Class 2A
1. Beechwood
2. Lexington Christian Academy
3. Owensboro Catholic 
4. Mayfield 
5. Belfry 
6. Somerset 
7. Monroe County 
8. Prestonsburg 
9. Danville
10. Hancock County

The playoffs can't get here soon enough.  Let's roll with the top five and thank everyone else for participating in 2025.

Yes, but who has home field advantage later on in the playoff matter and based on this RPI system is a complete joke and not right for any class of football.  Why have rankings if it’s that flawed, just draw names out of a hat on who plays where.

1 hour ago, The_Bull44 said:

Yes, but who has home field advantage later on in the playoff matter and based on this RPI system is a complete joke and not right for any class of football.  Why have rankings if it’s that flawed, just draw names out of a hat on who plays where.

You know, I don't like it either @The_Bull44 but as a great man from Trinity once told me (and I am paraphrasing), you have to beat the good/best teams at some point and it doesn't matter if it is on the road in the playoffs or in the state championship.  

1 hour ago, The_Bull44 said:

Yes, but who has home field advantage later on in the playoff matter and based on this RPI system is a complete joke and not right for any class of football.  Why have rankings if it’s that flawed, just draw names out of a hat on who plays where.

To be fair, the RPI usually looks a lot better after Week 10 than it does on initial release.

2 hours ago, theguru said:

The playoffs can't get here soon enough.  Let's roll with the top five and thank everyone else for participating in 2025.

While I am usually in this camp, the 2A class this year has a nice B Team.  Somerset, Monroe County, Prestonsburg, Danville and Hancock County.  These are good programs (and Danville is likely a great program when you consider long term) having good seasons.

Somerset - the 2019 State Champs have hung around and still playing good football.

Monroe County - one of the best Falcon teams in years.  Well done Coach Petett and Staff.

Prestonsburg - if they beat Knott County, the Blackcats (GREAT Nickname!) could run the table in the regular season!

Danville - just get the admin in line; you got the coach, and the fertile Boyle County grounds will supply the jimmies and joes.  Look for the Ads to continue to improve.

Hancock County - #10 for a reason, but it goes both ways.  Just not a lot of Jimmies and Joes in Hancock County with the Ever-calling Daviess County schools just a bus stop away.  But man, they have heart, and they will battle you.  Coach Eubanks is a very good unheralded coach.

Are they going to beat the A Team?  No, but they could be gaining on them in some respects. 

One of the biggest differences for these 5 teams is they get great fan support.  For example, you likely didn't know the Hancock County has a streaming team and they do a great job of broadcasting the Hornets and I also hear radio ads for them in Owensboro from time to time.

If you only look at Beechwood, OCath, Mayfield, LCA, and Belfry, I think you are missing it a bit.  I know I'm in the minority here.  That's ok.  I just think we are better off with a good crop of building programs as well and I think 2A has that.

1 hour ago, gchs_uk9 said:

To be fair, the RPI usually looks a lot better after Week 10 than it does on initial release.

And while the RPI has flaws, I'd also argue that the state title games have been more competitive/closer since its inception.  Far fewer blowouts than under the old West vs. East alignment.

42 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

While I am usually in this camp, the 2A class this year has a nice B Team.  Somerset, Monroe County, Prestonsburg, Danville and Hancock County.  These are good programs (and Danville is likely a great program when you consider long term) having good seasons.

Somerset - the 2019 State Champs have hung around and still playing good football.

Monroe County - one of the best Falcon teams in years.  Well done Coach Petett and Staff.

Prestonsburg - if they beat Knott County, the Blackcats (GREAT Nickname!) could run the table in the regular season!

Danville - just get the admin in line; you got the coach, and the fertile Boyle County grounds will supply the jimmies and joes.  Look for the Ads to continue to improve.

Hancock County - #10 for a reason, but it goes both ways.  Just not a lot of Jimmies and Joes in Hancock County with the Ever-calling Daviess County schools just a bus stop away.  But man, they have heart, and they will battle you.  Coach Eubanks is a very good unheralded coach.

Are they going to beat the A Team?  No, but they could be gaining on them in some respects. 

One of the biggest differences for these 5 teams is they get great fan support.  For example, you likely didn't know the Hancock County has a streaming team and they do a great job of broadcasting the Hornets and I also hear radio ads for them in Owensboro from time to time.

If you only look at Beechwood, OCath, Mayfield, LCA, and Belfry, I think you are missing it a bit.  I know I'm in the minority here.  That's ok.  I just think we are better off with a good crop of building programs as well and I think 2A has that.

@Purple88 If I can be devil's advocate on this.  I know Somerset is a very good team after playing them the past two years.  and like you said, they won state, and I think they are being underestimated this year.  They gave OCath a game in the semi's last year.  

Hancock, I coached a lot of these boys in youth football.  These boys have talent, and they are very good.  If you look in the past years though, they rarely get out of the first round with these players.  I work with a lot of their dads, and they are frustrated as anyone.  I think they play a soft schedule with the likes of Breck, Ohio, and so on.  I think they should get further than they should.  After hearing a lot of chatter from Hancock faithful, I think it goes deeper on a level.  Why do the boys from there transfer?  I think that is a question that should be answered.  Maybe @Hornet34 has some input.

I don't know much about Monroe and Prestonburg, but they seem to have a good thing going this year.  And Danville, they have been a traditional powerhouse.  I agree with you that the turnaround there is outstanding.

So here is a question, for everyone, Let's say Murray did not move up this year.  How would 2A look?  Does moving up this year hurt them in some way?

