The top 1A schools like to schedule up in their pre-district games. This week shows that with some of our top ranked teams facing very stiff challengers this week. Is this the week that shakes up the 1A rankings?

 

At the head of the list of tough games is top ranked Beechwood facing neighborhood rival 5A Covington Catholic. Despite the tough start for Covington Catholic, this will certainly be Beechwood's biggest challenge of the season to date. Covington Catholic took 3A #4 Lexington Catholic down to the wire, losing by one point when the Colonels were not able to convert on a two point try in the closing seconds of the game. The Colonels also played Ryle, the #8 ranked team in 6A, to a one TD loss in the first game of the year. Add in the rivalry side to this game and Beechwood clearly will have to play their best game of the year to get the win.

 

A close second in tough games this week goes to #3 ranked Pikeville as they take on the #2 team in 3A Belfry. Belfry was able to dispose of 2A ranked Newport Central Catholic last week. The Pirates surely had this game circled on their schedule at the start of the year after Pikeville sprung a stunning upset over them in 2014. The Pirates will be out for revenge. This game will be a great battle and the outcome will have a big impact on our rankings.

 

A game that might not be as well recognized as a tough one is #5 Raceland taking on Valley High School from Lucasville OH. Make no mistake everyone, this looks like a tough game for Raceland. Valley High School is a top 5 team in their division in Ohio and comes into this game at 3-0 with three lopsided wins. Raceland is an underdog in this game and getting a win in this one will be a big statement for the Rams.

 

Another game that could be a much more difficult matchup than what it looks like is #6 Campbellsville vs. 2A Green County. This is a chance for Campbellsville to show everyone that they truly are a team to contend with in 1A this season. Campbellsville looks like a solid favorite but they have not beaten Green County since 2005. A win in this game will solidify Campbellsville's place in the 1A top 10.

 

The #9 Hazard Bulldogs are trying to work their way back up the 1A rankings and have a difficult test this week facing 2A Prestonsburg. Hazard has been challenged by some injury issues and they need a win in this one to prove they not only belong in the 1A top 10, but should be considered even higher in the rankings than #9 . Prestonsburg has bounced back from a lopsided opening game loss to Pikeville to enter this game at 2-1. Hazard needs a convincing win here to show everyone they are still in the middle of the 1A title picture.

 

Our final tough game this week is #10 Bethlehem going against Kentucky Country Day. Bethlehem is undefeated but their poor strength of schedule has them barely hanging in the top 10. Kentucky Country Day will be Bethlehem's most difficult opponent of the season and a must win for the Eagles to convince everyone they are for real and not a product of scheduling.

 

The other top 10 teams face opponents they are strong favorites over - #2 Paintsville vs. Williamsburg; #4 Russellville vs. 2A Todd County Central; #7 Paris vs. Middlesboro; #8 Fairview vs. 4A East Carter. A loss by any of those four in those games will certainly be an upset and cause them to drop in the rankings.

 

One other key game to keep an eye on in 1A is undefeated Bishop Brossart taking on 3-1 Nicholas County. Brossart has come out of nowhere and gained the attention of everyone with their start, that includes a win over perennial 1A contender Bellevue. Nicholas County's only loss was to #10 Bethlehem by a 28-8 score in their season opener. This game is going to tell us a lot about both of these teams and whether they can get into the 1A top 10. Brossart needs a solid win here to show they are right there with Bethlehem and ready to jump over them with a Bethlehem loss.

 

With the key games facing top ten teams this week, a shake up in the rankings next week could be coming. It is a great week to get out and watch these top ranked 1A teams in action.

Looking at tape of Bethlehem, looks like their QB Matthew Hagen is one to watch. A big, strong kid who runs hard and runs their offense well. KCD has been more than a little suspect on D, but can put points up on the board against good teams(34 against Lexington Christian). Hagen vs KCD D is the key matchup in my mind.

Looking at tape of Bethlehem, looks like their QB Matthew Hagen is one to watch. A big, strong kid who runs hard and runs their offense well. KCD has been more than a little suspect on D, but can put points up on the board against good teams(34 against Lexington Christian). Hagen vs KCD D is the key matchup in my mind.

 

Hagan was very tough tonight, but KCD really had its act together on defense....and they have a lot of weapons on offense. I think also, team speed on KCDs part played a sizable part of their big win over Bethlehem. They have a huge mountain to climb next week in Adair Co.

Watch out for Russellville !they will beat beechwood to fast to many athletes !

Watch out for Russellville !they will beat beechwood to fast to many athletes !

 

Beechwood doesn't get worried by speed. The Tigers always have enough speed to compete.