Powerhouse Trinity (Louisville) enters the 2013 season as the favorite, followed by Bowling Green, Highlands, St. Xavier and Scott County.
MaxPreps 2013 Kentucky preseason football Fab 5 presented by the Army National Gaurd
After a 13-1 record and a state title last season, Trinity returns reloaded as the No. 1 football team in the state of Kentucky.
Photo by Megan Stearman
13-1
Head coach: Bob Beatty
Team previewThough
the Class 6A state champs return just four starters — all on offense —
they again are the team to beat due to their recent history, winning 10
of the last 12 championships. They will be strong up front with the
return of talented linemen such as center
Price Kmetz (6-2, 245 senior),
along with tackles
Scott Liebert (6-2, 245 senior) and
Michael Smigel
(6-4, 245 junior). A big key will be the shift of
Reggie Bonnafon (6-2,
195 senior) from wide receiver to quarterback.
Ultra-successful
coach Bob Beatty, who will face only three Kentucky teams during the
regular season, told MaxPreps, "There will be a bigger crowd (of
contenders) this year, because they think they can win."
See the Top 15 Kentucky football dynasties
2. Bowling Green2012 finish: 15-0
Head coach: Kevin Wallace
Team previewThe
two-time Class 5A defending state champs could repeat with nine
offensive and six defensive starters returning to defend a 30-game
winning streak. They have a great passing combination with seniors
Devin Hayes (6-2, 175) and wide receiver
Nacarius Fant (5-10, 175). Last year
Hayes, who is Ivy League material with a 4.0 GPA, completed 60 percent
of his passes for 2,718 yards and 40 touchdowns. Fant caught 70 passes
for 1,335 yards and 19 touchdowns and also scored four times on punt
returns.
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3. Highlands (Fort Thomas)2012 finish: 14-1
Coach: Dale Mueller
Team previewDale
Mueller's teams have dominated Class 4A, going 87-3 over the last six
years and winning every state title during that period. The 2013 edition
looks as good — or better — with eight offensive and seven defensive
starters returning. Because of ever-increasing numbers, he expects to
strictly two-platoon this year.
Senior running back
Zach Harris
(5-11, 203) will be starting for the third year. Last season he ran 144
times for 1,001 yards and 20 touchdowns. Defensive end
Seth Hope (6-3,
235 senior), who carries a 4.3 GPA, had five sacks in the
state-championship game. Senior
Drew Houliston (6-0, 175) will greatly
improve on last year's passing stats (610 yards and six touchdowns) when
he steps into a starting role.
See last season's Kentucky football playoff brackets4. St. Xavier (Louisville)2012 finish: 8-4
Coach: Will Wolford
Team previewWill
Wolford steps in this year for legendary Mike Glaser, who retired with
378 victories and seven state titles. He told MaxPreps, "It's an honor
to coach at that school, a dream spot for a coach to walk into. It's
pretty nice when you don't have to worry about kids being late or not
pushing to the max."
He inherits six offensive and five defensive
starters, led by senior running back
Charles Walker (5-11, 192), who
gained 1,148 yards and scored 17 touchdowns last year. An added bonus is
the transfer of quarterback B.J. Nagle from Briarcrest (Memphis,
Tenn.). As a junior the 6-3, 225-pounder passed for 1,754 yards and 22
touchdowns and also ran for 13 touchdowns.
See last season's final Kentucky football rankings, presented by the Army National Guard
5. Scott County (Georgetown)2012 finish: 12-2
Coach: Jim McKee
Team previewThe
Cardinals will count on 11 returning starters, six on offense.
Scott Daniel (6-1, 170), who runs 40 yards in 4.48 seconds, is the most
versatile, standing out as a wide receiver and safety. Last year he had
39 catches for 917 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also making seven
interceptions. He will be a strong candidate for Mr. Football. Junior
Grayson Miller (6-2, 180) is a leader at linebacker and senior
Palmer Ward (6-1, 165) is one of the nation's premier punters.
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