19 minutes ago, Subway5024 said:

So here is a question, for everyone, Let's say Murray did not move up this year.  How would 2A look?  Does moving up this year hurt them in some way?

Sub,

I think Murray moving up gives them a better chance to play for a title. They may not make it to Kroger but playing on Thanksgiving is a huge possibility for them. If they stayed in 2-A I think Mayfield still beats them. Then they would have to travel to Owensboro Catholic, where I think you guys would of beaten them again. 

 

1 hour ago, Purple88 said:

While I am usually in this camp, the 2A class this year has a nice B Team.  Somerset, Monroe County, Prestonsburg, Danville and Hancock County.  These are good programs (and Danville is likely a great program when you consider long term) having good seasons.

Somerset - the 2019 State Champs have hung around and still playing good football.

Monroe County - one of the best Falcon teams in years.  Well done Coach Petett and Staff.

Prestonsburg - if they beat Knott County, the Blackcats (GREAT Nickname!) could run the table in the regular season!

Danville - just get the admin in line; you got the coach, and the fertile Boyle County grounds will supply the jimmies and joes.  Look for the Ads to continue to improve.

Hancock County - #10 for a reason, but it goes both ways.  Just not a lot of Jimmies and Joes in Hancock County with the Ever-calling Daviess County schools just a bus stop away.  But man, they have heart, and they will battle you.  Coach Eubanks is a very good unheralded coach.

Are they going to beat the A Team?  No, but they could be gaining on them in some respects. 

One of the biggest differences for these 5 teams is they get great fan support.  For example, you likely didn't know the Hancock County has a streaming team and they do a great job of broadcasting the Hornets and I also hear radio ads for them in Owensboro from time to time.

If you only look at Beechwood, OCath, Mayfield, LCA, and Belfry, I think you are missing it a bit.  I know I'm in the minority here.  That's ok.  I just think we are better off with a good crop of building programs as well and I think 2A has that.

Excellent summary of the B Teams this year but I stand by my original post. 

15 minutes ago, theguru said:

Excellent summary of the B Teams this year but I stand by my original post. 

I think it is just my admiration of the midfield teams (F1 term).  But I understand what your saying.

Just now, Purple88 said:

I think it is just my admiration of the midfield teams (F1 term).  But I understand what your saying.

Now that you put it in F1 terms, yes, I love what we are seeing from all those schools you mentioned but I just don't think any of them will figure in the end this year. 

I could see Somerset upsetting any of the Big 5 on a given night, but, unlikely to do it consecutive games. Those Top 5 are the real deal with any of them capable of winning it all. In fact, if you put any 2 of the 5 against each other, the outcome could be different each time. Extremely evenly matched.

16 hours ago, Subway5024 said:

So here is a question, for everyone, Let's say Murray did not move up this year.  How would 2A look?  Does moving up this year hurt them in some way?

I think Murray would be right there with Somerset. I don't think there is a huge gap between OCath and Mayfield to Murray, but on most given nights I would expect Mayfield and OCath to beat them by 2 TD's... although Murray on the right night could 100% pull an upset.

I posted this already but I do think there is hierarchy to 2A this with five really good teams at the top... then Somerset.. then a couple different tiers below. Somerset deserves respect.

 

Now what I will say is of those Top 5 teams I kind of view all of them as having a unique signature

Beechwood- Steady Eddie. The floor on Beechwood is very high... it is going to be very hard to find Beechwood having an "off" night or beating themselves. Their floor is probably Championship game worthy. They do everything well.. maybe not exceptional at anything.. but they do EVERYTHING well. I don't think this is the best Beechwood team by a longshot and they don't have those All-State 1st team locks... but if you want to beat them you are going to need to pack a lunch. To me that's what makes them the clear #1.

OCath/LCA- The Asterisks. I actually think with OCath's and LCA's weapons and scheme they may have a higher ceiling than Beechwood when they bring their A game. Both can pick you apart in multiple facets and they have more potential explosive playmaking. I just think both teams also have a lower floor. I don't see a style that consistently will give Beechwood problems unless you simply have better players across the board like a CovCath. I think both OCath and LCA have certain styles or schemes they are both vulnerable against... but once again... when they are cooking watch out!

Mayfield- Costco (Kirkland Brand) Beechwood. I am not saying these two teams are constructed the same, I am not. What I am saying is on the big picture what Mayfield prides itself on is a consistency and all around level of quality in all disciplines similar to Beechwood. I think Beechwood checks most of the boxes in a head to head but much like Kirkland Brand at Costco, sometimes there are going to be checkmarks on Mayfield's side that people prefer (IYKYK). What I do know is Mayfield will be in every single game and you have to bring a high level of execution.

Belfry- The Gambit. As a Belfry fan I feel very comfortable saying that Belfry is a scary team. I think of all these team's Belfry's ceiling is the highest on any given night, but I equally think they are the most likely to get upset on any given night by a team they shouldn't. This statement may shock people who have not seen Belfry play, but Belfry IMHO is the single most athletic, explosive, and all-around fastest 2A team this year. Belfry also has dynamic players on defense who can make a big play at any time. The problem is this Belfry team is also one who has much bigger flaws and self inflicted mistakes than the rest of the Top 5. Belfry has an offense who may put 50 on you... but they may also turn it over four times. Belfry has a defense that may pick you off three times with incredible plays and sack you six times with an undersized Dlineman you simply cannot block... but they also may allow 50.

Buckle up.. this should be fun.