[whackem'n'stackem']

Lexington Catholic, Highlands, Johnson Central, and Covington Catholic look to be the frontrunners in 4a next season. I would say Lexington Catholic has to be ranked at least 1 or 2 and the Highlands/Covington Catholic rivalry will be much more heated. Central could be a factor as well but in the end I see another Lexington Catholic/ Highlands rematch at DCMS. Highlands has a big monkey on their backs going for #6 as this will be the headline every week for them next year in the playoffs. They have a quarterback lacking experience under center, but who is very athletic. They are also very solid at RB with the speedy Seidl and powerhouse Harris. I expect to see a completely different offense next year. One that won't put up a ton of points but one that will be just as effective at scoring as this year's squad. I think next year's offense will mirror the 08' team. In the end I see the Birds beating Lex. Cath. albeit it much tighter game. No disrespect to the other side of the bracket but I think they're a non issue.

[Jarons]

Collins should make some noise in 4A next year.

[macdon]

Collins has an impressive group returning next year.

Lone Oak returns just about everyone for their "Final Chapter".

Franklin-Simpson loses a lot and the Junior class is very thin. Things look better for 2013 on however.

[WideRight05]

It shouldn't be "favorites" it should be "favorite." Because everybody knows the 5 TIME, 5 TIME, 5 TIME defending state champs should easily be the favorite.

[Wideleft01]

Why change the offense? McCoy is more than capable of running it. You have to give Harris and Seidl more carries than they got this year, but there's still plenty of receiving talent and McCoy can air it out. Lexcath will be good too. Covcath isn't going to beat Highlands. Heck, they're biggest headlines continue to be lawsuits, bullying, fights at the Aronoff etc.. Covcath is a soccer school.

[WideRight05]

Why change the offense? McCoy is more than capable of running it. You have to give Harris and Seidl more carries than they got this year, but there's still plenty of receiving talent and McCoy can air it out. Lexcath will be good too. Covcath isn't going to beat Highlands. Heck, they're biggest headlines continue to be lawsuits, bullying, fights at the Aronoff etc.. Covcath is a soccer school.

Couldn't have said it better my friend. In fact, McCoy was probably in the top 10 - 20 QBs THIS YEAR as a backup!

[Bluegrasscard]

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

[WideRight05]

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

:biglmao:

[Wideleft01]

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

Lexcath will definitely be a challenge for Highlands next year. Highlands biggest obstacle will be defense. The offense will still gash everyone, including Lexcath. And Lexcath may want to work on kick return coverage as Seidl will still be running back kicks.

[blue1424]

Collins should be good again next year. They lose some great players but they return a lot of talent including QB Lawson Page and RB DeAndre Farris and have someone with varsity experience returning at every position. It should be another exciting season for the Titans.

[LexCathKnight15]

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

Artrip was our middle linebacker fyi. Next year the Knights D should be tough as they will probably be starting 10 seniors (Mesmer will be the only junior). Nick Foster is coming back from his torn ACL and he was playing as much as any of the starters at LB before the injury. Either Mike Lynch or Derek Hayden (the two corners) will be moved to Wachs' Safety position which will probably enable C.Nash to play the other corner (where he started a good amount of games). On the line our depth will be the main concern but 4 really good seniors in Mattingly, Vogelsang, Childers, and Buckles. Of course we bring Defensive MVP Alex Nash back at his hybrid position and Anthony Kersey is a 3 year starter at the other one. In conclusion I think we will be pretty good defensively.
Offense is LC's calling card and we will be fine there even though we have two huge holes to fill in Bush and Wilhelmus (who Letton called the best center he's ever had)

[WideRight05]

I think if any team will challenge Highlands, it will be Collins. They are a developing powerhouse.

[blue1424]

I think if any team will challenge Highlands, it will be Collins. They are a developing powerhouse.

