Never too early...

 

Who is going to surprise people?

Who is going to be "down" ?

Who will be the team to beat in the East?

Can anyone stop Mayfield's reign of terror?

1. Mayfield- The Cards have the dynamic duo of bright and Arnett back and a lot of experience up front and on Defense. The only visible flaw will be having to find someone for Arnett to throw to after graduating some excellent receivers.

 

2. CAL- I love what the Centurions have with Carr at QB and Paulson on both sides of the ball. There is no denying CAL can compete at a high level, but can they break the trance that DeSales holds on them?

 

3. DeSales- The cupboard is probably the most bare it has been in several years, but there is no doubt DeSales will still be a very tough Defensive team. Can they find the Offensive firepower to contend in a stacked Western Semi-State?

 

4. NewCath- The Breds lose some of the finest players in Class 2A in Smith, Harris, and Lawrence. QB Patrick Henschen though may have a breakout year starting for his 3rd season. Kurtis Sutkamp is a monster on Defense and Trent Wrobleski is valuable in all aspects of the game.

 

5. Danville- The Ads made huge strides last season and were one of the classes Top Teams. They once again will contend but do have significant graduation losses to fill. With that said, VanCleave and Dampier are as good of a duo returning in 2A you will find.

 

6. LCA- The darkhorse team will be the Eagles who return more Offensive firepower than any team in the class. Brayden Miller, Dillon Wheatley, Ryan Stuckey, Lebryk and Burton are a scoreboard explosion waiting to happen. LCA's chances though will depend on whether their Defense is up to the task.

 

7. Owensboro Catholic- 2015 was the Ace's shining chance to make a move with a Senior Heavy team and they came up just short against Mayfield. The Aces will ahve to reload but still should have enough overall talent to be tough.

 

8. Murray- A similar fortune as Ocath. The Tigers lose several two way studs and now must pick up the pieces.

 

9. Somerset- The Briar Jumpers went from winless in 2014 to 6-5 in 2015. Jordan Doan is a stellar back and Isaih Cornett can play for anyone. Do they have enough firepower thought o overcome what should be a loaded District?

 

10. Butler County- King Rex! Rex Henderson is one of KY's elite small school players and is good for 7 wins basically on his own. A district title is within reach but the supporting cast must step up.

 

11. Glasgow- @015 was a down year for the Scotties as they never really threatened. What they do have going for them is LB Steven Franklin who will be playing D-1 football.

 

12. Lloyd Memorial- The Juggs were a fine team in 2015 but must replace a sizeable chunk of their core players.

 

13. Walton-Verona- The Bearcats won District 5 but never really threatened as a Title Contender. Halsey Page was the heartbeat of their team and will be a massive hole to replace.

 

14. Monroe County- The Falcons lost one of the State's most underrated coaches as well as a solid Senior Class. Ty Mink is a very good player to build around, but the road will be uphill.

 

15. Owen County- A District Title is a real possibility but the better Eastern teams appear miles ahead.

Maybe Butler Co could be considered a west surprise next year with Superman QB stand in Rex Henderson back for his final tour.

 

I think OC and Murray will be down from last year but still dangerous. I have heard rumors of a frosh to be QB at OC that is expected to do big things.

I also suspect DeSales maybe playing second fiddle to CAL with the super QB and super all everything Wright kid. Then again due to numbers, DeSales in the past claimed they just reboot so we will see.

 

I hope to see the Ads take the East but honestly do know what they return. Until then NCC seems a safe bet but they lost some key pieces to a scrappy bunch.

 

MF, Notable losses are arguably the best kicker and punter in the class. 6 on offense and 6 on defense.

On offense this includes both left side guard and tackle and the top 4 Wide outs.

On Defense they lose both the right and left tackles, both D ends and 2 corner backs.

