Class 5A

 

Covington Catholic was miles ahead of the rest of Class 5A in 2017 going a perfect 15-0 and never really breaking a sweat. A dominant Senior Class is gone, so expect the field to make serious headway tracking in on the Colonels. A win against 6A Ryle could make a nice statement that the Colonels are still the team to beat. The three primary teams expected to challenge each have their own quality competition to sharpen their blades against. South Oldham is poised for a breakthrough year, but may have the stiffest opener against a loaded Christian Academy- Louisville team who also happened to be their lone regular season loss a year ago. The most intriguing mystery? Will Highlands' down year a season ago serve as a bridge year or a disturbing trend?

 

1. Covington Catholic at 6A Ryle

2. Bowling Green vs. 6A #9 Central Hardin at WKU (8/18)

3. South Warren at 4A #5 Hopkinsville

4. South Oldham vs. 2A #2 Christian Academy of Louisville

5. Highlands vs. 6A Cooper

6. Southwestern vs. Jeffersonville (IN) at Pulaski County

7. Anderson County vs. 6A George Rogers Clark

8. Owensboro vs. 4A #8 Madisonville North-Hopkins

9. Montgomery County vs. 3A Breathitt County (8/18)

10. Apollo at 6A Muhlenberg County

If Covington Catholic is better than Bowling Green and South Warren this year then they should never lose a game against a 5A team ever again.

If Covington Catholic is better than Bowling Green and South Warren this year then they should never lose a game against a 5A team ever again.

Your statement made total sense until the last two words.

Your statement made total sense until the last two words.

 

If they are better than those two teams this year then their program has gone to a new level and no one should ever be able to defeat them in the 5A classification. Long story short, I don’t think they are better than BG or South Warren this year.

Top four look good. While I hope they're back I'm hesitant to put Highlands in there after 2 down years.

If they are better than those two teams this year then their program has gone to a new level and no one should ever be able to defeat them in the 5A classification. Long story short, I don’t think they are better than BG or South Warren this year.

 

The way I see it, there's a clear line under South Warren, separating the top three from everyone else. All three suffered key losses, but CovCath returns one of the best RBs in 5A, Jack Coldiron and Michael Mayer at WR/TE, and four starters on the O-line. Obviously the QB is a huge loss, but with everything they've got coming back, this year's QB doesn't have to be AJ Mayer.

 

BG and SW suffered key losses too, and SW had a lot of ground to make up on CovCath after the beating they took in the playoffs. CovCath nearly lapped the field in 5A last year. I don't think they're nearly that far ahead (if at all) to start the 2018 season, but someone had to start the year at #1, and I think CovCath is a fair choice for the top spot.

The way I see it, there's a clear line under South Warren, separating the top three from everyone else. All three suffered key losses, but CovCath returns one of the best RBs in 5A, Jack Coldiron and Michael Mayer at WR/TE, and four starters on the O-line. Obviously the QB is a huge loss, but with everything they've got coming back, this year's QB doesn't have to be AJ Mayer.

 

BG and SW suffered key losses too, and SW had a lot of ground to make up on CovCath after the beating they took in the playoffs. CovCath nearly lapped the field in 5A last year. I don't think they're nearly that far ahead (if at all) to start the 2018 season, but someone had to start the year at #1, and I think CovCath is a fair choice for the top spot.

 

What key losses did BG and SW have? Both teams return a ton of starters on both sides of the ball including their starting QBs.

 

I’ll need to see it before I can believe that just anyone can step in and replace AJ Mayer like it isn’t anything. CovCath fans have talked up AJ Mayer for the last two seasons(and he backed it up!!!!) and now folks are acting like just anyone can replace him and they won’t miss a beat.

What key losses did BG and SW have? Both teams return a ton of starters on both sides of the ball including their starting QBs.

 

I’ll need to see it before I can believe that just anyone can step in and replace AJ Mayer like it isn’t anything. CovCath fans have talked up AJ Mayer for the last two seasons(and he backed it up!!!!) and now folks are acting like just anyone can replace him and they won’t miss a beat.

 

I am with you on AJ Mayer. He made Covington Catholic unbeatable last year. But if you take 3 TD's a game away because of AJ Mayer (which I personally believe may not be far off the truth about how good Mayer was), Covington Catholic was still undefeated last year. So yes, I am going to be very interested in seeing Covington Catholic without him.

 

But Covington Catholic is still loaded. There may be as many as a half dozen D1 players starting for them this year. Yes, I believe Coach Eviston has taken the program to a higher level. Also, Eviston's offensive system is dynamic. He pressures defenses horizontally and vertically. His sideline to sideline attack spreads defenses and creates space. He will taylor passes to the strengths of whoever the starting QB is.

