article Bluegrasspreps' Eastern Kentucky Pre-Season Power Rankings

[ATLCat]

Returning for 2016, BluegrassPreps.com is excited to again roll out weekly football Power Rankings for each of the regions around the state. With each week's Power Rankings, we will be looking to rank the top ten teams in each region - regardless of class - against the other teams in their region. Throughout the season, we will be accounting for the results of all the games throughout the region, including the strength of each opponent played, points scored, points allowed, along with several other statistics on each side of the ball.

 

We will also be featuring a highlighted "Game of The Week", and moving forward, will be re-capping the previous games of the week, as well as highlighting regional "Big Risers" and "Big Droppers" as various teams improve their performance and other teams fall back. The BGP Power Rankings will also feature a "Player of The Week".

 

To kick off the season for EKY we will do the Pre-Season Top 15, through the course of the season we will only show the Top 10. Without further ado here is the first power rankings of 2016!

 

15. Rockcastle County Rockets (4A, 5-7)- Rockets have to navigate the toughest District in EKY but have loads of experience back. Expect Brent Lovell to have a big year as a Junior.

 

14. Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 10-3)- Hazard has probably the most experience returning of the EKY 1A teams and should close the gap set by Paintsville and Pikeville some.

 

13. Russell Red Devils (3A, 8-4)- Nick Conley is a superb back and Russell has some nice pieces, but their hopes hinge on the play of a QB and line play that has to improve.

 

12. Raceland Rams (1A, 7-5)- Rams started to find their footing on the mountain late after a bit of a disappointing season. Paintsville is their #1 focus.

 

11. Ashland Tomcats (4A, 9-3)- Tomcats were among the best in EKY throughout 2015 but lose a pair of D-1 players and their talented underclassman RB was also dismissed. Going to be a tough row to handle in a solid region.

 

10. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 8-5)- Knox Central will be tested early and often with a brutal schedule but the Panthers should be able to compete with most anyone. QB Jaxon Stewart is one to keep an eye on as well as ATH Jermel Carton.

 

9. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 13-1)- 2015 was a pinnacle type season for the resurgent Tiger program as they spent most of the year ranked at the top of their class and as a legit Title Contender. An untimely injury to Kash Daniel couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient moment. With a solid core returning led by Kent Phelps and Tyrese Allen expect the Tigers to once again be in the 1A Title picture.

 

8. North Laurel Jaguars (5A, 11-2)- The Jags made a ton of head-way in 2015 before a valiant effort fell short against Pulaski County. They must replace one of the State’s most prolific backs in Steven Nelson, but QB Cole McWhorter should have a big time year.

 

7. Pikeville Panthers (1A, 13-2)- The Panthers were the Kings of 1A and did so in impressive manner. They must replace RB Daric Pugh and his absurd stat line and some other key contributors, but the pantry is far from bare. QB Wyatt Battaile completely changed Pikeville’s trajectory as a sophomore and will be one of the better QB’s in all of Kentucky. Blake Charles will also be a major force.

 

6. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 13-2)- Pulaski was a fixture toward the top of these rankings and fell just a bit short in the 5A Title Game to a loaded Bowling Green squad. The Maroons were hit very hard by graduation including QB Riley Hall and his legendary career. WR Jake Johnson returns and should finish as Kentucky’s All-Time leading receiver, but will Pulaski have enough left to make another deep push?

 

5. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 8-4)- Southwestern had high hopes in 2015 but were brought to reality by some familiar faces. Rival Pulaski County busted them 52-6 and then former District Mate North Laurel ended their season in the 2nd Round. Coach French’s team though is looking for the last laugh in 2016 as they return the most talent of the trio by far led by RB Patric Edwards, DE Floyd Fannin, QB Brandon Pruitt, and LB Chuck Burton. Can Southwestern finally get over the hump in 2016?

 

4. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 11-3)- Coach Shawn Thompson is becoming the master of the slow burn. Thompson used a young team and brought them along over the course of a few seasons to nearly win a State Title in 2013 and in 2016 has another crop of Seniors he is expecting to do something similar with. After a heartbreaking loss to Johnson Central in the Semi’s the Cardinals are loaded for bear with nearly every Offensive playmaker back and a veteran Defense essentially intact.

 

3. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 9-5)- It wasn’t pretty for Corbin through the regular season. The Hounds struggled with youth and O-Line play and fumbled their way (literally) to a 6-4 season with several close losses. Coach Haddix’s bunch though improved leaps and bounds and QB Cameron Sizemore thrived once the ball actually was hiked into his hands and they parlayed this into a Semi-Finals push. The Hounds return the farm and then some. With only DL Harley Lambert being a major loss expect Corbin to be a Top 5 team in 3A and show a major upward swing on Offense.

 

2. Johnson Central Golden Eagles (4A, 12-2)- When Johnson Central survived a pair of deep playoff scares by Scott and Wayne County a collective sigh could be heard from Paintsville as they made their first State Championship appearance in School History. The Eagles return a strong contingent from that team within upwards of 8 starters back including the dynamic Geordan Blanton and DL stalwart Dawson Stalker. The Eagles once again have the pieces to make a deep run, but may find an overall improved Class 4A an even tougher path.

 

1. Belfry Pirates (3A, 14-1)- It would be easy to extoll the virtues of the 3 time defending 3A Champs who return 9 starters each way including 4 players with Division 1 Offers and several more players with “All-State” already listed by their name. With that said I will keep it short and sweet, Belfry has the chance to plant their flag as the single best team to ever come out of Eastern Kentucky and in the process be one of the best “small school” teams in KY history as well. Will it happen? Lots of football to be played and you have to wonder if they have peaked… but one thing you can count on, the Pirates are BIG, FAST, EXPERIENCED, and just PAINFULLY LOADED.

