teeroy

One concern I have about Highlands. They went from losing by 1 pt to Cov Cath to losing by 30 just a few weeks later. What happened?

The thing about football is if you are rated #1 in your class preseason you have a very, very, strong chance of making it to Kroger Field to play for the state title.

I’m looking forward to that game!

I had 3 - 4 teams that just missed the Top 30. I'll share them once the countdown is complete and I'll share my reasons as well.

Team #14 is Franklin County! 30. Central 29. Raceland 28. Logan County 27. Lexington Catholic 26. Belfry 25. Pulaski County 24. PRP 23. Bowling Green 22. Ryle 21. Southwestern 20. Bryan Station 19. Paducah Tilghman 18. Mayfield 17. Corbin 16. CAL 15. DuPont Manual 14. Franklin County 2021 Record: 10-4 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Johnson Central 42-24 in 4A Semifinals 2021 Final Ranking: #21 Players to Watch: RB Kaden Moorman (SR) (Kentucky), QB/WR/DB Gavin Hurst (JR), LB Peyton Ledford (SR), WR/DB Zach Claudio (SR) Key Losses: LB Brenton Sears, QB Jayden Mattison Game to Watch: October 21 vs Central After a run to the 4A finals in 2020 - bolstered by a surprise upset over Johnson Central in the semifinals, the Flyers started slow last year, losing to Corbin, Ballard, and Woodford County early in the season, before falling to Johnson Central 42-24 in the semifinals. The offense will be built around UK commit and Mr. Football candidate Kaden Moorman (177 carries for 1,447 yards and 27 TDs). Linebacker Peyton Ledford (141 tackles, 17 TFL) returns to lead the defense. The Flyers have a good chance to make their third straight semifinals and have a shot to make it back to Kroger Field. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1428842062791778304?s=20&t=hI3neHnUT4hfjNIt6dSBdA Check back tomorrow for #13!

Team #15 is Manual! 30. Central 29. Raceland 28. Logan County 27. Lexington Catholic 26. Belfry 25. Pulaski County 24. PRP 23. Bowling Green 22. Ryle 21. Southwestern 20. Bryan Station 19. Paducah Tilghman 18. Mayfield 17. Corbin 16. CAL 15. Dupont Manual 2021 Record: 8-4 2021 Playoffs: Lost St. Xavier 18-16 in 6A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: #15 Players to Watch: DB Amare Townsend (SR), WR Jeremiah Blakey (SR), DL CJ Jones (JR) Key Losses: RB JaWaun Northington (Murray State) Game to Watch: October 28 at Male The Crimsons only losses to year were to powerhouse Male and twice to 6A state champ St. X, with the latter coming in the playoffs 18-16 while Manual was without star running back JaWaun Northington. Northington has since graduated but look for a combination of players to run behind a solid o-line anchored by Drew McClure and Trey Ryan. WR Jeremiah Blakey (16 catches for 247 yards and 2 TDs) also returns. Defensive backs Amare Townsend (4 interceptions) and Howard Gant are very good athletes that may also see time on offense. Defensive linemen Beni Tshita and CJ Jones both have D1 offers. With the cross district playoff format returning that opens the way for both Manual and St. Xavier to avoid each other in the second round. Check back tomorrow for #14.

Team #16 is CAL! 30. Central 29. Raceland 28. Logan County 27. Lexington Catholic 26. Belfry 25. Pulaski County 24. PRP 23. Bowling Green 22. Ryle 21. Southwestern 20. Bryan Station 19. Paducah Tilghman 18. Mayfield 17. Corbin 16. CAL 2021 Record: 11-2 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Paducah Tilghman 41-34 in 3A 3rd Round 2021 Final Ranking: #18 Players to Watch: QB Cole Hodge (JR), RB/LB Gavin Copenhaver (SR), OL/DL Samuel McCoun (SR) Key Loss: WR/S Easton Messer Game to Watch: September 9 at LCA CAL was the favorite to win 3A last year before being upset by Paducah Tilghman 41-34 last year. 3A will be tough to predict again this year but look for CAL to make a deeper run in 2022 behind the return of junior QB Cole Hodge (139-for-217, 28 TDs, 4 INTs). They will be without of the best wideouts in the state from last year, due to the graduation of Easton Messer. Check back tomorrow for #15!