I sure wish they would have played each other in the championship. Highlands probably would have won by 3 or 4 TD's but I would have like to seen Collins put up a fight against them. Coach Lucas is certainly developing a GREAT program at Collins. They have excellent coaching and lots of talent and should be good for years to come.

[WideRight05]

^ It would have been a good stepping stone for Collins.

[whackem'n'stackem']

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

Hard to ignore if you're Highlands.....definitely nowhere near a gimme next season. I think 4A will be the most competitive division of all in the Commonwealth.

[blue1424]

^ It would have been a good stepping stone for Collins.

Yes it would have. Their first year they made it to the quarterfinals, this year the made it to the semifinals, so hopefully next year they make it to the championship.

[kypecos]

4A should be a little tighter next year as other teams improve and Highlands comes back to the pack a little (to use horse racing terminology). Highlands is still the favorite and rightfully so. But it remains to be seen if it and the other teams play up to expectations. There's a lot of weights and running and team chemistry that will develop between now and then. Highlands just looks a little better on paper, but not by much, and we all know that the games aren't played on paper.

Also agree that 4A may be the most competitive class next year. Should be some dandy playoff games (after the first round).

[MSU Eagle]

Can't forget the team who won two in a row before this season: Boyle County. They're always a contender. They easily could have beaten LexCath this season in the playoffs.

[toussaints]

Favorites IMO are Highlands, LexCath, and Lone Oak

[LWC]

I am going to add a team to this list as a DARKHORSE:

Russell County.

They return practically everyone, I think something like 20 starters!

I believe that playoff inexperience/"curse" will hurt them though. Hard to contend in the playoffs when you have never won a playoff game.

Go ahead and laugh, they will be VERY good. Everyone laughed when I said they would win district, and they finished in a 3-way tie with a bunch of Sophomores and Juniors.

[charlie22]

Lexington Catholic key losses and comebacks for next year:

Losses from 2011 to 2012:
Receivers - Adam Bush (Kyle Bolins favorite receiver the last 2 years), TE Zimmerman
A number of O and D lineman (Kurt Wilhemlus, Oscar Melendez, Corey Mesmer, others)
Defensive backfield - Jordon Artrip (3rd on team in tackles), Adam Wachs

Returning:
- Offense: Entire backfield including Kyle Bolin (Sr), Marcus Logan (Jr), Noah Mitchell (Jr) and Amoh Kamangeza (Jr), wideouts David Bovier (Jr) - 2nd leading receiver and Casey Nash (Sr)
- Defense: SS Alex Nash (Sr) and LB Josh Mesmer (Jr) (Leading and second leading 2011 tacklers)
- Linemen: Trey Mattingly (Sr), Alex Buckles (Sr)

Coming in:
- Sam Letton. As a freshman he should have an impact at TE and/or LB.

So LexCath will return a lot next year - with a lot of 3-year starters since some of next years seniors were starting as sophomores after a large 2009 season team graduated many seniors.

But Highlands has to be pre-season favorite.

Is Noah Mitchell the son of Greg Mitchell?

[FBfan4life]

Lexcath will definitely be a challenge for Highlands next year. Highlands biggest obstacle will be defense. The offense will still gash everyone, including Lexcath. And Lexcath may want to work on kick return coverage as Seidl will still be running back kicks.

Work on the KO game or just don't kick it to him.

[FBfan4life]

Lexington Catholic, Highlands, Johnson Central, and Covington Catholic look to be the frontrunners in 4a next season. I would say Lexington Catholic has to be ranked at least 1 or 2 and the Highlands/Covington Catholic rivalry will be much more heated. Central could be a factor as well but in the end I see another Lexington Catholic/ Highlands rematch at DCMS. Highlands has a big monkey on their backs going for #6 as this will be the headline every week for them next year in the playoffs. They have a quarterback lacking experience under center, but who is very athletic. They are also very solid at RB with the speedy Seidl and powerhouse Harris. I expect to see a completely different offense next year. One that won't put up a ton of points but one that will be just as effective at scoring as this year's squad. I think next year's offense will mirror the 08' team. In the end I see the Birds beating Lex. Cath. albeit it much tighter game. No disrespect to the other side of the bracket but I think they're a non issue.

