[BillyCrystal6]

I think Hazard has a big season and makes a legit run in 1A.. I heard they got the transfers from Perry eligible. I think Jackson Deaton and Christ Partin were the names I heard. With that being said, that was Perry Central's 2 best players. It looks like it will be a long season on the gridiron for Perry.

[Old School Hound]

I think Hazard has a big season and makes a legit run in 1A.. I heard they got the transfers from Perry eligible. I think Jackson Deaton and Christ Partin were the names I heard. With that being said, that was Perry Central's 2 best players. It looks like it will be a long season on the gridiron for Perry.

I really liked what I saw from Hazard last season. They were more than competitive for one half at Corbin before the Hounds put it away. I knew that things were  looking up in Hazard. Nice looking team. Talked to some of their fans, too.  Nice folks.

[Blue_Bird96]

Hazard and/or Pikeville should be in semis in 1A.  Belfry will be in semis and likely play at home this year and I’d say favored to be at Kroger in 2A.  Somerset and Prestonsburg will be good.  Martin Co improved.  Bell and Breathitt are set up for a run in the east for 3A.  Rockcastle will be good.  JC and Corbin should contend in 4A.  Pulaski is a tough out for anyone in 5A.  They will contend.  South Laurel is a sleeper in 5A.  Several with a chance to get to Kroger and win it but I would say none are the favorite to win it in their class if we are being real.  Belfry probably has the best chance.

Martin co graduated a LOT last year. It’ll be difficult to be improved from last years team. Maybe they’ll surprise some folks.

[lcgrad2002]

Did Breathitt move up from 2A to 3A? Also, I would add that Lawrence County will contend in 3A in the East. They return every skill position and get some key players back that were injured last year. One kid will be contend for player of the year in the region.

[BlackcatAlum]

Did Breathitt move up from 2A to 3A? Also, I would add that Lawrence County will contend in 3A in the East. They return every skill position and get some key players back that were injured last year. One kid will be contend for player of the year in the region.

Breathitt remains in 2A

[lcgrad2002]

That’s what I thought. Some people need to do research before making a post or reply I suggest.

[plantmanky]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

[OutlawJoseyWales]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

So the Eastern part of the state won’t produce a state championship in 25?

[LCfootball]

Did Breathitt move up from 2A to 3A? Also, I would add that Lawrence County will contend in 3A in the East. They return every skill position and get some key players back that were injured last year. One kid will be contend for player of the year in the region.

Williiams, Chicko, Johnson, or Fetherof? All four could be at or near the top this year. As good of a quartet as there is in the mountains.

[plantmanky]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

So the Eastern part of the state won’t produce a state championship in 25?

Not what I said, what I said was very clear.

[Belichick]

That’s what I thought. Some people need to do research before making a post or reply I suggest.

I typed a bit in that post and made a mistake. I think I already said as much earlier in the thread but beat that horse if it helps you in any way.  I like Breathitt and LC this year.  Not to win it in their respective classes but they both should be a tough out.

[TD Hounds]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

Even Pikeville? Really….

[OutlawJoseyWales]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

So the Eastern part of the state won’t produce a state championship in 25?

Not what I said, what I said was very clear.

Clear to whom?   I took your post to say none of the teams mentioned in this thread will win a state championship this season.   Am I missing something?

[plantmanky]

none of the teams listed so far will win a state championship in 2025.

So the Eastern part of the state won’t produce a state championship in 25?

Not what I said, what I said was very clear.

Clear to whom?   I took your post to say none of the teams mentioned in this thread will win a state championship this season.   Am I missing something?

none of the teams in this thread and So the Eastern part of the state won’t produce a state championship in 25? are two totally different statements.  I didnt make one of them, very clear. 

[lcgrad2002]

It may be true that none of them will produce a state championship, but I think it is always interesting to see what happens because there are always upsets and surprises. Who could be your surprises for this year?

[beercanchicken]

What will the WYMT Mountain Top 10 look like for this upcoming season? Just for fun what is your Mountain Top 10.


