Home Team Friday Week 1 “Power 10”

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Each week, the tristate shows off some of the most talented high school football teams in their respective states. But how do fans know who is the best of the best when the lights turn on Friday night? That’s where the Home Team Friday “Power 10” comes into play.

Our expert sports team is constantly studying dozens of teams each week to create a top-10. Wins, losses, injuries, strength of schedule and margin of victory/defeat are all factors in the decision-making process.

Here are the Week 1 “Power 10” rankings:

1. Owensboro Catholic (Owensboro, Ky.)

The Aces are returning Brady Atwell, one of the Bluegrass state’s top pass throwers for the 2024 season. While they lose the team’s top pass-catcher and rusher William “Tutt” Carrico to graduation, the senior quarterback is widely considered one of, if not the best in the region. In 2023, Atwell tallied 4743 passing yards, 68 TDs and just 6 interceptions on 434 pass attempts. When you include the 695 rushing yards and 1 more rushing touchdowns, the incoming senior puts himself in a league of his own in the tristate. Losing in the KHSAA 2A state championship last season was heartbreaking for Catholic, but it could prove to be the foundation of a magical run in 2024.

2. Heritage Hills (Lincoln City, Ind.)

There was a point in the 2023 season where many experts were not sure Heritage Hills had what it took to go all the way. Despite losing in the IHSAA 3A state title game to a now 15-time state champion, the Patriots were easily seen as the best team in Southern Indiana at the conclusion of the season. Incoming junior quarterback Jett Goldsberry was as dual-threat as quarterbacks come averaging 80 passing yards and 90 rushing yards per game. Losing a top option in running back Braydon Durham to graduation could be a bump in the road, but returning Hunter Meredith and IFCA 3A Preseason All-State wide receiver Tyler Ruxer should put Todd Wilkerson’s team in a good spot to make another deep run in the postseason.

3. Memorial (Evansville, Ind.)

All great teams have a weakness or some sort of hole in their game that is easily exploited by an opponent. But if you look closely, it is hard to find one on either side of the ball for the Tigers. Memorial are now back-to-back-to-back 4A sectional champions and there is good reason to believe they could four-peat. With a healthy Matthew Fisher under center the offense can finally get back to peak efficiency with the make-shift QB Luke Ellsperman back as a wideout. On the defensive end, two year starting all-state linebacker Alex Broshears is set for one of his best seasons to date. He will aim to exceed his 2023 tallies of 184 tackles, 18 TFLs, one sack, and one interception this upcoming season. The ceiling his quite high for the Tigers this season.

4. Castle (Newburgh, Ind.)

Castle is one of those teams that could snap its fingers and produce a state championship run tomorrow. The level of talent and discipline underneath head coach Doug Hurt, now entering his 19th season, is as good as it has ever been. The toughest task for this team will be learning how to survive without Antonio Harris who recorded over 1,600 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Max McCool and Jersey Wells are next in line to grab the majority of touches, but skill-players can go three to four deep on this team and produce the same outcome: wins. The most important pieces of the puzzle returning are All-State linebacker Gavin Leach and Cincinnati commit and All-State defensive lineman, Benny Patterson. If they can produce similar numbers to last years 250 rushing yards and 126 passing yards allowed per game, the Knights will be in a great position to win big.

5. Reitz (Evansville, Ind.)

The Panthers have gone through two straight seasons of heartbreak in the sectional tournament. After undefeated SIAC campaigns in 2022 and 2023, Reitz never managed to advance past the sectional championship. In fact, the last time they hoisted that trophy was back in 2016. This season will be a tricky one to maneuver after losing a good chunk of seniors responsible for a 21-2 record over the past two years. 128 of 140 completions graduated last May, as did 71% of the team’s total rushing yards. The good news is, head coach Cory Brunson could not be more comfortable with senior quarterback Ben Davies manning the offense.

6. North (Evansville, Ind.)

How does a team build off of a season that saw three shutouts and just one game allowing an opponent to score more than 21 points? They probably do not, but that does not mean they are unable. Losing quarterback Sam McKinney and running backs Kaleb Harris and Cainen Northington are three brutal blows to the Huskies offensive outlook in 2024. But the depth being built under head coach Joey Paridaen over the past two winning seasons should speak for itself when the cleats hit the turf. The meat and potatoes of the offensive line is returning four seniors in center Ty Acuff, guard Brady Reeves, guard Aiden Wargel and All-State tackle Ben Brasher. The offense goes as the offensive line goes this season, so if the Huskies front can block and create holes, look for North to rely on the run game if they want to get back to the sectional championship game.

7. Owensboro (Owensboro, Ky.)

Owensboro returns as strong and as young of a core as any team in 2024. While Trevor Delacey comes back as a senior this season, the Red Devils return the spark of their offense, running back Evan Hampton. The junior rushed for a team-high 1552 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also pacing the team with 527 receiving yards. Those should be the brightest stars when the spotlight eventually shines on the Owensboro offense this season. Last season, two state champions and one runner-up made up four of the team’s 14 contests. Certainly a sore sight for eyes when you see all three of Louisville Christian, Bowling Green and, of course, Owensboro Catholic on the slate again this season. If this is the year the Red Devils prove they can win a state championship in 5A, they will have to take down one, if not two of those three teams this season.

8. North Posey (Poseyville, Ind.)

One could say the 2023 run to the IHSAA 2A state championship game was ‘generational’ for the North Posey Vikings. The stats back that up, but our Home Team Friday crew believes it is just the beginning of a slew of knockout seasons under 8th year head coach Waylon Schenk. All the stars aligned for North Posey with senior quarterback Liam Stone at the helm who was one of three, 1000-yard rushers on the team in 2023. Running back Colton Gardner and the only returning member of that trio, Jed Galvin, made up one of the most prolific backfields in the state. But with two of the three gone this season, and one being the quarterback, there is no guarantee that the Vikings will be as strong offensively as they were last season. But if there is one thing that will stand out in 2024, the defense will continue putting up historic numbers building off of last season’s eight games holding opponents to single-digit scoring.

9. Gibson Southern (Fort Branch, Ind.)

The Titans came so close to a second magical run in just three seasons in 2023. Of course their season had to come to an end at the hands of a bitter rival in Heritage Hills last November. But before the cart gets placed in front of the horse in 2024, questions have to be answered. Questions like: are there experienced, uber-talented, ready-made options to replace key contributors in quarterback Tanner Boyd and running back Sean Delong? Short answer, no. But there is no shortage of depth on Nick Hart’s roster and the way he and his coaching staff develop players is unlike any other program in the region. If all the cards are played right this season, there is no reason Gibson Southern cannot compete and possibly win a state championship.

10. Mt. Carmel (Mt. Carmel, Ill.)

Finally, it was hard not to put the Golden Aces in the conversation for a top 10 team. The only thing that could have dropped them out before the season started was losing the 2023 Illinois Max Preps Player of the Year, quarterback Blayne Sisson. More than 4,000 total yards of offense and close to 10 yards per carry aided Mt. Carmel to a state championship game. How they move on from Sisson and find someone to replace him remains to be seen, but the 3A scene in Illinois will never be a party without the Golden Aces in the hunt for a state title.

Just missed the cut: Jasper (Jasper, Ind.), Southridge (Huntingburg, Ind.), Henderson County (Henderson, Ky.), Tell City (Tell City, Ind.), and Union County (Morganfield, Ky.).

A new ranking will be released at the beginning of each week throughout football season until the playoffs begin.

Tune in to Eyewitness News for all things high school football and watch “Home Team Friday” every Friday night at 10:35 CT on ABC 25.

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