KSR's 2023 Kentucky High School Football Preview: Class 1A

DanielHagerKSR

ksr-2023-class1a-kentucky-high-school-football-preview — Photo via KSR

It’s once again football time in the Bluegrass. With just weeks remaining until the kickoff of the 2023 Kentucky High School football season, KSR will preview all 220 schools and all six classes. Up first is Class 1A, home to the back-to-back State Champion Pikeville Panthers.

Class 1A, District 1

Ballard Memorial, Caverna, Fulton County, Russellville

District 1 struggled mightily last season, as these four teams combined to finish with a 6-35 overall record. Russellville was the only team to make it to the postseason but lost to Holy Cross (Louisville) 42-14 in the first round. Caverna decided to shake things up a bit by bringing in a new head coach, Trevent Hayes, who replaces Eric Lasley. Hayes, who led the state of Kentucky in receiving back in 1992, coached two seasons at Caverna Middle School from 2020-2021 before serving as an assistant coach at Hart County last season. He now returns home to attempt to bring some success to the Colonels.

Class 1A, District 2

Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day

Holy Cross (Louisville) enters this season with a chip on their shoulder, as they were just one game away from reaching the 1A State Championship last season. They fell to Raceland 49-6 in the semifinal matchup, ending their season at 10-4. It was however a successful campaign for the Cougars, as they reached 10 wins for the first time since 2019. They return a stellar defensive line, as seniors Camden Henderson-Reed and Caleb Phillips combined for 13 sacks last season.

November 18, 2022; Louisville, KY; The Holy Cross football team prepares to hit the field under the inflated snarl of their Cougar mascot before taking on Crittenden County in the third round Class 1A high school football Friday night at Pleasure Ridge Park. Nov. 18, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stone-Daily News Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK

Along with Holy Cross (Louisville), Bethlehem, Campbellsville, and Kentucky Country Day all participated in postseason play, with the Bearcats of KCD advancing to the second round before losing to Newport Central Catholic 28-21. Kentucky Country Day senior quarterback Ethan Harris showed flashes last season, finishing with 1,718 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. With senior wide receiver Troy Humphreys returning (704 yards, six touchdowns last season), that offense is going to be dangerous.

Class 1A, District 3

Bellevue, Dayton, Newport, Newport Central Catholic

Newport Central Catholic absolutely dominated district three last season, beating Dayton and Newport by a combined score of 97-26. Newport Central Catholic was slated to play Bellevue on October 20 but Bellevue had to forfeit. It was a tragic season for the Tigers, as they made it through just seven weeks before they had to forfeit the remainder of their season due to an overabundance of injuries, which left them with just 15 available players. They will be bringing on alumni Chad Montgomery as their new head coach this season. During Montgomery’s time at Bellevue as a player (1999-2001), the Tigers went a combined 23-3 with two 1A State Championship game appearances.

Bellevue has named Chad Montgomery as their next football coach. pic.twitter.com/X3h6O8mTFE
— Evan Dennison (@EvanDennison1) March 1, 2023

The Thoroughbreds of NCC return senior quarterback Kolton Smith (1,371 yards passing, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions last season) and senior running back Demetrick Welch, who is just one of two returning running backs in Class 1A to have rushed for over 1,000 yards last season (1,346 yards, 17 touchdowns). Under head coach Stephen Lickert, they will look to make a run to the State Championship game for the first time since joining 1A in 2018.

Class 1A, District 4

Bishop Brossart, Holy Cross (Covington), Ludlow, Trimble County

It was a down year last season for District Four, as Bishop Brossart was the only team to advance past the first round of the postseason. Holy Cross (Covington), Ludlow, and Trimble County were all bounced in the first round by a combined average score of 47-6. The Mustangs of Bishop Brossart are getting a valuable piece back this season in senior defensive end Henry Goering, as Goering ranks second among sacks by returning players in the Class from last season (eight).

Class 1A, District 5

Berea, Eminence, Frankfort, Sayre

District Five had a rough 2022 campaign, as Frankfort was the lone team to advance to the second round of the postseason. Eminence went a brutal 0-11 last season, so anything would be an improvement in 2023.

