KHSAA Class 2A 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 2A:
Top teams
(Ranked by the state’s coaches)
1. Lexington Christian (14-1 record in 2021)
Back-to-back runners-up added top QB prospect Cutter Boley
2. Beechwood (15-0)
Tigers have two straight state titles, state-best 23-game win streak
3. Mayfield (12-2)
Cardinals look to lift up town after devastating December tornado
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4. Middlesboro (13-1)
Junior quarterback Cayden Grigsby leads 2021 state semifinalist
5. Owensboro Catholic (7-6)
Sophomore Brady Atwell is an up-and-coming quarterback
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6. Danville (8-5)
Can Admirals close gap on district foe Lexington Christian?
7. West Carter (9-4)
Running back Cole Crampton posted big numbers as junior
8. Murray (8-3)
Tigers will run wild with triple-option attack
9. Green County (11-2)
Dragons on rise after going 1-7 in 2020
10. Breathitt County (4-7)
With 10 starters back on defense, Bobcats should improve
Others to watch (in order of votes received): Walton-Verona, Somerset, Metcalfe County, Caldwell County, Lloyd Memorial, East Ridge.
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Top players to watch
Mitchell Berger, Beechwood running back – Last year he rushed for 508 yards, caught 29 passes for 560 yards and scored 17 touchdowns (10 rushing, seven receiving). He also earned third-team All-State honors from The Courier Journal at linebacker. He’s committed to play baseball at Eastern Kentucky University.
Cutter Boley, Lexington Christian quarterback – The 6-foot-6 sophomore passed for 1,391 yards and 11 touchdowns at LaRue County last season before transferring. He already has a scholarship offer from Alabama.
Cole Crampton, West Carter running back – No back in Class 2A had more rushing yards than Crampton last season, as he tallied 1,893 and also scored 28 touchdowns (24 rushing, four receiving).
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Antonio Robinson Jr., Beechwood defensive back – Transfer from Florida Christian has committed to Wake Forest. He’s the son of former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Robinson Sr. and one of the state's top-rated prospects in the Class of 2023.
Jutarious Starks, Mayfield running back/linebacker – Starks is set to become the next star running back for the Cardinals after rushing for 511 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore. He also posted team highs in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (7 ½).
Top games to see
Sept. 2, Belfry at Lexington Christian – Eagles get an early season test against last year’s Class 3A state champion.
Sept. 16, Beechwood at Covington Catholic – Tigers snapped six-game losing streak to rival Colonels last year.
Sept. 16 – Owensboro Catholic at Christian Academy – A battle of two strong young quarterbacks in the Aces’ Brady Atwell and CAL’s Cole Hodge.
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Sept. 30 – Middlesboro at Breathitt County – Yellowjackets won a pair of high-scoring tilts last season — 52-30 in the regular season and 43-33 in the second round of playoffs.
Oct. 21, Mayfield at Murray – Murray won regular-season matchup last year before Mayfield got revenge, 55-6, in the second round of 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 2A