Well, this is our busiest time of year, All-State football team selections. We will publish two teams, a small school team from 1A, 2A, & 3A and a large school team from 4A, 5A, & 6A. This week we are posting our large school team, having posted and revealed the small school team previously. We used to release this team in segments. This year, it will make the article super long as we intend to post the team all at once. The Monday (Small School Team) or Saturday (Large School Team) following the team’s initial posting Scott Fitzgerald and Friday Night Fletch will host a podcast “reveal show” where the team will be announced and defended. We will post a link to the shows, after air, to both of these articles. We are going to build our teams the way we would construct a roster, from the lines of scrimmage out to the skills, specialists, and “athletes.” This will be done both offensively and defensively for both teams. No all-state team is complete and no selection committee publishes a team which doesn’t have some glaring omissions. We assure you our teams are the most inclusive, most expansive, and the finest and most complete teams in the business, bar none. Without further fanfare, the large school All-State Football Team sponsored by Big Ass Fans.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
All Points Kentucky: Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Big Ass Fans company and the selection committee it is KPGFootball’s inestimable privilege to both publish and disseminate the Big Ass Fans Large School (4A, 5A, & 6A) All-State Football Team. The following are your large-school, all-state football players:
Large School Coach of the Year: Damarcus Ganaway, Owensboro (Senior) High
Runners-up: 4A, (Tie) Justin Haddix, Boyle County/Coby Lewis, Calloway County, 5A; Anthony "Nino" White, Atherton 6A Dustin Lopez, Hopkinsville High
Large School Co-Mr. Footballs: Markezz Hightower, Madisonville North-Hopkins/Jacob Savage, Ryle
Large School Defensive Player of the Year: Kirk LaGrange, Madisonville North Hopkins, 125-tackles, 18-TFLs, six (6) sacks, four (4) INTs, two pick-sixes, 110-IRNYs, while recovering a pair of fumbles
The Offense
Calling the Hogs…the Offensive Line!
4A Classification…
Jarvis Strickland, 6’6,” 295, ’26 OT, Tilghman High (Paducah): A dominant left tackle, big mauler with great run-blocking skills and pull ability, holding offers from Louisville, Kentucky, and Alabama, among many others. With Strickland anchoring the front, the Blue Tornado gained 3,414-yards passing with 42-TDs against 18-picks and gained 2,149-yards rushing with another 29-TDs on the ground. The Blue Tornado followed up its ’24 title with a 12-2 ’25 and narrow (one score) loss to Franklin County in the semis.
Christian Bryant, 6’2,” 280, ’28 OL, Boyle County: Bryant is only a sophomore. His being a sophomore and starting along the offensive line for one of Kentucky’s premier football programs should say quite a lot, actually. Behind Bryant and his line mates, Boyle County rushed for 3,333-yards and 40-TDs. Boyle threw for 2,832-yards and another 29-scores through the air. Bryant is already drawing D-1 interest from FBS, Power 4s. Bryant’s the “next big thing” among KHSAA, big-boy college prospects.
Ben Myers, 6’4,” 285, ’26 OL, Tilghman High (Paducah). Another strong lineman from Paducah Tilghman. This is the “other guy” up front for Tilghman High who didn’t enjoy the ballyhoo of Strickland but was as good a player of the game. With Myers and Strickland anchoring the front, the Blue Tornado gained 3,414-yards passing with 42-TDs against 18-picks and gained 2,149-yards rushing with another 29-TDs on the ground. The Blue Tornado followed up its ’24 title with a 12-2 ’25 and narrow (one score) loss to Franklin County in the semis.
Bryten Close, 6’6, 300, ’26 OT, Taylor County: Big frame with significant interest who has committed to Louisville. Close is a kid drawing a ton of interest coming off a seven win campaign with the Cardinals. The team rushed for 2,203-yards and 26-rushing TDs on 342-carries and was an attack which struggled somewhat throwing the football. Close played a little defense too, registering 37-tackles and 4-TFLs. Big body, good athlete.
Max Merz, 6’4,” 305, ’26 OL, Highlands High (Fort Thomas): A massive interior lineman also committed to Louisville. Merz and Highlands had their moments in ’25, finishing 10-3 and losing to Boyle County by a single point on September 12. Merz anchored a line of scrimmage which permitted the QB (Mario Litmer) and his mates to throw for 2,479-yards and 29-TDs while rushing for 1,985-yards and another 29-TDs. We call such an attack, “balanced.”
Colt Kelly, 6’1,” 275, ’26 OL, Boyle County: An offensive lineman who rounds out some top-five lists for the position in the commonwealth. Kelly is a freaking ball player. Guys named “Kelly” have historically been really good ball players for the Rebels. Boyle County has won five (5) of the six (6) previous 4A titles. Justin Haddix, the head coach, would say its the players. We aren’t going to argue with him, but he has a ton to do with it too. With Kelley upfront, Boyle County rushed for 3,333-yards and 40-TDs. Boyle threw for 2,832-yards and another 29-scores through the air.
Tight End: Seneca Driver, 6’7 245, ‘27 TE/LB, Boyle County: This kid here may well be the best high school football player in Kentucky at any level of play. Driver is the most recruited and ballyhooed baller in the ’27 graduating class. Driver, at TE, caught 49-passes for 875-yards and 11-TDs. Driver helped anchor a line which rushed for 3,333-yards and 40-TDs while throwing for another 2,832-yards and 29-scores. Driver rushed for three (3) scores, scored 96-points, contributed 67-tackles, 10-TFKs, three (3)-sacks, while picking five (5) passes for 97-IRNYs and a pair of “pick sixes.” I may need a nap now.
5A Classification…
Tight End: Jayden Travis (TE), 26, 6’3,” 235-pounds, Madisonville North Hopkins: Travis is among the very best TEs in the commonwealth. He caught 27-passes for 303-yards and 2-TDs fro the TE slot, helped anchor an OL behind which the Marons won 8-games, ran for 2,738-yards and 41-TDs, developed a finalist for Mr. Football upfront (Markezz Hightower), and tossed the ball around for close to 1,500-yards and another 10-scores through the air. Travis even played some defense and contributed sone tackles for good measure. Signed with Lindsey Wilson on a “full ride,” this kid was clearly among the top TEs in the KHSAA.
Kadence Price, 6’2,” 270-pounds, ’27 G, Madisonville North Hopkins: Price is the son of a coach and, like you would expect, does everything “technically sound” from a standpoint of OL play. Watching Price play football along an offensive front is akin to listening to a symphony written by a master at the craft. With Price upfront, the Maroons won 8-games, ran for 2,738-yards and 41-TDs, developed a finalist for Mr. Football upfront (Markezz Hightower), and tossed the ball around for close to 1,500-yards and another 10-scores through the air. Price had a couple sacks and a TFL playing limited defensive snaps which should tell you something of his aggressiveness. We love this kid, upfront, and believe him to be a solid All-State OL performer, like his dad before him.
