Class 1A

 

Pikeville proved they were worthy of being the Class 1A Champions in 2018, but came up just short against Beechwood. Class 1A says farewell to the Tigers, and in their departure the Panthers now become the defacto King of the Jungle. Campbellsville may have one of Class 1A's top players back and begin their march against Casey County. Speaking of returning stars, Williamsburg (Dalton Ponder) and Raceland (Gunnur Lewis) each have standouts back and each open with local rivals. Class 1A newcomer Newport Central Catholic hopes to shake things up with their arrival, they draw a tough opener against a 6A foe.

 

1. Pikeville vs. 3A Bardstown (8/24)

2. Campbellsville vs. 3A Casey County at Campbellsville University (8/24)

3. Williamsburg at Jellico (TN)

4. Raceland vs. 3A Greenup County (8/24)

5. Newport Central Catholic at 6A Campbell County

6. Paintsville at 3A Lawrence County

7. Hazard -- OPEN

8. Crittenden County at 2A Fort Campbell

9. Kentucky Country Day at 5A Atherton

10. Ludlow at 2A Carroll County

The great Class 1A power in the north is gone. But, a former power has returned. Will Newport Central Catholic take the place of Beechwood at the top? Are they too low coming in? I think so.

The great Class 1A power in the north is gone. But, a former power has returned. Will Newport Central Catholic take the place of Beechwood at the top? Are they tool low coming in? I think so.

 

I think so too. The overtime loss to DeSales last year in the playoffs was a heartbreaker, but NewCath should continue to make progress under Lickert.

Me three. I will give Pikeville a pass but if there are four teams in 1A better than Newport Central Catholic it should be a very competitive season.

NewCath tweeted out a picture of their team a couple of days ago. Looks like a little over 40 players:

 

2019 Thoroughbreds

 

Just curious, how many varsity players do most Class A teams have?

NewCath tweeted out a picture of their team a couple of days ago. Looks like a little over 40 players:

 

2019 Thoroughbreds

 

Just curious, how many varsity players do most Class A teams have?

 

Forty is a good number for 1A. That probably puts NCC in the top 10 in 1A in roster size. Does that 40 include freshmen?

Campbellsville has 26 players on the roster.....

Here are some 1A rosters as posted at khsaa.org:

 

Newport Central Catholic - 43 including freshmen

Pikeville - 40, no freshmen

Raceland - 54, with freshmen

Paintsville - 34, with freshmen

Williamsburg - 53, with freshmen

Hazard - 29, no freshmen

Crittenden County - 55, with freshmen

Kentucky Country Day - 28, with freshmen

Ludlow - 26, with freshmen

Me three. I will give Pikeville a pass but if there are four teams in 1A better than Newport Central Catholic is should be a very competitive season.

 

Looking at last year, if Newport Central Catholic would have been in 1A I don't think they would have been in the top 5.

 

@Ram

@colonel-fan

While they had their struggles last year, and the record wasn’t great, did you see the schedule?

 

3 - 6A schools in Campbell, Conner, Cooper, add in Belfry, CAL, Beechwood, DeSales... I can’t imagine there was a tougher schedule played by anyone in 1A football, except maybe Beechwood who has moved up.

 

As of right now the Breds are not projected to start or really count on a single Freshman or Sophomore on either side of the ball which has to be one of the few teams who can say that in Class A. I think the Breds stepping down in Class will be right in the mix come November.

Me three. I will give Pikeville a pass but if there are four teams in 1A better than Newport Central Catholic is should be a very competitive season.

 

1-7 in 1a will all be good this year. The 3-5 rounds are gonna have some great games!

Campbellsville has 26 players on the roster.....

 

How many did they have last year?

While they had their struggles last year, and the record wasn’t great, did you see the schedule?

 

3 - 6A schools in Campbell, Conner, Cooper, add in Belfry, CAL, Beechwood, DeSales... I can’t imagine there was a tougher schedule played by anyone in 1A football, except maybe Beechwood who has moved up.

 

As of right now the Breds are not projected to start or really count on a single Freshman or Sophomore on either side of the ball which has to be one of the few teams who can say that in Class A. I think the Breds stepping down in Class will be right in the mix come November.

 

Yes, factoring in the strength of schedule, NCC would have been around #6 in 1A last year. Anyone can lose to good teams. You have to get wins against good teams to raise your ranking. NCC's best wins last year were Scott and Lloyd. Every one of the top 5 in 1A had 2 or more wins that were better than those 2 NCC wins.

 

That being said, I agree that NCC will be a force in 1A this season and is a threat to win the title. But looking at what they have coming back versus the other teams above them, NCC is going to need to prove it on the field to move ahead of the teams in front of them in the rankings.

How many did they have last year?

 

24 players last year...

Looking at last year, if Newport Central Catholic would have been in 1A I don't think they would have been in the top 5.

 

@Ram

@colonel-fan

I agree to a point on last season. But, like mentioned above, their strength of schedule last season and number of returning upperclassmen they have returning will pay dividends this season. Will they win it all? Maybe. Maybe not. But, I venture to say they are going do well this season.