 

The kicker and punter to me are by far the biggest loss, he is just not replaceable but a young kicker is showing promise and should be above average just not what MF is accustomed too. On offense the receiver core was backed by a fleet of what should be interchangeable players so not real worried there. The 2 tackles are a concern but we appear to have capable replacements there just not a lot of depth without getting young. I suspect the line actually be better than last year. Overall, with the return of 2 year starting QB Arnett and 2 year starting RB Bright and the addition of a Bright clone in Mathews with talent and depth at the wide outs this should be a improved offense.

 

On defense the linebacker core should be the best as a overall group MF has ever had. Workman, Arnett (QB's brother) and Hurt all return and Smith should make a great addition. Hurt is rumored to be getting some looks from D-1 schools like UK. The secondary is also expected to be a strong point with what returns and the talent behind them last year that saw significant time in relief. If there is an area of concern it would be the d line, which was also a concern the last couple of years but it turned out fine.

 

MY way too early biased opinion is that on paper this is a better team than we have fielded the last 2 or 3 years and expectations here are high. This team has a very good chance at a title with far less question marks than the last 2 campaigns.

Good Observation Tooth.

 

Here's what they are saying in Owensboro.

 

Catholic always reloads a QB. Look at their QB stats every year. Alot of people in town thought it would be different when Ray Zuberer was the starter, not one thing changed and the Aces broke a ton of school records and state records. The place that hurts the Aces is the LB spot. Blair and Riney back will help a ton, but a replacement for Boarman will be hard. I said that when they lost Deveraux Reed in 2014, but Blair filled in nicely.

 

One thing is for sure. All their linmen are back from last year except 1 DL. Look for them to be better then #8, but I like them at that spot. SOme early tests for OC is Evansville Mater Dei and Owensboro with a late game with North Hardin. So the Aces will be tested by some tough competition before the Cards come into Steele Stadium in the Region.

 

Cardinals will be the biggest wall now for the Aces if they can climb that wall and I know many have not, but if they do they the Aces could find themselves in the Title game.

 

Still WAY WAY WAY too early. I think the early favorite has to be the Cards.

It's a tough class but if we work hard, we can get back in the playoffs. GO BIG RED!

It's a tough class but if we work hard, we can get back in the playoffs. GO BIG RED!

 

Nah, just funnin with y'all. This is gonna be one of our better teams, we should be the favorite to win state. GO BIG RED!

Walton should be better this year they lost some quality backs but have a talented youngsters coming up.

Nah, just funnin with y'all. This is gonna be one of our better teams, we should be the favorite to win state. GO BIG RED!

 

I think so too Mayfield fan, I would be shocked if they aren't AP preseason #1. I know they lose alot like their DL and some quality WR but they will reload.

Nah, just funnin with y'all. This is gonna be one of our better teams, we should be the favorite to win state. GO BIG RED!

 

It sure is on paper and I hope it plays out like many here think it will. By far the fewest question marks since maybe 2010

Rambo

 

Tell us about this highly hyped QB that will take the OC reins

I see a glaring omission in this way too early preseason poll. If we are talking 2a small school football, where experience means everything. How could we forget about Cov Holy Cross with their 20+ returning senior class.

Rambo

 

Tell us about this highly hyped QB that will take the OC reins

 

Will Warren

6'3 225 So.

He actually has a great arm. Reminds me of Barnard but a little bigger. Zuberer and Isaac Hardesty made plays with their legs and had decent throws.

 

He will have a slight learning curve, especially against Owensboro and Evansville Mater Dei and scrimmaging Henderson Co. He will also go against a good defense everyday in practice.

 

OC runs the same system as Mayfield "Tony Franklin System".

I see a glaring omission in this way too early preseason poll. If we are talking 2a small school football, where experience means everything. How could we forget about Cov Holy Cross with their 20+ returning senior class.

 

Barnes and a fully healthy Abernathy (ACL injury) will be a NIGHTMARE for any team. Stood next to Barnes at the 9th Region Tourney this week........:scared: young man is thick and about 6' 2"

look for Lloyd to make a nice little run in the playoffs this season. Should be the favorite to win the district.

look for Lloyd to make a nice little run in the playoffs this season. Should be the favorite to win the district.

 

Being that you are a Lloyd fan, why would the Jugs be favored over HC?