There is intrigue with the Sayre Spartans this season, as the junior duo of quarterback Luke Pennington and wide receiver Brock Coffman return a year older. Coffman, who hauled in nine touchdowns and 853 receiving yards last season as a sophomore, is the most prolific receiver returning to the Class. Pennington, who is the son of former first-round NFL Draft Pick Chad Pennington and brother of current Marshall freshman QB Cole Pennington, threw for 1,785 yards and 25 touchdowns with just nine interceptions last season. With Coffman by his side, Pennington could make the leap to one of the state’s brightest high school quarterbacks this season.

2025 QB Luke Pennington @lpennington_10 threw with anticipation, accuracy, and touch at the Arc and Pace Quarterback and WR camp. @CoachLT39 @BrentDearmon @QBHitList @TonyPetersen17 @GunterBrewer pic.twitter.com/YrUDgcBrch
— CHINSTRAPSPORTS (@CSS_TRAINING) May 20, 2023

Class 1A, District 6

Fairview, Nicholas County, Paris, #20 Raceland

District Six may be the most interesting of all of Class 1A. The Raceland Rams absolutely ran through 1A competition last season, entering the 1A State Championship at an impressive 13-1. The Rams however ran into a buzzsaw in Blake Birchfield and the Pikeville Panthers, who handed the Rams a 41-9 loss. After being turned away from their first-ever State Championship victory, the Rams will be more fired up than ever.

Senior quarterback Logan Lundy enters the season as one of the best players in all of Class 1A, having thrown for 2,372 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions last season. Lundy spoke to KSR last month as part of our Preseason Perspective series.

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“I want to leave with a ring on my finger,” Lundy said. “We’ve had great seasons, so I don’t really want to say anything, but we just need to keep up the good work and try to keep our heads down because it’s what coach Salmons preaches: ‘Play hard and don’t say a word.’ I just want to keep doing what I’ve been doing, but I want to finish it in December for me and the community. It’s going to be a good year.”

With senior receiver Parker Fannin and senior DB Noah Wallace returning alongside Lundy, the rowdy Raceland fans believe that this could be their year.

Raceland 2024 QB Logan Lundy (@loganclundy13) is hoping to close out his @racelandramsfb career on a high note after a state runner-up finish last year pic.twitter.com/Waq1v6Izk8
— Kool TV (@KoolHitsSports) July 16, 2023

The Paris Greyhounds however have one of the best returning squads in Class 1A. The Greyhounds, who finished at 8-4 last season before being bounced out of the postseason by Raceland, are returning the duo of junior quarterback Kaden Fredrick (1,727 yards, 19 touchdowns) and wide receiver Jakari Ransom (578 yards, six touchdowns). Along with those offensive studs, the Paris defense returns junior linebacker Preston Cowan (who led Class 1A in total tackles last season) and junior defensive back Elijah Webb (who tied for first in Class 1A last season in interceptions). We’ll have to wait until October 13 to see Paris and Raceland face off, but you couldn’t ask for a better-returning class if you’re Paris.

Class 1A, District 7

Harlan, Lynn Camp, Middlesboro, Pineville, Williamsburg

It’s safe to say District Seven was one of the most disappointing in the class last season. Pineville started their season at 7-0, looking primed to make a run in the postseason. The Mountain Lions however lost their final four games of the season after being bounced in the first round of the postseason by Hazard. Harlan and Middlesboro (shoutout, Matt Jones) both made runs to the second round of the postseason, but no further.

Pineville junior quarterback Sawyer Thompson had a solid sophomore season last season (1,326 yards passing, 18 touchdowns) and will look to make a leap this year.

Class 1A, District 8

Hazard, Paintsville, #16 Pikeville

District Eight remains home to one of the most successful high school programs in the entire state of Kentucky, the Pikeville Panthers. This season however may look a tad different for Chris McNamee’s squad, as last season’s leading rusher Blake Birchfield (2,031 yards, 35 touchdowns), leading receiver Wade Hensley (545 yards, nine touchdowns), and defensive captains Carson Wright (140 tackles, 20 TFL), Luke Ray (128 tackles, 12 TFL), and Devin DeRossett (127 tackles, 17 TFL) have all graduated. Led by juniors Brenden Anthony and Blake Caudill, the vaunted Panther defense must rebuild this season if they want to three-peat.

Junior quarterback Isaac Duty will look to build on a phenomenal sophomore season, in which he threw for 1,506 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just one interception. Senior receiver Tayvian Boykins will look to become Pikeville’s new number-one receiver, as Title Town looks to keep on rollin’.