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Knox Central looks to start another strong run after going 10-4 last season en route to a state semifinal finish, falling to Johnson Central 59-20. That was one week after Ashland fell to the same Johnson Central team by a 50-14 score, ending a 11-2 campaign where they lost both times to Johnson Central. They've escaped their tormentors with the drop to 3A. This is one of the marquee matchups in the state - who wins?

The Maroons have most of the gang back for another season, looking to improve on last season's 10-3 region runner-up finish that saw them just barely fall short against eventual state champion Franklin-Simpson. They'll meet a Union County team that went 7-4, but one of those seven wins was a stunner on the road against that same Madisonville team, winning 14-13. Can the Braves turn everyone's heads again?

The popular Netflix show "13 Reasons Why" covers controversial topics. As we look back at some of the defending 2017 State Champions as they head into a new season, we will give 13 Reasons Why they will either hoist the trophy again, come up short, or just generally be worth following. Boyle County Will Win the 2018 Title Because: Reason #1- Chuck Smith doesn't believe in "one hit wonders". Smith's track record insists that when he builds his team to a Championship caliber, they stay at that level for multiple seasons. Often we see teams in the smaller classifications ride the back of a star player or catching lightning in a bottle for an isolated rise that leads to an one off title. Smith subscribes to building his program around a wave of talent and supplementing that run of talent with key players. This Junior Class is phenomenal and anything short of multiple rings on their fingers by the time they graduate would be a major upset. Reason #2- Reese Smith is the next big thing in Kentucky High School Football. Sometimes players come along that are just special. This may not mean they end up being a 5* All American, but it means that they become a dominating force that can literally change a game every time they are on the field. Smith has that potential. He gave evidence of this when he basically took over last year's Title game against Corbin. It can be argued he is a First Team All-State worthy player on both Offense and Defense. Smith not only hauled in over 1000 yards receiving, he added a ridiculous 9 Interceptions. Reason #3-Landen Bartleson is an elite athlete. The Rebel Runningback ran for 1137 yards and 20 TD's last season, but it has been his Spring and Summer that has "wowed" College Scouts and put him in elite company with his measurable qualities. It is safe to say no player in Class 3A will have much success tracking Bartleson down if he is loose in the secondary. Reason #4- Reed Lanter should show a significant improvement. The Junior to be got the job done thrust into the starting role as a Sophomore. Statistically speaking he played at Championship level, protected the football, and managed the game while letting his skill players make plays. Expect Lanter to take the next step in 2018. Chuck Smith's QB's have a long history of really excelling in their second season as starters and he has produced some greats. Reason #5- Tanner Crawford is the best kept secret in Kentucky. We already extolled the virtues of Landen Bartleson, the kid with major D-1 offers, but the primary rushing threat is Crawford and between the two of them it is safe to say Boyle may have the best 1-2 punch at RB in the State. Crawford came up a handful of yards shy of the 2000 yard mark but proved to be the guy Boyle turned to any time they needed a key conversion. Reason #6- Depth wins 3A football and Boyle has it. When you look at the past State Champions in Class 3A in the 6-Class system almost every single one has plenty of depth to overcome injuries and keep bodies fresh flipping from Offense to Defense. Limited two-way starters have been key. The Rebs certainly fit this mold and will have the upper hand against most 3A teams with their ability to not only cycle in fresh legs, but have more quality talent waiting in the wings once the weather cools and minor injuries become more prevalent. Reason #7- A strong core returns to build around on Defense. Chuck Smith is a Defensive Coach and always has strong LB'ers. Ezarious Roller was superb as a Sophomore and will anchor the LB crew. Smith and Bartleson are obvious top tier talents in a very good secondary, Wilson Kelly was excellent on the D-Line. The pieces are there to build around, but it is pretty clear Boyle will have a little bit of work to do to regain the form they found throughout much of last season. Boyle County Will Not Win the 2018 Title Because: Reason #8-They have to completely rebuild their Offensive Line. Heading into 2017 the unquestioned strength of the Rebels was going to be an O-Line unit that returned every single starter including a pair of Division 1 prospects. The Boyle trench warriors lived up to their billing and were one of the best units in the Commonwealth. This year the Rebs have to replace all but one of those maulers. Ned Stephens will have to anchor a green unit. Reason #9- The Rebel Defensive Line also have monstrous holes to fill. Mitchell Paycheck may have been the hardest working D-Linemen in the State and effort-ed his way to All-State ballots with a superb season.Kelly and Aaron Hatter are strong pieces to build around, but Paycheck and Clete Hellyer's graduation will both pose major concerns. Reason #10- The playoff path will get a bit harder. Last year the Rebels were matched up with arguably one of the weaker Districts in Regional play and as a result their District mates feasted en route to a First Round sweep. The Rebels will now inherit a match-up with District 6, which in turn means a match-up with Belfry potentially. If all expectations hold true this will require the long road trip to the edge of the State to play a Belfry team who has not lost a home playoff game since 2009. If the Rebels survive their reward will be a Semi-Finals game against the team they saw in the Championship last year, Corbin. If Boyle advances they will then see the West representative where Louisville Central figures to be a factor. It is foreseeable Boyle may have to beat four of the Top 6 or 7 teams to win the Title. Reason #11- Lexington Catholic should be noticeably better and WanDale Robinson returns at Western Hills. Robinson is a special player and a guy who can change the scoreboard with one missed tackle. Western Hills probably won't have the supporting cast to knock off Boyle, but on a cold, wet night where crazy things can happen it is scary to think of Robinson getting the ball in the 4th Quarter. Likewise, Lexington Catholic appears to be a year away from peaking, but the Knights have plenty of talent and a major D-1 prospect at QB and had dominated the Rebels until last season. Regardless Boyle County Will be Fun To Follow: Reason #12- If you like well coached football teams that do the fundamentals well. This team simply has the capability to check every single box and outside of experience on the Offensive & Defensive lines don't seem to have an apparent weakness. The Rebels have one of the best Coaching staffs in Kentucky and simply will have a very talented team well prepared each week. Reason #13- Legacies are defined by how the best players make big plays in big games, and this team should have no shortage of chances. We already outlined the stars and potential layoff path for the Rebels, but when you throw in regular season District games, a rivalry against 2A Champ Danville, and non-District games against stout foes such as Ballard, Wayne County, and Collins this has the makings for a special showcase of elite talents.

The Maroons have stayed on track since a surprising margin in their opening loss to Owensboro. They enter at 2-1, knocking off Murray 29-15 a week ago. They meet 2-0 Union County, who knocked off Madisonville 28-14 last season en route to a 5-0 start. This is the last warmup before district play for Madisonville - will they go in on the right foot?

Moore continued one of their best seasons in school history with a 34-7 blowout of John Hardin, securing the district title in the process. The Mustangs look like the favorite in region 2, but first look to extend their win streak to five in a row when they host 3-6 Henry County. The Wildcats have lost four in a row, failing to top 14 points in all but two of their games this season. Last year was a tight 13-8 decision in this game, won by Moore. Might we be in for another surprise close call?

The Maroons stayed clutch with a 15-12 win over Christian County last week to move to 7-2. Madisonville has won their last two games by a combined 7 points. It makes the 14-0 win over Hopkinsville that preceded it look like a blowout. Nevertheless, the Maroons have won five in a row, and appear to be overwhelming favorites to make it six in a row when they visit Fort Campbell. Madisonville dominated in a 37-6 win over Fort Campbell last year, and the Falcons are just 1-8 this year, out of the playoff hunt. It is at Fort Campbell - do they have a prayer?

Franklin-Simpson was probably hoping for a more comfortable score in their opener against Portland (TN), but came away with a solid 23-14 victory. Caldwell County stayed neck and neck with Christian County, but missed a game-winning field goal attempt and fell to their larger opponent 23-21. Franklin-Simpson will be wanting to solidify their ranking while Caldwell looks to get in the winning column. Who takes it?

Both teams coming of huge wins....Who wins the Cross Town Shoot out?

The 2-1 Cardinals host the 2-1 Bell County Bobcats this Friday. Wayne County enters off another blowout victory, downing Perry County Central 50-6 last week. The ground attack was the focus, with the Cardinals amassing 281 yards on just 13 attempts. Dalton Garner led the way with 6 carries for 107 yards and 2 TDs. Meanwhile Bell County picked themselves back up after a loss to Mercer County with a 49-30 win over Pike County Central. This isn't the type of Bell County team we're used to, but a win over the traditional power would still be worthwhile to Wayne County, which fell 14-10 on the road in this game a year ago. Will the Cards pick up their first win over Bell since 2013?

We covered it in the preview, but last season was a dream campaign for the Rockets, and a throwback to the glory days of the 80s. But with the high of that season, comes the reality of a myriad of departures. Malik Manica and Michael Perry were their best offensive and defensive weapons, and they were lost to graduation. So too were the majority of their offensive line. They'll feature a completely rebuilt offensive unit, and will be put to the test right away against Garrard County, which made them fight for every inch of a 31-30 win in the opener a season ago. Garrard County suffered some losses to graduation as well, but has a sizable line and a 1,000 yard back running behind it. Who wins this time around?

Spencer County is coming off a 10-2 season that by most metrics was incredible, but ended with them coming up short against John Hardin, settling for a second round exit. The Bears only lost 8 seniors from that team, and return two 1,000+ yard rushers and four offensive linemen. They rushed for over 4,500 yards a year ago, and look like they might top that mark this time around. They enter as the favorites in their district, and will look to establish early against Bardstown, who they knocked off 48-14 a year ago on the road. Should we expect more of the same on a neutral field?

Knox Central fell 8-7 to Madison Central in their first game, a defensive struggle that saw the Panthers not even reach 200 yards of total offense. But, glass half full, last year, they lost 49-0 in Game 1 and then went on to make a statement in a win over Louisville Central in the second week. This year, they'll get Waggener, a 41-6 winner over Iroquois in Week 1. Can Knox Central get in the win column?

The 2-0 Tigers will look to keep it rolling against local rival Fort Campbell this week, a rematch of last year's 50-7 drubbing by Hopkinsville. Hoptown's Jalen Johnson has thrown for 9 touchdowns in two games so far, with CJ Henangan posting 5 of those TD receptions in just 7 total catches. Meanwhile Fort Campbell's brutal schedule continues, which has already seen them play powers Mayfield and Russellville. They still have Christian County to walk into next week as well before they finally get to cool their heels. Will we see a repeat of last year's blowout?