’26 multi-phase contributor had a great game against South Warren
James Bradley, Jr., is enjoying a fantastic senior season. Through the first five (5) games, Bradley has 133-yards passing, a pair of thrown TDs; 570-rushing yards and nine (9) TDs; seven (7) receptions for 235-yards and five (5) TDs; 21-tackles and a 78-yard “pick six.” Bradley leads the team in scoring with 15.6 points a game and has fielded offers from Southern Mississippi and EKU. What Bradley did the other night against (arguably) the best football team in Kentucky at the high school level (any size) is also remarkable. Enjoy this feature about a star player who has his team playing really good football heading into district matchups in which the Tigers may be favored in each and every one.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
This week’s article is brought to you by Lasaters Coffee & Tea. This feature is brought to you each and every Tuesday morning. Around the KHSAA, Tuesday morning is the perfect time to wake up and smell the coffee or tea brewing.
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Hopkinsville, KY: First lesson about high school football coaches, Hall of Famers or otherwise. Coaches refer to players by numbers. They rarely (if ever) refer to a player’s name unless the player plays for their team.
That is why, when I texted one of the KHSAA’s all-time football coaches, Chuck Smith, I knew better than to ask him for the name or names of any of the players who made the biggest difference for the Tigers in its recent game, this past Friday night, with his son (Brandon Smith, South Warren’s HFC) and his, South Warren Spartans.
First of all, let’s get this right out of the way; Hoptown High School doesn’t celebrate moral victories. The Tigers are among the winningest Kentucky, all-time football programs with over 650-wins. Hopkinsville has won two titles (1965 & 1966) recognized by the KHSAA, awarded a third title by governmental decree (1940), and have played for three more.
That being said, this South Warren team was a tough customer coming into Hopkinsville to play the Tigers in this its final football season before consolidation. South Warren entered the game 4-0 with wins over Bryan Station (Lexington) by 21-points, duPont Manual (Louisville) by 10-points, and defending 5A KHSAA titleholder, Bowing Green, who the Spartans ran off the field, 45-14.
I will be the first to admit when I was wrong; I believed the Spartans were 28-points better than my alma mater. I very publicly said as much when I posted my weekly picks. In the words of the great Lee Corso, not so fast my friend(s).
South Warren won the game, 33-21. However, South Warren escaped the trip to Hopkinsville with a glistening 5-0 midpoint record and were fortunate to leave without a mark on the wrong side of the W-L column. If you don’t believe us, ask the Spartans.
In the spirit of ask the Spartans, we did. Sunday, when we were preparing the article you are now reading, we reached out to Chuck Smith and asked him for his impressions regarding some of the outstanding Tiger performances he witnessed in Hopkinsville, Friday night.
Number three (3) at RB (James Bradley, Jr.); he was very good!
Chuck Smith
His response was appropriate and along the lines of what was expected, particularly from a high school football coach. Coach (Chuck) Smith told KPGFootball, #3 RB he was very good! He had a GREAT game. #8, Rec., had a good game as well.
ing to Coach Smith
For those of you without a numerical roster, number three (3) for Hoptown is James Bradley, Jr. Number eight (8) is senior receiver Aiden Jesse, who has before won this very distinction (August 5, 2025).
Bradley, Jr. is no stranger to this forum either. We informed our readers what a “Dude” Bradley is, and that he is the real deal, in our article published December 17, 2024 and above linked.
Bradley reports offers from Southern Mississippi and EKU. A look at what he has done this season will answer any questions for you about why such prestigious football programs are expressing interest in this prospect.
So far this season, through five (5) games, Bradley has statistically registered 133-yards passing with a pair of TDs through the air. Bradley has gained 570-yards rushing with nine (9) TDs on the ground.
Bradley has caught seven (7) receptions for 235-yards and five (5) touchdowns receiving. Bradley leads the team in scoring (15.6 points a game) with a pick-six added to the ways, this year, he has found the end zone.
That would be plenty if we were done. We aren’t.
Bradley plays both ways on a talented 6A roster, which is a testament to his ability standing alone. On defense, Bradley has registered 21-tackles together with the aforementioned, pick-six, he returned 78-yards.
Against the Spartans, Bradley rushed the ball 18-times for 101 yards and a pair of TDs, caught a pass, and scored 12 of the team’s 21-points. Yes, he played defense too, registering six (6)-tackles. No wonder he caught Chuck Smith’s experienced eye.
The Tigers travel to Carterville, Illinois to play a Lions team off to a 4-0 start this season. Carterville High School is ranked the 122nd team in Illinois football and the 3,917th best football team in the nation. Hopkinsville High School is ranked the 81st best team in the KHSAA (all classes) and the 5,993rd best team in the country.
On those numbers, Carterville would have to be favored. Of course, Mark Twain once iterated that “statistics” number among society’s three (3) most oft-used forms of prevarication. Twain attributed the source of that statement to Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister (in Twain’s day) of the British Empire.
We would have to say there is literally no way in the world there are 81-KHSAA football teams, in the commonwealth, beating the Tigers (right now) in a football game. That is why James Bradley, Jr. is our Lasaters Coffee & Tea, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Player of the Week.
That being said, we feel it is high time for people around Hopkinsville, KY to take notice of this outstanding Tiger team and some of its outstanding performers. Hey Hoptown High, as far as James Bradley, Jr. is concerned; it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee!
In an effort to help this prospect’s continued development, James Bradley, Jr. may go, this Friday (September 26, 2025), to any of our area locations and be served a free drink of his choice and free breakfast or other sandwich/food item, completely free of charge!
Lasaters Coffee & Tea
Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, get on down to one of our Christian County Area locations and remember, our products are superior and one of a kind; just like Hopkinsville High School’s, James Bradley, Jr.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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