture.

 

6A

McCracken County- PRETENDER. I really like McCracken County's team... I really do. Great athletes, D-1 talent, experience, depth, tough schedule. But as long as the best of Jefferson County stands in your Semi-State history shows your fate is essentially sealed.

 

Simon Kenton- PRETENDER. Would it shock me to see Simon Kenton emerge from their 3 team District and get to Bowling Green? Certainly not. Do I think they have a chance of winning the Title? No way! With the Fayette County District as strong as it has been I personally don't see SK beating a Henry Clay, Lafayette, or Scott County.

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER

 

1A

Frankfort - Pretender

Paintsville - Pretender (losing in semi finals)

 

2A

Owensboro Catholic - Pretender

Shelby Valley- Contender (only because I cant see who beats them on the east side of the bracket.)

 

3A

Paducah Tilghman - Pretender

Russell - Pretender

 

4A

Collins - Pretender

Ashland Paul Blazer - Pretender (IMO a one trick pony)

 

5A

Covington Catholic - Pretender (Hired the wrong Coach IMO and more worried about beating Highlands, If they beat Highlands maybe they can use the momentum, but that doesnt get them past the rest of the East. Lose to Highlands, they will be calling for coaches head, cause this is the year to beat Highlands if you are going to.)

Owensboro - Contender

 

6A

McCracken County - Contender

Simon Kenton - Pretender (regrouping time for SK, however last two times they regrouped they made it to State finals game and semi finals game, just think they need one more year.)

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER

 

1A

Frankfort - Pretender

Paintsville - Pretender (losing in semi finals)

 

2A

Owensboro Catholic - Pretender

Shelby Valley- Contender (only because I cant see who beats them on the east side of the bracket.)

 

3A

Paducah Tilghman - Pretender

Russell - Pretender

 

4A

Collins - Pretender

Ashland Paul Blazer - Pretender (IMO a one trick pony)

 

5A

Covington Catholic - Pretender (Hired the wrong Coach IMO and more worried about beating Highlands, If they beat Highlands maybe they can use the momentum, but that doesnt get them past the rest of the East. Lose to Highlands, they will be calling for coaches head, cause this is the year to beat Highlands if you are going to.)

Owensboro - Contender

 

6A

McCracken County - Contender

Simon Kenton - Pretender (regrouping time for SK, however last two times they regrouped they made it to State finals game and semi finals game, just think they need one more year.)

 

I'm going to have to disagree here. Coach Eviston is going to get this program in top shape. he's a great coach and more importantly, a great leader who the young men will respect and work hard for. He has already made some smart changes such as removing outside interference in the program (parents).

I'm going to have to disagree here. Coach Eviston is going to get this program in top shape. he's a great coach and more importantly, a great leader who the young men will respect and work hard for. He has already made some smart changes such as removing outside interference in the program (parents).

 

I disagree with your disagree, but we will have to let it bee.

 

 

See what I did there, lol.

CONTENDER OR PRETENDER

 

4A

Collins - Pretender - there is no Lawson Page or the other two D1 skill guys, not to mention the slew of third year starters they had on that championship team. That was a deep class that came through the Shelby Co. area that year and Collins got a good deal of them. That depth isn't there for now.

 

5A

Covington Catholic - Pretender - Have been since 06...but I will concede that sometimes Cov. Cath can burst onto the scene with an army of linemen and some tough backs behind them. But I still just don't believe in them.

Owensboro - Pretender - Lost the coach, lost the QB...both had tons of experience. Can't just replace that.

The Lex schools have proven to not be a challenge for SK. Same goes for the western schools, although the number of games is much less. The true gorilla in the room in Jeff County.

 

Let's go crazy thinking that anyone in Fayette is at the same level as SK.

Covcath should be a pretender until they prove otherwise. Highlands is king in nky. Sorry folks.

Covcath should be a pretender until they prove otherwise. Highlands is king in nky. Sorry folks.

And fwiw, I believe covcath has the tools to be the top dog this year. The team needs to prove that they have a changed mindset.

 

As of right now, highlands owns them, and the kids at both schools know it. It's up to the good guys to change that mentality.

Cov Cath I think lost too much. I thought last year would be their year.

SK pretender until they can get past the Regional game

This is the year SK takes it all.

:lol2:

This is the year SK takes it all.

 

You have to admire his love for the Pioneers.