1) Corbin
2) Pulaski County
3) Johnson Central
4) Belfry
5) Ashland
6)Pikeville 
7) Bell County
8) Raceland
9) Breathitt County 
10) Somerset/ Hazard

Also could be in top 10
Rockcastle Co., Lawrence Co.,Letcher Co. Central. Prestonburg

1.Corbin      
2.Johnson Central
3.Pulaski
4.Ashland
5.Belfry
6.Pikeville/Raceland
7.Bell
8.somerset
9.Hazard
10.Perry.   
     HM. Pburgh, Whitley, Lawrence, Clay, Letcher

[SmashMouth17]

I think we will have some parity in the top 10 this year. You will have your traditional teams that are always some where between 5 and up to the number 1 spot but I think there will be some new additions by the end of the year teams that aren’t normally in the top 10. I also predict one or two normal power teams to fall below the middle of the pack maybe even toward the bottom of the top 10 by seasons end. I’ll give a guess at a preseason top 10 but I think with most teams playing each other we should have a good idea on who belongs where by season’s end.

1. Corbin
2. Pulaski
3. Johnson Central
4. Bell County
5. Rockcastle county
6. Somerset
7. Pikeville
8. Belfry
9. Breathitt county
10. Prestonsburg

[bucslover68]

I think we will have some parity in the top 10 this year. You will have your traditional teams that are always some where between 5 and up to the number 1 spot but I think there will be some new additions by the end of the year teams that aren’t normally in the top 10. I also predict one or two normal power teams to fall below the middle of the pack maybe even toward the bottom of the top 10 by seasons end. I’ll give a guess at a preseason top 10 but I think with most teams playing each other we should have a good idea on who belongs where by season’s end.

1. Corbin
2. Pulaski
3. Johnson Central
4. Bell County
5. Rockcastle county
6. Somerset
7. Pikeville
8. Belfry
9. Breathitt county
10. Prestonsburg

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but Belfry is better than probably 4 teams that you have in front of them.  Loaded.

[EKUAlum05]

I think we will have some parity in the top 10 this year. You will have your traditional teams that are always some where between 5 and up to the number 1 spot but I think there will be some new additions by the end of the year teams that aren’t normally in the top 10. I also predict one or two normal power teams to fall below the middle of the pack maybe even toward the bottom of the top 10 by seasons end. I’ll give a guess at a preseason top 10 but I think with most teams playing each other we should have a good idea on who belongs where by season’s end.

1. Corbin
2. Pulaski
3. Johnson Central
4. Bell County
5. Rockcastle county
6. Somerset
7. Pikeville
8. Belfry
9. Breathitt county
10. Prestonsburg

You do realize Belfry returns like 19 starters from the team who beat Pikeville and Rockcastle last year and reached the 3A Semi-Finals?

No team in KY returns as much experience and production as Belfry. Belfry returns nearly 5000 yards of offensive production, basically their LOS on both sides of the ball, an All-State defensive player in Hunter Hylton and most of their top performers on that side of the ball.

 Doesn’t mean they win a state title or should be number one on this list, but ranking them number eight is a choice lol.

[lcgrad2002]

I would argue that Lawrence County returns as much as Belfry, they lose a couple of lineman but that’s it. I’m not saying Lawrence is better than Belfry but they do return as much on both sides of the ball and even several of guys who were injured.

[pirateforlife]

I would argue that Lawrence County returns as much as Belfry, they lose a couple of lineman but that’s it. I’m not saying Lawrence is better than Belfry but they do return as much on both sides of the ball and even several of guys who were injured.

If Lawrence returns more than Belfry then they pretty much return their entire team. Belfry returns every offensive skill position including the qb. Several 2 and 3 years starters. Returns 4 of 5 lineman who started. Max Dotson is the only one who graduated who was the center. Returns 9 starters defensively and several who didn’t start but were in the playing rotation.

