Let's play this game. Name a team. State their status as contender or pretender. Write a sentence, or two, about why you feel that way.
It's really early in the season. So this will be fun to look back at later. That also means a lot of the predictions will sound and look absurd in late October, early November.
Things to take into account when looking at this list: These are all my thoughts. Schools are CONTENDER or PRETENDER based on their chances to win their class' state title. This is just for fun!
Caldwell Co. -- CONTENDER
How many points can we score in a game? That's the question all teams who play the Tigers should be asking themselves because they're going to dump a lot on you. Still No. 1 in my book in 2A.
DeSales -- CONTENDER
I believe the Colts can go back to back. This defense means business and I think there is sufficient offense to out score opponents who will be smothered with their stingy D.
Glasgow -- PRETENDER
After a loss last week to Barren Co. I'm not feeling the Scotties as much as I once was. Their status as a pretender isn't quite sealed yet. Maybe it's just that I had very high expectations for this team and after last week's loss I'm over thinking it.
Newport Central Catholic -- CONTENDER
It doesn't matter how many games the Thoroughbreds lose this season to out-of-class opponents. Once they get into the playoffs watch out. NewCath also misses DeSales or Caldwell until the state championship.
Belfry -- CONTENDER
Belfry is, of course, Belfry.
Paducah Tilghman -- CONTENDER
Man, I hope this limb I'm out on doesn't snap. I still believe once in the playoffs Tilghman is still going to be a factor.
South Warren -- CONTENDER
Even though their schedule thus far hasn't been that tough the manner in which the games have been won is enough to make a believer.
Bourbon Co. -- CONTENDER
With Bolin at quarterback I think the sky is the limit for the Colonels. Coach Hodge runs a good system and that has the propensity to win a lot of ball games.
Boyle Co. -- CONTENDER
Boyle will be Boyle -- always near the top in 4A.
Lexington Catholic -- PRETENDER
LexCath's loss to Lafayette should have been much, much worse. New coach and the loss of an all-state tight end might be too much for the Knights this year. But I do think Coach Perry will have success there for years to come, just not this year.
Highlands -- CONTENDER
The Bluebirds aren't the most talented team, by their standards this year, but a "down year" in Ft. Thomas is better than most's any other year.
Covington Catholic -- PRETENDER
I know the Colonels are ranked first in the Litkenhous rankings, but after a complete dismantling from Moeller (Oh) I'm having my doubts. I didn't expect them to win the game but I did expect more fight from CovCath.
Bowling Green -- CONTENDER
I had my doubts going into the season with the mass exodus that took place last year. Though after thrashing LexCath and holding off St. X I think the Purples are for real.
Warren Central -- PRETENDER
I really like what Coach Feggins has done in year one. With that said, the Dragons aren't on the top shelf of 5A teams, just yet.
Madison Southern -- CONTENDER
Damien Harris is still there, correct? As long as No. 34 is suiting up for the navy and orange MadSouth is a contender, in my book.
Pulaski Co. -- CONTENDER
There's a whole lot of guys returning from a Pulaski team who made it to the state championship last year. A lot of young talent as well. Pulaski is a contender now and will be one for the foreseeable future.
McCracken Co, -- PRETENDER
I want to start by saying this Mustang team is a good one stocked with talent. You know that classic break-up line "It's not you, it's me"? That's about where I stand with this prediction. Having to play the Super District in Region 1 this year is my real reasoning behind this prediction.
Meade Co. -- PRETENDER
3-0 and coming off a state championship appearance I still don't believe in the Green Wave. Their real test will be when they make the trip to Louisville to take on Male. They make a statement there I'll believe. I'll believe that. I'll believe that Meade. I'll believe that Meade could win.
Seneca -- PRETENDER
Love what Coach Boyd has done there. Seneca is a good ball club, they just don't matchup well with most of 6A numbers and size wise. But don't think the Redhawks can't pull of an upset or two. This roster is talented at the skill positions.
Male -- CONTENDER
Male has everything this year -- a sturdy line, great skill players, a good QB and a hungry defense. Anything less that a state title for the Bulldogs would be an underachievement.
Trinity -- CONTENDER
The 'Rocks will get all of their bumps out during the out-of-state part of their schedule and be ready for Male come district play. A new defense could help the Rocks get back on top.
St. Xavier -- PRETENDER
St. X isn't at the same level with Trinity or Male right now.
Simon Kenton -- PRETENDER
Simon Kenton will probably go undefeated into the playoffs and might even make a big run in the playoffs. But I believe that's a product of a weak schedule and once they run into on the big dogs in 6A they'll lose.
Dunbar -- PRETENDER
This next stretch of their schedule will prove how good they really are. For now I'm going with my gut.
Scott Co. -- PRETENDER
I didn't think Scott Co. would repeat to begin the year and now with Miller out of the lineup I think it spells bad news for the Cardinals.
Lafayette -- PRETENDER
After watching their game against LexCath, I'm of the thinking that Lafayette is too undisciplined to compete for a state title. They're talented enough to do it, but you can't shoot yourself in the foot as they did so often with asinine penalties.
