Grading the Top 10

 

I never really wanted to be a teacher. It's not that I don't like kids. I just don't like dealing with 20 of them at a time. This type of classroom really suits me… there's only ten of them and they can't talk back to me.

 

Covington Catholic: A+

 

You could argue that the defending champs have exceeded expectations thus far. Obviously, we thought they'd be good, as evidenced by their preseason #1 ranking. But there were question marks surrounding some key positions - QB, LB, DB. Sophomore Caleb Jacob hasn't quite been AJ Mayer, but he's been close enough. And the Colonels appear to have successfully answered the question, “How do you replace an athletic, sideline to sideline, 6’3”, 230 lb All-State linebacker?” By moving an even more athletic, sideline to sideline 6’5”, 240 lb DE to the middle of the defense. Mayer and Jacob are just two of the many pieces that have fit perfectly into the Colonels’ puzzle. They've picked up right where they left off last season.

 

Bowling Green: B

 

Winning week after week is hard. Winning week after week while trying to follow a legend is even harder. What matters most is that the Purples are 5-0. But relative to the two teams they're sandwiched between, BG’s 5-0 has been a little… I don't know, meh? The offense, despite having All-State caliber talents at QB and RB, has struggled to take flight. Twice this season, they failed to achieve separation from teams that, on paper, they should've put away. They're winning, but it's been far from pretty so far.

 

South Warren: A+

 

The Spartans have matched CovCath stride for stride through five games. Quarterback Gavin Spurrier has been razor sharp, completing 76% of his throws with 15 touchdown passes against just one interception. The 1st team defense has only allowed a single touchdown (Week 0 against Hopkinsville). For South Warren, everything is building toward their collision with Bowling Green on October 19th. And so far, they've looked every bit BG’s equal. Some might even argue, their superior.

 

South Oldham: C+

 

The Dragons have dominated the teams they were expected to, but came up short again in the one showcase game on their schedule. Each of the past two years, the CAL game has provided South Oldham with an opportunity to show that they belong among 5A’s elite. And both times, the Dragons were unable to answer the bell. Until they record a breakthrough win over a top team, they'll continue to tread water in that second tier of teams in this class.

 

Southwestern: B+

 

The Warriors have largely been forgotten about in the 5A pecking order, hovering right smack in the middle of the rankings every week this season. They've been quietly going about their business, posting the first 5-0 start in school history. The one thing missing from their resume is a big win over a marquee opponent. They will, however, have an opportunity to face Central Hardin in two weeks. The Bruins are a common opponent amongst Bowling Green and South Warren. Maybe then we'll get a better idea as to how they stack up. Thus far, they've been solid, but nothing more.

 

Highlands: A-

 

I'm being a little generous with my grade here. But outside of a lopsided loss to Scott County, Highlands has started to resemble its old self a bit. They've shown flashes of explosive, big play ability here and there. And the defense has come to play every week, minus the setback to the Cardinals. They've forced 17 turnovers through five games, tops in 5A. The Birds’ D put the clamps down on a high octane Lexington Catholic offense in the 2nd half last Friday to help put away the Knights for their biggest win in a few years.

 

Anderson County: A-

 

The Bearcats’ strength of schedule may be lacking relative to some of the teams ahead of them. But they've looked impressive, winning all of their games by at least two scores. And they've done most of it without the services of Zack Labhart, arguably their best player. Running back Charles Collins is starting to heat up in Labhart’s absence.

 

Owensboro: B-

 

I had/have sky high expectations for the Red Devils this year. They met those expectations through the first two weeks, but lost some of that momentum with a disappointing two touchdown loss to a winless (at the time) Owensboro Catholic. Wins over Madisonville-North Hopkins and Reitz (IN) have been devalued a smidge by uneven performances from those two teams in the weeks since. Owensboro looked very impressive in its 42-14 thrashing of Daviess County, but a win in one (or both) of their losses could have significantly bolstered their grade.

 

Apollo: B+

 

The loss to Owensboro Catholic cost the Eagles a solid A, but overall, they're off to a great start under Coach Hawkins. Statistically, the defense was one of the best in the class before the Aces rolled up 432 yards of offense the other night. Running back Mariano McKenzie (793 yards rushing and 12 TDs) and his offensive line have been the engine propelling Apollo's offense forward this year. Other 5A backs have received more attention, but few are as valuable as McKenzie.

 

Christian County: C+

 

If you had told me before the season started that Christian County would be 2-2, I'd have pegged Rossview (TN) and Henderson County as the two wins. Instead, the Colonels beat the two teams I thought they'd lose to (Caldwell and Hoptown). CC was decimated by graduation and transfer losses over the off-season. The offense has shown the impact of those losses, but the defense has shined in some big moments. As it stands, their grade is reflective of their record... average, with plenty of room for improvement.

 

Scanning the periphery

 

- Lincoln County has already surpassed its win total from each of the past four years and the Patriots look well on their way to their first winning season since 2007. Former coach Travis Leffew resigned during the off-season after a four year run of 10-34 and returned to his roots at Boyle County. Spencer Crutchfield was hired to replace Leffew after serving as an assistant at Garrard County and Madison Central. Quarterback Bryson (713 yards of total offense and 12 TDs) and all-purpose back Darius Napier (481 yards from scrimmage and 7 TDs) have carried the offense, while the linebacker trio of Hunter Combs (43 tackles), Nick Harris (40 tackles), and Dylan Burchfield (36 tackles) represent the heart of a defense that's giving up 198 yards and 18 ppg since taking one on the chin versus Somerset in Week 0.