Team #17 is Corbin! 30. Central 29. Raceland 28. Logan County 27. Lexington Catholic 26. Belfry 25. Pulaski County 24. PRP 23. Bowling Green 22. Ryle 21. Southwestern 20. Bryan Station 19. Paducah Tilghman 18. Mayfield 17. Corbin 2021 Record: 12-1 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Johnson Central 34-13 in 4A Quarterfinals 2021 Final Ranking: #11 Player to Watch: QB Cameron Combs (SR), RB/LB Mikey Neal (SO), K Jacob Baker (SR) Key Losses: RB Seth Huff, RB Seth Mills (Indiana State), WR Dakota Patterson (transferred/injured), WR Treyveon Longmire (EKU) Game to Watch: August 20 vs Pikeville (Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic) Most of the key playmakers on offense are not back but the Redhounds look to build around QB Cameron Combs (92-for-157 for 1,529 yards) who tossed 13 TDs to only 1 pick and ran for 9 scores. Mikey Neal led the team in tackles as a freshman last year with 112. Check back tomorrow for #16.

Team #18 is Mayfield! 30. Central 29. Raceland 28. Logan County 27. Lexington Catholic 26. Belfry 25. Pulaski County 24. PRP 23. Bowling Green 22. Ryle 21. Southwestern 20. Bryan Station 19. Paducah Tilghman 18. Mayfield 2021 Record: 12-2 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Beechwood 38-7 in 2A Semifinals 2021 Final Ranking: #16 Players to Watch: QB Zane Cartwright (JR), RB/LB Jutarious Starks (JR) Key Losses: RB Kylan Galbreath (Murray State), WR Daniel Coles Game to Watch: August 19 at Graves County The Cardinals ended a rare 2-game losing streak against Murray (Murray beat them in wild triple overtime playoff game in 2020) by knocking off the Tigers 55-6 in the second round of the playoffs. They followed that up with an impressive 48-6 pasting of Green County before falling to eventual state champion Beechwood 38-7. Beechwood and LCA both look to be powerhouses again this year, but look for Mayfield to make another run to the semifinals again this year behind QB Zane Cartwright (127-for-188 for 2,225 yards, 23 TDs and only 3 INTs). Jutarious Starks (73 carries for 511 yards and 12 TDs) looks to get the majority of the carries this year after the graduation of Kylan Galbreath. Check back tomorrow for #17.

By the numbers they lost from last year: leading rusher top 2 WRs 3 of top 4 tacklers Still return some good talent and at least 1 impact transfer.

19. Paducah Tilghman 2021 Record: 8-7 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Belfry 33-28 in 3A Finals 2021 Final Ranking: #25 Players to Watch: QB Jack James (SO), RB Malachi Rider (JR) Key Losses: WR Brian Thomas, WR Camdon Marshall Game to Watch: August 20 vs McCracken County After starting the season 1-4, the Blue Tornado turned it around to make the state championship game. A late fumble on a kickoff return cost them a chance a game winning drive against Belfry in the 3A state title game. Tilghman turned heads with an impressive 41-34 win over 3A favorite CAL in the state quarterfinals. Quarterback Jack James (201-for-377 for 2,849 yards) threw for 35 TDs and 13 picks as a freshman last year. Malachi Rider (228 carries for 1,281 yards and 14 TDs) also returns in the backfield. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1467189816970387458?s=20&t=i-ofirsH2TQA-pcSKfYdig https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1467205541273513986?s=20&t=i-ofirsH2TQA-pcSKfYdig Check back tomorrow for #18