Sam Dawson, ’26, OT, South Oldham, 6’4,” 290: The Dragons struggled this season and South Oldham struggling is not what KHSAA fans come to expect from this program. The Dragons finished 5-6, rushed for 2,093 yards and 20-TDs while passing for 1,298 -yards and 13-scores. Dawson could have made this team as a defender but he is projected to play offensively next level. Still 46-stops, 13-TFLs, and four (4) sacks for an interior guy is far from shabby. Dawson forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one. Translation, this guy isn’t afraid to hit a playa!
Carson Bugg, 6’6,” 290, ’26 OT, Woodford County: Carson Bugg played in all 14-games for the Yellow Jackets as the boys from Versailles showed, yet again, they have an elite, 5A football program in the KHSAA. The reputed, run-first scheme gained 2,360-yards rushing with 32-rushing TDs and threw for 3,490-yards an 43-“tuddies” through the air. Who would have ever throught we would see a Dennis Johnson coached team toss it around the ballpark like the Yellow Jackets did this year.
Zachary Philpot, ’26 OL, 6,4,” 300, North Laurel: Presses 335, squats close to a quarter ton, pulls 525. Runs the “flying 10” in 1.68-seconds and clips off 40-yard dashes in 5.5-seconds. Zachary Philpot and his Jaguars had a solid season finishing out at 9-3. North Laurel threw for over a thousand yards and nine (9) TDs while running for 2,751-yards and 30-TDs. Philpot played a little defense and registered 20-tackles with a TFL. Kid is framed out the way colleges like with strength and power numbers where they want to see them.
Elijah Hampton, ’26 G/ILB, 6’0,” 210-pounds, Owensboro (Senior) High: His brother, Evan Hampton, is also an All-Stater and among the more recruited prospects in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Eli is often referred to as “the other Hampton” but he is equally athletic and among the better baseball prospects in the Bluegrass. Like Foster Jackson below, Hampton is a throw back to when high school offensive linemen looked kind of like the rest of us. Also like Jackson, Hampton was a two-way star, who studded out at ILB on defense, and helped lead his Red Devils to the 5A crown. With Hampton at guard, the Red Devil offense scored 40-points a game over 15-games (643-points) while allowing 180 points (12-points per). The Red Devils threw for over 3,000-yards and 40-TDs while gaining nearly 2,800-yards rushing and another 45-TDs. That is a pretty balanced attack. Hampton had 113-tackles, eight (8) TFLs, and three (3) sacks playing linebacker. Hampton picked three passes, returned them 98-yards, and housed each and every one of them (three pick sixes). There is a fair argument to be made that Eli, and not Evan, may have been Owensboro’s best football player on one of the program’s all-time teams.
Brandon Griffith, II, ’26, Center, 6’1,” 265, Apollo High (Owensboro): Griffith is one of the consummate players at offensive center and likely to play there in college (Georgetown College). Like all the really good centers, Griffith is smart (3.22-GPA). Griffith played a lot of guard in High School but he is framed better for the center position, next level. Griffith has excellent balance and mobility and moves very well. He blocks all three levels of the defense and runs his feet through the whistle like coaches hope to see in interior guys.
6A Classification…
Colton Johns, ’26, G/C, 6’0,” 260, George Rogers Clark (GRC): Johns is from one of the KHSAA’s first families of football. His older brother starts at EKU and made several of our previous small-school All-State Football teams as Anthony Johns prepped at Lexington Christian Academy. Colton, like Anthony before him, does everything right. Johns plays with the appropriate sink and leverage. Johns is explosive and powerful. Johns is exceedingly strong and aggressive with tremendous leg kick out of his stance. Like his big brother (Anthony), Johns will play on Saturdays having just signed with Union Commonwealth University to continue his athletic and academic career. This guy is the total package and likely headed to play center in college.
Kavon “Tank” Johnson, ’26 OG, 6’1,” 280-pounds, Hopkinsville High School: Two-way lineman playing Kentucky 6A football whose true value was difficult to measure. Johnson was kind of a tank. Matter of fact, that was what his teammates and coaches called him…”The Tank.” Johnson bench presses 315-pounds and squats 450. Behind Johnson and his mates, the Tigers boasted a lethal and prodigious offensive attack. The Tigers threw for close to 2,300-yards and 23-TDs with a first year starter at the helm (Jasiah McCarley, ’29 QB) and ran for another couple thousand yards with 34-rushing TDs including 25 TDs on the ground scored by All-State Athlete James Bradley, Jr. (’26). The Tigers scored 459-points over 12-games which comes out to a hair over 38-points a game.
Foster Jackson, ’26 OL/LB, 5’11,” 200-pounds, Hopkinsville High School: Okay, we just couldn’t resist…this kid here is a throw back to days gone by, days where the guards along an offesive front looked kind of like the rest of us and not the superhero proportioned, Adonises we see these days. Jackson was his district’s lineman of the year in 6A, District 1, we would point out. Jackson led the ball club with 105-tackles, nine (9) tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks, so there is that. Jackson picked a pair of INTs, tallied 53-IRNYs, and returned one of his INTs to the house. You can’t say the kid didn’t have one heck of a year. Behind the “Tank” and Jackson, the Tigers boasted a lethal and prodigious offensive attack. The Tigers threw for close to 2,300-yards and 23-TDs with a first year starter at the helm (Jasiah McCarley, ’29 QB) and ran for another couple thousand yards with 34-rushing TDs, including 25 TDs on the ground scored by All-State Athlete James Bradley, Jr. (’26). The Tigers scored 459-points over 12-games which comes out to a hair over 38-points a game. Bottom line, if Foster Jackson were a couple inches taller and 60-or so pounds heavier there would literally be no argument to be made. When your performance is exceptional, you make our All-State Football team unless we screw up and miss you. We didn’t miss this one.
David Pellman, ’26 OL, 6’3,” 285, duPont Manual (Lou.): A physically explosive run-blocker with Power 4 offers from UK, Louisville, Florida, and Ole Miss, among others. We have been telling you for three (3) years now that Pellman is an elite guard in the KHSAA. Manual ran for 2,630-yards and 33-TDs and threw for another 1,433-yards and 23-TDs behind Pellman.
Nate Shields, ’26 OL, 6’3,” 270, Trinity High (Lou.): A highly-rated lineman, Shields figures to play guard at the next level. His teammates and he just won the third straight title, 30th-overall. Behind Shields and teammates, the Shamrock threw for close to 3,100-yards and 55-TDs against only 3-picks. That 55-TDs are the most thrown for by a Trinity team since UK Football Head Coach Will Stein was under center for the program. The Shamrocks also rushed for 1,644-yards and 23-TDs. Zane Johnson, Junior QB, completed a hair over 68% of his passes while boasting a 52:3 TD to INT ratio. Takes some blocking for a QB to enjoy such numbers.
The Glory Boys, the QBs!