[EKUAlum05]

I would argue that Lawrence County returns as much as Belfry, they lose a couple of lineman but that’s it. I’m not saying Lawrence is better than Belfry but they do return as much on both sides of the ball and even several of guys who were injured.

I always appreciate your eternal positivity and optimism for all things LC and you have a LOT to look forward to not only this year but next year as well as the Bulldogs have plenty of Junior and Sophomore talent. I think if Lawrence can develop a little more speed and big play ability as a result in the off-season after a summer of conditioning and hard work they have a chance to be a sneaky team for sure!

With that said, the fact LC loses two of their top defenders alone means they don't return as much as Belfry. That's even crazy to think of because there probably is not a team in KY who wishes they returned as much as LC heading out of Summer.

Add in the fact that Belfry is not only returning all these starters, a bunch of these guys are going into their third if not fourth year of starting.

The craziest stat of all is Belfry gained 5,035 yards of total offense and scored a very respectable 73 total offensive TD's in 2024 between Varney's passing and the Belfry running game.

Of that production, they lose on 9 yards of rushing (they do lose a kid who had a single catch for 44 yards) and no TD's scored. 

Now all this only matters so much. Coach Varney has never coached a game as HC and has to get these guys bought in, and if Belfry cannot patch the same holes they had on defense then I am not sure they want any part of a Mayfield, Beechwood, or LCA. With that said, I could see JB Woolum taking a big step forward, I could see Jaydon Muncy stepping in and becoming a great player on defense, and JJ Austin became a certified star at FB at the end of the season. Belfry has potential to do big, big things.. all of the 2A powers I listed above have massive holes to fill and most have coaching change as well.

[lcgrad2002]

4,170 yards of production and 55 touchdowns is what the Bulldogs return offensively. You mentioned two top defenders, are you referring to Colin Howard and Josh Spillman? The Bulldogs had 9 seniors last year, three of them started and not all of them saw the field. Same got forced into positions due to injuries which is part of the game.

As I was reading your post I couldn’t tell if you were genuine or being a smarty pants, but either way thank you. I am always positive regarding LC, it’s my passion as I do the radio for them. I always enjoy your posts regarding Belfry as well, nothing but respect for them.

I think both teams have a shot of going a long way in the playoffs.

[EKUAlum05]

4,170 yards of production and 55 touchdowns is what the Bulldogs return offensively. You mentioned two top defenders, are you referring to Colin Howard and Josh Spillman? The Bulldogs had 9 seniors last year, three of them started and not all of them saw the field. Same got forced into positions due to injuries which is part of the game.

As I was reading your post I couldn’t tell if you were genuine or being a smarty pants, but either way thank you. I am always positive regarding LC, it’s my passion as I do the radio for them. I always enjoy your posts regarding Belfry as well, nothing but respect for them.

I think both teams have a shot of going a long way in the playoffs.

Being genuine.. you always build your team up and have a positive outlook even when things don't go as planned. Passion is a good thing!

[lcgrad2002]

Yes it is! I would say I’m say I’m a “ glass 1/2 full” kind of guy. I appreciate the compliment. You do a great job on your posts, they are always well written and thoughtful.

[M00sejaw64]

1) Pulaski Co
2) Corbin
3) Johnson Central
4) Belfry
5) Rockcastle Co
6) Pikeville
7) Bell Co
8) Ashland
9) Somerset
10) Hazard

[SmashMouth17]

Not saying Belfry isn’t loaded bc I know they are. My ranking for them is based entirely on the fact that they have a new head coach. If the team doesn’t buy in, talent will only take them so far. I don’t think their new coach has ever been head coach correct? Until we see how the team responds, I believe putting them even in the top 10 was more than justified. Maybe they pickup and never miss a beat but at the same time it’s hard to fill the shoes of a legendary coach like Haywood. Until we see the way the new coach runs his team and the way the players respond I don’t feel my ranking of them was unjustified. Maybe I am wrong and they win state but for me it was just the unknowns of the new coach.