Not sure how many of you are aware that I stepped down from Kentucky Preps last month. Long story short, school got in the way and as I prepare to apply to law school I needed to get all my ducks in a row. Although I moved on from covering in-state recruiting my love for high school football in the Bluegrass has gone no where. And now since I'm no longer working for Rivals and no longer have to placate coaches, players and parents to stay on their good side for recruiting insider purposes I'm about to get real on this message board.
One last shot
First let's start by talking about the school who's probably had the best team for the last two years, but can't get it done in November -- Male. Make no mistake about it, the Bulldogs have choked in both of their last two seasons while being the superior team in Louisville in each of them.
Initially, only losing one game during the 2013 season that put Male football back on the map, so to say. That team would go on to be duped by a crisp wing-t running attack from the Scott Co. Cardinals in the state semi-final. The Cards would go on to win the 6-A title, after beating the Bulldogs in a game that the Cards completely controlled and effectively won before halftime.
Not to say Scott Co. was a lesser opponent, by any means, but Male was surely a shell of themselves in that one. Even if Male would have played up to its standards McKee's boys still probably would've edged them out, but it's just that the Bulldogs under performed and looked unprepared for what was in front of them that night.
Moving forward, Male was electric last season. Watching them in any capacity would lead one to believe it's going to take a lot to keep them from the state's top prize in its biggest class. With all the weapons and a senior quarterback who was poised and knew his position well, Davis Mattingly, it looked like a sure thing as far as I was concerned.
The Bulldogs were favorites in every game and rolled through the regular season with an unblemished record. All the while, lighting up the scoreboards and stat lines. But upon meeting a familiar foe in Trinity, for the second time, the Bulldogs were ousted by their former district rival.
Although that game could have went either way, Male sure seemed like it was the better team all season and choked in the end -- again. So that marks two straight seasons where they lost to the eventual state champs.
In 2016 they'll surely be one of the state's top teams again. Even while losing a DI running back in Ellis Cain to Marshall, a DI corner to Marshall as well in Coleman and Mattingly is currently walking on at UK, the talent pool is plentiful on Preston Highway.
Wakefield, Smith, Gentry all have DI offers. And while the rest of their roster may not have the major college interest they're still some of the state's best players.
If Male wants to win a state championship with its prized 2016 class it will have to do so with a new signal caller in Hayden Shelton. Shelton is a bit of a dual-threat QB, which will serve as an almost complete 180 from the pocket-passing Mattingly.
This season will certainly mark the end of an era for Male football. This 2016 class has fueled the recent resurgence of the storied program. And with that said, the title window may be slamming shut once this year is in the books.
Less with more
Lafayette undoubtedly had one of the most talented rosters and without question the best o-line in the state a season ago. And again this year they will be stacked with talent, although as far as championship contenders go they are not one.
The Generals are again chalk full with talent, but I'm not expecting much in regards to success on the field. For a team that has as many prized prospects on the roster their brand of football that's brought to the field each week is well below where I believe it should be.
I was only in attendance for one game last year, but I left unimpressed.
The Generals were up against Lexington Catholic, who were certainly out manned yet they played down to their level. It was easy to see clips of brilliance on certain plays from some of the many stellar athletes on the roster, but those isolated incidents were usually created by one player's ability -- like long runs filled with evasive maneuvers in tight spaces from Walker Wood, Quinton Brown, Mason Alstatt and Lucky Jackson. But what really killed them, were mental mistakes and stupid penalties.
I believe Lafayette should be one of, if not, the best team in the state this year with its current roster. Although that is simply not the case. Last year -- with two more DI players who have now graduated and moved on to WKU -- this team wasn't even the best in Lexington, much less the state.
So I'm calling for some improvement. Players and coaches alike from Lafayette you all are a talented group of people who have the means to go as far as you want to this season. I'm pleading with you all to put it on the field this year because I know you all could be as good as any team in the state this fall. Not only that, but it could be the best, most exciting brand of football in Kentucky.
Highlands goes 5A
With all moves in classes and districts this season, the one that I believe will leave the biggest mark will be Highlands to 5A.
Anything Highlands football is news worthy. Adding the fact that 5A will return two state champions makes for a juicy story line. Get ready for a ton of Highlands-Pulaski talk this season.
I know I've always been hard on Pulaski and last year they made me eat crow a few times, but I've since become an about face in regards to the Maroons. And I believe they will go back to back.
I'm not sure how the state championship bracket shapes out and if these two could square off in Bowling Green. (And frankly, I'm too lazy to go to the KHSAA website and look.) But I sure would love to see it.
However for some reason, I think a certain group of Purples could have something to say about my hopes and dreams.
Worry-free Belfry
Belfry comes into the year again a favorite to win it all in 2015. Although the Pirates have two new challengers to go along with the ever-present Central Yellow Jackets in Class 3-A.
District rivals Lexington Catholic and Boyle Co. have moved into 3A's 4th district. So is Belfry who returns a lot of what they did last year still worry-free?
I believe they should be, at least for this season. LexCath and BOCO aren't as tough as they have been in the past. Neither team has a Lamar Dawson or Kyle Bolin on the roster. But over the next few years I believe that 3A is going to be one of the most fun classes to watch and keep up with.
Mayfield moves up
For many years I've heard rumors and allegations against Mayfield for doing anything to stay in 1A. The most notorious one being allegedly kicking boys out of school to keep the numbers right to stay there.
Of course there has never been any substance in those words. People can tell the story, yet can't support it with facts. I've always taken these rumors and ones like it with a grain of salt, as should you.
Case and point: Mayfield makes a move to 2A in 2015
With the storied program moving up, effects will be seen in a multitude of ways.
For one, it opens up 1A. The Cardinals have dominated their old class for some time, this move will give another school a shot to claim top prize in 1A.
Another, is more of a question "How will they fare?" Do they come in as a top dog to a class that DeSales has pretty much claimed its own and is only building onto?
