1. Highlands - The names may change from season to season, but the level of success stays the same. It’s Highlands … enough said. The Bluebirds dominated Class 5A, waxing foes left and right en route to four consecutive state titles. They also won 58 of 60 games in that span and could continue to steamroll the competition as they move down in class. Quarterback Patrick Towles, one of the state's top prospects, will have plenty of capable receivers to target. The Bluebirds will also field their usual, strong ground game, featuring Jake True, Colin Seidl and Zach Harris running behind a retooled line. Safety Drake Bruns and his brother, lineman Devon Bruns, will lead a faster-than-you-think defense that allowed just six points in the state semifinals and finals last season. Needless to say, it will take a formidable opponent (or a huge upset) to keep Highlands from winning their annual state title.

 

2. Boyle County - Without a doubt, the Rebels are back among the state's elite, with back-to-back state championships and a winning streak that now spans 30-games. That streak will be immediately put in jeopardy when Highlands comes to town on opening night. Not only is the winning streak in jeopardy, the balance of 4A power is at stake. If the Rebels are going to continue their dominance of 4A, they will have to do it with an offense that has been almost completely overhauled. Only two offensive starters return (both receivers), although the Rebels do return a 1,500-yard rusher in Devon Cox. Five starters return on the defense, including linebacker Zach Hester. Depth is the Rebels' biggest question mark, given the substantial personnel losses; however, there is no doubt the "Chuck Smith Swagger" is back in Boyle's program under the direction of Larry French.

 

3. Lone Oak – The Purple Flash figures to have one of the state's most explosive offenses. Sophomore sensation, quarterback Cole Ousley (3,372 yards and 34 TDs last season) will join talented receivers like Felix Colon, Joe'Ontre Starks and Joeshawn Starks (they combined for 150-plus catches and 2,500-plus yards) and Jarred Hill, who was slowed by injuries last fall. Two-way tackle Cameron Cain heads a big, strong line corps and a defense that should be improved. Lone Oak's schedule, often ridiculed in the past, has been beefed up considerably, with the likes of Paducah Tilghman, Christian County, Hopkinsville, and new district rivals Owensboro and Madisonville.

 

4. Lexington Catholic - Any other season, Lexington Catholic would be a strong candidate to bring home a state title, given what they have returning. However, 5A powers Highlands, Covington Catholic, and Johnson Central have all dropped from 5A into the Knights' 4A region. Junior Kyle Bolin appears poised to continue a long tradition of great LexCath quarterbacks, with help from backs, James Maddox and Amoh Kumengisa, as well as receiver Adam Bush. The good news is that the Knights lost just four linemen to graduation. The offensive firepower is there, but a defensive unit that allowed more than 35 points a game last year will need to improve if the Knights want to go far in the postseason. A schedule that includes Male, John Hardin, Bowling Green, and Bell County should prepare the Knights for the rigorous postseason.

 

5. Covington Catholic – Around the state, they've become almost an afterthought, in the shadow of the Highlands machine, just a few miles away. But these Colonels are a solid team in their own right. Quarterback Blake Bir and running back Gabe Gray operate behind a big offensive line that was anchored by Bradley Way. The biggest question in the minds of most CovCath fans is the defense. Under the direction of a new coordinator, they must become a more stingy unit than the one that struggled to stop the run. Of course, even with improvement, the Bluebirds loom large on the horizon.

 

6. Johnson Central - J.J. Jude could probably run to Bowling Green by himself. However, the Eagles will need more than just his considerable talent to advance out of their new 4A region, which now includes the northern Kentucky teams that dropped from Class 5A. Jude has become one of the top backs in the state, but the Eagles lose their quarterback and most of their line. Veteran coach Jim Matney will need to plug the holes and figure out how to keep teams from stacking the line against Jude. A dialed-down schedule should help the Eagles until they figure out who will complement Jude.

 

7. Knox Central – Squeezed between Corbin and Bell County, the Panthers of Knox County have elbowed their way into the football discussion along U.S. 25E. Knox Central lost twice to Bell County and dropped a one-point overtime game to Johnson Central last year. However, they also lost their head coach, as Wayne Mills moved south to Log Mountain, where he takes over at Bell County. The Panthers have a lot coming back, which will help them in a newly realigned, and tougher, region. Head coach (and former Mr. Football) Scott Russell has Jonathon Barger back at quarterback. Barger threw for 1,537 yards without a pick last year. Jonathon Turpin and Jeffery Canady combined to add 1,400 yards on the ground. Coach Russell is hoping their large junior class will mature quickly.

 

8. Franklin-Simpson – The return of the Wickware cousins will spell trouble for Franklin-Simpson opponents this year. Darius (1,871 rushing yards) and Jerrell (793 receiving yards) combined for 38 touchdowns last year. They were part of a Wildcat offense that averaged 34 points per game. Quarterback Max Bennett and one of his favorite targets, Adam Alford also return as part of this explosive offense. But the key for the Wildcats will be on defense, where good teams exposed their weakness last year. The loss of linebacker Jalen Bell will be tough to overcome, but Chris Davis should move into a defensive leader position at linebacker. If the defense can find ways to shut down the good teams, Franklin-Simpson could be the surprise team that makes the short trip to Bowling Green in December.

 

9. Western - The Warriors of coach Lavell Boyd bowed out in the state semifinals a year ago, losing 20-16 Allen County-Scottsville. That loss also meant the end of the line for BGP All-Stater Leon Melvin, as well as 1,900-yard rusher Jacorey Ritchie and several other starters. Don't feel sorry for Western however, since they do return some awfully good players. The coach's son, safety-receiver Jalen Boyd, has scholarship offers from Stanford, UCLA, and Illinois. Outstanding linebacker Armon Lloyd will likely carry a bigger load after rushing for a whopping 353 yards in just 34 attempts last season. A lot of the other holes will be filled by members of a very talented junior class. Western has adopted the “tough love” development process, by opening the season against Ballard, Male, Highlands, and Central before delving into their district play. Much like Central, their early record may not look all that great, but this group will be one tough out by playoff time.

 

10. Madisonville-North Hopkins - After years of toiling in Class 5A, Madisonville drops down to 4A, where they should make an immediate impact. The Maroons return dual-threat quarterback Tray Carr, who both ran and passed for over 1,000 yards last year. Senior Cameron Tandy should become a bigger part of the offense, which averaged 27 points per game last year. Head coach Will Weaver will get a big boost from the return of most of his linemen on both sides of the football. The move to 4A should pay immediate dividends for Madisonville, a program that has steadily improved under coach Will Weaver.

Despite the obvious elephant in the room(Highlands)....4A looks to be extremely competitive. The 4A postseason will be a lot of fun regardless of the team you root for.

Despite the obvious elephant in the room(Highlands)....4A looks to be extremely competitive. The 4A postseason will be a lot of fun regardless of the team you root for.

I agree. 5A was extremely competitive other than Highlands the past 4 years. I hope the top 4A teams prove to be more competitive with Highlands, but I won't hold my breath long.

I wonder if there is any other football division in the nation where the school with the smallest boy's enrollment in their division is ranked tops in the state (in their division)? http://www.khsaa.org/football/realignment/20112014/2011-2014 School Listing.pdf

 

Amazing. It will be even more amazing if they win the state championship. I know many (me included) get jaded about HHS's success and expect them to be a powerhouse, but what they do with their small enrollment is pretty impressive.

Edited August 8, 201115 yr by Ram
Rule 4

This is a very competitive class. Will be fun in the playoffs.

ttt