1 Beechwood- They are top dogs until beaten. They return quite a bit of talent as well and maybe the best QB in class A.

 

2 Hazard- They return several playmakers and just as much as anyone and should be loaded the next two years for sure and with the top rusher in Class A returning for his senior season he will hope to lead the dawgs to back to Bowling Green along with others who will be hungry next season to avenge their loss in 2016.

 

3 Paintsville- They may lose there big time playmakers but their is plenty of talent still there and defensively is why I have the tigers in the 3 spot. They have solid playmakers returning but finding the QB to get them the ball will be the question.

 

4 Pikeville- They lost some valuable seniors but their talent is not lost. They will be young but with a QB like they have their offense will be solid and will keep defenses off balance. The question for them will be how will there line and young playmakers hold up.

 

5 Williamsburg- They may return more than anybody and will have playmakers all over the field. They only lost 4 off 2016s and it's possible they could be a number higher at 4 but they will have to prove it first.

 

6 Raceland- They lose a talented and deep senior class but will have talent returning and rumor of a QB transferring in has hopes high again but not as high as 2016. They may have the best reciever in class A returning and he is very dangerous to take it to the house. Their line play will tell how good the Rams will be in 2017 and QB play and if they have can develop a running game.

 

7 KCD- They have a shot to be just as good last season and experience returning but will they move to a passing game more or keep to a rushing attack. They will have an experienced QB an big target at wide out and a speedy running back. Defense is were they will need to improve.

 

8 Louisville Holy Cross- Pretty young team this past year but in 2017 they will have plenty of experience back and it helps to have a 1000 yard rusher returning and your starting QB and a few kids capable of catching the ball out of a balanced offense.

 

9 Russellville- They lost a bulk load of talent. But with there type of offense they get kids plenty of touches and most of the younger kids got some touches in the blowouts from 2016. They must have a kid step up and fill the roll of the QB and be able to run the offense correctly or Russellville won't be too much at all. They are the favorite still in their district until beaten but it won't surprise me to see them fall as I think them and Crittenden are in for a good battle in 2017.

 

10 Bracken Co- They wanted respect last year for their success but they got manhandled in the playoffs by an undermanned Fairview team. But this teams brings back over 2000 yards on the ground and solid receivers who catch the ball in a run heavy offense. They also return a QB with experience as they had two kids run the offense last season.

 

Teams on the outside that are looking in

 

Frankfort

Crittenden Co

Bethlehem

Paris

Bishop Brossart

Lynn Camp

Top 3 seem solid

 

Pikeville I do not think will be up to the level of those squads. Panthers have massive holes to hill on the Oline and on Defense. They also lost their two best receivers and their best Running Back.

 

They do have an excellent QB returning and the Rhodes kid is a nice piece..but I think this will be a reload year for Pikeville as 2018 is when they will once again be able to compete for with anyone.

Top 3 seem solid

 

Pikeville I do not think will be up to the level of those squads. Panthers have massive holes to hill on the Oline and on Defense. They also lost their two best receivers and their best Running Back.

 

They do have an excellent QB returning and the Rhodes kid is a nice piece..but I think this will be a reload year for Pikeville as 2018 is when they will once again be able to compete for with anyone.

 

I think the next 3 are in the same lines. I give the nod to Pikeville because of there experience of the QB. But Williamsburg also could be there because they return a ton. Raceland will have to find their QB even though I hear one may be or has transferred in..

 

But I agree they got holes to fill but they will get kids in there I gurantee it. But I expect 2017-2018 to be Hazards years.

Wburg returning a senior qb that lead 1a in severa statistical categories last year.

Coach Myers at Russellville might need a bit of Christmas cheer. He is losing 38% of the Panther team to graduation. Many of these guys have been 2 or 3 year starters. The first team meeting for 2017 may require name tags.

Coach Myers at Russellville might need a bit of Christmas cheer. He is losing 38% of the Panther team to graduation. Many of these guys have been 2 or 3 year starters. The first team meeting for 2017 may require name tags.