4A Classification…
Knox Barrett, ’29 QB, Franklin County: Any sophomore QB in the bluegrass who believes they have had an “All-State” season stack your numbers next to these babies and let me know how your faired. Playing QB is foremost about winning games and championships. There is a lot more to playing the position than just throwing the ball. Still, this guy here won games (14-1), played for the 4A championship, and had some eye-popping numbers. Barrett completed 225 of his 321-passing attempts (70.1%). Barrett threw for 3,119-yards, 37-TDs, with only 6-picks.
Mario “Rio” Litmer, ’26 QB, Higlands (Fort Thomas): There were times this past year when we wondered aloud whether the Bluebirds from Fort Thomas, Kentucky might not take home the 4A hardware. Litmer completed 165 of his 252 passing attempts. Litmer boasted a completion percentage of 65.5%. Litmer threw for 2,152-yards, 23-TDs, 9-picks and led his team to a 10-3 finish which included a one-point loss to the 4A champion (Boyle County) in Danville on September the 12th.
Cash “Money” Harney, ’26 dual threat QB, Covington Catholic: Harney is the definitive dual threat QB in the KHSAA at any level. Harney completed 121 of his 188 passing attempts for a completion percentage of 64.4%, pretty darn high for a guy as good with his feet as his arm. Harney threw for 1,941-yards and 15-TDs, while getting picked a paltry six (6) times. Harney on the ground carried the football 128-times for 1,002-yards. Carney had 12-TDs on the ground and averaged 7.8-yards a carry. Covington Catholic was 9-4 on the year and lost the Regional Championship to Boyle County in Danville.
Jhet Raleigh, ’29 QB, Boyle County. Any coach will tell you the most important statistic of any QB is winning games and titles. This guy here did both as well as any QB in KY in ’25. Raleigh completed 141 of his 191 passing attempts for a completion percentage of 73.8%. Raleigh compiled 2,067-passing yards, threw for 22 TDs, and managed only two (2) picks all season. Raleigh gained 339-yards rushing with five (5) TDs on 60-carries. Most importantly, Raleigh led his team to an overall record of 14-1 and its fifth championship in the previous six (6) years.
5A Classification…
Damarcus Ganaway, ’27 QB, Owensboro (Senior) High: Ganaway completed 151 of his 214-passing attempts (70.06%) for 2,706-yards, 36-TDs, against only five (5) picks. Ganaway ran the football 53-times for another 307-yards and five (5) rushing TDs. Ganaway didn’t start the year out under center but the team developed as he developed and the Red Devils ended the year the hands down best 5A football team in Kentucky.
Fox Coons, ’27 QB, Woodford County: Did you ever believe a Dennis Johnson coached football team would throw for these type yards? We didn’t either. This Coons-cat has to be something special. Coons completed 228 of his 366-passing attempts (62.3%) for 3,331-yards and 41-TDs against 8-picks. Coons even scored a couple TDs rushing. Woodford had a tremendous year (12-2) and figures to be right in the title hunt in ’26.
Maxwell Johnson, ’27 QB, Apollo (Owensboro): Johnson missed a few games early in the year but there was no doubt the team performed optimally with him back there. Johnson played the fewest games of any of our all-state QBs at the 5A level (10-games); still, one can’t deny the skills, one can’t ignore the arm talent. Johnson completed 172 of his 247-passing attempts (69.6%) 2,270-yards and 24-TDs against 9-picks in 10-games
Cam O’Hara, ’26 QB, Cooper High (Union): O’Hara completed 134 of his 229-passing attempts (58.5%) for 2,231-yards with 26-thrown TDs against only five (5) picks. O’Hara scored three (3) rushing TDs and, prior to finishing 8-4 this season, had taken the Jaguars to back-to-back 5A title games in Lexington.
Mason Fields, ’26 QB, Dixie Heights: Fields is a big body guy (6’4,” 227) with a 3.7-GPA and our only “senior” amongst the group. Fields has already committed to play collegiately at Hillsdale College. Fields made the NKY Top 28 and threw for 2,669-yards over his senior season with 28-passing TDs, two (2) by land, with only 8-thrown INTs.
6A Classification…
Zane Johnson, ’27 QB, Trinity High (Lou.): Johnson at Trinity, as its starting QB, is 38-7 with three (3) KHSAA 6A titles to his credit. He still has a season to play. Johnson, as a junior, completed 176 of his 258 passing attempts good for a 68.2% completion rate. Johnson threw for 2,925-yards and 52-TDs with only three (3) INTs against one of the toughest schedules in the Bluegrass. Johnson also scored a TD rushing. This is as good and successful of a high school quarterback as we have ever seen play.
Maddox O’Neal, ’26 QB, McCracken County (Paducah): The Mustangs can flat play some offense. Much of this is attributable to the senior QB who holds many career marks for the 6A, first district team. O’Neal completed 184 of his 310 passing attempts for a completion percentage of 59.4%. O’Neal tallied 2,488-yards through the air with 34-TDs and 11-picks. O’Neal rushed for 121-yards and four (4) scores, pretty solid for a drop-back guy playing 6A competition.
Camden Page, ’27 QB, South Warren (Bowling Green): Camden Page has an incredible year for a team debuting in the 6A classification in ’25. The Spartans finished the year in the Semis, with a 13-1 record. Well, that is pretty dad-burn good. Page completed 169 of his 241 passing attempts good for a completion percentage of 70.1%. Page wracked up 2,343-yards passing with 24-TDs against only 8-picks. Page rushed for 285-yards and seven (7) TDs on the year, fully exhibiting the type athlete the kid truly is.
Mason Trimble, ’26 QB, St. Xavier (Lou.): We are going to miss outgoing, retiring Kevin Wallace, one of the greatest coaches this game has ever known. Wallace is going to miss talent like Mason Trimble. Trimble completed 165 of 244 passing attempts good for a completion rate of 67.6%. Trimble threw for 2,142-yards and 26-TDs with only four (4) picks for a team which played the toughest schedule in Kentucky in ’25 and managed a trip to the Semis and a 10-4 mark. Trimble rushed for 309-yards and 8-TDs and was second on the team in scoring with 48-points. Considering he’s a QB, and the points for TD passes gets credited to the receivers, that is a right respectable output.
The Running-backs, Y’all…
4A Classification…
Cavalli Pittman, ’26 RB, John Hardin (Elizabethtown): This is probably the best RB in Kentucky of whom you don’t regularly hear. Pittman gained 1,828-yards and scored 20-TDs in only 10-games. He averaged nearly seven yards a carry (6.9) and scored 122-points this season.
JiDyn Smith-Hisel, ’26 RB, Boyle County: There are those out there who will say something along the lines of “My stats were better (or as good) as Smith-Hisel’s. Why did he make the team over me?” Well, he did something you didn’t. He led his team to the 4A state title in football, its fourth in the past five years. Can’t discount that! Smith-Hisel gained 1,817-yards, averaged 8.4-yards a carry, scored 18-rushing TDs, and even scored a TD receiving.