 

 

Game of the Week:

Hazard @ Pineville- The Mountain Lions have one of the best gamers in EKY in QB Tuck Woolum returning at the healm. Woolum is very effective both running and throwing but will he have enough juice to upset a Hazard team littered with experience?

Edited July 25, 2016 by ATLCat

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

I'm a little surprised to see Pulaski at #6. Would four teams from lower class divisions and one from the same division really all beat the Maroons head-to-head?

[AreLinz]

I'm a little surprised to see Pulaski at #6. Would four teams from lower class divisions and one from the same division really all beat the Maroons head-to-head?

 

Didn't they lose 20 or so to graduation? And an All-World QB? I think 6 is a perfect spot considering...

[Purple88]

GREAT Work ATL! Very good read! Looks like 3 and 4A EKY is pretty loaded this year!

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Didn't they lose 20 or so to graduation? And an All-World QB? I think 6 is a perfect spot considering...

 

For what it's worth, I wasn't trying to sound smart aleck. I didn't realize Pulaski had graduated that many first stringers, and was genuinely surprised to see them ranked that relatively low.

[Purple88]

For what it's worth, I wasn't trying to sound smart aleck. I didn't realize Pulaski had graduated that many first stringers, and was genuinely surprised to see them ranked that relatively low.

TD, As a Bowling Green fan, I think I know a little about the Maroons having followed their path the last 3 seasons. According to the riherds page, 13 seniors depart off the consecutive 3-Time 5A State Finalist (winning in 2014). 13 isn't really THAT HUGE, but it's who leaves that's the thing.

 

Derek Burgett is a D1 kicker; Christian Holmann FSafety made tackle after tackle in the State Championship game and ended the season with 114 tackles on the year (led the team). Mason Helton was a tank out there at FB and LB and really imposed his will physically on every team they faced. George Gregory WR/DB was a really unsung hero as Jake Johnson and Riley Hall garnered earned accolades; George Gregory was just getting it done (700 yds rushing - 10 TDs; 500 yds passing 3 TDs; on D 1 Pick6 and 2 fumble recovers with 35 tackles - not a bad days work). Many don't remember that it was George Gregory's run on the opening kickoff in the State Championship game that allowed Pulaski to open the game 1st and 10 inside the BG 20. That effort turned into the only 7 points Pulaski would get. Finally, Riley Hall was a once in a generational type player. He started 3 full seasons and I think played some his Frosh year. ALL BGP Team and Player of the Year; That apple doesn't fall out of the tree often. As a BG fan I was always concerned about playing Pulaski because of Riley Hall. His competitiveness was off the chart!

 

I know Pulaski has some good players back (Jake Johnson to name 1), but I think 6 is pretty good considering this August you will be starting a game for the first time since 2012 with a starting QB not named Riley Hall.

[ATLCat]

What teams should start lower?

 

What teams should start higher?

 

Which team that is not ranked has the best chance to enter the Top 10?

[Purple88]

ATL,

What are the other teams in the East?

[coupon 21]

Greenup has a really good chance to move into the top 15 this season.

[ATLCat]

Greenup has a really good chance to move into the top 15 this season.

 

I like Greenup and think they will continue to improve

 

Aug 19, 16 Lewis County

Aug 27, 16 Russell

Sep 2, 16 Fleming County

Sep 9, 16 Raceland

Sep 16, 16 Lawrence County

Sep 23, 16 East Carter

Sep 30, 16 Rowan County

Oct 7, 16 Johnson Central

Oct 14, 16 Ashland Blazer

Oct 21, 16 Boyd County

 

What are you thinking they finish? I think 8-2 is doable and 7-3 is pretty possible, I would think 6-4 is where their expectation should probably be. That would be losses to Ashland and Johnson Central and then going 2-2 amongst Russell, Raceland, Fleming, and Lawrence County

 

If I were being held to the fire I would say 7-3 beating Lawrence, Fleming, and one of the two between Russell and Raceland.

[RaiderPride5]

I like Greenup and think they will continue to improve

 

Aug 19, 16 Lewis County

Aug 27, 16 Russell

Sep 2, 16 Fleming County

Sep 9, 16 Raceland

Sep 16, 16 Lawrence County

Sep 23, 16 East Carter

Sep 30, 16 Rowan County

Oct 7, 16 Johnson Central

Oct 14, 16 Ashland Blazer

Oct 21, 16 Boyd County

 

What are you thinking they finish? I think 8-2 is doable and 7-3 is pretty possible, I would think 6-4 is where their expectation should probably be. That would be losses to Ashland and Johnson Central and then going 2-2 amongst Russell, Raceland, Fleming, and Lawrence County

 

If I were being held to the fire I would say 7-3 beating Lawrence, Fleming, and one of the two between Russell and Raceland.

I think they can beat Ashland and could be second in the district.

[DevilMayCare]

I think they can beat Ashland and could be second in the district.

 

I'm counting Lewis, Lawrence, East Carter, Rowan, and Boyd as sure wins for the Musketeers. Russell, Raceland, Fleming, and Ashland are the toss-up games, IMO. I can see them splitting those four.

 

Regardless of how much Greenup's improved, I don't see them contending with JC. I'll say 7-3 and they grab another playoff win.

[JumperPride1]

Having rock and hazard in without a mention of Somerset is a stretch I think.

[Bac2369]

Is Bell County in here as well?

[ATLCat]

Is Bell County in here as well?

 

Nope... Bell lost a ton to graduation and also has to be considered a question mark at best with all the drama of the offseason costing them valuable practice time in the Spring.