This post was edited on 9/10 10:25 AM by Commonwealthsports
This post was edited on 9/10 10:28 AM by Commonwealthsports
It's really early in the season. So this will be fun to look back at later. That also means a lot of the predictions will sound and look absurd in late October, early November.
Things to take into account when looking at this list: These are all my thoughts. Schools are CONTENDER or PRETENDER based on their chances to win their class' state title. This is just for fun!
Caldwell Co. -- CONTENDER
How many points can we score in a game? That's the question all teams who play the Tigers should be asking themselves because they're going to dump a lot on you. Still No. 1 in my book in 2A.
DeSales -- CONTENDER
I believe the Colts can go back to back. This defense means business and I think there is sufficient offense to out score opponents who will be smothered with their stingy D.
Glasgow -- PRETENDER
After a loss last week to Barren Co. I'm not feeling the Scotties as much as I once was. Their status as a pretender isn't quite sealed yet. Maybe it's just that I had very high expectations for this team and after last week's loss I'm over thinking it.
Newport Central Catholic -- CONTENDER
It doesn't matter how many games the Thoroughbreds lose this season to out-of-class opponents. Once they get into the playoffs watch out. NewCath also misses DeSales or Caldwell until the state championship.
Belfry -- CONTENDER
Belfry is, of course, Belfry.
Paducah Tilghman -- CONTENDER
Man, I hope this limb I'm out on doesn't snap. I still believe once in the playoffs Tilghman is still going to be a factor.
South Warren -- CONTENDER
Even though their schedule thus far hasn't been that tough the manner in which the games have been won is enough to make a believer.
Bourbon Co. -- CONTENDER
With Bolin at quarterback I think the sky is the limit for the Colonels. Coach Hodge runs a good system and that has the propensity to win a lot of ball games.
Boyle Co. -- CONTENDER
Boyle will be Boyle -- always near the top in 4A.
Lexington Catholic -- PRETENDER
LexCath's loss to Lafayette should have been much, much worse. New coach and the loss of an all-state tight end might be too much for the Knights this year. But I do think Coach Perry will have success there for years to come, just not this year.
Highlands -- CONTENDER
The Bluebirds aren't the most talented team, by their standards this year, but a "down year" in Ft. Thomas is better than most's any other year.
Covington Catholic -- PRETENDER
I know the Colonels are ranked first in the Litkenhous rankings, but after a complete dismantling from Moeller (Oh) I'm having my doubts. I didn't expect them to win the game but I did expect more fight from CovCath.
Bowling Green -- CONTENDER
I had my doubts going into the season with the mass exodus that took place last year. Though after thrashing LexCath and holding off St. X I think the Purples are for real.
Warren Central -- PRETENDER
I really like what Coach Feggins has done in year one. With that said, the Dragons aren't on the top shelf of 5A teams, just yet.
Madison Southern -- CONTENDER
Damien Harris is still there, correct? As long as No. 34 is suiting up for the navy and orange MadSouth is a contender, in my book.
Pulaski Co. -- CONTENDER
There's a whole lot of guys returning from a Pulaski team who made it to the state championship last year. A lot of young talent as well. Pulaski is a contender now and will be one for the foreseeable future.
McCracken Co, -- PRETENDER
I want to start by saying this Mustang team is a good one stocked with talent. You know that classic break-up line "It's not you, it's me"? That's about where I stand with this prediction. Having to play the Super District in Region 1 this year is my real reasoning behind this prediction.
Meade Co. -- PRETENDER
3-0 and coming off a state championship appearance I still don't believe in the Green Wave. Their real test will be when they make the trip to Louisville to take on Male. They make a statement there I'll believe. I'll believe that. I'll believe that Meade. I'll believe that Meade could win.
Seneca -- PRETENDER
Love what Coach Boyd has done there. Seneca is a good ball club, they just don't matchup well with most of 6A numbers and size wise. But don't think the Redhawks can't pull of an upset or two. This roster is talented at the skill positions.
Male -- CONTENDER
Male has everything this year -- a sturdy line, great skill players, a good QB and a hungry defense. Anything less that a state title for the Bulldogs would be an underachievement.
Trinity -- CONTENDER
The 'Rocks will get all of their bumps out during the out-of-state part of their schedule and be ready for Male come district play. A new defense could help the Rocks get back on top.
St. Xavier -- PRETENDER
St. X isn't at the same level with Trinity or Male right now.
Simon Kenton -- PRETENDER
Simon Kenton will probably go undefeated into the playoffs and might even make a big run in the playoffs. But I believe that's a product of a weak schedule and once they run into on the big dogs in 6A they'll lose.
Dunbar -- PRETENDER
This next stretch of their schedule will prove how good they really are. For now I'm going with my gut.
Scott Co. -- PRETENDER
I didn't think Scott Co. would repeat to begin the year and now with Miller out of the lineup I think it spells bad news for the Cardinals.
Lafayette -- PRETENDER
After watching their game against LexCath, I'm of the thinking that Lafayette is too undisciplined to compete for a state title. They're talented enough to do it, but you can't shoot yourself in the foot as they did so often with asinine penalties.
This post was edited on 9/10 10:25 AM by Commonwealthsports
This post was edited on 9/10 10:28 AM by Commonwealthsports