Logan Smith, ’26 RB, Calloway County. Smith, and new coach Coby Lewis, helped guide Calloway County to one of the more impressive turn-arounds in KHSAA recent history. Let me assure you it is a long way from 0-10 (2024) to 6-5 (2025) my friends! Smith had an incredible season rushing for 1,629-yards, scoring 21-rushing TDs, and averaging close to nine yards per carry (8.6). Smith led the team in rushing, scoring, tackles (82-stops), was second in TFLs (10.5), and even picked a pass. This kid will be sorely missed in Murray.
Jacob Spitzer, ’27 RB, Breckenridge County: Not too many “Fighting Tigers” make all-state football teams. This one here is flat worthy. Spitzer averaged 8.2-yards per carry, gained 1,561-yards on the year and scored 18-rushing TDs. Spitzer led the squad in scoring (144-points including 18-two point conversions), and even managed to play a little defense and contribute a handful of tackles.
Daequan Harrison, ’26 RB, Grant County: Harrison gained 1,473-yards from scrimmage, averaged 7.1 yards per carry, scored 15-rushing TDs, scored 104-points in only 10-games, and managed to catch 10-passes rolling out of the backfield.
5A Classification…
Markezz Hightower, ’26 RB/LB, Madisonville North Hopkins: Hightower only got 11-games of run. Regardless, the ultra-talented tailback gained 1,655-yards from scrimmage, scored 25-TDs, and averaged 8.2-yards per carry. Hightower averaged 14.4-points scored per game (158-points) and tallied a “scoop and score” defensively this year. Hightower was just a complete back who had the misfortune of being assigned to the same district as the ’25, 5A KHSAA football champions (Owensboro). Hightower was selected by the Kentucky High School Football Coaches Association the 5A Player of the Year and named a finalist for the coveted Mr. Football Award.
Evan Hampton, ’26 RB, Owensboro (Senior) High. Evan Hampton scored 31-rushing TDs, gained 2,035-yards on 173-carries, averaged 11.8-yards per carry, and led his team to the 5A title. Hampton has been selected the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year. Hampton averaged 13.7-points scored over his 15-games played and has committed to play for Vanderbilt in the SEC.
Keagan Maher, ’26, RB, Cooper High (Union): Maher gained 1,460-yards and scored 21-rushing TDs over his 216-carries in ’25. Maher scored 150-points to lead his team in that category and caught 23-passes swinging out of the backfield for 308-yards and another four (4) scores.
Kasen Brock, ’27 RB, Pulaski County (Somerset): Brock gained 1,808-yards this past season on 267-carries (6.8-yards per) with 22-TDs scored by land. Brock also led his team to the 5A title game before dropping the championship to the “Red Devils” from Owensboro. Brock scored 168-points this season to include a housed kick, a “scoop and score,” and four TDs receiving to go along with his rushing output. Brock scored in all three phases. Y’all had to know we were going to notice something like that!
6A Classification…
James Bradley, Jr., ’26 RB/ATH, Hopkinsville High: To be honest this kid’s not being a “Mr. Football” finalist is sort of a surprise. Bradley rushed for 1,466-yards, averaged nearly seven (7) yards per carry (6.9), scored 25-rushing TDs, while scoring 226-points or 18.8-points per ball game (25-rushing, six (6) receiving, a pick-six he returned 78-yards, a punt return, a kick return, and 11-two point conversions). Bradley registered 45-tackles on defense. We can’t confirm whether he served any concessions this season or played in the marching band during the halftime show but he did about everything else.
Dakari Talbert, ’27 RB, Frederick Douglass High (Lex). Talbert carried the ball 205-times for 1,423-yards and 19-TDs this season. Talbert averaged 6.9-yards per carry and played among the more challenging schedules in the 6A classification. Talbert is on many school’s wish lists among ’27 prospects.
Corinthian Barnes, ’27 RB, Madison Central. Barnes carried the football 215-times, averaged 6.8-yards per carry, and gained 1,471-yards rushing from scrimmage. Barnes scored 22-rushing TDs and scored 134-points total to lead his eight (8) win ball club on the year. The term “Corinthian,” meaning from Corinth, is a term associated with high quality among leather goods. Apparently it means the same concerning KHSAA running backs.
The Receivers…
4A Classification…
Lucas Thompkins, ’26 WR, North Oldham. North Oldham had a fabulous year. Having a WR with the skills of Thompkins greatly assisted the team’s amassing the 10-3 mark it posted. Thompkins had 73-receptions for 1,111-yards and 20-TDs. Tompkins averaged 15.2-yards per reception, completed a pass, averaged eight yards a carry, and scored 128-points to include a two-pointer and a “pick six.” Thompkins registered 48-tackles, 3.5-TFLs, and picked eight (8)-passes, one of which he housed. This is another example of a kid who makes this team a variety of positions.
Avery Thompson, ’28 WR, Tilghman High (Paducah):. What a player this particular sophomore turned out to be for the “Blue Tornado” this season. Thompson caught 70-passes, for 1,062-yards with 10-TDs while averaging 15.2-yards per reception. Thompson scored 66-points, and picked a pair of passes on defense.
Cameron Wade, ’26 WR/DB, Tilghman High (Paducah): Wade caught 58-passes for 876-yards and 14-TDs. Wade had three (3) TFLs on defense to go along with four INTs, two of which he housed.
Jacob Taylor, ’26 WR, Franklin County. Taylor had 70-receptions for 903-yards and 10-TDs. Taylor also picked three passes for the state finalist which finished the year 14-1
Delano Collins, ’26 WR/DB, Franklin County: Collins caught 54-balls for 923-yards with 12-TDs. Collins averaged 17.1 yards per reception, picked fiv-passes on defense, tallied 81-IRNYs with a “pick-six,” and led the team in scoring with 150-points, or 10-points per game.
5A Classification…
Ryker Campbell, ’26 WR, Cooper. This kid is among the best football players the KHSAA has. Campbell caught 44-passes for 1,135-yards for 25.8-yards per reception. Campbell tallied 13-receiving TDs, scored over a 100-points, and picked three passes with 116-IRNYs and a pick six.
Kingston Dillard, ’28 WR, Owensboro (Senior) High. Dillard caught 58-passes for 1,294-yards and 18-TDs in ’25. Dillard averaged 22.3-yards per catch, was second on the team in scoring, and made a handful of tackles defensively.
6A Classification…
Jakari Matchem, ’28 WR, McCracken County (Paducah): The Mustangs generally have some offenses pieces who post some impressive statistics. This past season was no different. Matchem caught 80-balls for 1,239-yards and 21-TDs. Matchem averaged 15.5-yards per reception and led the team in scoring with 128-points. Matchem, on defense, picked three passes and tallied 92-IRNYs.
