How KSR's Kentucky High School Football Top 25 Fared in Week One

It was an exciting opening weekend to the 2023 Kentucky high school football season. The state witnessed an all-time matchup between #7 Bowling Green and #13 Lexington Christian in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week on Saturday night, incredible performances from LCA’s Brady Hensley (489 total yards, seven touchdowns) and Harrison County’s Kaydon Custard (640 total yards, six touchdowns), and much more.

Here’s how KSR’s Preseason Top 25 fared in Week 1 action.

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1. Boyle County (36-6 W vs Gibson Southern) — KSR’s preseason #1 team in the state opened their season with an impressive 36-6 win over Gibson Southern out of Fort Branch, Indiana. The Rebels will now prepare for next week’s blockbuster matchup against Cutter Boley and #13 Lexington Christian on Saturday.
2. Frederick Douglass (45-6 L vs Archbishop Hoban) — It was a rude awakening to the 2023 season for the Broncos, as the defending 5A state champions were blown out by Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Sophomore Cameron Edelen scored the lone touchdown for the Broncos. Douglass travels to Louisville for a premier matchup against #11 Trinity next Friday night.
3. St. Xavier (52-13 W vs Floyd Central) — Kevin Wallace’s St. X Tigers impressed with an opening weekend drumming of Floyds Knobs, Indiana’s Floyd Central on Friday night. St. X senior quarterback Trevor Havill had a big game, throwing for 195 yards and four touchdowns.
4. Corbin (47-12 W vs Hughes) — A dangerous, reloaded Redhounds squad came out firing on all cylinders, torching Hughes (Cincinnati, OH) 47-12 on Friday night in the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic. Four-star Kentucky defensive targets Jacob and Jerod Smith were cleared by the KHSAA prior to kickoff Friday afternoon.
5. Male (48-0 W vs Butler) — Fresh off a 6A state championship appearance last season, Male kicked off their 2023 campaign with a resounding victory over Butler. Senior receiver Max Gainey, who spoke with KSR earlier this summer, found the end zone on two separate occasions. Junior defensive back Brandon Richardson also returned an interception for a touchdown. Male will host #24 (and rising) Ballard at home next Friday night.
6. Scott County (51-7 W vs Madison Southern) — The Cardinals of Scott County made an opening weekend statement with a 51-7 drumming of Madison Southern on Friday night. Junior quarterback Andrew Hickey was named Bluegrass Orthopaedics Player of the Game following his two touchdown passes. Scott County travels to rival Great Crossing next Friday night for the Battle of the Birds in Georgetown.
7. Bowling Green (56-52 L vs #13 Lexington Christian) — Bowling Green was on the opposite side of history Saturday night, as their 52 points scored was the most in a loss in school history. KSR’s Preseason 5A Player of the Year QB Deuce Bailey kicked his junior campaign off with a bang, throwing for 478 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. The Purples will look to regroup when they travel to Owensboro for a clash with the #22-ranked Red Devils next Friday night. Check out KSR intern Piper McCoun’s recap of Bowling Green/LCA here.
8. Covington Catholic (37-22 W vs Ryle) — Covington Catholic opened their 2023 campaign with a nice 37-22 victory over Ryle, which featured a 49-yard touchdown reception by Kentucky commit TE Willie Rodriguez on Cov Cath’s first drive of the game. Senior running back Owen Leen also rushed for 96 yards and found the end zone on three separate occasions. Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ was in the house, where he spoke to Rodriguez following the Colonels’ victory.
9. Christian Academy-Louisville (28-14 W vs #22 Owensboro) — The Centurions garnered their 16th consecutive victory with a season-opening 28-14 win over #22 ranked Owensboro on Friday night. East Carolina commit and KSR’s Preseason 3A Player of the Year QB Cole Hodge dominated the Red Devils, throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 37 yards and another score. 91 of his 302 passing yards and two of his three passing touchdowns were thrown to brother Connor Hodge. Cole spoke to KSR earlier this summer, where he described playing with his brother as “the coolest thing ever.”
10. Mayfield (42-7 W vs Graves County) — The 2022 2A runner-up Mayfield Cardinals are back for their revenge tour and kicked it off with a 42-7 drumming of Graves County on Friday night. Senior quarterback Zane Cartwright had himself a banner night, highlighted by a 93-yard passing touchdown to senior receiver Braden Morris in the second quarter.
11. Trinity (36-3 W vs #19 Bryan Station) — Clouded in uncertainty, the Shamrocks made a statement to kick off head coach Jay Cobb’s third season by stomping the Defenders of Bryan Station 36-3 Friday night. Senior running back Clinton Sansbury, who scored just four rushing touchdowns all of last season, lit Station up for 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Trinity defense also combined for six sacks and forced five turnovers. The Shammies have a chance to prove to the state of Kentucky that they are officially back next Friday night when they host #2 Frederick Douglass at home at Marshall Stadium. Check out my recap of Trinity/Bryan Station here.
12. Beechwood (31-14 W vs Archbishop McNicholas) — Reigning 2A state champion Beechwood began their season in Cincinnati, knocking off Archbishop McNicholas 31-14 on Friday night. Junior quarterback Clay Hayden was efficient, throwing for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception. Junior running back Chase Flaherty also found the end zone twice. The Tigers return to the state of Kentucky next Friday when they travel to Campbell County.