20. Bryan Station 2021 Record: 10-2 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Madison Central 41-18 in 6A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: #23 Players to Watch: QB Trenton Cutwright (JR), ATH JT Haskins (JR), LB Jason Hocker (JR) Key Loss: RB Joey Bond Game to Watch: August 19 at Frederick Douglass The Defenders are 20-4 since Coach Phillip Hawkins took over two years ago, really turning the program around. JT Haskins (6 defensive interceptions) is rated as one of the top recruits in the state in the Class of 2024. He is one of several defensive players that hold multiple D1 offers along with Jason Hocker, Dahvon Frazier and Jahvon Frazier. Look for Hocker (109 tackles, 16 TFL) to lead the team in tackles for the third year in a row. Damin Green (23 catches for 408 yards and 7 TDs) is versatile on offense and QB Trenton Cutright (134-for-223 for 2,210 yards, 22 TDs, 11 INTs) also returns along with RB Jeremiah Mundy-Lloyd (115 carries for 616 yards and 5 TDs). The regular season matchup with Madison Central could be crucial as it will likely determine the #1 seed in the district. Check back tomorrow for #19

BE has most key guys back from last year. Lost to a couple of unranked teams but could be much improved.

You may be right.

21. Southwestern 2021 Record: 11-2 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Frederick Douglass 37-6 in 5A Quarterfinals 2021 Final Ranking: #19 Players to Watch: RB Tanner Wright (SR), RB Christian Walden (JR), OT Braiden Myers (SR) Key Losses: RB/LB Giddeon Brainard, TE/DL Cody Harmon Game to Watch: October 21 at Pulaski County The Warriors return their top rusher (Tanner Wright 133 carries for 1,083 yards and 11 scores) from a team that ran for 3,770 yards last year,, which was 11th in the state and 1st in 5A. Big Braiden Myers anchors the offensive line who was honorable mention All-State last year. Look for a breakout year from junior running back Christian Walden. Southwestern always has a stable of running backs. Southwestern lost to powerhouse Frederick Douglass in the quarterfinals of the playoffs the last two years, including a close heartbreaker in 2020. Look for another run to the quarterfinals again this season. Check back tomorrow for #20

2 NKY teams just missed my top 30. IMO there is only 1 option for the top preseason team in NKY!

Feel free to guess how many NKY teams I have in front of Ryle and who they are (if any). I suppose once I get down to the top 15 or so, many will be able to identify who all those 15 teams will be, though they might have different order than I do.

#22 Ryle 2021 Record: 9-4 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Trinity 38-18 in 6A Quarterfinals 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: QB Logan Verax (JR), WR/DB Kaden Gardner (SR), OL Drew Dickerson (SR) Key Losses: LB Gabe Savage (USMA), LB Jackson Belk (Thomas More) Game to Watch: September 16 vs Highlands The offense returns a ton with QB Logan Verax (190-for-333 for 2,395 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs) WR Kaden Gardener (56 catches for 786 yards and 7 TDs, and OL Drew Dickerson all back. However, the defense must replace linebackers Gabe Savage and Jackson Belk who were two of the top tacklers in the state last season. Ryle, who played state champ St X within 10 points last year, could be the top 6A team in northern Kentucky this year. #23 Bowling Green #24 PRP #25 Pulaski County #26 Belfry 27 Lexington Catholic #28 Logan County #29 Raceland #30 Louisville Central Check back tomorrow for #21

Your welcome.

