Thread Rating:
08-19-2013, 04:12 PM
CLASS 3-A
* Favorite: Central has dominated this class, winning the past three state titles and five of six since the expansion to six classes in 2007. The defense should be strong with linebackers Donald Styles, Phillip Francis and Derquoine Mobley leading the way.
* Not far behind: Belfry has been the clear No. 2 in Class 3-A since 2007, falling to Central four times in the championship game. Quarterback Sani Warren and top rushers Justin Johnson, Trenity Carr and Austin Hatfield all return for the Pirates.
* Sleeper: South Warren enters its third season of play after a trip to the regional finals last year. Senior quarterback Jay Eblen returns after passing for 15 touchdowns and also leading the team in rushing last year.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: South Warren senior lineman Adrian Middleton (6-4, 270) has committed to the University of Kentucky. He's a strong tackle on the offensive line and also posted 59 tackles on the defensive line last season.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Quarterback Chad Wilson did it all in leading Monroe County to a 12-2 record last year, rushing for 28 touchdowns and passing for 10 more. Sophomore Lincoln Arnett looks to take over as the signal caller this year.
* The next big thing: Fort Campbell junior running back Tristen Luke rushed for 1,935 yards and 30 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Prolific running back Kentayvus Hopkins has graduated from Bourbon County, but the Colonels have plenty of weapons with eight starters back on offense. Senior quarterback Dalton Pope leads the way after passing for 22 TDs last year.
* Wayne County gave Central all it wanted in the second round of the playoffs last year, falling 21-18, and has nine starters back on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Tyler Guffey returns after passing for 1,535 yards and 17 TDs.
* Paducah Tilghman should once again have one of the best teams in the western part of the state. Senior defensive end Derik Overstreet has committed to Western Kentucky, and defensive back Darrius Spivey-Nunn also is receiving interest from colleges.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Belfry at Harlan County, Sept. 6: Matchup of two of the top teams from the mountains.
* St. Xavier at Central, Sept. 27: The Yellowjackets never have beaten the Tigers, but this game will provide good preparation for Central's district schedule.
* Bell County at Wayne County, Sept. 27: Cardinals get their shot at knocking the Bobcats off their district perch.
CLASS 2-A
* Favorite: This looks to be the most wide-open class in the state, but defending champion Newport Central Catholic gets the nod. Longtime assistant Dan Wagner enters his first season as head coach.
* Not far behind: Caldwell County made a big splash last year before falling to Newport Central Catholic 30-26 in the state final. Plenty of firepower returns for an offense that averaged 39.5 points per game last year.
* Sleeper: Owensboro Catholic was 11-0 last year before a double-overtime loss to Murray in the second round of the playoffs. Senior quarterback Houston Hartz passed for 2,703 yards and 31 TDs last year.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: Caldwell County junior quarterback Elijah Sindelar burst on the scene last year while passing for 2,961 yards and 32 TDs. His arm strength and size (6-5, 195) make him a strong prospect.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Clay Clevenger is the new coach at Danville, where Sam Harp left after winning seven state titles in 25 years.
* The next big thing: Prestonsburg junior QB Jarred Jarrell threw for a state-record 676 yards and nine touchdowns in a win over Pike County Central last year. Also a running threat, look for more big numbers from Jarrell this season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Glasgow has 16 of 22 starters back from last year's 10-3 team, including two running backs who topped 1,300 yards last season -- senior Quentel Bradley and junior Marquez Trigg.
* Murray has produced several solid kickers and punters over the year, including Tim Masthay of the Green Bay Packers. Murray coach Steve Duncan said senior Schafer Putz should be the ninth straight Murray kicker to play in college.
* Clinton County enters the season with the state's longest current losing streak (37) and will not play a district schedule.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Bardstown vs. DeSales, Sept. 27 at Southern: This one could decide the District Four championship.
* Mayfield at Caldwell County, Nov. 1: The Tigers get a huge test before the playoffs.
* Newport Central Catholic at Beechwood, Nov. 2: Northern Kentucky powers meet on the final day of the regular season.
CLASS A
* Favorite: Mayfield has been in four straight state finals, winning the crown in 2010 and 2012. Senior quarterback Jake Guhy leads the way after passing for 34 TDs with just one interception last year.
