1 Pikeville- Return some good skill players and should return some good linebackers and secondary.They also return a big junior class and are the favorite to start out the season. Question is how life without Pugh will be?

 

2 Russellville- They return a very good group of experienced kids and Speed is all I have to say. They must win the big game and possibly develop a OK passing game. They return the most in the class and I think it could be there year..

 

3 Beechwood- They lost the house but do return some young skill players and a few on defense but still young. Anyone else would take a drop but I'm giving them the nod because there Beechwood but if you saw what they returned without the name beside it then you would have them in the 4-8 range.

 

4 Hazard- They return a lot as well like Russellville. 10 on Offense and 8 on defense.But this team will be young and could be dangerous team to keep an eye on. Injuries will hurt there chances if it happens like 2015.

 

5 Paintsville- They lost a lot of seniors but return Kent Phelps and the Morris kid and have a young stable of talent who will be there a couple more years.

 

5 Raceland- They lost some good kids and have quite a few holes to fill but I think Raceland and Paintsville are in the same shoes and that's why I list them both at 5. Only reason Paintsville is listed first is because they won the district last season and I think the QB needs to try to take this team to another level because some think he underachieved last year and people expected better and Paintsville returns the best player in there district for his senior year.

 

7 Harlan- Dangerous team to keep your eyes on and they didn't lose much from there team last year and this year could be even better.

 

8 Nicholas County- A team no one expected to be good but nearly pulled an upset over Fairview in the playoffs and return tons from a junior dominate team last year. So the East best keep a eye out on this team.

 

9 Kentucky Country Day return some nice playmakers from a high scoring offense. Defense will be the question for them.

 

10 Pineville- They also are a dangerous team to watch out for and return a lot of skill guys but need to win that big game. Junior Dominate last year who expected big things but fell short of what they wanted to do. I expect a better year and you best not sleep on this team.

 

Williamsburg, Crittenden County, Louisville Holy Cross and Fairview are the others who could have the 10 spot.

 

So what's your thoughts? Yes it is early but I've did some pretty good research on this.

IMO, fairly dead on. And honestly, Harlan has the potential to sneak into top 5 level based on the film I saw toward h end of the year on them. Don't know if they have enough to push much higher, but definitely not a team to be overlooked.

I also must say this looks like the most down year in sum time for Frankfort besides 2015. Injuries kid that team but they look very young this year...

Only change I would make is to bump Nicholas County up a bit higher. They return a lot and teams will struggle stopping a very strong rushing attack

Only change I would make is to bump Nicholas County up a bit higher. They return a lot and teams will struggle stopping a very strong rushing attack

 

 

I can agree with that. Harlan and them would be a good match up.

I think that this is pretty much a very good pre season outlook. I do know that Raceland's Freshmen class were very talented last season, the 2015 group of Sophomores played pretty well also. I also believe that the brutal schedule that Raceland played had them beaten up physically, the Rams always try to play a tough out/district schedule and couple that with having Paintsville and better than expected Fairview team in district and the Rams were pretty much worn down. Raceland also imo had some attitude problems last season and by season's end they looked like what we Raceland fans thought they would all season. Beating 3A and rival Russell in the rail cities bowl at the end of regular season and then after being blown out by them just 3 weeks before, imo outplaying Paintsville at their place (pretty much won in every stat but the one that counts ...the final score) in a loss in the region semi final has some Ram fans looking forward to see how our 2016 team will look like.

I think that this is pretty much a very good pre season outlook. I do know that Raceland's Freshmen class were very talented last season, the 2015 group of Sophomores played pretty well also. I also believe that the brutal schedule that Raceland played had them beaten up physically, the Rams always try to play a tough out/district schedule and couple that with having Paintsville and better than expected Fairview team in district and the Rams were pretty much worn down. Raceland also imo had some attitude problems last season and by season's end they looked like what we Raceland fans thought they would all season. Beating 3A and rival Russell in the rail cities bowl at the end of regular season and then after being blown out by them just 3 weeks before, imo outplaying Paintsville at their place (pretty much won in every stat but the one that counts ...the final score) in a loss in the region semi final has some Ram fans looking forward to see how our 2016 team will look like.