Aiden Jesse, ’26 WR, Hopkinsville High. If we can pick an All-State WR who “looks the part” we’re picking Jesse. Jesse is 6’3,” has incredible length, and if his “hops” are any indication also has good speed. Jesse caught 39-passes this season, for 853-yards, or 21.9-yards per reception. Jesse caught 11-TDs and housed an INT to account for the 72-points he posted over the course of this past season. Jesse was as dangerous on defense as he was on offense picking three passes from his safety slot over the course of his senior season.
Jake Carter, ’27 WR, South Warren (Bowling Green): Carter caught 79-balls in ’25, for over a thousand yards (1,097) with 10-TDs. Carter scored a couple times running the jet-sweep and scored 72-points for his Spartans this past season.
Cross Watson, ’26 WR, Trinity High (Lou.) Watson caught 35-passes for 779-yards with 13-of those scoring TDs. Watson averaged 22.3-yards per reception. Watson scored 78-points, good for second on the team.
The Specialists…
Long Snapper-5A-Logan Harris ’26, Muhlenberg County: Harris was quite the ball player for the ‘Stangs in ’25. Harris rushed for a TD, caught 3-TDs, recovered a pair of fumbles, tallied 24-tackles, a TFL, and a pair of sacks all while picking a pair of passes on defense. He did something else without peer. Long-snap…the function you never even think about until the snapper yaks one and the game is lost or put in serious peril. Harris as a Long-snapper will have to be replaced next season.
Placekicker: 4A, Chris Waldron, ’27, North OIdham: This may be the best placekicker in 4A or in Kentucky for that matter. Waldron hit 63 of his 68-PATs, made six (6) of nine (9) FGs, made a 45-yard FG this season, kicked the ball through the end zone for 10-touchbacks, and contributed five tackles. Waldron is among the highest regarded PKs in the KHSAA. He’s a real weapon.
Placekicker: 4A, Brayan Lopez Padilla, ’28, Franklin County: Padilla converted 71 of his 74-PATs this season and put over 70-points on the scoreboard to finish second on the team in scoring. Padilla was a perfect one for one on FGs.
Placekicker, 5A, Ethan Jones, ’29, Muhlenberg County (Greenville): Not too many freshmen place kickers can boast of hitting 85% of their PATs (22 of 26) and 75% of their FGs (three of four). Ethan Jones can make such a boast. Do you know what is lying down by the Green River? Freaking three points, that’s what…
Placekicker (and Punter), 5A, A Noah Mays, ’26, Madisonville North Hopkins. Mays is among the more talented legs in the KHSAA. Mays converted eight of his 10 attempted field goals, made 98% of his PATs (48 of 49), and punted the ball 585-yards over his 16 attempts for an average of 36.56-yards per boot.
Placekicker: Cooper Ellis, ’29, Owensboro (Senior) High: Ellis, a freshman, converted 81-PATs for his Red Devils in ’25. That was good for 3rd on the club’s list of “scorers” this past championship season.
Punter, 6A, ’26 Logan Blincoe, St. Xavier (Lou.): Blincoe was the commonwealth’s elite punter this past season. Blinco punted the ball 20-times, accumulating 806-yards, and averaging over 40-yards per punt.
Punter, 6A, Peyton Hilbert, ’28, Trinity High (Lou.). Hilbert has a strong leg with the ability to hang punts high to enable proper coverage and to angle punts making it difficult to set up returns. Hilbert’s booming punts enable Trinity to win the field position in most of its games and is just another example of how elite teams don’t have weaknesses in any phase of the game. Hilbert’s punting was a difference-maker in the 6A title game with South Warren.
Holder: 5A, Stephen Light, ’26, Muhlenberg County. Your holder on placekicks has got to be money or the entire operation crumbles. How good was Light? Well, the freshman kicker aligned behind him for whom Light held, Ethan Jones, has made this team. That should tell you something!
Punt Returner: 5A, Kalil “Tre” Shemwell, ’27 Owensboro. How good was Shemwell at returning punts this past season? Well, he returned 13-punts for 321-yards with an average of 24.69 and a long of 84. That is ridiculously good. Oh yeah, he housed two punts to go along with the two pick-sixes he logged.
Kick Returner: 6A, Marlin Harbin, III, ’26, St. Xavier High (Lou.). We have no idea why Harbin’s being among the commonwealth’s elite kick returns would surprise anyone. Can you think of anything this guy can’t do? Harbin returned five kicks this past season for 202-yards with a long of 94-yards and an average of 40.40. Harbin housed two (2) of the kicks among the 144-points he posted on the scoreboard for the Tigers in ’25. No wonder the kid is headed to the ACC to play for the Louisville Cardinals!
The Athletes…
Here are the guys so good, so versatile, we don’t know what to call them!
4A Classification…
Brayden Winchester, ’27 ATH, Calloway County. This Winchester kid could have just as easily made this team as a defensive player. Then again, that is sort of the definition of an “Athlete”… a guy valuable to the team in a variety of ways as opposed to just a singe phase of the attack. Winchester is a guy who can play WR, has the body to slide inside to TE, and certainly is a skilled DE. This past season, the junior playmaker caught five (5) passes, two (2) of which were for TDs. Winchester recorded a safety. Winchester logged 49-stops, eight (8)-TFLs, and 14.5 QB-sacks.
Aaron David “AD” Johnson, ’26 ATH, Perry County Central: Johnson is the brother of an all-state LBer, Bryson “Mr. B” Johnson. When Johnson entered the year it was believed he might play QB, as he had done in prior seasons. However, it became quickly apparent Johnson’s skill set was too vast to waste toiling in one position on one side of the football. Johnson threw for close to 100-yards and a TD, averaged nearly four yards a carry on a handful of opportunities, caught eight (8) passes with a TD, all while settling into the defense’s back third as one of its better DBs. Johnson registered 52-tackles, was a club leader in “passes broken up,” and managed to pick off a pass for good measure. Johnson was a three phase guy for his Commodores and those aren’t a “dime a dozen” in the Large School, football world.
Dylan Gaiser, ’26 Athlete, Covington Catholic. Talk about doing a little bit of everything…Gaiser completed all three of his passes attempted for 94-yards. Gaiser rushed for 1,238-yards in 124-carries for darn near 10-yards a carry. Gaiser scored 24-times on the ground. Gaiser caught a pair of TD passes. Gaiser led the team in scoring with 164-points. Gaiser registered 46-tackles, returned a punt for a TD, and scored a two-pointer on special teams. He did it all.
Tayden Lorenzen, ’27 ATH, Highlands (Fort Thomas): Lorenzen completed seven passes, two of which were for TDs. Lorenzen threw for over a hundred yards. Lorenzen rushed the ball from scrimmage 123-times for 541-yards and 18-TDs. Lorenzen caught 26-passes for 321-yards and four (4) TDs. Lorenzen scored 136-points including a two-pointer on special teams. Lorenzen had a hand full of tackles including a TFL. This kid is a pure, pure football player and a chip off the old block.
