article 1A Noteboook Week 3 - Who are the contenders?

[Voice of Reason]

As we enter week 4 of the season, we have seen our ranked teams face some challenges. Some fell a little short. Some remain undefeated. It may be a little early because a lot can still change but we are starting to get an idea of who the contenders are for this year's 1A title.

 

Top ranked Beechwood entered the season as the consensus favorite but there were question marks. Replacing your lines on both sides of the ball is no easy task. The Tigers have clearly shown in their first two games that the program knows how to fill in the gaps. With easy wins over two ranked 2A opponents Beechwood has made a big early statement that the road to the 1A state title goes through Ft. Mitchell.

 

Our #2 and #3 ranked teams played the game of the season in 1A this past week. Paintsville defeated Pikeville in overtime in a battle royale. Paintsville's Kash Daniel made all the big plays down the stretch to get Paintsville the win. There is no doubt both of these teams are very capable of bringing the championship trophy home from Bowling Green.

 

#4 Russellville is the heir apparent in the far west with Mayfield moving up to 2A. The Panthers are not taking their favorite status for granted as they have opened the season 3-0 with clear wins over higher class opponents. This past week's 10 point win over a good Butler County team shows that Russellville is a true contender for the 1A title. The game to keep your eye on for Russellville is in 3 weeks when they face Murray.

 

#5 Raceland also has opened the year against 3 higher class teams the Rams lost one of their battles to put their record at 2-1. Raceland was the clear #2 team in the rankings until their loss and many considered them worthy of being #1 . Even though the loss to rival and 4A #3 Ashland dropped the Rams a few notches in the rankings, the Rams acquitted themselves well in that game. That showing along with two solid wins in their other games tells us the Rams are another true contender.

 

Pre-season many thought #6 ranked Campbellsville was a team to keep an eye on, but I don't think anyone would have considered them a true title threat. An opening win over Glasgow caused everyone to take even more notice. Then, last week they doubled the score on large school rival Taylor County. With D1 recruit Kendon Young at RB and a 3-0 record over good opponents, Campbellsville currently has to be in the discussion as a true contender.

 

This is where is gets iffy. There are ranked teams and undefeated teams that have not been mentioned yet. Some of these can move into true contender status, but right now they haven't done enough to make us think they are a serious title threat.

Our four reaming ranked teams are all in this borderline with potential category.

 

#7 Fairview got everyone's attention with a big early win over #9 Hazard. However, a loss to Lawrence County and the possible loss of WR Antwan Washington to injury put big question marks over the Eagles' title chances. With an experienced QB like Alex Roy at the helm, they are a threat every time they take the field but they are in the question mark category at this time.

 

#8 Paris opened the season with a strong statement win over rival Frankfort. However, as the season has marched on and Frankfort has struggled, that win has lost some of it luster when considering how much it tells us of the Greyhounds as a title contender. Still, Paris is 3-0 and last week defeated a previously undefeated Ludlow team 28-0. The strength of schedule raises doubts as to whether Paris could win a title. Looking ahead at their schedule, there aren't any top tier challengers ahead so this team is probably going to be in the show me column come playoff time regardless of what their record may look like.

 

#9 Hazard has the program resume that shows no one should take them out of contender status. However, the record to this point, including a 24 point loss to Fairview, does not instill confidence that they are a team to be reckoned with. Last week's win over Letcher County Central was a step in the right direction. We will get more insight into the Bulldogs in the next two weeks as they face 2A Somerset followed by 2A Prestonsburg. Wins in those two games will make us take notice. That will get Hazard lined up for their game 7 showdown against Pikeville. That game is where we will find out if Hazard is a true contender.

 

#1 0 ranked Bethlehem may be undefeated but they aren't in true contender status. Their three wins have been over one of the weaker schedules in 1A. This week will finally be a bit of a test as they face Ky. Country Day. Then Bethlehem faces Bellevue followed by a much improved 2A Covington Holy Cross. If the Eagles get through those three undefeated, it will be time to re-evaluate.

 

There is one team currently not ranked that could get into true contender status. The Crittenden County Rockets are 3-0 but like Bethlehem, that record has been built on a weak schedule. This week though the Rockets will get their chance to show us if we need to pay more attention as they face 3A #5 Caldwell County. Get a win in this one and Crittenden County will earn serious consideration as a title contender.

 

There doesn't appear to be anyone else in 1A that has earned contender consideration. However, we are only three games into the season. There is a lot of time left. Start putting up wins and the title contender status will soon follow.

