1 Bowling Green

2 Highlands

3 Cooper

4 South Warren

5 Scott County 

6 Owensboro

7 Southwestern

8 Dixie Heights

9 Graves County 

10 North Laurel

Who else should be considered? Who's too high, too low? Thoughts?

13 hours ago, jeff jackson said:

1 Bowling Green

2 Highlands

3 Cooper

4 South Warren

5 Scott County 

6 Owensboro

7 Southwestern

8 Dixie Heights

9 Graves County 

10 North Laurel

Who else should be considered? Who's too high, too low? Thoughts?

Not sure why you would put Highlands in front of Cooper. Highlands was very senior heavy this year and loses the majority of their starters. They do have a lot of younger talent coming up. However, with what they lost and with Cooper only losing 3 seniors that started on offense or defense. I just don’t see a reason why Highlands would be ranked ahead to start this year. I honestly probably would have Highlands at 5. I would have South Warren and Owensboro ahead of them too. As I think BG, Cooper, Owensboro, and South Warren would be the favorites and Highlands is the wild card. Just depend how quickly that great younger talent makes the jump to varsity play. 

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

Not sure why you would put Highlands in front of Cooper. Highlands was very senior heavy this year and loses the majority of their starters. They do have a lot of younger talent coming up. However, with what they lost and with Cooper only losing 3 seniors that started on offense or defense. I just don’t see a reason why Highlands would be ranked ahead to start this year. I honestly probably would have Highlands at 5. I would have South Warren and Owensboro ahead of them too. As I think BG, Cooper, Owensboro, and South Warren would be the favorites and Highlands is the wild card. Just depend how quickly that great younger talent makes the jump to varsity play. 

Can't argue with that Coach, too many unknowns on this young bunch in the Fort.....Although, won't be surprised if they surprise some people with this young talent....  Heck Cooper did it to all of us this year being Junior/Sophomore heavy.

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Not sure why you would put Highlands in front of Cooper. Highlands was very senior heavy this year and loses the majority of their starters. They do have a lot of younger talent coming up. However, with what they lost and with Cooper only losing 3 seniors that started on offense or defense. I just don’t see a reason why Highlands would be ranked ahead to start this year. I honestly probably would have Highlands at 5. I would have South Warren and Owensboro ahead of them too. As I think BG, Cooper, Owensboro, and South Warren would be the favorites and Highlands is the wild card. Just depend how quickly that great younger talent makes the jump to varsity play. 

I’m a Highlands fan and this is a pretty solid take. Hopefully this young group coming up grows up fast. 

Owensboro blew the doors off of South Warren in the playoffs and the Red Devils return like 16 starters. I think they should be ranked above the Spartans.

18 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Can't argue with that Coach, too many unknowns on this young bunch in the Fort.....Although, won't be surprised if they surprise some people with this young talent....  Heck Cooper did it to all of us this year being Junior/Sophomore heavy.

Agreed. 

Highlands will be there somewhere in Nov. Not sure about #2 but wouldn't surprise me. They have built Incredible depth the past couple of years and with the younger Birds coming up, that things should look pretty bright the next couple of years. I would say flip Cooper and Highlands. To me Cooper still has a mid to low level O-line that O'hara bales out more than not with his Quick throws and Legs. O'hara has to be on his game all the time against quality teams. It showed in Semi's and Finals. Their line will get better with time but is still a major unknown to me.

11 hours ago, BirdDaddy said:

Highlands will be there somewhere in Nov. Not sure about #2 but wouldn't surprise me. They have built Incredible depth the past couple of years and with the younger Birds coming up, that things should look pretty bright the next couple of years. I would say flip Cooper and Highlands. To me Cooper still has a mid to low level O-line that O'hara bales out more than not with his Quick throws and Legs. O'hara has to be on his game all the time against quality teams. It showed in Semi's and Finals. Their line will get better with time but is still a major unknown to me.

Interesting perspective and clearly identifies the misconception of Cooper being more than O’Hara “all the time” against quality teams. I would call Southwestern and Highlands “quality” teams and O’Hara was nowhere near the top of his game and the Jags prevailed. The line you called mid to low level was completely new and had 2 sophomores and 3 seniors that didn’t start one game in 2022, yet they were good enough to get them to the State finals. Additionally, 2 of sophomores that were definitely slated to start or be in rotation missed the entire season due to injuries but return next season. 
I won’t make any predictions, but with this team only losing 3 starters that were seniors, 4 with a very good kicker, and every other starter returning, I won’t be shocked one bit if they return to Lexington as they were certainly a year ahead of schedule.

Bottom line is the games need to be played but Cooper does seem to relish in being “overlooked” just like this season. 

Sour grapes from BirdDaddy? Give credit where it is due. Cooper has a whole lot back and Highlands loses a lot. So for pre-season rankings Cooper has to be above Highlands.

1. BG

2. Cooper/Owensboro

4. South Warren

5-10… Good luck, you’re gonna need it against the teams listed above. 

I expect Madisonville North to be pretty solid with returning their QB and Leading Rb.