5A Classification…
Timmy Emongo, ’27 Athlete, Scott County: Emongo carried the ball in ’25 110-times for 1,052-yards and 18-TDs. Emongo caught 21-passes, 10 of which scored, for 660-yards. Emongo scored 174-points which included a defensive “scoop and score” among the computation of points. Emongo registered 20-tackles, picked three passes, and recovered a pair of fumbles. Look for this kid to be a challenger in the “Mr. Football” race in ’26. Look for Scott County to be back in the title chase too.
Ryder Sandidge, ’26 ATH, Madisonville North Hopkins: All the ways this player impacted games is going to be challenging to sum up in just a few words. Sandidge scored six (6) rushing TDs, caught three (3) TD passes, returned an INT to the house, housed a kick-off, rushed for 347-yards, led the team with 26-receptions, registered 74-tackles, recovered a fumble, picked three (3) passes for over 60-IRNYs to go with the pick-six we have already discussed. We can’t confirm this for sure, but we have been told Sandidge may have driven the team bus to one or two of the road games and conducted the marching band at Homecoming. We’re kidding about the last two things.
Kade Goodin, ’27 Athlete, Collins. Kade Goodin is among the best ’27s in Kentucky. As a QB, Goodin completed 164 of 276-passing attempts for 2,357-yards and 22-TDs against only three (3) INTs. Goodin rushed 770-yards and 21-rushing TDs in only 105-carries. Gooding scored 128-points, in only nine (9) games, including his scoring a two-pointer on special teams.
Trevy Barber, ’26 ATH, Bowling Green (Senior) High: Resulting from injury, Barber played in seven games his senior season. He caught 27-passes for 417-yards and four (4) TDs, housed a kickoff, and scored a two-pointer on special teams. Barber had a handful of tackles and a TFL defensively to go along with what he did offensively. Fully healthy, there isn’t a more talented football player anywhere in the KHSAA.
6A Classification…
Marlin Harbin, III ’26 ATH, St. Xavier High (Lou.): Harbin rushed the ball 54-times scoring TDs on 11-of those carries. Harbin gained 355-yards rushing. Harbin caught 57-passes for 688-yards and 10-TDs. Harbin scored 144-points for the Tigers with 11-TDs rushing, 10-TD receptions, a scoop and score, and 2-housed kicks for three-phase, 6A versatility. Harbin played defense and registered 47-stops, 4-TFLs, a FF, a pair of FRs, and three INTs.
Tremayne Clay, ’27 ATH, Hopkinsville High: Clay did a little of everything for the Tigers this year. Clay caught 24-passes, six of which he housed, for 582-yards. Clay returned an INT to the house. Clay returned a kickoff to the house. Clay registered 78-tackles, 14.5-TFLs, three QB-sacks (3), a pair of FFs, and a FR. Clay also picked a pair of passes, returned them 74-IRNYs, and housed the “pick-six” about which we previously told you. This kid is among the more skilled, versatile, and talented multi-phase threats in the KHSAA’s 2027 graduating class.
Jacob Savage, ’26 ATH, Ryle High: Savage is a 6’1,” 219-lb Linebacker out of Union, KY. Prior to signing with Indiana, Savage had a total of 16 offers and chose Indiana over Louisville, Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota plus several others. Savage was been named the 2025 winner of the Paul Hornung Award presented annually to the top high school football player in Kentucky. Savage is the Raiders’ all-time leader with 509 tackles and 2,735 rushing yards. This season, Savage had 1,222 rushing yards, 204 receiving yards, 29 total touchdowns, 112 tackles, and two interceptions.
The Defense…
Hands are getting dirty; the DL!
4A Classification…
Darryl Yancey, lll, ’26 DL, Boyle County: This kid’s frame is on the smallish side (5’11,” 210-pounds). Yancey’s on field performance is otherworldly. Yancey registered 84-tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 10-QB sacks. Yancey forced two (2) fumbles and recovered two (2) fumbles. Yancey tallied 52-Fumble Recovery Net Yards. If Yancey were bigger, and heavier, there would be no debate. Well sir, you make this team with your play, not just with your frame. Welcome to the team, Darryl Yancey, III!
Jordan Keith, ’26 DE, Valley High (Lou.) Keith, like Yancey, is on the smallish side, particularly for a DE (6’0,” 185). However, there isn’t anything smallish about 64-tackles, 13-TFLs, and 16-QB sacks. Keith also thrives in basketball. Keith forced three (3) fumbles and recovered one and helped Valley’s Vikings to a 9-3 finish. Well done!
Eli Pietrowski, ’26 DE, Corbin: This kid is a big-bodied, 6’4,” 220-pound kid who played DE for the Redhounds but is projected to play TE at the next level. Pietrowski had big-time, DE numbers this season with 51-stops, 16-TFLs, and 40+ QB-pressures.
Malachi Brown, ’27 DL, Corbin: Here is your “big boy” framed out the way coaches like ’em. If you are hung up on frame, this is your guy! Brown is 6’4,” 270-pounds and among the more recruited defensive linemen in the commonwealth. Brown has the length and movement to play at DE and the size, power, leverage, and explosion to play inside. Brown is a guy opponents spend time attempting to frustrate with the game plan. That aside, Brown registered 66-stops, 11-TFLs, and eight (8) QB sacks in ’25. Brown forced a fumble and recovered a pair.
Cooper Parker, ’26 DE, Logan County: We have a news flash for you; Todd Adler has the Logan County Cougars in yearly contention for 4A titles and playing like the foremost 4A squad on the western end of KY not located in Paducah. Players like Cooper Parker are a reason why. Parker may be among the best DEs in the Big Sky Conference. Parker registered 78-tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and eight (8) QB-sacks. Parker picked off a pass he took 49-yards to pay dirt, rushed for four (4) TDs on offense, caught 31-passes, five (5) of which scored, for 423-yards while scoring 64-points in addition to his defensive contributions. The kid can play.
5A Classification…
Christopher Lauderdale, ’26 DL, Butler (Lou.): We have seen Lauderdale listed at LB, we have seen him listed as a DL. We have watched him play from a linebacker’s stance. We have watched him play from a three and four point stance, classic DL-style. Lauderdale is 6’1,” 205-pounds and wears No. 8 so we think he is likely to end up a linebacker but played enough DL for us to have him there for our purposes. Lauderdale had 76-tackles, 23-TFLs, and 19 QB-sacks this past season. He recovered a pair of fumbles and scored a safety. Butler struggled (5-7) but none of those performance issues were attributable to Lauderdale who flourished.
Zai’Vion Meads, ’27 DL, Atherton (Lou.): Atherton may have had the best defense in 5A this past season. Finishing 12-2 and making the program’s first semi-finals, Atherton looked like one of 5A’s premier teams for much of the year. Meads contributed mightily to that. Meads registered 72-takles, 17-TFLs, and 9-QB sacks.
Donee Sutton, ’26 DL, Atherton (Lou.): Sutton joined with Meads to form one of the more feared defensive fronts in KHSAA football this past Fall. Atherton was a stout defense, surrendering just 97-points in 14-games. Sutton was fantastic. Sutton registered 62-tackles, 17-TFLs, and seven (7) QB-sacks. Sutton also forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one.
