Class 1A

Only two weeks into the season and a pecking order is already shaping up. Everyone knew Beechwood and Hazard would be in the picture, and following a pair of quality wins over 5A Harlan County and 2A Lloyd Memorial they have confirmed that appointment. The mystery is starting to unravel as to who may be able to challenge them. Kentucky Country Day and Paintsville have both opened the season in an impressive manner and have a chance to cement their contender status with tough games. Louisville Holy Cross has probably been the most pleasant surprise and they have a chance to make a statement against one of 2A's best in DeSales.

 

1. Beechwood at 2A #10 Somerset

2. Hazard vs. 5A Letcher County Central

3. Paintsville vs. Hurricane (WV)

4. Kentucky Country Day at 2A Washington County

5. Williamsburg at 2A Leslie County

6. Raceland at 3A West Carter

7. Holy Cross (Louisville) at 2A #3 DeSales

8. Russellville at 2A Butler County

9. Frankfort vs. North College Hill (OH)

10. Pikeville -- OPEN

On paper it looks like Holy Cross draws the toughest assignment this weekend. Although KCD had best remember two years ago when Washington Co won a close one down there in Springfield. Have been impressed by the numbers QB John Floyd put up against Campbellsville and Bethlehem. He looks to be a do it all kind of signal caller. And will KCD open things up again after playing pretty conservative second half versus Walton Verona. To be fair, a number of starters were cramping and had to come out--might have made some sense to run the ball and run the clock....but I think KCD is much more dangerous when they throw the ball at least 20 times a game.

Williamsburg is too high, should be toward the bottom of top 10.

Williamsburg is too high, should be toward the bottom of top 10.

 

Often times with these rankings, teams will hold steady after a loss because no one below them really deserves to move up. Especially if those losses come at the hands of solid opposition. I think that might be the case here with both Williamsburg and Raceland.

Williamsburg is too high, should be toward the bottom of top 10.

 

I think they are fine for now. They have all season to try some kids on that line.

The next 3 games will tell how Williamsburg will fair.

Not sure how good Holy Cross is. Blanked by Bullitt Central and the beat Valley team which is struggling both offensively (1 TD each game) and defensively (30-plus allowed twice already).

I was very impressed with the win for KCD. From looking at stats The big tightend didn't catch many passes. Was he double covered or Did KCD just go away from him?

I was very impressed with the win for KCD. From looking at stats The big tightend didn't catch many passes. Was he double covered or Did KCD just go away from him?

 

Went completely away from the passing game in the second half. And threw 10 fewer passes in general than the week before against Atherton. Some observers besides me wondered why. One theory is that several of KCD's best defenders were suffering major cramps on the sidelines during the second half, including leading tackler LB Chris Scott, DT OT Robert Thomas and even TE/DE Josh Lifson for a number of series. KCD's coaches may have felt that the running game and a clock that kept moving was the best friend to a talented but not terribly deep squad that was already depleted on both sides of the ball.

 

Other than that theory, didn't make a lot a sense. Why wouldn't you be chucking it to one of the top TEs in the region? Lifson did draw a bunch of coverage, but that opened up the first half TD pass to Gianni Minor among other positives.

 

Defense won the game against WV....and that's a really nice development from last year's KCD squad that gave up some big numbers to better competition.

How many top 10 teams lose this weekend?