In the west... 1A-Russellville...almost no one thinks they can beat Beechwood if they meet in the semis, but it would be at Russellville

 

2A-Murray...most people are expecting Mayfield-Desales in the semis, but the Tigers could make it interesting, if they get past Owensboro Catholic (another sleeper)

 

3A-Paducah Tilghman and Elizabethtown...all eyes are on Boyle, Central, LexCath and Caldwell Co. in the west but the winner of PT and Etown will have something to say about that. (Man 3A is loaded)

 

4A-Franklin-Simpson vs. Hopkinsville winner...FS would have to find some offensive balance to have a chance against South Warren, but Hoptown might catch lightning in a bottle with their passing game.

 

5A-Greenwood and Fern Creek...both teams with impressive wins this season and could catch Owensboro or BG on an off night

 

6A-McCracken or Central Hardin are probably the best in Region 1 but will have a hard time against the Louisville champion.

Because the fans win the game?

Yes, having more of them helps.

Semis usually means long travel. Hard on the visiting teams

We all know the favorites from each class to win it all this year (Male for 6A, South Warren for 4A etc..) but what about some Sleepers? Potential teams that could make some noise in early December if they catch some opponents off-guard? I'll start off by saying John Hardin and Shelby County in class 4A, West Carter and Louisville Central in 3A are definitely some overlooked contenders to play in Bowling Green.

 

Louisville Central is most decidedly not a sleeper. They're my fave, and a lot of other folks' pick as well.

Yes, having more of them helps.

Semis usually means long travel. Hard on the visiting teams

 

It certainly doesn't hurt. But I think some people believe it helps more than it really does.

 

For the long distance playoff games, most of the teams travel in advance and book hotel rooms. Fans typically show up on gameday and spend the night.

 

Not sure how hard it is on visiting teams to spend the night prior in a nearby hotel. But if it makes you feel like you have an advantage, more power to you.

Franklin Simpson in 4A. Caldwell County in 3A. Owensboro Catholic in 2A

Highlands was the first to come to mind.

 

I also agree with Russellville and Owensboro Catholic.

Out of 6A I like Lafayette or Bryan Station

Is Simon Kenton a sleeper in 6A? They have been ranked fairly high all year but does anyone think they have a chance to win it all?

1a-Russellville, 2a-LLoyd, 3a-Garrard, 4a-John Hardin, 5a-Fern Creek, 6a- Cooper are all teams flying under the radar who possibly could bust some brackets so to speak.

Is Simon Kenton a sleeper in 6A? They have been ranked fairly high all year but does anyone think they have a chance to win it all?

 

I think that while they are not quite as good as Male or Trinity, the fact that they are undefeated somewhat eliminates them from 'sleeper' status. However, if they do happen to win it all, it would probably be an upset.

It certainly doesn't hurt. But I think some people believe it helps more than it really does.

 

For the long distance playoff games, most of the teams travel in advance and book hotel rooms. Fans typically show up on gameday and spend the night.

 

Not sure how hard it is on visiting teams to spend the night prior in a nearby hotel. But if it makes you feel like you have an advantage, more power to you.

 

Unless you are a rich private school, that isn't going to happen. Coach bus maybe but no overnight for sure.

Not Necessarily, but home field advantage in the playoffs is certainly a good thing to have.

Being at home and not having to get on the bus and travel is huge in HS football

6A- no one. Male/Trinity winner will win it all

5A- CovCath and Fern Creek would be my sleeper picks

In 2a, I wouldn't call OB Catholic a sleeper.. They've been anywhere from 3-6 all year long and I personally don't think there's much difference in them and the other top contenders.. I would probably consider Murray a sleeper. They're a team who could knock anyone off on a given night and get hot down the stretch, although I do feel it'd be an upset win from here on out.

 

There are a lot of really good teams in 6a, but, I don't see any capable of knocking off Male or Trinity, especially outside the Top 5..

 

In 5a, I could see a team like N.Laurel getting on a role and while they've been in the 5-7 range all year, I do think if they managed to get past Southwestern and Pulaski, it'd surprise most people, so, I would consider them a good sleeper team..

 

In 4a, Hopkinsville would be my choice.. they're capable of beating anyone in 4a, including S.Warren because they can score and have a good D line to stuff a running team like SW.. if they get by them, I think they'd be 50-50 against whoever came out of the east..

 

Hard to call E'Town a sleeper since they're undefeated, but, with the schedule they've played, a lot of folks still have doubts about them. personally, I think they're a legit contender, despite the schedule, they can play and I wouldn't be shocked to see them knock off anyone.. I'd probably go with PT as my sleeper, because they don't have the greatest record and have struggled in a couple of games, but, in saying that, they're really playing well right now, have a solid offensive team, capable of putting up a lot of points and their D has really come on lately. I could see them knocking off ETown and even winning the next week and if so, they're a game away and anything from that point could happen.

 

I would consider Fairview my sleeper. Even though they're the lower seed this week, I really like their chances against Paris and then they'd get a rematch with Paintsville most likely, who'll likely be in a dog fight vs Raceland this week and they could be looking ahead to a Pikeville rematch and along comes "Not so fast, my friend" Fairview, with nothing to lose, everything to gain and a passing game capable of giving the Tigers fits..

Anybody in the east side of 3A except Belfry. There are your sleepers in this class. If one of these teams slip up on Belfry and take a win WOW. Bell Co, Corbin , Lawrence Co,Powell Co, Russell, W Carter, Casey Co. NO ONE has given any of these a shot at a title game. Definitely sleepers. Most, if not all, have been ranked in the top 10 of 3A at some point this season. Adair Co, Garrard Co, and maybe PT could be considered sleepers in the west.