I saw Louisville Central play last season. They were tough but lost some good players and a good coach. It will be interesting to see how this team on such an uptick responds to their new coach.

No it's not last year's 2A, but aside from Somerset, the other teams you mention are on the opposite side of the state and wouldn't see Russell until the championship game anyway so they have no bearing on my assertion that the Devils will be back in Lousiville. As for Somerset coming up from 1A, do you really see the Briar Jumpers beating the two teams that have represented the eastern side of the state in 2A at the Pizza Box four consecutive years? I don't...

 

But, you said team to beat in 3a, which indicates to me, you mean that as team to win it all, so, the other teams like PT and Central are relavent and as you said, until someone proves they can beat them, well did they not get beat last year or am I missing something, so, it's not like they're the defending champion. Mason Co is another team Russell didn't have to face as a district game but will now have to, and that won't be a picnic..

Russell has owned the overall series with Mason County losing to the Royals once or twice overall. This includes two wins over the highly rated 2002 Mason County Team with Grutza and Lofton (regular season and regional championship). No, Russell is not the defending champion and I never said they were, but if you look back at one of my earlier posts, I correctly stated that they are the ONLY team in this new division to play in Louisville the last two years. That and the fact they are an excellent team with top notch coaching makes them a favorite in my opinion. I said I expect Russell to be in Louisville again and I believe the eastern side of the state is stronger at this level than the west. Who Russell did or did not have to play last year makes no difference. I don't see ANY of the teams you mentioned keeping them from the carpet and I don't think the west is stronger, we don't know too much about those teams really so I could be wrong...but I don't think I am...:thumb:

Russell has owned the overall series with Mason County losing to the Royals once or twice overall. This includes two wins over the highly rated 2002 Mason County Team with Grutza and Lofton (regular season and regional championship). No, Russell is not the defending champion and I never said they were, but if you look back at one of my earlier posts, I correctly stated that they are the ONLY team in this new division to play in Louisville the last two years. That and the fact they are an excellent team with top notch coaching makes them a favorite in my opinion. I said I expect Russell to be in Louisville again and I believe the eastern side of the state is stronger at this level than the west. Who Russell did or did not have to play last year makes no difference. I don't see ANY of the teams you mentioned keeping them from the carpet and I don't think the west is stronger, we don't know too much about those teams really so I could be wrong...but I don't think I am...:thumb:

 

You also didnt have to go through Highlands, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Cov Catholic and the like to get to Louisville....Listen, I think Russell will be a strong contender in 3a, but, I also don't think Russell would have been in Louisville if they would have been playing in 3a last year, like some of these others were, so, I don't think that statement about them being the ONLY team in louisville is all that relevant...I also didn't see Russell knocking any of the teams being mentioned out of the playoffs and I don't think the east is stronger, but, I could be wrong, as well, but, i don't think so..:thumb:

You also didnt have to go through Highlands, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Cov Catholic and the like to get to Louisville....Listen, I think Russell will be a strong contender in 3a, but, I also don't think Russell would have been in Louisville if they would have been playing in 3a last year, like some of these others were, so, I don't think that statement about them being the ONLY team in louisville is all that relevant...I also didn't see Russell knocking any of the teams being mentioned out of the playoffs and I don't think the east is stronger, but, I could be wrong, as well, but, i don't think so..:thumb:

 

 

No, they didn't have to play any of the teams you mentioned but I still don't see anyone on this side of the state keeping Russell from Louisville. As for the bolded part, based on the rankings so far, most people on here you are...

No, they didn't have to play any of the teams you mentioned but I still don't see anyone on this side of the state keeping Russell from Louisville. As for the bolded part, based on the rankings so far, most people on here you are...

 

I would think that most would agree that in 3-A the strongest teams will be coming from the East. Belfry, Breathitt, Mason, and Russell. Three of these teams have been state champions in the past 5 years. I'm not sure where Mercer County is. East or West but that maters not. They are going to 5-A.

I think Lou. Central may win the 3A title this year.

I think Lou. Central may win the 3A title this year.

 

Be interesting to see how they fit in with a new coach and losing several players from last season, at least as I understand it. They may represent the west, but sounds like they have some things to overcome.

I would think that most would agree that in 3-A the strongest teams will be coming from the East. Belfry, Breathitt, Mason, and Russell. Three of these teams have been state champions in the past 5 years. I'm not sure where Mercer County is. East or West but that maters not. They are going to 5-A.

 

Prior to last season, they had competed in the eastern semi-state. Last season with the "blind draw" they wound up in the west.

Prior to last season, they had competed in the eastern semi-state. Last season with the "blind draw" they wound up in the west.

 

 

So what teams were in this blind draw? How did that work?

Devils will reload .... Only problem will be reloading in many areas .... I look for a solid season with unlimited possibilites come playoff time .... No one thought 2005 team could win it all .... 2007 could be more magic ...

 

'05 had the right combination of physical kids with enough skills to get it done the hard way ... T E A M .... I look for this from Jones and Co this year ...

1. Russell- For my money the best team in 2A the past two seasons although they came up just short of the title last season. Return a solid nucleus including arguably the best All-Purpose QB in 3A in Jones.

 

2. Louisville Central- From a talent/potential standpoint this team is scary good,, but their brutal schedule could break them.

 

3. Belfry- Returns entire Front 7 from one of 2A's best defenses, as well as LB/RB Dustin May who could quite possibly be the best Running Back AND Defensive player in 3A.

 

4. Sheldon Clark- Very solid team with a disappointing end to their season in '06. Return nearly everyone including three standouts in the backfield.

 

5. Paducah Tilghman- Former 3A heavyweight has been a little down in recent years, but the new clas structure should suit them well.

 

6. Somerset- Making the jump from 1A this team has by far the most elite playmaker in John Cole, figure this 1A State Semifinalist from last year will make some serious noise.

 

7. Mason County- Quality program full of athletes should make noise against schools smaller than themselves.

 

8. Breathitt County- Bobcats talent pool has dropped considerably in recent years, but the large return of starters from a quality team will make them formidable.

 

9. Russellville- Western Ky is decidedly weak in the new alignment, thus Russellville should be a solid bet to advance far.

 

10. E'town- Will clearly be second fiddle in their district, but should still have enough horses to be a threat in the West.

Didn't Louisville Central"s Head Coach resign or got fired at the end of last season?...:sssh:

 

6. Somerset- Making the jump from 1A this team has by far the most elite playmaker in John Cole, figure this 1A State Semifinalist from last year will make some serious noise.

 

 

Wow.I thought Cole was a Senior last year.

He is a very good Player...

Looking foreward to the season starting ..... Devils will be solid , schedule will be better , Playoffs should be better much better district with Mason Co , they have skilled kids who can play with anyone ... Let's go