[L1V3STR0NG]

I love 1A football because of how good some of these teams can be. While Bethelem and Crittenden have played low-leveled teams, I'm curious to see how they would stack up against some quality opponents. I think you could make any arguement for the top 5-6 teams to win at WKU in December. Good luck to all the teams this week!

[Rocket16]

i guess i am confused as to the sos issue because everyone says that Crittenden has played low level teams... well looking at Russellville's games ... i think their sos to this point would be low level teams also... Trigg is 1-2 with a win over Caverna(0-3), Ft. Campbell (0-3), and Butler County (2-1) with a wins over Logan (0-3) and Edmonson County (2-1) but their wins are Caverna and Grayson...

 

So i guess at this point the whole sos point is not a big factor in my mind... its hard to say what these teams will look like in a few weeks. If Crittenden can pull the upset against Caldwell (huge jump) or play close it should be a positive on the sos argument...

 

Might be my Rocket homerness coming out

[L1V3STR0NG]

i guess i am confused as to the sos issue because everyone says that Crittenden has played low level teams... well looking at Russellville's games ... i think their sos to this point would be low level teams also... Trigg is 1-2 with a win over Caverna(0-3), Ft. Campbell (0-3), and Butler County (2-1) with a wins over Logan (0-3) and Edmonson County (2-1) but their wins are Caverna and Grayson...

 

So i guess at this point the whole sos point is not a big factor in my mind... its hard to say what these teams will look like in a few weeks. If Crittenden can pull the upset against Caldwell (huge jump) or play close it should be a positive on the sos argument...

 

Might be my Rocket homerness coming out

 

There is a huge difference between Russellville and Crittenden County. But you do have a point, it's hard to gauge how good a team can be when they play teams we all know they should beat.

 

Give the season a few more weeks, Remember it's only three games in the season. But I do get your point.

 

Who does Crittenden County play later on that would be considered a quality opponent?

[Voice of Reason]

i guess i am confused as to the sos issue because everyone says that Crittenden has played low level teams... well looking at Russellville's games ... i think their sos to this point would be low level teams also... Trigg is 1-2 with a win over Caverna(0-3), Ft. Campbell (0-3), and Butler County (2-1) with a wins over Logan (0-3) and Edmonson County (2-1) but their wins are Caverna and Grayson...

 

So i guess at this point the whole sos point is not a big factor in my mind... its hard to say what these teams will look like in a few weeks. If Crittenden can pull the upset against Caldwell (huge jump) or play close it should be a positive on the sos argument...

 

Might be my Rocket homerness coming out

 

The worst team Russellville has played is better than the best team Crittenden County has played. Crittenden County's strength of schedule is #17 in 1A. Russellville's is #10 . Not a big advantage for Russellville. The Butler County win looks like a good win right now. The good news for Crittenden County is they get to show us Friday night how good they are.

[UK fball fan]

Crittenden plays a very good Caldwell Co team this Friday, which is a big rival of the Rockets. Caldwell would be a Top 5 1a team, at worse, maybe even 1 or 2. They also play a good Union Co team 2 weeks after the Caldwell game. Union would be a Top 10 1a team, probably in the 6-7 range, so, we'll get to see if they've really improved from last year or just the beneficiary of a weak early schedule.

[Voice of Reason]

The interesting thing in 1A this year is the east teams look strong and may be the ones that beat each other up before the title game. In the past few years it has been the west teams beating each other up to get to the title game.

[UK fball fan]

Russellville looks like they're the real deal this year.. I don't see Crittenden or Bethlehem or any other region 1 teams playing with them.. Should be a good one if them and Beechwood happen to hook up..

[STEEL_CURTAIN88]

I think Russellville steps in the role of Mayfield, not in terms of how good they are, but speaking of who will challenge Beechwood for a shot at the title. From the east, I am not really sold on anybody. Pikeville and Paintsville are, IMO, the deserving top two in that bracket, but Raceland and Hazard SHOULD be in the mix, but simply havent proven to me that they are both on that level just yet. Raceland has a chance to change that tonight as they take on Greenup, who many are considering the favorite in that match up, even though it is being played at Ram Stadium. Imo, Raceland and Hazard have both just had a bit of a learning curve breaking in a new QB and a handful of other skilk guys. I think by seasons end though, one of those four teams, will be in Bowling Green. As it stands right now, Im not sold on an eastern favorite yet.

[Sport of Kings]

UK fball fan, you left a team out that just might challenge from 1st Region.

[ethanball]

I think the only thing that may hurt Pikeville by playoff time is their size.pound for pound imo there is not a better football team in the state than Pikeville.they are small(except for pugh)but they are quick,fast,physical and have speed to burn.good luck to all teams with no injuries.