JW Muster, VI, ’26 DL, Owensboro (Senior) High: This guy must come from “old money.” Don’t know that we have encountered a “VI” before now. We’re kidding of course, we don’t know the first thing about the familial circumstances of the Musters. We do know this kid was among the better interior defensive linemen in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Muster is a 6’4,” 260-pound, two-way lineman at the 5A level. We have heard he may have been the most double-teamed player defensively in his region. If you failed to double him inside, you got for what you were asking… destroyed! Muster registered 62-tackles, nine (9)-TFLs, and six QB-sacks. Muster forced a pair of fumbles and played OG along an offensive front which cleared the way for over 3,000-yards passing and 40-thrown TDs with another close to 3,000-yards rushing (2,764) and 45-TDs. Muster could have made this team as an OL, he mustered (pun intended) an appearance on our defensive first level.
Sam Dawson, ’26 DL, South Oldham (Crestwood): Dawson is a 6’4,” 290-pound difference maker upfront who has signed to play collegiately with the University of Louisville. Dawson had 46-tackles, 13-TFLs, four (4) sacks, a pair of FFs, and a FR.
6A Classification…
Jahbarri Frost, ’26 DL, Trinity High (Lou.): This is an example of how the raw data, the raw numbers, don’t always tell the tale. We didn’t see a better interior defensive lineman across Kentucky than Frost in ’25. That is why he is headed to Eastern Michigan to play Division I, FBS football. That is why Frost’s Trinity team won a title, its third straight, and surrendered only 147-points in 15-games against one of the more difficult HS schedules in the nation. At first blush, Frost tallying 29-tackles, three (3)-TFLs, and 2.5-sacks with a pair of INTs (rumble big man, rumble) looks rather so-so. All we can tell you is ask some of the opponents on Trinity’s schedule for their thoughts concerning Frost. Snap after snap, Frost was in the backfield, causing litter which blew up plays, left offenses behind the sticks, and got Trinity’s defense off the field.
Sebastian Blue, ’27 DE, Trinity High (Lou.): Factor in Blue, and it is an embarrassment of riches for Trinity High along its defensive front. Blue is a 6’3, 260-pound edge presence who is holding six (6) D-1 offers. Blue registered 39-tackles, seven (7) TFLs, and nine (9) QB-sacks. Blue both forced a fumble and recovered a fumble this past season.
Keandre Thompson, ’26 DL, Trinity High (Lou.): Thompson and Frost were the best pair of interior DL guys in the KHSAA this past season at any level. Thompson registered 27-tackles, eight (8) TFLs, and 5.5-QB sacks. Like Frost, snap after snap, Thompson was in the backfield, causing litter which blew up plays, left offenses behind the sticks, and got Trinity’s defense off the field.
Juleone Carney, ’27 DL, Trinity High (Lou.): We tried to tell you the Shamrocks were something up front defensively this past season. Carney is a 6’1,” 260-pound DL who registered 38-tackles, 3.5-TFLs, and 11.5-QB sacks. Sometimes Trinity linemen underwhelm readers with their rather meager statistical outlay, but this kid here makes an All-State team on raw numbers. We would suppose lines in 6A were too busy trying to keep Front and Thompson from killing them that they forgot about Carney. Well, they paid the price.
Korey Tutt, DE, Jr., ’27 DL, St. Xavier (Lou.): Tutt had 26-tackles, 13 TFLs, with six (6) sacks, a pair of FFs, and a safety. Tutt is a 6’2,” 235-pound edge presence who registered over 40-QB pressures this season.
Josiah Hope, ’26 DL, North Hardin (Radcliffe): Hope is a 6’3,” 300-pound defensive lineman from North Hardin High who is already committed to Purdue. Hope had 76-tackles, 18-TFLs, 3.5-sacks, a FF, and a FR.
Defensive Second Level…a.k.a. the Backers!
4A Classification…
Lane Dougherty, ’26, MLB, Marion County: We like linebackers who separate ball carries from the football and gain possession for their team. Dougherty developed the statistic, “forced fumble (FF),” into some sort of art form. Dougherty had 72-tackles and an INT but his most superlative statistic may have been the eight (8) FFs he registered.
Bryson “Mr. B” Johnson, ’28, LB, Perry County Central: This is Mr. B’s second year on the team, he made it last year as one of only two freshmen selected. Johnson battled some injuries his sophomore season but still had a tremendous year and added some new elements to the attack. Johnson, in only seven games, accumulated close to 70-tackles with a TFL and a sack. In addition, Johnson forced a fumble, rushed for close to 350-yards with a couple TDs in only 60-carries, and managed to catch eight (8) passes swinging out of the backfield. Now Perry County played 11-games so project his statistics out to the full accouterment of action and you will see he gained, didn’t lose, a step on his ’24 production. Bryson Johnson is one of the commonwealth of Kentucky’s more explosive, twitchy, fast, strong, and specially quick football stars at any level of play. No one outworks this kid.
Carson Carlock, ’27 LB, Logan County (Russellville): Logan County has become one of western KY’s more feared 4A opponents. Todd Adler has turned this program into a more formidable foe than it ever was prior to his taking the reins. We don’t know why the stadium isn’t named for Adler yet. For what are we waiting exactly? Carlock is an example of the prowess. Here we have a linebacker who registers 127-tackles, 21.5 TFLs, and 11.5-sacks. Carlock also forced a fumble and recovered a pair. Carlock also picked a pair of passes. There are three levels on a defense and this cat is making plays at all three.
Brody Castle, ’26 LB, Boyd County: Like Johnson from Perry, Castle played in seven (7) games. Also like Johnson, it doesn’t appear to have stopped him. Castle wracked up 102-tackles and 18-TFLs over his seven games which includes his logging an INT he returned for six points. Castle is a two-way guy (also like Johnson) and scored a couple rushing TDs, gained 90-yards from scrimmage, and scored 18-points.
Jakain “Kain” Logan, ’27 LB, Boyle County: They call him Kain and he is a 6’0,” 205-pound, heat seeking missile for one of Kentucky’s premier programs at any classification. Logan had 58-tackles, eight (8)-TFLs, a FF, and an INT.
Lucas Akers, ’27 LB, Boyle County: Akers led the defense with 116-stops, seven (7) TFLs, and a pair of sacks. Akers is framed out well for a junior who figures to add some good weight this offseason. Akers is 6’2,” and weighs in the 200-pound range.
5A Classification…
Kirk LaGrange, ’26 LB, Madisonville North Hopkins. LaGrange registered 125-tackles, 18-TFLs, six (6) sacks, four (4) INTs, two pick-sixes, 110-IRNYs, while recovering a pair of fumbles. This kid was all over the field for his defense and is our, Kentucky-wide, Large School Defender of the Year for his efforts.
