Herald-Leader Top 10: Kentucky Class 3A high school football preseason poll for 2023

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of stories ranking Kentucky’s high school football teams class by class, according to voting by the class’s coaches.

The latest football realignment based on enrollment by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association has created some interesting new challenges for a number of teams around the state, but maybe none greater than the one facing programs in Class 3A’s District 2.

That’s where the defending 3A champion, No. 1 Christian Academy-Louisville, is aligned with No. 2 Central, a multi-state champ dropping down from Class 4A this year, No. 7 Elizabethtown, who made the 3A state finals in 2020, and LaRue County, whose fans might be wondering who they wronged in a past life.

But LaRue County isn’t too far removed from being a region champion itself. The Hawks reached the 3A semis in 2018. LaRue Coach Sonny Judd sees his team’s new grouping as a positive.

“We are looking at it as an advantage that our regular season matchups are loaded,” Judd said. “With every week’s opponent being as good as they are, we will have to show up every week and give our best effort. This can only help us come playoff time.”

Realignment has also shuffled Lexington Catholic, another perennial contender, into Class 3A down from 4A. The Knights’ reputation has them ranked No. 3 this preseason.

But CAL is the overwhelming favorite, receiving 21 No. 1 votes in the Herald-Leader’s preseason survey of coaches.

Here are the preseason top 10 teams in Class 3A as voted on by coaches in the division.

1. Christian Academy-Louisville

Head coach: Hunter Cantwell (fifth season).

Last year: 15-0. State champions with a 38-0 win over Bardstown.

Quick look: Senior QB Cole Hodge leads the Centurions’ repeat effort. The East Carolina commit threw for 2,949 yards and 48 TDs with just four interceptions and had 711 yards and nine TDs rushing in 2022. His brother Connor (472 yards, eight TDs receiving) was among his top targets, but CAL also has Army commit Justin Ruffin (735 yards, 12 TDs receiving). Senior lineman Nathan Carlisle returns from injury and could make a big impact.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 vs. Owensboro; Sept. 8 vs. Lexington Christian; Sept. 22 vs. Manual; Oct. 13 vs. Central; Oct. 20 vs. Elizabethtown.

2. Central

Head coach: Marvin Dantzler (eighth season).

Last year: 9-5. District and region champions. Lost 35-21 to Boyle County in the Class 4A semifinals.

Quick look: Louisville’s Yellow Jackets come back to Class 3A loaded for a run at the title with 20 starters off last year’s team. Senior running back Cortez Stone rushed for 2,191 yards and 26 TDs. The 5-10, 180-pound senior rates as a three-star recruit and has offers from Louisville and Western Kentucky among others. Wide receiver Amontez Woolfork had 435 yards and five TDs on 29 catches. Avaion Johnson (77 tackles, one sack) and Javion Wallace (four interceptions) are among the defensive leaders.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 at Manual; Aug. 25 vs. St. Xavier; Sept. 22 at Central Hardin; Sept. 29 at Elizabethtown; Oct. 13 at Christian Academy-Louisville.

3. Lexington Catholic

Head coach: Nick Baisch (first season).

Last year: 10-3. District champions. Lost 41-21 to Boyle County in the Class 4A region finals.

Quick look: An experienced line led by 6-3, 270-pound senior Joe Schlarman will protect senior quarterback Jackson Wasik, who threw for 2,954 yards and 41 TDs and led a stunning comeback over eventual 4A champion Boyle County in their midseason tilt. Max Mooring should get more carries this year after his 486 yards and four TDs as the Knights’ second option in 2022. Among the four defensive starters returning are leading tackler Sam Clements (102) and sack leader Bennett Williams (seven).

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 vs. Highlands; Sept. 1 vs. Corbin; Sept. 15 at Lexington Christian; Sept. 22 at Boyle County; Oct. 13 at Lloyd Memorial; Oct. 27 vs. Scott County.

4. Belfry

Head coach: Philip Haywood (40th season).

Last year: 6-6. Lost 48-7 to Ashland Blazer in the second round.

Quick look: Haywood, Kentucky’s all-time leader in coaching wins (472-153 in 48 seasons), released his second book this summer, “Climb the Mountain,” which offers his insights to success. The Pirates faced adversity last year in the wake of their 2021 state title, but don’t expect them to be down long. Twelve starters return, including the entire offensive backfield, Caden Woolum (978 yards, 16 TDs rushing; 230 yards, three TDs receiving), Dre Young (876 yards, 10 TDs rushing) and Ace Caudill (607 yards, three TDs rushing) with sophomore Chase Varney (605 yards, six TDs passing) under center. Young (59 tackles, three sacks) and Woolum (52 tackles, three interceptions) also lead the defense.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 at Breathitt County; Sept. 1 vs. Johnson Central; Sept. 8 vs. Southwestern; Sept. 15 vs. Pikeville; Sept. 29 vs. Lawrence County.

5. Bell County

Head coach: Dudley Hilton (23rd season).

Last year: 10-3. District champions. Lost 34-16 to Ashland Blazer in the region finals.

