Class 3A

 

Expectations have not been this high for a Chuck Smith team since those legendary squads of the early 2000's. The Rebels appear the clear front runner in 3A and will open with a chance to make a statement against a quality 6A Ballard squad. Central is flying under the radar a bit despite returning a ton of talent from an excellent team and will have their own Top 10 6A clash. Elizabethtown and Lexington Catholic each have interesting openers. Lexington Catholic will tackle 5A Runner-Up Madison Southern while Elizabethtown must turn over their roster against 4A Champion Franklin-Simpson.

 

1. Boyle County vs. 6A #10 Ballard at Mercer County (8/18)

2. Central vs. 6A #6 Manual

3. Belfry -- OPEN

4. Corbin vs. 5A Whitley County (8/18)

5. Lexington Catholic vs. 5A Madison Southern at Madison Central (8/18)

6. Elizabethtown vs. 4A #2 Franklin-Simpson

7. Caldwell County at 5A Christian County

8. Casey County at 5A Barren County

9. Larue County vs. 4A Marion County

10. Western Hills vs. 4A Franklin County

"OPEN is loaded and will give Belfry all kinds of fits."

 

- Watusi

Barring injury, can anyone hang with Boyle in 3A?

Barring injury, can anyone hang with Boyle in 3A?

 

My gut is saying yes because Central, Belfry and Corbin should all be expected to be pretty good as well. Lexington Catholic is a question mark since they have a new coach but they are always talented. I expect Boyle County to repeat and will be surprised if they don’t repeat but I don’t think it will be easy once they get deep in the playoffs. Those should be some great games.

I don't know why anyone would not rank them preseason #1 but they do have some team weaknesses to overcome. Too many guys going both ways up front. Some pretty darn good players but still hard on the big guys. I personally think they will find some new blood up front over the course of the season and will get some big leads against a few teams that will allow them to work those guys in and bring them to speed to have some help when it's crunch time. I do expect them to repeat but they need to work hard and not just expect everyone to roll over.

I do expect them to repeat but they need to work hard and not just expect everyone to roll over.

 

If there is one thing we can count on it is that this coaching staff will not allow the team to have that mindset.

My gut is saying yes because Central, Belfry and Corbin should all be expected to be pretty good as well. Lexington Catholic is a question mark since they have a new coach but they are always talented. I expect Boyle County to repeat and will be surprised if they don’t repeat but I don’t think it will be easy once they get deep in the playoffs. Those should be some great games.

 

You can say that again. Starting in Round 3, they'd likely have to run a gauntlet of Belfry, Corbin, and Central in order to repeat. That's as tough as it gets.

I do think Boyle is the best in the class. Wide range of talent, speed and athleticism. All that being said, IMO, their depth is a question mark. An injury or two, could be very problematic. I think Central is solidly 2nd with Belfry and Corbin fighting it out for the 3rd spot.

 

IMO, Corbin will miss Sizemore a lot more than they realize. Hard to replace his field leadership.

 

Belfry is the fly in the ointment IMO. They have some big holes to fill. But, if they advance into November and Boyle has to make the long 4 1/2 hour drive....that could be a game changer.

 

Interested to see how it plays out......

You can say that again. Starting in Round 3, they'd likely have to run a gauntlet of Belfry, Corbin, and Central in order to repeat. That's as tough as it gets.

 

Plus it would be @ Belfry and @ Corbin.

Barring injury, can anyone hang with Boyle in 3A?

 

Not until the playoffs no.

Elizabethtown is YOUNG folks. Not much back stat wise on either side of the ball.

 

I like Coach Brown and have a respect for him, but this is a rebuilding/bridge year.

 

Plus, the Panthers have CAL and Franklin-Simpson in their first three games along with 6A North Hardin.

 

The Panthers would do well to start 1-2, but 0-3 wouldn't shock me.

 

I'd be absolutely floored if they open 2-1 or 3-0, though. Feed me some crow if that happens.

Tilghman will be a factor in these rankings. The ceiling is extremely high this season. We'll just have to wait and see how it all ends up.

 

For the preseason though, I can agree with those rankings fairly closely. Earn your way into them if not already there.

The West should be wide open....but I don't think anyone other there can or will challenge the top 4

Central has to replace a quarterback and a good receiver, but gets nearly everyone else back. Their line/linebackers look like a small college team. Boyle looked really athletic in 7 on 7.

Edited August 10, 20188 yr by mcpapa
R10

Is the running back from Corbin still playing football? I know he’s a UK baseball commit. He was impressive against Boyle County in the championship game last season