Travion Stafford, ’26 LB, Madisonville North Hopkins: If you are getting the feeling there was considerable talent on Madisonville’s roster this past season, boy howdy! The problem is having to share a district with Owensboro (Senior) High, the best team in the classification this year. Stafford registered 106-tackles, with five (5) TFLs, and an INT. Stafford also scored five (5) TDs rushing with three (3), two-point conversions. Numbers like these demonstrate the type versatility we prize (and reward).
Isaac Estrada, ’26 LB, Collins High: We want our LB to make tackles. Most defenses are schemed for plays to flow to that way. Estrada appears to have gotten the memo. Estrada had 188-stops, nine (9) TFLs, and a sack. Estrada forced three (3) fumbles (which you know we prize). Estrada did all of this in 12-games.
Javier Diaz, ’27 LB, Boone County: Who in the heck is this Diaz cat and what is he doing making 39-TFLs this season? It is an interesting question but that is a number we just can’t ignore. Also tough to ignore is Diaz’s 117-tackles, eight (8) QB-sacks, and his three (3) FFs with two FRs. Boone County struggled in ’25 (4-7). Diaz didn’t struggle, he flourished.
Cohen Finley, ’27 LB, Pulaski County: Finley had quite a year and so did the Maroons. That is how ones ends up in Lexington, KY playing for a title in the first place. Finley had 167-tackles, 10-TFLs, six (6) sacks, two (2) FFs, two (2) FRs, and a pick-six Finley took back 35-yards to pay dirt.
6A Classification…
Luke Vize, ’27 LB, Trinity High (Lou.): Trinity had the premier defense in the commonwealth. That is why no one should be surprised to see a full accoutrement of Shamrocks on this All-State team. Vize is another example. Vize had 87-tackles, 6.5-TFLs, three (3) sacks, three (3) FFs, and a pair of FRs.
Bryson “Cowboy” Ford, ’29 LB, Christian County High: On a team roster which seemed in chaos for much of the year, the play of this top-rated freshman linebacker must have appeared to be quite the bright spot for the beleaguered coaching staff. Ford has an enviable frame with plenty of length, height, and room for “good weight.” Ford registered 74-tackles, with seven (7) TFLs, and a fumble recovery on the year. Ford also doubled up at TE, mostly blocking for the Colonel run-game. We will miss the Colonel program as it merges with Hopkinsville to make an all-new, conglomerate next season (Christian County Colonels). With all the former all-state players the program formerly produced, it seems fitting the last all-stater in program history ends up being The Cowboy! Get along little doggies…
Karsten Busch, ’26 LB, St. Xavier High (Lou.): Karsten Busch is a four-star, nationally ranked prospect in the ’26 class. Busch registered 110-tackles, 10-TFLs, and a sack all while playing some offense this season during which Busch caught 13-balls for 274-yards while also registering five (5) TDs receiving. Busch is a 6’2,” 230-pound LB with a 6’7″ Wingspan.
Cohen Campbell, ’26 LB, North Hardin (Radcliffe): Campbell is a 6’3,” 210-pounder framed out pretty well for the next level. Campbell registered 95-tackles, 16-TFLs, with nine (9) QB-sacks. Campbell forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one. Campbell also intercepted a pass.
The Defense’s ‘Back-End’…
The DB’s
4A Classification…
Shalom Moore, ’26 DB, Franklin County. When you look at what some of these “Flyers” do, it is pretty easy to see why these guys are always making deep title runs. The Flyers were 14-1 in ’25 and lost to Boyle County in the title game. Moore was unbelievable. Moore registered 89-tackles, a pair of TFLs, a FF, a FR, and (get this) seven (7) INTs. Moore also wracked ip 240-IRNYs and returned three of the seven picks to the house. Wow!
William James, ’26 S, Tilghman High (Paducah): This kid has signed with Troy and is a 6’0,” 170-pounder who plays the heck out of the safety position. For The Blue Tornado this season, James had over 80-tackles (85), 10-TFLs, four (4) sacks, a FF, and was among the club leaders in PBUs.
5A Classification…
Garyon Hobbs, ’27 DB/ATH, Atherton (Lou.): May not be a better football player in Kentucky’s ’27 class than Hobbs. Hobbs threw a pass, rushed for three (3) TDs, rushed for 218-yards, caught 35-passes and seven TDs receiving with nearly 600-receiving yards (583), and scored 94-points and that was all on offense where he didn’t make this team. On defense, Hobbs had 71-tackles, 11-TFLs, three (3) sacks, a pair of FFs, recovered a fumble, and picked off five (5) passes for 201-IRNYs with a pair of pick-sixes. Oh yeah, his team went 12-2 and made its first semi-state finals in program history.
A’Davion Dale, ’26 DB, Collins High: Dale is what you would call a lock-down corner and the 5’11,” 165-pounder did just that for Jerry Lucas’s Titans in ’25. Dale had over 40-tackles (46), a TFL, a FR, and a pair of INTs he returned a net of 42-yards.
6A Classification…
Sekou Kamara, ’27 DB, Trinity High (Lou.): Trinity had the best defense in the KHSAA and the best back third, particularly against the “down the field” forward pass. Kamara picked three (3) passes, which is very good, but look what he did after coming into possession. Kamara registered 122-IRNYs and returned one of the three to the house for a “pick six.” Kamara registered 40-tackles, 3.5-TFLs, half a sack, while forcing and recovering a fumble.
Dequoria “Corey” Warner, ’26 DB, duPont Manual High (Lou.): Warner was a guy who made opposing WRs sort of disappear. Warner doubled as a WR on offense, has tremendous speed, and the length colleges covet at corner. Warner was among the leaders on the team in PBUs.
Elijah Burns-Crump, ’27 DB, Trinity High (Lou.): Right off the bat we like DB’s who shut down the deep passing game. Trinity has a “no fly zone” working on the back third. Crump picked four passes in ’25, returned two of them for TDs, and accumulated 84-IRNYs. Crump registered 56-tackles, 4-TFLs, half a sack, all while recovering a fumble.
Myles Howze, ’27 DB, Trinity High (Lou.). Howze registered 46-tackles and led Trinity’s back-end with five (5) picks. In addition to football, Howze plays catcher in baseball, and scored a 31-on his ACT. This 5’11,” 175-pounder is very likely headed the IVY or “Near IVY” route.
Dylan Lee, ’26 DB, Ryle (Union): Lee also played WR for the Raiders and was a true multi-phase performer for the contending 6A program. Lee projects to play corner in college and had 18-tackles, a TFL, and four picks on defense. Lee recovered a fumble as well. Lee caught 36-passes for 669-yards and seven TDs on offense and scored 54-points. Not too shabby for a defender!
Evan Kincaid, ’27 DB, Ryle (Union): Kincaid registered 25-tackles this season, picked seven (7) passes, and rung-up 142-IRNYs with a pick-six. Kincaid also doubled on offense at WR, caught seven passes, two of which scored TDs.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball; reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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