* Not far behind: Beechwood has lost to Mayfield in the state semifinals each of the past four years but should be back in the mix this year. Nine starters return on offense.
* Sleeper: Raceland finished 9-3 last year and returns most of its top players, including quarterback Adam Elkins and running back Daylin Beach.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: Fairview junior Cody McPeek (6-3, 325) drew the attention of several college scouts while attending camps in Cincinnati and Dallas during the offseason.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Jonathan Jackson, now at Murray State, will go down as one of the best players in Mayfield history. Jordon Tyler and Stuart Mills will fill his shoes at running back.
* The next big thing: Frankfort junior Jalen Washington (5-10, 180) scored 19 touchdowns last year and was a threat as a running back and receiver. He'll be the Panthers' top threat this year.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Hazard has reached the state semifinals six straight years and has 15 of 22 starters back from last season. Senior linebacker Josh Meehan (6-2, 225) posted 118 tackles last year and leads the defense.
* Russellville is poised for another big season with 16 of 22 starters back, including seven players who are three-year starters. Senior quarterback Barrett Croslin and senior running back Demarcus Hampton lead the offense.
* Fairview reached its first state final last year before getting blasted by Mayfield, 55-8. The Eagles must replace three players who rushed for more than 1,300 yards.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Mayfield at Paducah Tilghman, Sept. 7: It will be the 100th meeting in a series that began in 1911.
* Hazard at Fairview, Sept. 20: It's a rematch of last year's state semifinal, which Fairview won 40-6.
* Russellville at Mayfield, Oct. 25: Could be a preview of the regional final in November.
http://lms.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...ing-season
* Favorite: Central has dominated this class, winning the past three state titles and five of six since the expansion to six classes in 2007. The defense should be strong with linebackers Donald Styles, Phillip Francis and Derquoine Mobley leading the way.
* Not far behind: Belfry has been the clear No. 2 in Class 3-A since 2007, falling to Central four times in the championship game. Quarterback Sani Warren and top rushers Justin Johnson, Trenity Carr and Austin Hatfield all return for the Pirates.
* Sleeper: South Warren enters its third season of play after a trip to the regional finals last year. Senior quarterback Jay Eblen returns after passing for 15 touchdowns and also leading the team in rushing last year.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: South Warren senior lineman Adrian Middleton (6-4, 270) has committed to the University of Kentucky. He's a strong tackle on the offensive line and also posted 59 tackles on the defensive line last season.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Quarterback Chad Wilson did it all in leading Monroe County to a 12-2 record last year, rushing for 28 touchdowns and passing for 10 more. Sophomore Lincoln Arnett looks to take over as the signal caller this year.
* The next big thing: Fort Campbell junior running back Tristen Luke rushed for 1,935 yards and 30 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Prolific running back Kentayvus Hopkins has graduated from Bourbon County, but the Colonels have plenty of weapons with eight starters back on offense. Senior quarterback Dalton Pope leads the way after passing for 22 TDs last year.
* Wayne County gave Central all it wanted in the second round of the playoffs last year, falling 21-18, and has nine starters back on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Tyler Guffey returns after passing for 1,535 yards and 17 TDs.
* Paducah Tilghman should once again have one of the best teams in the western part of the state. Senior defensive end Derik Overstreet has committed to Western Kentucky, and defensive back Darrius Spivey-Nunn also is receiving interest from colleges.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Belfry at Harlan County, Sept. 6: Matchup of two of the top teams from the mountains.
* St. Xavier at Central, Sept. 27: The Yellowjackets never have beaten the Tigers, but this game will provide good preparation for Central's district schedule.
* Bell County at Wayne County, Sept. 27: Cardinals get their shot at knocking the Bobcats off their district perch.
CLASS 2-A
* Favorite: This looks to be the most wide-open class in the state, but defending champion Newport Central Catholic gets the nod. Longtime assistant Dan Wagner enters his first season as head coach.
* Not far behind: Caldwell County made a big splash last year before falling to Newport Central Catholic 30-26 in the state final. Plenty of firepower returns for an offense that averaged 39.5 points per game last year.
