Today is the final day for our list of the 50 greatest high school football programs in Kentucky history. In this article we are looking at the top seven programs and they'll be released over the course of the day. As was mentioned in each of the previous threads, 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.

 

Check back throughout the day as the top seven are revealed.

 

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

Tuesday: http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/50-greatest-programs-318197.html

Wednesday: http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/50-greatest-programs-318309.html

7. Belfry Pirates (192 points)

Playoff Wins: 82

District Championships: 32

State Final Losses: 7

State Championships: 5 (2003, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015)

 

6. St. Xavier Tigers (211 points)

Playoff Wins: 95

District Championships: 22

State Final Losses: 4

State Championships: 12 (1962, 1969, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2009)

I only see 7 and 6.

 

edit. nevermind. I see you are gonna tease this out.

I only see 7 and 6.

 

edit. nevermind. I see you are gonna tease this out.

 

Absolutely. I want everyone mad before the day ends!

I am surprised that Belfry and St X are below Danville. I had in my predictions that Danville would be at #7. My guess has H, T and M at #1,2,3 but I had X at 4. My top three are still there.

I am surprised that Belfry and St X are below Danville. I had in my predictions that Danville would be at #7. My guess has H, T and M at #1,2,3 but I had X at 4. My top three are still there.

 

Belfry has always been good, but they've really been on the ascend in the last decade. All of those titles and runners-up to Central, plus dominating their district, have added lots of points.

First they lose a scrimmage to SK and now they are 'only' the 6th best program in KY. Someone had better send grief counselors to the football stadium.

Belfry has always been good, but they've really been on the ascend in the last decade. All of those titles and runners-up to Central, plus dominating their district, have added lots of points.

They had a ton of playoff wins and district championships before this run, but since 2003 it has been incredible. Coach Haywood definitely has closed out his career in style.

No huge surprise thusfar... X has been victimized by Trinity or else they would be Top 3.

 

Belfry has risen from a Top 25 Program to the #7 program thanks to an unbelievable run. The question now is can they pick up another couple spots over the next 5 years?

 

Not sure X has enough momentum to help their case much. If the team I think is at #5 is actually there Belfry will have to continue to win Titles and reach the Finals...I see that program winning lots of Districts and making a few trips to the Championship

A little surprised that X was in at 6, but the last decade plus did not help them move up in the rankings.

The KHSAA and the crying of the masses didn't help either Male or St. Xavier this past decade.

5. Danville Admirals (212 points)

Playoff Wins: 93

District Championships: 30

State Final Losses: 3

State Championships: 10 (1962, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2003)

 

4. Beechwood Tigers (241 points)

Playoff Wins: 109

District Championships: 31

State Final Losses: 5

State Championships: 11 (1984, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008)

 

3. Mayfield Cardinals (292 points)

Playoff Wins: 123

District Championships: 41

State Final Losses: 9

State Championships: 12 (1977, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)

The KHSAA and the crying of the masses didn't help either Male or St. Xavier this past decade.

 

Or Manual.

X gets hit with the tough district penalty. It's happened to a few of us good programs. Nothing we can do about it. @ghch_uk9 why are you teasing me. I made it known I couldn't wait for this one to come out and now I've got to wait all day. You're a bad bad man LOL

Just once I'd want to see someone other than Trinity or HHS at the top of a poll.