1. Johnson Central Golden Eagles (4A, 12-3, State Runner-Up)- Franklin-Simpson took out some revenge on the Golden Eagles in the Finals but don’t feel sorry for Matney’s bunch. Johnson Central returns a wealth of starters and get back superstar RB Joe Jackson from a season ending injury.

 

2. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 13-2, State Runner-Up)- Corbin came up just short against a peaking Boyle County team. Corbin must replace their heartbeat in QB Camron Sizemore, but Chase Estep is dynamic. The Hounds should still be solid on Defense. Cross-Bracketing also is favorable for Corbin as they avoid the heavyweights of the Class until the Semi-Finals.

 

3. Belfry Pirates (3A, 11-2)- Untimely injuries at the LB position led to Belfry getting whitewashed by familiar foe Central and ending their streak as the Kings of their Class. Belfry must replace some key parts at the skill positions and will rely on one of the State’s best Offensive Lines which returns in tract.

 

4. Ashland Tomcats (4A, 10-3)- Ashland shocked rival Johnson Central in the regular season but had their dreams crushed when the Golden Eagles returned the favor in the playoffs. The Tomcats will try to rebound and will do so behind the arm and legs of dynamic QB Braxton Ratliff.

 

5. Raceland Rams (1A, 10-5, State Runner-Up)- The Rams got over the hump and finally fought their way to the 1A Final before falling to the Beechwood Buzzsaw. Raceland has plenty of experience back and will have the slightest of edges in what should be a stacked 1A Eastern Semi-State.

 

6. Pikeville Panthers (1A, 8-5, Lost in Semi’s)- It was called a “Rebuilding Year” as Coach MacNamee sent out a very young team and took several early season losses. The Panthers hit their stride and almost made a run to the State Finals and will return the farm.

 

7. Harlan County Black Bears (5A, 8-6, Lost in Semi’s)- The Black Bears were an after thought as the 5A Playoffs started. They entered as the 3-seed and with a 5-5 record, but they left with a shocking run that came a touchdown short of reaching the Championship. Expect continued improvement.

 

8. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 10-3)- Southwestern must replace one of the top players in school history with the graduating of Patric Edwards. It certainly helps when you have an all-purpose threat like Drew Sawyers to step up.

 

9. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 4-7)- The 2017 season was a forgettable one for the Maroons. They hobbled to a losing record against a brutal schedule. Pulaski will not stay down for long under Coach Hines, but they have a lot of ground to make up to return to form.

 

10. Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 9-3)- Hazard was in the thick of the 1A race but were a couple defensive shootouts and a couple key injuries away. The Bulldogs will rely on their stud QB Bailey Blair and will once again be a major factor in what should be an exciting season for small school football.

 

The Next Ten:

11. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 8-4)

12. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 11-2)

13. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 12-2, Lost in Semi’s)

14. Rockcastle County Rockets (4A, 8-4)

15. Bell County Bobcats (3A, 7-5)

16. Somerset Briarjumpers (2A, 7-5)

17. Montgomery County Indians (5A, 10-3)

18. North Laurel Jaguars (5A, 9-3)

19. Whitley County Colonels (5A, 7-5)

20. Russell Red Devils (3A, 5-6)

 

 

Large School Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year:

QB Braxton Ratliff, Ashland

 

Small School Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year:

QB Bailey Blair, Hazard

 

Large School Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year:

LB Devin Johnson, Johnson Central

 

Small School Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year:

DB Gunnur Lewis, Raceland

 

15 Players to Watch In 2018:

ATH Blevin Campbell, Knox Central

ATH Seth Conn, Pike Central

ATH Chase Estep, Corbin

LB Austin Fields, Belfry

RB Colby Frazier, Bell County

LB Grant Gibson, Corbin

ATH Jackson Hensley, Pikeville

LB Garry Henson, Harlan County

RB Joe Jackson, Johnson Central

RB Seth Johnson, Shelby Valley

RB Jayden Neace, Perry Central

RB/LB Jaden Payne, Rockcastle County

ATH Drew Sawyers, Southwestern

ATH Landan Swartz, Bath County

RB/DB Ethan Varney, Prestonsburg

Great Job ATL!

 

I saw where Corbin got second place down in the 7on7 in Dalton this year!

Always good competition down there! Should be a good season for the Redhounds!

I always look forward to the the regional power rankings, but none more than EKY. Great stuff, ATL.

 

A few observations...

 

- It'll be fun watching the movement at the top of these rankings. I feel like JC, Belfry, and Corbin are a cut above the rest, but Raceland and Pikeville will jockey for position among the smaller schools all season. There's very little separating those two.