 

Bottom line, Covington Catholic is stacked again and until they are threatened by someone, they should be #1. The eye opening game last year was the season opener versus Ryle. When CCH blasted Ryle, everyone at first was saying how bad is Ryle this year. Well, Ryle turned out to be a pretty good team. It shouldn't have been how bad is Ryle. It should have been how good is Covington Catholic. We will get to find out again this year how good Covington Catholic is in that first game because they play Ryle again. This time it is at Ryle and many people think Ryle is clearly better this year than last. That 8/17 game between CCH and Ryle is going to be fantastic.

What key losses did BG and SW have? Both teams return a ton of starters on both sides of the ball including their starting QBs.

 

BG is set at QB and RB (assuming Tisdale takes on a bigger workload), but they pretty much lost everyone at WR. Jordan Dingle has a huge upside, but he's their leading returning receiver with 7 receptions. Justice Dingle and Devan Jackson are huge losses in the middle of the defense. There's also some losses on the D-line that need replacing. Secondary looks loaded, though.

 

As for SW, the bulk of the production in the run game graduated, and Bush is the only true returning WR of note. I'll give you this, though… the defense has all the makings of the best in the class.

 

Any of the top three have a viable case for #1, but CovCath wasn't just handed the preseason #1 ranking because they're the defending champs. They're #1 because they're the defending champs who return a lot of talent and experience at various positions. This wouldn't be much of a debate if they'd been wiped out by graduation, but they weren't.

BG is set at QB and RB (assuming Tisdale takes on a bigger workload), but they pretty much lost everyone at WR. Jordan Dingle has a huge upside, but he's their leading returning receiver with 7 receptions. Justice Dingle and Devan Jackson are huge losses in the middle of the defense. There's also some losses on the D-line that need replacing. Secondary looks loaded, though.

 

As for SW, the bulk of the production in the run game graduated, and Bush is the only true returning WR of note. I'll give you this, though… the defense has all the makings of the best in the class.

 

Any of the top three have a viable case for #1, but CovCath wasn't just handed the preseason #1 ranking because they're the defending champs. They're #1 because they're the defending champs who return a lot of talent and experience at various positions. This wouldn't be much of a debate if they'd been wiped out by graduation, but they weren't.

 

BG is going to run the ball a lot more this year. Losing those WRs won’t hurt as bad as it may seem.

 

South Warren’s defense is going to be insane and I am loving the job Brandon Smith is doing down there.

 

The QB position is the most important position in HS football. It doesn’t matter what you have everywhere else if your QB can’t make plays consistently on third down. We know what BG and SW have at QB. We’ll have to wait and see what CovCath has.

BG is going to run the ball a lot more this year. Losing those WRs won’t hurt as bad as it may seem.

 

That remains to be seen. All I can do right now is take your word for it. But, your word is good as far as I'm concerned.

 

South Warren’s defense is going to be insane and I am loving the job Brandon Smith is doing down there.

 

Agreed. Lacey, Bush, Mustapha, plus the entire LB corps = filthy. Smith is a chip off the old block.

 

The QB position is the most important position in HS football. It doesn’t matter what you have everywhere else if your QB can’t make plays consistently on third down. We know what BG and SW have at QB. We’ll have to wait and see what CovCath has.

 

Also agree. This is a very fair point.

Honestly can't speak to the other teams, but I think Highlands team has a great group of talented players and leaders. They are determined to get it right this year and if things come together, watch out! Talented QB, experienced and dangerous backfield, strong and big sure-handed receivers, and hard-hitting defense could make for a really good season.

Honestly can't speak to the other teams, but I think Highlands team has a great group of talented players and leaders. They are determined to get it right this year and if things come together, watch out! Talented QB, experienced and dangerous backfield, strong and big sure-handed receivers, and hard-hitting defense could make for a really good season.

 

What 5A needs more than anything this year is for Highlands to return to form and join the ranks of the top 3 teams in 5A. I’d love to see Highlands football great again.

It sounds like we are in for a very good year at the top of 5a. I am also hearing that Highlands is a great spot at QB with talent around a few stud QBs. If SW is as stout on Def as stated, it would be an awesome rematch w CCH. I think CCH returns the best O line the school has had along with a monster TE and two Huge WR's (6'6 and 6'5 as I understand it). My guess is they will look different with more a running QB, and maul teams and control clock. That type of offense vs. SW would be fun to watch. As fun as that would, it doesn't sound like either is a lock to get past BG and Highlands. Good stuff!

BG is going to run the ball a lot more this year. Losing those WRs won’t hurt as bad as it may seem.

 

South Warren’s defense is going to be insane and I am loving the job Brandon Smith is doing down there.

 

The QB position is the most important position in HS football. It doesn’t matter what you have everywhere else if your QB can’t make plays consistently on third down. We know what BG and SW have at QB. We’ll have to wait and see what CovCath has.

 

It sounds like the same point could be made for CCH. If they're running the ball a lot more that will help offset the loss of Mayer. Plus, BG and SW seem to have a 5 TD gap they need to make up to get to CCH. Given that I think CCH deserves to go in as the number one.