Union County was in the state championship game in 3A just a year ago
We told you leading into the season that Central had a good first string but could ill afford injuries. One of the team’s best players, ’27 ATH Sylas Gunn, has been “playing hurt” and the inability to get everything from him in all three phases, and limiting him to mainly a single side of the football, has badly hurt the Storm’s bottom line. Still, there are some young kids coming on and some other weapons we certainly can target who have before proven themselves capable. One thing is for sure, with a 2024, 3A finalist coming to town, the Storm needs to “figure it out” and rather quickly.
HB Lyon, Senior Scout, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: To say we need to get Sylas Gunn back healthy and operating in his three-phase capacity is one of the more understate football sentiments in the KHSAA universe. The amazing part is, even injured and limited, Gunn is still among the more productive roster pieces at the availability of the Storm coaching staff.
Gunn played exactly half the game against Russellville but was still among the more productive players on the field. Gunn registered around 100 yards passing with 50 more yards rushing and a TD he carried over the goal line with his feet.
Gunn had a 60 yard pass that could have been walked into the end-zone backwards had it not been dropped. That happens in football. Receivers drop passes, even passes which deflect off of their chests or hands.
Gunn played a little over a half on defense. In a half of action, Gunn registered around 10 tackles with an INT. We have said this all year, but Sylas Gunn is a stud and the team leans on his being healthy and ready to give his all for four (and not two) quarters.
Without Gunn patrolling the backend, the defense surrendered three 60+ yard plays to Russellville. A team generally can’t gift those type plays to any opponent and come out ahead.
Isac Earl (’26) had three (3) receptions for 33-yards and two (2) carries for 19-yards. Earl also had two (2) tackles on defense. This just isn’t enough for a dynamic athlete among the best on the play roster.
We have got to get Isac Earl more involved in the game plan moving forward. This will be critical with Union County coming to town.
Freshman Neilan Bruce (’29) continued his strong play. Bruce completed a pass and contributed eight (8) tackles on defense. Bruce is a special talent and will be a force with whom to reckon in coming seasons.
Jude Mitchell (’26) had a strong game at PK. Mitchell converted both PATs and nailed a FG, scoring five (5) big points on special teams is huge on a night the Storm needed every one.
Kamran Harrison (’26) led the defense with 11-tackles. Glenis McKnight (’27) and Gunn (’26) each picked a pass.
Now, let's turn our attention to the Braves from Morganfield...
Union County has been heating up lately. The Braves are coming off a 21-14 victory over a Hancock County team which has looked every bit the district contender both this year (4-2) and last (8-3).
Landen French (’28) threw a single pass against the Hornets. That one pass was a 61-yard TD toss. French doesn’t throw it much, but he makes it count when he does.
William McPeake (’26) had a huge night against Hancock. McPeake carried the ball 24-times for 214-yards and a score.
McPeake wears “No. 0” on his jersey. Might as well memorize that number right now because he needs to be the emphasis of our defense strategy this coming weekend.
Abreyan Fletcher (’26) caught the 61-yard TD bomb. Fletcher threw in four (4) tackles on defense. Jerry Sabino (’26), PK, was solid as he converted all three of Union County’s PATs.
On defense, Cortayvion Rapier (’26) registered half (.5) a TFL and a pair of sacks. Cameron Webb (’26) had a pair of TFLs and Brock Meadows (’27) led the team with seven (7) stops.
KPGFootball says: If the team who played Russellville last Friday night shows up, we are in for a long journey with the Braves that may resemble a "trail of tears." However, if the Storm comes out and plays commensurate with how they are capable of performing, we can make a game of it and even come out on top. We are picking Union County to win this game 35-7. Let's hope we are wrong!
We need a healthy Sylas Gunn and a game plan which targets Isac Earl way more than what we’ve been doing…
Friday Night Fletch
At the end of the day, Union County is still the “class” of the first district in 3A. That being said, Central has found a way to hang around in this game when the Braves were sporting more daunting star power than what it presently has. We are still waiting for Central to give us a “shock the world” type effort. Maybe this weekend will be the time.
Looking at the Union County game from a year ago, those guys were 3A finalists and ran an 11-win Belfry team off the field in the semis. We hung around those guys a great while before ultimately kind of folding late. This team we will see, Friday night from Morganfield, should not be confused with last year’s version.
To be the type program we all are striving to be, we can’t run away from games like this. We can win this game…now go do it.
Fort Campbell over North Hopkins (’24) and Owensboro Catholic over Bowling Green High (to open this year) are the type games which have shown us any team can win, on any given night. Let this weekend be the Storm’s night!
The Storm needs the fans to pick them up after their recent stumbles. We need to come out to Morton’s Gap and cheer on our team.
The team has to show up. The players have to show up and so do the fans! See you at the game.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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