Howell Rankings Countdown - KY High School Football Team #23 Bowling Green The Kentucky High School football season starts in 23 days and, just like last year, I'll be counting down one team each day starting at number 30. Today's countdown features the #23 Bowling Green Purples. Though numerous coaches throughout the state have provided information and projections to me throughout the summer, these rankings are solely my own. Also, consider subscribing to the Premier High School Sports Podcast where I'll have an across the state preview of the college football season before the season kicks off. Last year the main complaints regarded me having Ashland (not ranked), Covington Catholic (30) and Bowling Green (14) all too low. People loved to talk trash about the rankings in the preseason until I had the last laugh after none of these teams finished in the final top 25. They had all suffered heavy graduation losses from 2020. The preseason rankings ended up being very accurate. I had the champion (South Warren in 5A, Belfry in 3A, Beechwood in 2A, and Pikeville in A) ranked first in their respective class to start the year. I also had the runner-up in 5A (Frederick Douglass) and 2A (LCA) ranked #2 in their class in the preseason. For 4A I had the finalists right but I had Johnson Central just ahead of Boyle County in the preseason rankings. Boyle eventually defeated the Golden Eagles in the state championship. I did make one colossal mistake by ranking the St. Xavier Tigers way too low at number 13. I'll own that one for sure. Jack Sivori missed 2020 due to injury causing the Tigers to struggle and I didn't account for his return being as big as it was. Sorry, St. X fans. Y'all got the last laugh, though! Almost everyone picked Male to beat them but the Tigers proved us all wrong by winning the 6A state title. A few more points: - No matter where Trinity is ranked half the people will say they are too low, half the people will say they are too high - Just because you won a state title in 2021, doesn't mean you will automatically be ranked #1 in your class in preseason 2022 (sorry South Warren fans!) On to the countdown: 30. Central 2021 Record: 7-5 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Franklin County 14-8 in 4A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: QB Xavier Brown (SR), RB Cortez Stone (SO) Key Losses: WR/DB D Jure Johnson, LB Cylen Brown Game to Watch: October 21 at Franklin County The Yellow Jackets return their top QB (Xavier Brown 46-for-82 for 54 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INT) and running back (Cortez Stone 141 carries for 1,377 yards and 21 TDs) from a team that defeated 3A champ Belfry 37-6 and played well in close losses to 5A champ South Warren (20-6) and 6A powerhouse Manual (14-12). With the playoffs changing to the cross district format this year (yay!) that could be good news for both Central and district rival Franklin County. 29. Raceland 2021 Record: 12-2 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Pikeville 36-7 in A Semifinals 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: QB Logan Lundy (JR), RB/DB Noah Wallace (JR), WR/DB Conner Hughes (SR), K Peyton Ison (SR) Key Loss: LB Cole Conlon Game to Watch: October 21 vs Paintsville The Rams return almost every key player from the 2021 team that made it all the way to the state semifinal in Class A before falling 36-7 to eventual champion Pikeville. Junior QB Logan Lundy (126-for-209 for 1,966 yards, 23 TD, 10 INT) leads the charge. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rams at Kroger Field this year in the state championship game. 28. Logan County 2021 Record: 10-5 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Boyle County 54-16 in 4A Semifinals 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: QB/DB Davin Yates (JR), RB Ryan Rayno (SR), RB/LB Elijah Hawkins (JR) Key Losses: WR/DB Wyatt Blake Game to Watch: September 2 vs Russellville Check back tomorrow for #27 The senior dynamic duo of QB Davin Yates (116-for-187 for 1,319 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs, 8 rushing TDs ) and RB Ryan Rayno (154 carries for 1,173 yards and 14 TDs ) look to lead the Cougars on another deep playoff run. Last year was one of the best seasons in program history, highlighted by a run to the semifinals where they lost to eventual champion Boyle County. Top tackler Elijah Hawkins (127 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks) also returns. 27. Lexington Catholic 2021 Record: 9-3 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Boyle County 47-13 in 4A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: #22 Players to Watch: RB Walker Hall (SR), K/P/WR/DB Max DeGraff (SR) Key Losses: QB Jack Gohmann (Centre), WR/DB Jack Monday (University of Kentucky) Game to Watch: October 7 vs Boyle County Lexington Catholic lost a lot of firepower including QB Jack Gohmann (Centre) and WR/DB Jack Monday (Kentucky) along with their coach Nigel Smith. Coach Bert Bathiany takes over has RB Walker Hall returning. He can run right over defenders or juke them out of their shoes and is a good player to build around. Max DeGraff is one of the top kickers in the state. Due to the new cross district format, they can avoid Boyle County in the first two rounds, which should certainly help. