9th Region Week 1 Rankings and Preview

So... this year I'm just doing the 9th Region.  The 8th and 10th are on your own this year (sorry).

The NKHSBSCA have posted their Pre-Season rankings (granted theirs includes the 8th/10th regions but mine doesn't), so it is only appropriate that I disagree with them and post my own.

1. Covington Catholic - Reigning 9th Region champs, they are #1 in my rankings until someone beats them.... maybe that happens Tuesday.

2. Conner - 33rd District Champions and they return 8 starters from last year's team.

3 Ryle - They have talent...they will be there all year.

4. Dixie Heights - they have the talent, but do they have enough of it?

5. Cooper - They lost some key pieces, but much like Conner return 6-7 starters and most importantly the man in the box which should help them.

6. St. Henry - They always play tough

7. Highlands - The Bluebirds lost a lot from last year's team... I'm hearing there is a youth movement in Fort Thomas.

8. Beechwood - They have some nice pieces on the field, saw them at Bluegrass and they impressed me.

9. Boone - The Rebels graduated a lot of Seniors but still have one of the best attackers in the region.  It only takes one goal to win sometimes.

10. Villa Madonna - The Vikings won't get the opportunity to advance out of the 34th District but they have some kids that can play.

11. NCC - A young team who will only get better.  Fortunately for them they get the automatic bid into regions.

12. Holy Cross - I might have this one totally wrong, maybe they could be anywhere between 8-13.

13. Holmes - They have a new coach, who knows maybe they get a couple wins in the region.

14. Covington Latin - They have a schedule posted and looks like they are a senior led team, but these kids are young and smart.

Week 1 Games

Tuesday

Beechwood @ St. Henry - This is a good game to start to the season.  Either team could win, might be a draw, I'm going with St. Henry 1-0.

Boone County @ Highlands (NKU) - Picking Highlands to win this one.

Conner @ Covington Catholic - Could this be a 9th Region final preview?  Big 9th Region game in Park Hills to start the season.

Cooper @ Bishop Brossart - Hopefully someone gives us updates on this game, interested to see how the Jaguars start the season.

Holy Cross @ Dixie Heights - The Red Colonels start the season with a W.

Newport Central Catholic @ Simon Kenton - I believe the Pioneers win this one.

Ryle @ Western Hills - The Raiders open the season on the road in the 11th Region.  Ryle wins this one.

Villa Madonna @ Scott - Look for Ivan Potapenko to have a big season, maybe he can get a brace this game.

Thursday

Conner @ Louisville Collegiate - The Cougars have a tough schedule this year and the defense will face a team that returns 3 starters who scored over 20 goals apiece and were state runners-up.

Cooper @ Simon Kenton - This game was a 2-2 draw last year.

Covington Catholic @ South Oldham - Common opponent for the Colonels and Cougars this year.  If any Dragon fans want to send me the game film, please do (lol).

Highlands @ Campbell County - Of course it is my bias opinion, but these teams should be in the same district/region.  Go Camels!  (Sorry @FrankNicodemus).

Holy Cross @ Pendleton County - No opinion really on this game, haven't seen enough of either team to make an informed comment.

Newport Central Catholic @ Boone County - Maybe we should have a poll on this game to see who the group thinks win.

St. Henry @ Great Crossing - The Crusaders travel south on I-75 and make a stop in Georgetown for a Thursday night game.

Villa Madonna @ Dixie Heights - Early 34th District seeding game, The Red Colonels win this one going away.

Friday

We have some Friday night lights game on the pitch.  

Dixie Heights is showing 2 games so I'm not sure which one they are actually playing.  Bryan Station or Frederick Douglass.

Ryle @ Lafayette 

Saturday

Bishop Fenwick (OH) vs Newport Central Catholic

Covington Catholic @ Trinity - The Colonels always have a tough schedule.

Dixie Heights @ Paul Laurence Dunbar - The Red Colonels have a busy week...looking like 4 games.

George Rogers Clark @ Conner - The Cougars return home to host GRC.  They tied last year.

Highlands @ Beechwood - Game time showing 7:30 am.  Will they even have refs at this game?  What about concessions?  Is it donuts and coffee?

Holy Cross @ Paris 

Ryle @ Henry Clay - The Raiders visit the reigning state champions.  There may be a video of the Blue Devils storming the Raider ship last year somewhere out there on the internet.

Villa Madonna @ Gallatin County - I'm picking Villa to win this one.

Warren Central @ Cooper - Talk about a drive to play soccer, Warren Central visiting the Jaguars @ 5:30 pm.   I might have to check this game out.

Western Hills @ Boone County - the second 9th region opponent for Western Hills this week.

The high school regular season is 8 weeks long.  For all the senior players this year, enjoy it, it goes way too fast!