I remember saying 4 years ago, that Pulaski and Southwestern would have the best chance in their history to make a State Final when I looked at the 5A east teams back then. This proved to be correct as Pulaski made back to back finals in the last two years of the alignment and won a title last season.

 

So which schools should be really excited about their possibilities the next four years?

I know the obvious answers is all teams in 1A and 4A as perennial powers Mayfield and Highlands have moved up on class. But looking deeper which teams are in a position to go on a mini 3 or 4 year run?

I know the obvious answers is all teams in 1A and 4A as perennial powers Mayfield and Highlands have moved up on class. But looking deeper which teams are in a position to go on a mini 3 or 4 year run?

 

I will go with Raceland in this argument. Now, I understand a run would consist of a state championship but I am going to dim it down. Beechwood is the favorite in 1A, but Raceland benefits well. A three team district with a five seed from Pikeville's district to play as a 4 in Raceland's. Raceland has a seemingly easy route to the semis each year. And each year, playing Hazard or Pikeville. Much easier than having Pikeville meet you in the Regional Final.

I will go with Raceland in this argument. Now, I understand a run would consist of a state championship but I am going to dim it down. Beechwood is the favorite in 1A, but Raceland benefits well. A three team district with a five seed from Pikeville's district to play as a 4 in Raceland's. Raceland has a seemingly easy route to the semis each year. And each year, playing Hazard or Pikeville. Much easier than having Pikeville meet you in the Regional Final.

 

Agreed, very good look at that break down.

Agreed, very good look at that break down.

 

Instead of having to play Pikeville in the regional title game and Hazard in the semis, they now play the winner in the semis only. And to be honest, the region that play in the first three rounds is MUCH weaker than years past. Nicholas, Brossart, Paris, and Bracken are the region we now contest. Seems as if Raceland's district will win three of the four games.

Bell and Corbin get to move away from the wrath of Central in their Region.

 

Johnson Central has to be the biggest winner though. NO more CovCath, Highlands, LexCath, or Boyle County in their Semi-State

I would say Beechwood although they were already one of the top teams in 1A, they should have the best chance of winning the most titles in the next 4 years in 1A

I would say Beechwood although they were already one of the top teams in 1A, they should have the best chance of winning the most titles in the next 4 years in 1A

 

On the flip side of that coin would you consider Mayfield a big loser?

 

Their path to a title gets substantially more difficult.

I would agree 100 percent with Johnson Central not having to go through these teams anymore. That is a lot of state championships and strong tradition that they no longer have to content with.

I would agree 100 percent with Johnson Central not having to go through these teams anymore. That is a lot of state championships and strong tradition that they no longer have to content with.

If Johnson Central doesn't win a title in the next four years, they may never win one. They have a better than not chance of making it to the finals 4 straight years with this alignment.

Not even close to "substantially more". Mayfield could have won other class championships over the past several years, not just 1A.

 

Out of the comfort zone of 1A is about as strong as I would word it......their game will move up just like their class. It is Mayfield.

On the flip side of that coin would you consider Mayfield a big loser?

 

Their path to a title gets substantially more difficult.

 

Not even close to "substantially more". Mayfield could have won other class championships over the past several years, not just 1A.

 

Out of the comfort zone of 1A is about as strong as I would word it......their game will move up just like their class. It is Mayfield.

I'll go out on a boat and I want to see what Taylor County, Marion County and Mercer can do when they are not repetitively 3, 4 and 5 in their district. I think they can build and do well

Group 1 - Best shot to win state in comparison to their previous realignment:

1-Johnson Central

2-Beechwood

3-John Hardin

 

Will likely not win state, but best shot to win region in comparison to their previous alignment:

1-All 6A teams outside of Louisville who, apparently, now won't have to face any Louisville powers previous to state semifinals of districts will not be rotating for playoff pairings as they did in the last alignment 2-2-Mercer Co.

3-Fern Creek

4-Russellville/Crittenden Co.

5-Warren Central

I am going to close this thread and ask that anyone start a thread on this for each class that you are interested in. This is way too complex of an issue for six classes in one thread.