High School Preview

Coach David Buchanan expects his fifth year at Mercer County to be the most successful year yet.

The Colts will be replacing their entire offensive line

The sign entering Danville says it all. "The City of Champions" and with that sign, comes lofty expectations.

Henry Clay starting quarterback D.J. VanHorn went down with a season-ending ankle injury on October 12 of last season and from then on out, his Blue Devils had to adapt.

There's a renewed spirit this off-season at Harrison County. Ray Graham is back for a second season after leading the program to a district championship.

There's a new voice on the sidelines at Bourbon County. Former UK cornerback David Jones takes over the program and he's hired a staff full of ex-college football players.

The Knights make the jump to class 4A and hopes to make another deep run in November.

Since going 7-5 in 2014 and 2015, the last three seasons have been a tad tough on the Bryan Station Defenders.

New turf has been installed at East Jessamine High School and the bleachers have been moved closer to the football field to create a positive home environment in Nicholasville.

Despite winning nine games last season, and being the favorite to win the district this season, the Paris Greyhounds have the mentality of an underdog.

Last year Henry Clay lost in the second round of the playoffs, but the team has worked hard through the offseason and expects better this year.

Last season Bourbon County football was above 500 for the first time since 2014, but the Colonels lost a lot of playmakers.

The Eagles prepare to make another December run after reloading talent.

Southwestern reloads and looks for better play in 2018

From 2013 through 2016, John Hines took his Pulaski County club to unprecedented heights. One state title and three runner-up finishes, easily the best era in school history. 2017 was a season to forget.

The Eagles graduated quite a few key players after last season, including running back Dillon Wheatley, but they have found plenty of talent in their freshmen class.

Nigel Smith takes over the program after serving as an assistant since 2003.

This year the Commodores want to make it farther in the postseason than they have in more than 10 years.

The Golden Lions district schedule includes a defending state champion and a Mr. football candidate, so the key will be keeping the offense on the field and chewing up the clock.

Danville won their 11th championship last year but with the loss of major skills players, including Kentucky's Mr. Football D'mauriae Vancleave, getting back to the title game will be a difficult task, but the Admirals are up for it.

Wes Johnson has a proven track record. As the head coach at West Jessamine he led the Colts to a 27-21 record - the most wins by any coach in school history - and qualified for the postseason in three of his five years. Now, he looks to rebuild as the head coach at Dunbar.

Mount Sterling was a happy hunting ground once again for the Montgomery County Indians who not only doubled their roster but tripled their wins going 10-3 and were region runners-up. Now, in 2018, the Indians are ready for more.

The Bearcats have had ten winning seasons in the 13 years Mark Peach has been in Lawrenceburg.

The Jaguars have made school history each of the past two years, but that's not enough in 2018.

Western Hills is on the rise. last year the Wolverines made it to the second round of the class 3Achampionship before falling to the eventual champion in Boyle County. This year Western Hills expects the team to be better.

It is a December ritual we have seen Boyle County celebrate eight times in 20 years, hoisting a state championship. The Rebels have a wealth of talent returning, primarily at the skill positions with quarterback Reed Lanter, running backs Landen Bartleson and Tanner Crawford, receivers Reese Smith and Reiley Colwick. Boyle County is loaded.

Franklin County has been hard at work in the offseason with some big goals in mind.

QB Jalen Burbage leads a team with a huge offensive line, speedy athletes, and a desire to bounce back from a 1-10 record.

The Panthers will rely heavily on seniors and excellent athletes.

The Generals are leaving last year in the past and taking a team approach this year.