Kentucky high school Class A football: Top 10 poll, players to watch, games to see in 2022
Here’s what to watch during the 2022 high school football season in Kentucky’s Class A:
Top teams
(Ranked by the state’s coaches)
1. Pikeville (14-2 record in 2021)
Can Blake Birchfield lead Panthers to third title in four years?
2. Raceland (12-2)
Nearly everyone’s back from team that reached state semis
3. Bethlehem (11-3)
Quarterback Cooper Stone returns to lead Eagles
4. Kentucky Country Day (10-3)
Record 50 players on roster for program on the rise
5. Paintsville (6-6)
Can Tigers get over hump against Raceland this year?
6. Newport Central Catholic (9-4)
Thoroughbreds have solid QB in junior Kolton Smith
KHSAA football:Meet 10 of the top high school quarterbacks suiting up in the Louisville area in 2022
7. Hazard (8-5)
Senior Max Johnson scores on offense, defense, special teams
8. Williamsburg (8-4)
Yellow Jackets return 17 of 22 starters from last year
9. Russellville (12-2)
Last year’s runner-up lost 14 seniors to graduation
10. Holy Cross (9-4)
Senior QB Chris Perry does it all for the Cougars
Others to watch (in order of votes received): Campbellsville, Crittenden County, Bishop Brossart, Sayre.
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Top players to watch
Tyler Ballard, Holy Cross linebacker – He posted video game-like numbers last season on defense — 122 tackles (81 solo), 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He also could see time at running back this year.
Blaze Berry, Eminence quarterback – As a freshman, Berry passed for 2,640 yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 62.4% of his passes. He helped the Warriors average 39.9 points per game.
Blake Birchfield, Pikeville running back – He was the state’s leading rusher in 2021 with 2,512 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and added 25 touchdowns in helping the Panthers win the Class A title. He’ll be in the running for Kentucky’s Mr. Football award with a similar season.
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Max Johnson, Hazard running back – Versatile running back rushed for 760 yards and scored 14 touchdowns — seven rushing, two punt returns, two kickoff returns, one receiving, one interception returns and one fumble return. He ranked second on the team with 83 tackles (43 solo) and also intercepted eight passes.
Harris Phelps, Paintsville running back – He rushed for 1,506 yards and 19 touchdowns and also caught 13 passes for 198 yards as a junior. As a defensive back, he ranked fifth on the team with 63 tackles (46 solo).
Top games to see
Sept. 2, Pikeville at Paintsville – Programs have combined to win the past three Class A state titles.
Oct. 7, Bethlehem at Holy Cross – Eagles won last year’s two meetings by a combined score of 78-0. Can Cougars close the gap in 2022?
KHSAA Class A football: What to know about the 2022 Holy Cross and KCD football teams
Oct. 14, Frankfort at Kentucky Country Day – This likely will be the toughest test for the Bearcats in quest to repeat as district champions.
Oct. 15, Russellville vs. Pikeville at Somerset – A rematch of last year’s state final that Pikeville won 30-27. Teams meeting about halfway between each other on a Saturday afternoon.
Oct. 21, Paintsville at Raceland – Rams won both meetings last year — 36-19 in the regular season and 28-14 in the second round of the playoffs.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: Team rankings, top players, games to watch in Class A