 

- 5A’s top pitch and catch combo was in peak form again last week. Pulaski's Wiley Cain and Jake Sloan worked over Allen County-Scottsville's secondary in a 34-28 win for the Maroons. Cain spun the pigskin to the tune of 320 yards and 4 TDs. Sloan hauled in 12 of those balls for 169 yards and two TDs.

 

Game of the Week for Week 5

 

Oldham County vs. South Oldham - Oldham County has quietly put together a 4-0 start to their season. They've spent recent years in the shadow of a growing South Oldham program. They'll have an opportunity to step out of that shadow with a win over the Dragons this Friday. This is a match-up of teams that like to run the ball. The Colonels are second, only to CovCath, in margin of victory this year, dusting their opponents by an average score of 40-5. For their part, South Oldham has been on a roll since their season opening loss to CAL, outscoring their last three opponents a combined 144-27.

ttt

I would give South Oldham a B right now. Sure they didn't beat CAL but not many on this list would. The argument is made also about several teams not having a great strength of schedule. That being said Souths offense replaced five O-Lineman and their QB. And arguably their best player (WB/FS/KR JT Benson) did not play against CAL. But the line is improving each week and new QB Anthony Pierce is getting the hang of being a starter at the varsity level. Coach Reed is bringing the offense along and seeing what they can do and playing to their strengths. Should be a fun game vs Oldham County this week. Winner has the inside track on the District and could be set up for a deep run in the playoffs.

I agree with your comments about Owensboro, but IMO the after the let down against Catholic, the way they played against Bowling Green then the dismantling of Daviess County should have at least taken the minus away. I may be splitting hairs but the team that played the last two games is not the team that played Catholic. Sure, Catholic won, can't take anything from that win. They don't want to play this Owensboro team. How many points did they give up against County?

I know South Warren is destroying people and they could very well be the second best team 5A, we'll find out. They could blow Bowling Green out in the regular season and playoffs and go on to beat the heck out of Covington Catholic. They could even make Louisville Male and Trinity surrender at halftime. BUT I don't think they should get a pass on their per usual weak schedule. They have played 5 games and 3 of those games have been against lower class teams.

 

The 1 higher class team they did play has a record of 1-4 and was missing a couple of its best players when they played. And other team they played is Grayson, who is 4-1. But I doubt anyone considers them a powerhouse with wins over Edmonson County, Breckenridge County and Hancock County.

 

So I guess an A+ is warranted because of the winning margins, but that's not that hard to do when you play a lot lesser teams. I think it should at least be mentioned.

I know South Warren is destroying people and they could very well be the second best team 5A, we'll find out. They could blow Bowling Green out in the regular season and playoffs and go on to beat the heck out of Covington Catholic. They could even make Louisville Male and Trinity surrender at halftime. BUT I don't think they should get a pass on their per usual weak schedule. They have played 5 games and 3 of those games have been against lower class teams.

 

The 1 higher class team they did play has a record of 1-4 and was missing a couple of its best players when they played. And other team they played is Grayson, who is 4-1. But I doubt anyone considers them a powerhouse with wins over Edmonson County, Breckenridge County and Hancock County.

 

So I guess an A+ is warranted because of the winning margins, but that's not that hard to do when you play a lot lesser teams. I think it should at least be mentioned.

 

SW will have to "clean up" some things before getting too deep in the playoffs.

I know South Warren is destroying people and they could very well be the second best team 5A, we'll find out. They could blow Bowling Green out in the regular season and playoffs and go on to beat the heck out of Covington Catholic. They could even make Louisville Male and Trinity surrender at halftime. BUT I don't think they should get a pass on their per usual weak schedule. They have played 5 games and 3 of those games have been against lower class teams.

 

The 1 higher class team they did play has a record of 1-4 and was missing a couple of its best players when they played. And other team they played is Grayson, who is 4-1. But I doubt anyone considers them a powerhouse with wins over Edmonson County, Breckenridge County and Hancock County.

 

So I guess an A+ is warranted because of the winning margins, but that's not that hard to do when you play a lot lesser teams. I think it should at least be mentioned.

 

Thanks, I just spit my drink out. :lol2:

 

I COULD be the Pope, but I'm not.

LOL they're not beating the heck out of Covington Catholic, in fact nobody is.

I know South Warren is destroying people and they could very well be the second best team 5A, we'll find out. They could blow Bowling Green out in the regular season and playoffs and go on to beat the heck out of Covington Catholic. They could even make Louisville Male and Trinity surrender at halftime. BUT I don't think they should get a pass on their per usual weak schedule. They have played 5 games and 3 of those games have been against lower class teams.

 

The 1 higher class team they did play has a record of 1-4 and was missing a couple of its best players when they played. And other team they played is Grayson, who is 4-1. But I doubt anyone considers them a powerhouse with wins over Edmonson County, Breckenridge County and Hancock County.

 

So I guess an A+ is warranted because of the winning margins, but that's not that hard to do when you play a lot lesser teams. I think it should at least be mentioned.

 

They're not beating the heck out of Covington Catholic. In fact, nobody in 5A is beating Covington Catholic.