Forgive me for not knowing, but what or where is DCMS?

[FBfan4life]

Artrip was our middle linebacker fyi. Next year the Knights D should be tough as they will probably be starting 10 seniors (Mesmer will be the only junior). Nick Foster is coming back from his torn ACL and he was playing as much as any of the starters at LB before the injury. Either Mike Lynch or Derek Hayden (the two corners) will be moved to Wachs' Safety position which will probably enable C.Nash to play the other corner (where he started a good amount of games). On the line our depth will be the main concern but 4 really good seniors in Mattingly, Vogelsang, Childers, and Buckles. Of course we bring Defensive MVP Alex Nash back at his hybrid position and Anthony Kersey is a 3 year starter at the other one. In conclusion I think we will be pretty good defensively.
Offense is LC's calling card and we will be fine there even though we have two huge holes to fill in Bush and Wilhelmus (who Letton called the best center he's ever had)

Can't forget about the freshman. A handful contributed this year on the varsity level. They had a unbelievable freshman and JV undefeated season as well. I should know, my neighbor's kid was on the team.

[kypecos]

DCMS is David Cecil Memorial Stadium -- Highland's home field.

[FBfan4life]

DCMS is David Cecil Memorial Stadium -- Highland's home field.

Thx..

[laker20]

I am going to add a team to this list as a DARKHORSE:

Russell County.

They return practically everyone, I think something like 20 starters!

I believe that playoff inexperience/"curse" will hurt them though. Hard to contend in the playoffs when you have never won a playoff game.

Go ahead and laugh, they will be VERY good. Everyone laughed when I said they would win district, and they finished in a 3-way tie with a bunch of Sophomores and Juniors.

Actually they won a playoff game last year as a 3-seed. They will be very good in a district that will be better across the board next year. In fact, D5-D6 should have 5 of the top 7-8 teams in it IMO. LexCath, Boyle, Russell Co, Knox Central, Rock.

Just out of the top of my head, my preseason would be:

1) Tie LexCath, HHS
3) Russell Co
4) Boyle Co
5) Lone Oak
6) Knox Central
7) Collins (Can we get these guys a home field?)
8) Rock
9) Franklin Simpson
10) Up for grabs.

The Keys for the Lakers next year are the Line and the passing game needs further development. They have got to get stronger, more physical, and athletic up front, and the offense has to be more balanced. I look for Nick Britt to be one of the top players in the state next year, and a potential MrKYFtbll candidate.

[FBfan4life]

Actually they won a playoff game last year as a 3-seed. They will be very good in a district that will be better across the board next year. In fact, D5-D6 should have 5 of the top 7-8 teams in it IMO. LexCath, Boyle, Russell Co, Knox Central, Rock.

Just out of the top of my head, my preseason would be:

1) Tie LexCath, HHS
3) Russell Co
4) Boyle Co
5) Lone Oak
6) Knox Central
7) Collins (Can we get these guys a home field?)
8) Rock
9) Franklin Simpson
10) Up for grabs.

The Keys for the Lakers next year are the Line and the passing game needs further development. They have got to get stronger, more physical, and athletic up front, and the offense has to be more balanced. I look for Nick Britt to be one of the top players in the state next year, and a potential MrKYFtbll candidate.

Russel Co over Boyle, Lone Oak and Collins??:hilarious: A lot of confidence for a team that got handed by a lower seed Mercer Co.

[laker20]

Russel Co over Boyle, Lone Oak and Collins??:hilarious: A lot of confidence for a team that got handed by a lower seed Mercer Co.

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

[FBfan4life]

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

OK fair enough. I'm not aware of other teams roster or returning players.