KHSAA Class 5A football: Top 10 poll, players to watch, games to see in 2022
Jason Frakes
Here’s what to watch during the 2022 high school football season in Kentucky’s Class 5A:
Top KHSAA Class 5A football teams
(Ranked by the state’s coaches)
1. Frederick Douglass (13-2 record in 2021)
Runner-up in 2019 and 2021 could take final step this year
2. South Warren (14-1)
Spartans lost a lot of stars from last year’s title squad
3. Bowling Green (6-6)
Purples should be much improved, challenge South Warren
4. Covington Catholic (9-4)
Colonels return five starters on both offense and defense
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5. Owensboro (12-2)
QB Kasey Boone did fine job filling in for Gavin Wimsatt
6. Woodford County (13-1)
Dennis Johnson is building a powerhouse in Versailles
7. Highlands (5-6)
Senior QB Charlie Noon returns to lead the Bluebirds
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8. Southwestern (11-2)
Junior QB Collin Burton back to lead Warriors’ offense
9. Scott County (6-6)
Coach Jim McKee expects Cardinals to show improvement
10. Pulaski County (7-5)
Barek Williams, Chandler Godby are talented wide receivers
Others to watch (in order of votes received): South Oldham, Cooper, Great Crossing, Graves County, Collins, Greenwood, North Laurel, Conner, Whitley County, South Laurel.
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Top Class 5A players to watch
Ty Bryant, Frederick Douglass running back/defensive back – The University of Kentucky commit rushed for 280 yards last year and scored 14 touchdowns (11 rushing, one receiving, one interception return, one fumble return). He also had a team-best 58 tackles and added two interceptions on his way to honorable-mention All-State honors.
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Cristian Conyer, South Warren wide receiver/defensive back – The Tennessee commit didn’t put up big numbers last year but did help lead the Spartans to the Class 5A title. Conyer caught 18 passes for 224 yards and scored four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing). Defensively, he had 12 tackles (10 solo) and was an honorable-mention All-State choice.
Kenyon Goodin, Collins quarterback/defensive back – Goodin posted monster numbers as a junior, passing for 2,486 yards, rushing for 990 yards and accounting for 52 touchdowns (28 passing, 24 rushing). He also earned third-team All-State honors as a defensive back with 54 tackles (34 solo), three fumble recoveries and one interception.
Austin Johnson, North Laurel defensive lineman – As a sophomore, Johnson led the state with 21 sacks and also recorded a team-high 121 tackles (53 solo). He earned second-team All-State honors from The Courier Journal.
Jacob Jones, West Jessamine quarterback – Jones completed 120 of 227 passes (52.9%) for 1,720 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions last year and also rushed for 682 yards and 16 scores. The son of former UK quarterback Pookie Jones, Jacob has an offer from the Wildcats.
Top games to see
More Class 5A football:What to know about Bullitt Central, Doss, Fairdale, Iroquois and Western
More Class 5A football: What to know about Atherton, J'town, North Bullitt, Seneca and South Oldham
Aug. 19, Owensboro at St. Xavier – Red Devils get a stiff opener against the defending Class 6A champions.
Sept. 30, South Warren at Bowling Green – Who’s the best team in Warren County this season?
Oct. 14, Woodford County at Collins – Can Titans QB Kenyon Goodin guide the Titans to an upset of the Yellow Jackets?
Oct. 14, Highlands at Covington Catholic – Always one of the top matchups to see in Northern Kentucky.
Oct. 28, Frederick Douglass at Boyle County – Broncos get a major test before starting their playoff run.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.