 

 

I wish the 2016 season was here already. I also figured more there would be more people comment in this thread. But many people are still enjoying time with family from Christmas so I expect it to pick up sometime.

I know that a number of the Beechwood household names are moving on (Slusher, Fieger, Stringer, Way)...but I'd be shocked if a program like this one isn't a top 10 team again next year. The NKY crew ought to have more insight here.

Can speak with greater depth about Kentucky Country Day. Defense was a challenge this year, largely due to inexperience IMHO. In 2016, you'd expect significant improvement. 10 of 11 starters return, most were sophomores in 2015, including the squad's top two tackle leaders.

 

On offense, KCD returns its starting QB, leading rusher, #2 receiver, a majority of interior linemen, and backs that totaled more than 1000 yards rushing last year.

 

Weaknesses--depth. With only 5 seniors returning and just 3 of them expected to start, this is a going to be a junior dominated team. Next year's sophomore class is lean on contributors, and the incoming Freshman class doesn't promise to produce play makers. The starters will hold their own against a challenging schedule( LCA, Adair Co, Frankfort, Campbellsville and Holy Cross) but there is isn't a lot of "next man up" potential if the injury bug hits.

 

Another weakness, the kicking game won't be as strong....senior Connor Caudill's big leg will be missed. There isn't a ready made replacement.

 

Some realistic goals for the 2016 squad, win the district, exorcise the demons from the losses to Holy Cross, make it to regional finals and take its chances with the Beechwood juggernaut.

Edited December 28, 201510 yr by generaldowns

Russellville returns 16 juniors. All will depend on their line play.

Can speak with greater depth about Kentucky Country Day. Defense was a challenge this year, largely due to inexperience IMHO. In 2016, you'd expect significant improvement. 10 of 11 starters return, most were sophomores in 2015, including the squad's top two tackle leaders.

 

On offense, KCD returns its starting QB, leading rusher, #2 receiver, a majority of interior linemen, and backs that totaled more than 1000 yards rushing last year.

 

Weaknesses--depth. With only 5 seniors returning and just 3 of them expected to start, this is a going to be a junior dominated team. Next year's sophomore class is lean on contributors, and the incoming Freshman class doesn't promise to produce play makers. The starters will hold their own against a challenging schedule( LCA, Adair Co, Frankfort, Campbellsville and Holy Cross) but there is isn't a lot of "next man up" potential if the injury bug hits.

 

Another weakness, the kicking game won't be as strong....senior Connor Caudill's big leg will be missed. There isn't a ready made replacement.

 

Some realistic goals for the 2016 squad, win the district, exorcise the demons from the losses to Holy Cross, make it to regional finals and take its chances with the Beechwood juggernaut.

 

 

Great breakdown... Excellent.

Russellville returns 16 juniors. All will depend on their line play.

 

I hear they returned some lineman as well. I like them in the west.

Williamsburg was substantially better than pineville this year and by the end of the season they would've beaten Harlan by 2 or 3 scores. They will easily be better than those two this season.

Pikeville has a strong freshman class coming in as well. Should pair up nicely with the guys they have at the high school right now. I would consider them the clear favorite, even without Pugh.

 

Phelps younger brother will be a freshman at Paintsville. Hard-nosed player. He should see some reps early in his high school career. Coach Chirico is a great coach, he'll put it all together.

As long as Bataille is at Pikeville they will be tough to beat in 1A. Kid is a cool customer and extremely accurate as a passer.

 

Losing Pugh is a piece you cannot replace. He was one of the All-Time greats to play for Pikeville. A new RB can be effective and allow Pikeville to maintain a Championship Level in 1A, but they definitely will lose something in terms of big play ability and tough yards.

 

Pikeville and Russellville both look to be the top dogs returning next year.