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1431434309878046726?s=20&t=oGSKYlRQBdlhlFNwuPeRvg https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1431473267571892225?s=20&t=xf53piWhsOKsL05xDBPS5g https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1431479318014726149?s=20&t=xf53piWhsOKsL05xDBPS5g 26. Belfry 2021 Record: 9-6 2021 Playoffs: Defeated Paducah Tilghman 33-28 in 3A Finals 2021 Final Ranking: #24 Players to Watch: DT/LG Brayden Spears, C Max Dotson, RB/LB Braxton Hatfield Key Losses: RB/CB Isaac Dixon (Kentucky), RB/S Zayne Hatfield Game to Watch: September 16 at Pikeville After starting off 0-5 last year the Pirates regrouped and took advantage of a less than stellar 3A field to win another state championship. Fifth year senior and last year's Mr. Football Isaac Dixon has graduated and joined the roster at UK, but legendary coach Philip Haywood is back along with Brayden Spears and Max Dotson from last year's dominant offensive line. Look for Belfry to make another run in Class 3A again this year. Don't expect the Pirates to pass much. They were 5-for-13 all of last season. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1467198764502994949?s=20&t=oGSKYlRQBdlhlFNwuPeRvg 25. Pulaski County 2021 Record: 7-5 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Southwestern 27-7 in 5A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: WR Chandler Godby (SR), WR Barek Williams (SR), TE/LB Layton Abbott (SR), RB/S Cody Nichols (SR) Key Loss: QB Drew Polston Game to Watch: October 21 vs Southwestern Injuries derailed the Maroons last year including Barek Williams serious injury early in the season. QB Drew Polston has graduated but most of the other key players return. This year Williams and Chandler Godby (75 catches for 1,061 yards and 15 TDs) to form a strong receiving duo. A regular season showdown with Southwestern looms large. North Laurel is also much improved so it will be a deep and competitive district. The Maroons have a small team but will rely on speed and quickness. They will have an improved offensive line and several weapons at the skill positions. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1431474038669447169?s=20&t=oGSKYlRQBdlhlFNwuPeRvg 24. Pleasure Ridge Park 2021 Record: 6-5 2021 Playoffs: Lost to Manual 35-20 in 6A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: WR Jakob Dixon (SR) (Kentucky), QB Kayden Anderson (SR), WR Kendrick Jackson (SR) Key Losses: CB Elijah Reed (Kentucky), RB Deshawn Barkley Game to Watch: October 21 at St. Xavier The Panthers are forming a nice pipeline of players to UK. Elijah Reed will be suiting up for the Wildcats this year and senior Jakob Dixon (33 catches for 663 yards and 9 TDs) has committed to UK. QB Kayden Anderson returns after passing for 1,898 yards and 24 TDs last season. 23. Bowling Green 2021 Record: 6-6 2021 Playoffs: Lost to South Warren 28-3 in 5A 2nd Round 2021 Final Ranking: Not Ranked Players to Watch: QB Deuce Bailey (SO), WR/DB Bert Kibawa (SR), LB Jake Napier (SR), OL/DL Austin Anderson (SR) WR/DB Augustin Nyembo (SR) Key Losses: DL Jeremiah Lightfoot, DE Amario Wilson Game to Watch: September 30 vs South Warren Lineman Austin Anderson and defensive backs Bert Kibawa and Augustin Nyembo are all back after starting on the Purples’ 2020 championship squad. After seeing rival South Warren blow out Bowling Green and win state last year, look for a much more even matchup between the Spartans and Purples this year. QB Deuce Bailey threw for 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns as a freshman last season. https://twitter.com/teeroyhowell/status/1340407920945745923?s=20&t=wtHX-5dDA_WUb-mhsitnSg Check back tomorrow for #22

#24 PRP #25 Pulaski County #26 Belfry 27 Lexington Catholic #28 Logan County #29 Raceland #30 Louisville Central

#25 Pulaski County #26 Belfry 27 Lexington Catholic #28 Logan County #29 Raceland #30 Louisville Central

#26 Belfry #27 Lexington Catholic #28 Logan County #29 Raceland #30 Louisville Central

They finished #22 last year and lost several key players, maybe they will be better than last year but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are about the same in the 20-30 range.

Central did have very solid results last year except for the 35-6 home loss to Franklin County late in the season, which was puzzling, but they did play Franklin County very close on the road a few weeks later in the playoffs. Central does have a high ceiling if things fall into place. Of the 4 teams. Lex Cath was the only team ranked in final top 25 last year, but they lost more production than any of the other 3 (Logan, Raceland, Central).