Continuing with our list of the 50 greatest high school football programs in Kentucky history, today we are looking at #25-16 . As was mentioned in the previous thread, this is based on a formula that awards teams a certain amount of points for playoff wins, district championships, appearances in state championship games, and state titles. These rankings begin with the 1959 season since that was the first year the KHSAA sponsored a playoff.

 

In case of ties, the team with the most state championships gets the better ranking. If that number is the same, then I moved to playoff wins. Also, regarding district championships, between 1959 and 1972 some regions were not divided into districts. In those cases, a region championship is awarded as a district championship.

 

This is the second of four posts on the topic. Check back each day this week for an update.

 

Monday: #26-50 (http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/50-greatest-programs-318171.html#post5771292)

Tuesday: #16-25

Wednesday: #6-15

Thursday: #1-5

Edited December 8, 201510 yr by gchs_uk9

25. Breathitt County Bobcats (101 points)

Playoff Wins: 45

District Championships: 19

State Final Losses: 1

State Championships: 3 (1995, 1996, 2002)

 

24. Somerset Briar Jumpers (102 points)

Playoff Wins: 49

District Championships: 19

State Final Losses: 5

State Championships: 0

 

23. Hazard Bulldogs (106 points)

Playoff Wins: 47

District Championships: 24

State Final Losses: 2

State Championships: 1 (2011)

 

22. Bell County Bobcats (108 points)

Playoff Wins: 56

District Championships: 21

State Final Losses: 0

State Championships: 2 (1991, 2008)

 

21. Central Yellowjackets (108 points)

Playoff Wins: 50

District Championships: 15

State Final Losses: 1

State Championships: 5 (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)

 

20. Glasgow Scotties (111 points)

Playoff Wins: 43

District Championships: 28

State Final Losses: 4

State Championships: 0

 

19. Owensboro Red Devils (112 points)

Playoff Wins: 52

District Championships: 19

State Final Losses: 4

State Championships: 2 (1974, 1986)

 

18. Covington Catholic Colonels (112 points)

Playoff Wins: 62

District Championships: 10

State Final Losses: 0

State Championships: 6 (1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2006)

 

17. Fort Campbell Falcons (114 points)

Playoff Wins: 51

District Championships: 15

State Final Losses: 1

State Championships: 6 (1976, 1978, 1979, 2007, 2008, 2009)

 

16. Russellville Panthers (115 points)

Playoff Wins: 49

District Championships: 21

State Final Losses: 3

State Championships: 3 (1980, 1983, 1990)

Immediately CovCath just stood out.

 

6 State Titles and only #18

 

That Highlands effect in terms fo District and Regional Titles is heavily felt on this one.

 

 

 

 

Fort Campbell and Russellville are a little higher than expected. Russellville hans't been a powerhouse on the State level in a while..but lots of mid round playoff success.

 

I would be curious to see how the success of Ft. Campbell and Ft. Knox has coincided with politics. Have these teams been better with a Republican Administration or a Democrat Administration? When fighting conflict overseas has that caused a spike in their ability?

Immediately CovCath just stood out.

 

6 State Titles and only #18

 

That Highlands effect in terms of District and Regional Titles is heavily felt on this one.

 

Definitely an outlier. But also remember Covington Catholic's program isn't real old compared to some others and it took a while for their statewide success to come.

I would be curious to see how the success of Ft. Campbell and Ft. Knox has coincided with politics. Have these teams been better with a Republican Administration or a Democrat Administration? When fighting conflict overseas has that caused a spike in their ability?

 

That's pretty in-depth - borderline thesis paper!

Since I'm more familiar with the names that will be coming up it's really nice to learn or be reminded about the success of all these other programs. It's already brought back memories. Thanks again for all this work.

GC,

 

Who has the most State Finals losses? When I saw Somerset with 5, that is really tough, but does show they have been very competitive in the past.

GC,

 

Who has the most State Finals losses? When I saw Somerset with 5, that is really tough, but does show they have been very competitive in the past.

I don't know has the most losses, but I'm pretty sure we have the most losses without winning a title.

GC,

 

Who has the most State Finals losses? When I saw Somerset with 5, that is really tough, but does show they have been very competitive in the past.

 

Franklin-Simpson has 5 losses in the Championship Game to go with two wins. Highlands kept showing up. The Bbirds accounted for four of the five.

Belfry has 7 losses in title games to go with their 5 championships.

I don't know has the most losses, but I'm pretty sure we have the most losses without winning a title.

 

I'm pretty sure that is correct.

Covington Catholic has the most playoff wins of any team so far on the list. Lack of district championships really hurt their ranking. Another reason for them to dislike the Bluebirds even more haha.

GC,

 

Who has the most State Finals losses? When I saw Somerset with 5, that is really tough, but does show they have been very competitive in the past.

 

Mayfield and Newport Central Catholic each have lost in the finals 9 times.

Franklin-Simpson has 5 losses in the Championship Game to go with two wins. Highlands kept showing up. The Bbirds accounted for four of the five.

 

Highlands only beat them 3 times for the title. Conner in 1983 and Breathitt Co. in 1995 were the other losses. HHS also beat Owensboro 3 times for the title. They had 2 title wins over Paducah tilghman, Christian Co. and Richmond Madison.

Highlands only beat them 3 times for the title. Conner in 1983 and Breathitt Co. in 1995 were the other losses. HHS also beat Owensboro 3 times for the title. They had 2 title wins over Paducah tilghman, Christian Co. and Richmond Madison.

 

That is correct. Bloody Breathitt and their NFL sized football.