All Play No Work

There is a difference between a heavy favorite (think Highlands team with Lorenzen at QB) and a slight favorite among many quality teams. I wouldn't classify Beechwood/NCC or Highlands as heavy favorites for a title or even a state final this year. Seems more like 2001 and 2002 in NKY this year. One upset.

Exactly. One upset (Class A) Two teams that have never been in a Class AA final Only Highlands or CovCath can emerge to face a quality opponent. Class AAAA see Class AA In 2004 and 2003 two NKY teams made it and in 2002 and 2001 only one made it. One upset and 2005 could be 0?

Beechwood (injury to Muth and/or Sawyer) or NCC (injury to Diehl and/or Kiernan) and they suddenly become very beatable IMO. Why is this the year Lloyd gets over the hump? Has the defense improved that much from the 50 point running clock games of last year? Maybe, maybe not. Class AAA does look wide open and therefore not really an upset if Highlands or CovCath get edged out by another good team. Class AAAA although they all may be decent I can't see any of them playing in the final. Possible?

In A upsets can happen no matter how bad a team "wants it". In AA Lloyd is always talent-laden and then gets romped by 1A teams and stopped cold in the playoffs. In AAA CovCath and Highlands are both supposedly solid but not stellar this year and they always face talented teams in the playoffs. In AAAA it would take a major upset or two to get to the final. Could be the year???

NKY has had at least one State Finalist every year since 1978 (I pretty sure). Is this the year that streak ends??? In Class A Beechwood or NCC would be considered a favorite to make the final but could Lex. Christian or can the EKY winner knock them off maybe catching them emotionally down? In Class AA Lloyd is always mentioned as a contender but never gets there, Newport too. In Class AAA looks like a solid but less star-laden Highlands team that has to survive the schedule, missing the coach, etc. and a newly staffed CovCath that might be on a learning curve, plus some always tough teams in their half of the draw. In Class AAAA Conner and Dixie appear to be rebuilding and Ryle looks solid but there is a big T in the roadway. Is this the year NKY gets the goose-egg????