* Sleeper: Owensboro Catholic was 11-0 last year before a double-overtime loss to Murray in the second round of the playoffs. Senior quarterback Houston Hartz passed for 2,703 yards and 31 TDs last year.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: Caldwell County junior quarterback Elijah Sindelar burst on the scene last year while passing for 2,961 yards and 32 TDs. His arm strength and size (6-5, 195) make him a strong prospect.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Clay Clevenger is the new coach at Danville, where Sam Harp left after winning seven state titles in 25 years.
* The next big thing: Prestonsburg junior QB Jarred Jarrell threw for a state-record 676 yards and nine touchdowns in a win over Pike County Central last year. Also a running threat, look for more big numbers from Jarrell this season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Glasgow has 16 of 22 starters back from last year's 10-3 team, including two running backs who topped 1,300 yards last season -- senior Quentel Bradley and junior Marquez Trigg.
* Murray has produced several solid kickers and punters over the year, including Tim Masthay of the Green Bay Packers. Murray coach Steve Duncan said senior Schafer Putz should be the ninth straight Murray kicker to play in college.
* Clinton County enters the season with the state's longest current losing streak (37) and will not play a district schedule.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Bardstown vs. DeSales, Sept. 27 at Southern: This one could decide the District Four championship.
* Mayfield at Caldwell County, Nov. 1: The Tigers get a huge test before the playoffs.
* Newport Central Catholic at Beechwood, Nov. 2: Northern Kentucky powers meet on the final day of the regular season.
CLASS A
* Favorite: Mayfield has been in four straight state finals, winning the crown in 2010 and 2012. Senior quarterback Jake Guhy leads the way after passing for 34 TDs with just one interception last year.
* Not far behind: Beechwood has lost to Mayfield in the state semifinals each of the past four years but should be back in the mix this year. Nine starters return on offense.
* Sleeper: Raceland finished 9-3 last year and returns most of its top players, including quarterback Adam Elkins and running back Daylin Beach.
HONOR ROLL
* Top college prospect: Fairview junior Cody McPeek (6-3, 325) drew the attention of several college scouts while attending camps in Cincinnati and Dallas during the offseason.
* Biggest shoes to fill: Jonathan Jackson, now at Murray State, will go down as one of the best players in Mayfield history. Jordon Tyler and Stuart Mills will fill his shoes at running back.
* The next big thing: Frankfort junior Jalen Washington (5-10, 180) scored 19 touchdowns last year and was a threat as a running back and receiver. He'll be the Panthers' top threat this year.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
* Hazard has reached the state semifinals six straight years and has 15 of 22 starters back from last season. Senior linebacker Josh Meehan (6-2, 225) posted 118 tackles last year and leads the defense.
* Russellville is poised for another big season with 16 of 22 starters back, including seven players who are three-year starters. Senior quarterback Barrett Croslin and senior running back Demarcus Hampton lead the offense.
* Fairview reached its first state final last year before getting blasted by Mayfield, 55-8. The Eagles must replace three players who rushed for more than 1,300 yards.
THREE MUST-SEE GAMES
* Mayfield at Paducah Tilghman, Sept. 7: It will be the 100th meeting in a series that began in 1911.
* Hazard at Fairview, Sept. 20: It's a rematch of last year's state semifinal, which Fairview won 40-6.
* Russellville at Mayfield, Oct. 25: Could be a preview of the regional final in November.
http://lms.usatodayhss.com/louisville/ar...ing-season
![[-]](https://bluegrassrivals.com/forum/images/lifestyle/collapse.png)
Messages In This Thread
Courier-Journal Overview of Upcoming Season - by blue1424 - 08-19-2013, 04:12 PM
Courier-Journal Overview of Upcoming Season - by blue1424 - 08-19-2013, 04:12 PM
Courier-Journal Overview of Upcoming Season - by Fuzzybeardad - 08-19-2013, 04:20 PM
Courier-Journal Overview of Upcoming Season - by mysonis55 - 08-19-2013, 04:46 PM
Courier-Journal Overview of Upcoming Season - by dns - 08-19-2013, 08:26 PM
Users browsing this thread:
