[MSU Eagle]

Russell Co clearly beat themselves in that game. The Lakers missed out on 7 opportunities to score, and Mercer played as good as they could have. It happens, that doesn't mean that they won't be one of the top teams next year, and I think they bring back more overall talent than anyone not named LexCath. About half of their primary players were sophomores, while the other half were juniors. So they will be a team to deal with.

IMO D5-D6 matchup goes on to become 4A State Champs in 2012

I'm not denying that they are a very good team. But until they prove themselves they should not be ranked in the same tier as Boyle County, Lexington Catholic, Highlands, CovCath, etc. Boyle and LexCath easily handled Mercer County this season, LexCath did so twice. I'm not denying their talent and experience, but they have no experience against a contending team. The best teams they played last year were Rockastle and Knox Central, two teams that were obviously not better than Boyle or LexCath. IMO the Boyle, Mercer, and LexCath district proved in the playoffs that the Russell, Knox Central, and Rockastle district was slightly overrated.