Class 5A
1. Owensboro
2. Woodford County
3. Scott County
4. Pulaski County
5. Atherton
6. Bowling Green
7. Collins
8. North Laurel
9. Apollo
10. Barren County

Had the pleasure of seeing 3 of these teams in 7v7's against us this pre-season. Can confirm Woodford is in a good spot and would not surprise me to see them at Kroger Field come December. Not only do they have a really good/veteran QB, they can also run the ball and have the line to control the LOS. That district is an absolute wood chipper.

I think we can all agree that Owensboro, Scott Co., Pulaski, and Atherton are entering the season as some of the best teams their schools have seen in the last 25 years.

Of those four, Scott Co. is the one I am a little dubious about. They just don't seem to have something that let's them get over the hump. This is their year, if there ever was one, though; they are loaded.

Owensboro seems head and shoulders above the rest right now.

I'm just not buying Woodford; in their playoff losses, they have given up 49 (2025), 55 (2024), 60 (2023), 21 (2022), and 46 (2021) over the last five years. I think they're a good team, but they're gonna have to at least get to the big game before I think of them in the conversation with the previous four.

Past those teams, you have BG. What they come out looking like remains to be seen. One thing I am sure of, after the last fifteen years in which BG has eight 5A state titles and a runner-up, the Purples will be back... sooner rather than later.

11 minutes ago, VF111 said:

I think we can all agree that Owensboro, Scott Co., Pulaski, and Atherton are entering the season as some of the best teams their schools have seen in the last 25 years.

Scott County was elite all throughout the last 25 years consistently. 4 title appearances, 1 title. Made at least the second round every year since 2007, top 100 team in America in 2013, Recently was #3 in the state entering the 2022 playoffs. The only thing that has dropped Scott County a tier is always losing the close games in November the last few years. However, I believe this team should get back to Kroger, and McKee wouldn’t have to play Trinity or X this time.

1 hour ago, Scottcountyred said:

Scott County was elite all throughout the last 25 years consistently. 4 title appearances, 1 title. Made at least the second round every year since 2007, top 100 team in America in 2013, Recently was #3 in the state entering the 2022 playoffs. The only thing that has dropped Scott County a tier is always losing the close games in November the last few years. However, I believe this team should get back to Kroger, and McKee wouldn’t have to play Trinity or X this time.

Elite throughout all the last 25 years? While I agree the majority of those years you would be right. However, looking at the last 5 seasons they have had a 500 season and also a below 500 season. Also in that time frame they didn’t just have close November losses that finished their seasons. 3 of the last 5 years they lost in the post season by 41, 28, and 25 in three of the last 5 seasons. Now the other two seasons they did make regional championship appearances and had close losses though.

Obviously just nit picking here. As the majority of the teams in the state would love to have had the same success as Scott County the last 25 years and even the last 5 years. Even though I wouldn’t call a few of those years elite like you did. However, I do agree with you that I think they will make it to state this year.

5A may be the hardest of all classes to predict because all the teams have a different strength. I also see 5A ranking changing the most out of the 6 classes. Top to bottom, may be the class right now at least in the top 10 that anyone can win on a given night.

3 hours ago, Cheese said:

5A may be the hardest of all classes to predict because all the teams have a different strength. I also see 5A ranking changing the most out of the 6 classes. Top to bottom, may be the class right now at least in the top 10 that anyone can win on a given night.

Really? I only see maybe BG and Atherton moving up and replacing Pulaski or the loser between the Scott County vs Woodford game. Maybe O drops down to 2 or 3 if they get blown out in their 1st 2 games. Outside of that this looks pretty stationary. Do you have any of the 7-10 moving up?

I think Pulaski may be the team here that has the possibility of moving up instead of down. They like Owensboro plays has a potential loss and maybe not. Here is what I see. Last years Woodford County vs Scott County games reminded me of playing video games at night there was so much scoring. By the sounds of it Scott County may be even better this year but again, we will have to see it on the field. So those two are capable. Then no doubt Owensboro is the top dog until proven otherwise and what I saw on film, I liked. Nice looking team and love the passing game. Then Pulaski, they return everyone. Now in saying that, Pulaski was strong last season and had a major injury at the wrong time. You apply that same injury to any of the finalist in 5A and see if they put up the same offensive power. NO. So, Pulaski by seasons end can be as good as all the above. Bowling Green has proven you give them a inch and they take a mile. No in all seriousness they have won this class enough to know how to get there and I can never count them out until they are eliminated. Atherton lost to a injured Pulaski last season in the playoffs. If they can put up the offense and didn't then yes, they can move up but those top 4 or 5 are almost a lock. Now in the lower 6-10 part of the top 10, I do think that may change a little. There are teams like South Laurel that may surprise some teams because they have a few years now under Hines. Collins looks to be where they should be at right now and North Laurel may drop. Barren will most likely move up. Apollo may move up a spot or two. In my opinion the top 6 teams is no doubt the cream of the crop and any of those 6 gets hot in November and December it can make for good popcorn sales. 😁

On 8/18/2026 at 6:28 AM, Cheese said:

I think Pulaski may be the team here that has the possibility of moving up instead of down. They like Owensboro plays has a potential loss and maybe not. Here is what I see. Last years Woodford County vs Scott County games reminded me of playing video games at night there was so much scoring. By the sounds of it Scott County may be even better this year but again, we will have to see it on the field. So those two are capable. Then no doubt Owensboro is the top dog until proven otherwise and what I saw on film, I liked. Nice looking team and love the passing game. Then Pulaski, they return everyone. Now in saying that, Pulaski was strong last season and had a major injury at the wrong time. You apply that same injury to any of the finalist in 5A and see if they put up the same offensive power. NO. So, Pulaski by seasons end can be as good as all the above. Bowling Green has proven you give them a inch and they take a mile. No in all seriousness they have won this class enough to know how to get there and I can never count them out until they are eliminated. Atherton lost to a injured Pulaski last season in the playoffs. If they can put up the offense and didn't then yes, they can move up but those top 4 or 5 are almost a lock. Now in the lower 6-10 part of the top 10, I do think that may change a little. There are teams like South Laurel that may surprise some teams because they have a few years now under Hines. Collins looks to be where they should be at right now and North Laurel may drop. Barren will most likely move up. Apollo may move up a spot or two. In my opinion the top 6 teams is no doubt the cream of the crop and any of those 6 gets hot in November and December it can make for good popcorn sales. 😁

If Apollo can win their first 3 or 2/3 I think they will definitely move up.

Cooper belongs in the top 10 they just beat a top 10 6A school!

28 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Cooper belongs in the top 10 they just beat a top 10 6A school!

They are probably around 9-10. Second round playoff exit. Not much to write home about with them this year!