Bluegrasspreps' Football Rankings (9/26)

Class 1A

As we round the regular season's halfway point and begin to head toward home, the focus shifts from Non-District games to games that matter with implications toward the post season. Only two Top 10 teams in Class 1A challenged ranked foes in Week 5 with Beechwood taking down Covington Holy Cross in an intense battle, and Fairview taking it on the chin to 2A LCA. With the exception of Kentucky Country Day falling to 3A Adair County, the remainder of the Top 10 held relatively in tact. The District Schedule portion of the season gets off to a rapid start this week headlined by rival #5 Pikeville and #7 Hazard both looking for their first true statement wins of the season in District 8. Another clash between Top 10 teams will feature #10 Kentucky Country Day hosting #8 Louisville Holy Cross with massive playoff implications attached.

1. Russellville at Fulton County

2. Paintsville vs. 3A Pike County Central (9/29)

3. Raceland vs. 3A Lawrence County

4. Beechwood at 2A Newport

5. Pikeville vs. #7 Hazard

6. Nicholas County vs. Berea

7. Hazard at #5 Pikeville

8. Louisville Holy Cross at #10 Kentucky Country Day

9. Fairview -- OPEN

10. Kentucky Country Day vs. #8 Louisville Holy Cross

Class 2A

The non-district farewell for Class 2A was a bit of a challenge as five of the Top 10 teams took on ranked foes from other classes. Mayfield did the rest of their class proud by surviving a nail-biter against 3A's #2 ranked team Corbin. The only other team to win their challenge was LCA who continued their high scoring ways. Glasgow was over matched against Greenwood, and fellow Northern Kentucky stable mates Covington Holy Cross and Lloyd Memorial both lost heart breakers. Week 6 is surprisingly void of games featuring the Top 10 against ranked foes, but the focal point this week will be a pair of games with huge ramifications. In District 8, Leslie County takes on undefeated Allen Central. After surviving a game challenge from Butler County, Owensboro Catholic effectively looks to wrap up their District Title against a surprising one loss McLean County squad.

1. Mayfield at Murray

2. Christian Academy- Louisville vs. 6A Meade County

3. DeSales vs. 6A North Hardin

4. Owensboro Catholic vs. McLean County

5. Danville at 1A Campbellsville

6. Newport Central Catholic -- OPEN

7. Lexington Christian Academy -- OPEN

8. Covington Holy Cross at 1A Bethlehem

9. Glasgow vs. Green County

10. Lloyd Memorial at 6A Conner

Class 3A

You could hear a collective gasp of fresh air for many 3A programs as they watched the scoreboard Friday. Two teams had seemingly separated themselves from the pack in Belfry and Corbin, but both teams were served a slice of humble pie with Week 5 losses against very strong competition. One powerhouse team that served notice that they aren't going quietly into the night was Central, who took down Waggener to continue their reign of District dominance. This week Adair County makes their Top 10 debut by way of defeating a Top 10 1A team, but must quickly rise to the challenge of Edmonson County. Waggener, reeling from their Central loss, will look to right the ship against undefeated Bardstown. In District 5, Fleming County and Russell square off in what may very well be the de-facto District Championship.

1. Belfry vs. Cabell Midland (WV)

2. Corbin vs. Jackson County

3. Caldwell County vs. Union County

4. Lexington Catholic -- OPEN

5. Boyle County -- OPEN

6. Central at Moore (9/29)

7. Bardstown at Waggener

8. Garrard County -- OPEN

9. Russell at Fleming County

10. Adair County at Edmonson County

Class 4A

All eyes were on Franklin, KY as the host Wildcats challenged the defending Champion South Warren Spartans. In an instant classic type of game Franklin-Simpson defended their home turf and in the process secured the inside track for the District 2 title. In what was a relatively underwhelming slate of games, Spencer County's shootout win over Collins was seemingly the only other game with Top 10 implications. This week has a seemingly "blase" type of vibe with the Top 10 teams mostly all entering as decided favorites. One game though, definitely sticks out! Wayne County takes the show on the road to Mount Vernon for an pivotal District 6 bout with Rockcastle County.

1. Johnson Central at East Carter

2. Wayne County at #7 Rockcastle County

3. Franklin-Simpson at Warren Central

4. South Warren -- OPEN

5. Hopkinsville at Madisonville-North Hopkins

6. John Hardin vs. Breckinridge County

7. Rockcastle County vs. #2 Wayne County

8. Knox Central at Clay County

9. Spencer County vs. North Oldham

10. Mercer County at East Jessamine

Class 5A

Little movement will be found among the Top 10 teams of Class 5A following a week of predictable scores. Three scores stood out the most for causing a little bit of a double take due to the numbers posted on the scoreboard. Bowling Green's 55-7 running clock win over 6A Central Hardin was certainly impressive on the positive side of the results column. Most expected Highlands to lose to #3 6A Simon Kenton, but few expected a game with 130 combined points, those same people probably also didn't expect rapidly ascending Covington Catholic to be handled by five touchdowns to a solid Ohio foe. Week 6 is a fairly ho-hum docket, with several teams enjoying this week for a much needed open date. The eyes of the class will be firmly directed toward Hopkinsville where District 1 will take center stage with a huge showdown between Christian County and Owensboro.

1. Bowling Green at Grayson County (9/29)

2. Covington Catholic -- OPEN

3. Christian County vs. #9 Owensboro

4. Greenwood vs. Barren County

5. Fern Creek vs. Southern (9/29)

6. Pulaski County at 6A Henry Clay

7. Southwestern -- OPEN

8. South Oldham vs. Nelson County

9. Owensboro at #3 Christian County

10. Highlands -- OPEN

Class 6A

Each week the Bluegrasspreps.com ranking staff dutifully orders the Top 15 teams in each class. Week 5 featured only one of the Top 15 teams taking a loss, but even as such that loss was by PRP to fellow ranked 6A foe St. Xavier. To say there will be minimal movement among the rankings would be an understatement. While some other classes have the Week 6 doldrums, Class 6A brings enough drama to cover for everyone. Jefferson County breaks the norm this week with a full slate of Thursday match-ups headlined by Pleasure Ridge park looking to avoid a three game losing streak against #2 Male. Two Louisville teams going the traditional Friday route also have some little game scheduled you may have heard of. The renewal of the St. Xavier vs. Trinity rivalry will certainly be one of the biggest games in the Commonwealth as it always is.

1. Trinity vs. #6 St. Xavier

2. Male at #9 Pleasure Ridge Park (9/29)

3. Simon Kenton -- OPEN

4. Scott County -- OPEN

5. Lafayette vs. Bryan Station

6. St. Xavier vs. #1 Trinity

7. Ryle at George Rogers Clark

8. Manual vs. Butler (9/29)

9. Pleasure Ridge Park vs. #2 Male (9/29)

10. Cooper vs. 5A Dixie Heights