Eastern Kentucky Power Rankings 9-20-15

10. Pikeville (1A, 3-2)- Panthers welcome a step down in competition after taking it on the chin at Belfry. South Floyd will act as tribute.

9. Bell County (3A, 4-1)- Bobcats continue to roll along after obliterating Whitley County. Humfleet is putting up huge numbers and will use the BYE to get an oil change after going over 3000 miles.

8. Corbin (3A, 3-2)- Hounds fault valiantly but came up short against Southwestern. The final test of their 3 game gauntlet may be the toughest as they must challenge 2A powerhouse Mayfield.

7. North Laurel (5A, 5-0)- Jags remain undefeated with another good but not great performance. Luckily expect this trend to continue and Harlan County will be the next in line.

6. Paintsville (1A, 5-0)- The Tigers were not sparkling in a win over a Williamsburg team still looking to break their maiden, but it was a win nonetheless. Expect a substantial jump in competition against 4A Bourbon County who has already beat one of EKY's best.

5. Southwestern (5A, 4-1)- The Warriors survived a game Corbin team relying on their defense and big play ability. Montgomery County will be a very stiff test and the Warriors must clean up the penalties to expect to move up.

4. Ashland (4A, 4-0)- If you ever need a litmus test for Ashland look no further than the Ironton game. When Ashland is good the scoreboard against the Fighting Tigers reflect as such and this year's scoreboard was a blowout. District competition begins with Rowan.

3. Pulaski County (5A, 3-1)- Pulaski spanked Rockcastle but their defense still continues to look a little vulnerable. Thankfully their offense is in Championship form and without Damien Harris in 2015 don't expect Madison Southern to threaten.

2. Belfry (3A, 4-0)- Belfry redeemed the surprise upset from 2015 to rival Pikeville and made a statement in their win. Belfry now plays back to back out of state juggernauts beginning with the talent rich Knoxville Catholic.

1. Johnson Central (4A, 3-0)- The Golden Eagles yawned as they pounded Harlan County into the FieldTurf. Expect a lot of playing time for the JV the next couple weeks beginning with hapless Boyd County.

Trending Up

Allen Central (2A, 3-1)- The Runnin Rebs' Underclassmen will play football alongside South Floyd in 2016. They will do so with bragging rights after dominating the last game in the rivalry.

Hazard (1A, 4-1)- Don't throw dirt on the Bulldogs just yet. Back to back quality wins have the dawgs feeling confident.

Leslie County (2A, 4-0)- Competition may be "meh" but being undefeated stands on it's own merit. Eagles are a team to keep an eye on.

Trending Down

East Ridge (2A, 1-3)- The Warriors return to district competition wasn't supposed to go this way. Brody Johnson continues to stuff stat sheets but the Warrior's Swiss cheese defense is an issue.

Harlan County (5A, 1-4)- Credit the Black Bears for having guts to schedule difficult games, but thusfar they have been outscored 183-68.

Corbin (3A, 3-2)- Yes the Hounds are ranked in the Top 10..but noone exemplifies trending down any more. Back to back losses with a third highly likely and Offensive struggles amplified... Corbin is itching for their schedule to lighten up.

Player of the Week

QB Cole Ratliff, Hazard

Ratliff came up huge in the Bulldog's hard fought win over Prestonsburg. He finished 17/22 for 180 yards and a TD... more impressively he added 104 rushing yards and 3 TD's. For good measure he added a critical Interception on Defense and 8 tackles.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Shelby Valley @ Prestonsburg- Both 2014 matchups were instant classics and basically shaped who won Region 4 in 2A. These are two teams still searching for a statement win led by some great individual players. Win and control your own destiny in District 8... lose and stare down the barrel of a potential road game in the First Round of the playoffs.