13. Lexington Christian (56-52 W vs #7 Bowling Green) — Kentucky commit QB Cutter Boley and the Eagles passed their first test of the season with a gritty 56-52 barn burner victory over Bowling Green on Saturday at Western Kentucky. Boley’s stellar play (342 passing yards, three touchdowns) was overshadowed by the play of Madison Central transfer running back Brady Hensley, who put on a show in his LCA debut. Along with catching two touchdowns, Hensley rushed for 402 yards and five touchdowns. The Eagles continue their gauntlet of a schedule next Saturday when they travel to Boyle County for a showdown with Montavin Quisenberry and the #1 ranked Rebels.
14. Bullitt East (41-28 W vs #21 Woodford County) — Following the departure of postseason hero Travis Egan and a historic senior class that helped bring the Chargers their first-ever state championship last season, many were unsure how head coach Keegan Kendricks’ squad would bounce back in 2023. The Chargers however passed with flying colors on Saturday, downing #21 ranked Woodford County 41-28 at historic Alvis Johnson Field in Harrodsburg. Junior running back Michael West put on a show, rushing for 144 yards and five touchdowns. Check out KSR intern Brady Byrdwell’s recap of Bullitt East/Woodford County here.
15. Southwestern (41-34 L vs #24 Ballard) — It wasn’t an ideal beginning to the season for head coach Jason Foley’s Warriors as Southwestern fell to Ballard 41-34 Friday night. After an early bye week, Southwestern will look to avoid beginning the season 0-2 then they host South Warren at home September 1st.
16. Pikeville (34-12 W vs Pulaski County) — Chris McNamee’s Panthers won their 13th consecutive game on Friday night, downing a rebuilding Pulaski County squad 34-12 to begin their season. Junior quarterback Isaac Duty was named MVP following his four-touchdown performance (three passing, one rushing). Senior receiver Tayvian Boykins had himself a game as well, featuring an 81-yard touchdown and a punt return touchdown that was called back due to a penalty. Pikeville will host #18 Johnson Central next Saturday before their clash with Lexington Christian on September 2nd.
17. Bardstown (35-14 L vs Cooper) — Following their 38-0 loss in the 2022 3A Kentucky state championship game and corresponding jump to 4A, Bardstown’s 2023 season opened with a disappointing 35-14 loss to three-star EDGE Austin Alexander and the Cooper Jaguars. After winning 14 consecutive games to begin the 2022 season, David Clark’s Tigers have now lost their last two games.
18. Johnson Central (28-21 W vs Madison Central) — Coach Jesse Peck’s Golden Eagles opened their 2023 campaign with a sneaky 28-21 victory over Madison Central on Friday night. Central will now look to do something that no team since August 27th of 2022 (Covington Catholic) has done; defeat Pikeville AT Pikeville next Saturday night.
19. Bryan Station (36-3 L vs #11 Trinity) — The kickoff to the 2023 season didn’t favor the Defenders, as a final-minute field goal kept Station from being shut out for the first time since August 23, 2019 (Frederick Douglass). Station’s offensive line was no match for the senior-led Trinity defense, as they allowed six sacks, three in the first quarter. Station will now regroup before taking on Franklin County at Boyle County next Saturday as part of the Rebel Bowl Sponsored by Whitaker Bank.
20. Raceland (28-21 L vs Ashland Blazer) — This one turned some heads in the office. After bulldozing the Tomcats of Ashland Blazer last August 34-7, the Tomcats got their revenge Friday night, knocking off Raceland 28-21. KSR’s Preseason 1A Player of the Year QB Logan Lundy, who spoke with KSR earlier this summer, was held at bay, throwing for just 165 yards and no touchdowns. The Rams travel for the second consecutive week next Friday when they head to Letcher County Central.
21. Woodford County (41-28 L vs #14 Bullitt East) — In what was a back-and-forth affair that got away from them at the end, head coach Dennis Johnson’s Yellow Jackets fell to 0-1 with a 41-28 loss to Bullitt East. However, junior quarterback Andrew Nason showed just how versatile he is, ripping off touchdown runs of 70 and 64 yards before exiting to injury. Three-star receiver Makhi Smith was injured but is expected back for Week 2. The Jackets host three-star OL Kentucky commit Aba Selm and Simon Kenton at home next Friday night.
22. Owensboro (28-14 L vs #9 Christian Academy-Louisville) — The Red Devils defense ran into the roadblock that is CAL QB Cole Hodge Friday night, falling to the Centurions 28-14 to kick off their season. It doesn’t get any easier for coach Jayson Fallin’s squad, as they host Deuce Bailey and #7 Bowling Green at home next Friday night.
23. DuPont Manual (26-0 W vs Central) — The Manual defense shined on Friday night, as they gave up just 182 total yards (110 belonging to three-star RB Cortez Stone) in their 26-0 blanking of Central. Senior quarterback Elijah Creech rushed for two touchdowns in the victory, as senior star running back Zeek Washburn was held to just 63 rushing yards.
24. Ballard (41-34 W vs #15 Southwestern) – The Bruins made a loud statement on Friday night, outscoring #15 ranked Southwestern 41-34 in a high-scoring affair. After being just seconds away from a Kentucky state championship appearance last season, Ballard came out strong to accomplish that mission in 2023. They now head to #5 Male next Friday night for a big clash in Louisville and a chance to make a splash in Class 6A.
25. Owensboro Catholic (42-6 W vs Apollo) – Junior quarterback Brady Atwell and the Aces came out swinging in 2023 with a resounding 42-6 pounding of Apollo on Friday night. Atwell was spectacular in the winning effort, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. Atwell also rushed for a score, bringing his total to six on the night. The Aces are scheduled to face just one currently ranked team (#22 Owensboro) over the remainder of the season.

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