 

It is very odd to see then down this far but they lost a lot.

I think your list looks pretty good Bac2369. Number 10 is a toss up. I could see Bracken, Paris, Frankfort, Brossart ...maybe Crittenden Co.

I think your list looks pretty good Bac2369. Number 10 is a toss up. I could see Bracken, Paris, Frankfort, Brossart ...maybe Crittenden Co.

 

I myself don't like seeing Russellville that low but honestly the rest return a lot more. I agree anyone could go in the 10 spot I just felt they return more than anyone else. But they will have to prove they belong.

KCD just lost its' starting center for next year, a very solid sophomore this year, due to his father transferring to another job. It's a bit of a blow as the offensive line was a strong suit this year and looked formidable again for 2017. The offensive fire power that returns is pretty strong as well. QB Diaz is a exciting dual threat with a strong arm, TE Lifson returns at 6 4 225 with great hands, power and athleticism, RB's Robinson and Minor will need to fill the multi-talented shoes of departing senior Jared Frank. The non-district schedule includes a juggernaut in Lexington Christian, a solid Walton Verona squad and a Waggener team that features two legit D1 standouts. The game at Waggener should really worth watching, especially if TE Lifson(KCD) and CB Jarius Brents(Waggener)pair up. Everyone from Alabama to Wisconsin has offered Brents and Lifson already has a D1 offer and got invites to visit Clemson, Wake Forest, Duke and Louisville this year. Fun match up potentially.

 

After that, all roads lead through Beechwood.

 

I think the rankings with the Tigers on top make a lot of sense. Beechwood loses it's talented starting RB, but his backup this year. James Davis, is super fast and elusive and might turn out to be even better than Justice when it's all said and done.And QB Burch is such a cool customer with a cannon arm that the passing game is in great shape for 2017.

 

On Defense, Beechwood loses the anchors on the edge, DE's Dalton and Benson, and the hard nosed and talented Trevor Soward. But the cupboard never seems to be all that bare for the Tigers. If anyone in the west wants a trip to the finals, they gotta be better than Beechwood. And that will take some doing.

NicholasCo will not be as down as many expect. They return 2 starters on the OL , QB and a top RB also return. Their LB core was their defense and they return all of them. If the two big OL that will be soph pan out they may be better on the Offensive side of the ball. They do have several holes to fI'll but their JV team the last two yrs has went 8-2.

Crittenden County has several kids returning as Juniors next season. A few of them started last year with good results. This could be an interesting matchup for Russellville. I can't wait!

In this upcoming season, I think Pikeville will go through what is referred to as a bridge year. The bright spot of course is the QB Wyatt Battaile. He'll be a senior with tons of experience and talent. The negative I saw in 2016 was the Oline wasn't what it was the previous season, neither was the defense. Had it been, I think there would have been a little more success. I really think this upcoming Sophomore class will be special if your a Pikeville fan. They're young but have plenty of experience. Many got that experience with reps played in varsity games this past season. They came within six points of winning the 8th grade championship two seasons ago against a very talented CAL team. Really had CAL beat all through the game, but one mistake late in the game cost them the title. This team will take their lumps and bumps early on, but come playoff time, coach will have them ready to compete. How far ? We'll just have to see how they mature and improve. The coaching is there, the talent is there, the heart is there, the community support is there, just have to wait and see.

Bump

That is a good top ten list Bac2369. I don't know enough about all the teams to question any of it. The team to watch is Kentucky Country Day. I was impressed with them in the playoffs last year against Beechwood and I believe their team had a lot of young starters.

That is a good top ten list Bac2369. I don't know enough about all the teams to question any of it. The team to watch is Kentucky Country Day. I was impressed with them in the playoffs last year against Beechwood and I believe their team had a lot of young starters.

 

The hung tough for a half. Yes they should be just as good this year. I think Berchwood has to travel this year twice if the top seed wins in the 3rd round. But KCD is the only threat I see for them. I'm not dogging Russellville but they lost a ton and will be very young.