 

- FWIW, I'd take Dalton Adkins as the small school defensive POY. As great as Gunnur is, Dalton is probably Raceland's defensive MVP. The young man can flat out play. He excels in that Safety/Linebacker hybrid position.

 

- Montgomery County could be a big mover in these rankings as the season progresses. Outside of district opponents Madison Southern and Anderson County, their schedule is very manageable. I think they get to 6-0 before they head to Berea to face last year's 5A runner-up. I don't think an unbeaten regular season is out of the question.

Player not listed who might be consensus defensive player of the year by the end of the season:

 

Jaylyn Allen, Paintsville

I always look forward to the the regional power rankings, but none more than EKY. Great stuff, ATL.

 

A few observations...

 

- It'll be fun watching the movement at the top of these rankings. I feel like JC, Belfry, and Corbin are a cut above the rest, but Raceland and Pikeville will jockey for position among the smaller schools all season. There's very little separating those two.

 

- FWIW, I'd take Dalton Adkins as the small school defensive POY. As great as Gunnur is, Dalton is probably Raceland's defensive MVP. The young man can flat out play. He excels in that Safety/Linebacker hybrid position.

 

- Montgomery County could be a big mover in these rankings as the season progresses. Outside of district opponents Madison Southern and Anderson County, their schedule is very manageable. I think they get to 6-0 before they head to Berea to face last year's 5A runner-up. I don't think an unbeaten regular season is out of the question.

 

I agree but in a different way. 5A school with only 6 seniors and the loss of an All State caliber running back may move them down this list.

Bath County and Powell County were both preseason "favorites" in Cats Pause to win their 3A districts. Swartz from Bath County is listed on the watch list but Austin Reed (6'7" 225 DE/TE) from Bath County and Nathan Skidmore ( 6'0" 200ish RB/LB) from Powell County should be in consideration as well. But this is all preseason. Time will tell on all of the predictions.

Bath County and Powell County were both preseason "favorites" in Cats Pause to win their 3A districts. Swartz from Bath County is listed on the watch list but Austin Reed (6'7" 225 DE/TE) from Bath County and Nathan Skidmore ( 6'0" 200ish RB/LB) from Powell County should be in consideration as well. But this is all preseason. Time will tell on all of the predictions.

 

Is Reed drawing any college attention? He's got the frame to fill out quite a bit more, and could make for a good TE prospect. Based on what I saw of him last year, I like his potential. He just doesn't get the chance to catch the ball much in Bath's offense.

Is Reed drawing any college attention? He's got the frame to fill out quite a bit more, and could make for a good TE prospect. Based on what I saw of him last year, I like his potential. He just doesn't get the chance to catch the ball much in Bath's offense.

 

Definitely a case where transfering to another school may have helped this kid some, for the exact reasons you state.

Great work @ATLCat!

 

One question though, do you not consider Greenup County "Eastern Kentucky" or do you just feel that they're not top 20 material?

Ryan Bryant DE/TE for Ashland is a player that's under the radar and worth keeping an eye on. He's 6'5/270 and is garnering the interest of several D1 schools. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a breakout year on either or both sides of the ball.

Ryan Bryant DE/TE for Ashland is a player that's under the radar and worth keeping an eye on. He's 6'5/270 and is garnering the interest of several D1 schools. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a breakout year on either or both sides of the ball.

 

My guess would be, Bryant probably translates to an offensive lineman at the next level. He's a strong blocker in Ashland's run game.

Great work @ATLCat!

 

One question though, do you not consider Greenup County "Eastern Kentucky" or do you just feel that they're not top 20 material?

 

They were just outside. They have a great core returning but Greenup has had a bad tendency of fading the past few years.

 

They may be able to take Russell's spot early this season.

Bath County and Powell County were both preseason "favorites" in Cats Pause to win their 3A districts. Swartz from Bath County is listed on the watch list but Austin Reed (6'7" 225 DE/TE) from Bath County and Nathan Skidmore ( 6'0" 200ish RB/LB) from Powell County should be in consideration as well. But this is all preseason. Time will tell on all of the predictions.

 

Bath is right on the cusp of cracking as well.

 

Thye need to prove they can beat Russell and Fleming first, but love what Poynter is doing with them.

 

Thye have a chance to make a statement against Powell County ( a 25-30 team in EKY) and Western Hills. If they can beat both of those teams it will be hard to keep them out.

They were just outside. They have a great core returning but Greenup has had a bad tendency of fading the past few years.

 

They may be able to take Russell's spot early this season.

 

Yeah I would take them over Russell at the moment, but maybe Russell will surprise me this season. This is your baby though, not mine. Good work regardless!

They may be able to take Russell's spot early this season.

 

Yeah I would take them over Russell at the moment, but maybe Russell will surprise me this season.

 

And here I was, thinking we were friends.