Quick look: The Bobcats return seven offensive starters including the entire offensive line, which should mean another big year for running back Daniel Thomas who led the state in yards from scrimmage with 2,228 and scored 29 TDs to go with 360 yards and five TDs receiving. Blake Burnett had a solid freshman year at QB with 947 yards and 10 TDs passing. The defense returns six starters, including tackle leaders Blake Evans (97 tackles, two sacks) and Hayden Dameron (92 tackles, nine sacks).

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 at North Laurel; Aug. 25 at Boyd County; Sept. 29 vs. Rockcastle County; Oct. 6 vs. Knox Central; Oct. 20 at Clay County.

6. Hart County

Head coach: Chad Griffin (eighth season).

Last year: 9-3. Lost 34-20 to Union County in second round.

Quick look: The Raiders graduated only four seniors and return nine starters on each side of the ball, including leading rushers Joshua Dan Crump (1,200 yards, 10 TDs), Clark Rexroat (918 yards, seven TDs) and Jordan Bradley (604 yards, nine TDs). “Offensively, we have a lot of talent, Griffin said. Tight end/linebacker Jaxson Shoulders led the team in receiving (434 yards, five TDs receiving) and tackling (156 tackles, one sack). AD Milby (125 tackles, three sacks) and Crump (85 tackles, five sacks) are also among the defensive leaders.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 19 vs. Spencer County (at Nelson County); Sept. 8 at Elizabethtown; Oct. 13 at Glasgow; Oct. 27 at Campbellsville.

7. Elizabethtown

Head coach: Alfredo Silva (interim head coach, first season).

Last year: 8-4. Lost 46-7 to Christian Academy-Louisville in the second round.

Quick look: Senior running back Trey Durbin led the team in rushing (1,130 yards, 13 TDs) and receiving (314 yards, six TDs). Braydon Dean and Tyrin Jurnett combined for nearly 900 yards and 10 TDs rushing, as well. “We are young up front, but believe that we will be fine as the season progresses,” Silva said. Linebacker Carter Moberly (61 tackles, two sacks) is the team’s top returning tackler. Defensive end CaMareius Caldwell notched a team-high seven sacks.

Marquee matchups: Sept. 8 vs. Hart County; Sept. 15 vs. Bardstown; Sept. 23 vs. Shelby Valley; Sept. 29 vs. Central; Oct. 20 at Christian Academy-Louisville.

8. Union County

Head coach: Derek Johns (eighth season).

Last year: 12-1. District champions. Lost 66-33 to Bardstown in region finals.

Quick look: The Braves graduated much of their offensive production from last year, but Johns believes his running game will remain a strength and “we feel like we have a deep team, meaning we can play a lot of players at several positions.” Ten starters return, including defensive tackle Amare Black, last season’s second leading tackler with 86 to go with four sacks. William McPeake chipped in 70 tackles, while also getting some touches in the run game with 188 yards and six TDs. Those numbers figure to go up this season.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 18 vs. Madisonville; Aug. 25 vs. Crittenden County; Sept. 8 vs. Murray; Sept. 15 at Hopkins County Central; Oct. 27 at Greenwood.

9. Lawrence County

Head coach: Alan Short II (eighth season)

Last year: 9-3. District champions. Lost 28-7 to Greenup County in second round.

Quick look: The Bulldogs will break in a new turf field at Varney Memorial Stadium this fall with an eye on repeating as district champs. Lawrence notched its first victory over district rival Belfry in 24 attempts last season, a streak that went back to 2002. Six starters on offense and seven on defense return, but much of the rushing production has graduated. Talan Pollock returns at QB and had 665 yards and five TDs passing to go with 414 yards and seven TDs rushing. Cody Crum was the team’s third leading rusher with 654 yards and eight TDs.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 25 vs. Shelby Valley; Sept. 29 at Belfry; Oct. 20 vs. Boyd County; Oct. 27 vs. Mason County.

10. Glasgow

Head coach: Jeff Garmon (eighth season).

Last year: 6-5. Lost 50-20 to Union County in the first round.

Quick look: Garmon likes his combination of senior dominant offensive and defensive lines to go along with skill players who showed spark last year. Junior quarterback Easton Jessie threw for 927 yards and 13 TDs and had 262 yards and six TDs rushing. Gavin Neal’s carries figure to go up after rushing for 353 yards and two TDs in 2022. Rico Crowder led the team with seven TD catches. On defense, leading tackler Mason Arms (71 tackles, two sacks) returns.

Marquee matchups: Aug. 25 at Russellville; Sept. 29 vs. Franklin-Simpson; Oct. 13 vs. Hart County; Oct. 27 at Somerset.

Others receiving votes

In order of votes received: Franklin-Simpson, Lloyd Memorial, Fleming County, Mercer County, Rockcastle County, Lewis County, Russell, Knox Central, Bourbon County, McLean County, Casey County, Clay County, Hopkins County Central, Estill County, East Carter, LaRue County and Webster County.

Survey method: These rankings reflect the participation of coaches from 28 of the 41 Class 3A teams (68.2%). Every coach in the division was given the opportunity to participate in the @HLpreps annual survey via email. Multiple attempts were made to contact each coach.

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