’27 QB looks to be the leader in the clubhouse entering Fall
The Chargers play “Big Boy Football (Kentucky 6A).” Coach Kendrick’s quarterback from a year ago, the one who led the team to seven (7) wins, is out of eligibility. Losing Cole Cornell is a bigger loss than most might think. Cornell threw for over a thousand yards and 15-TDs while rushing for over 500-yards (530) and another nine (9) scores. That leaves the job to fall to either rising junior Jack Pope, who is really a receiver who completed a pass for a 45-yard TD in ’25 on a trick play, and rising senior, Garrett Stickdorn, who threw for 229-yards and a pair of TDs and rushed for 138-yards and a TD in a larger sample size. We believe Stickdorn will emerge from the pack as the QB-1 in ’26 and for the reasons enumerated in this article will have quite the breakout season.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Mount Washington, KY: They have been playing a little football around Mount Washington. Bullitt East is a 6A ball club and won the “Big Boy” football title as recently as 2022.
They had quite a QB then. Travis Egan won Mr. Football for the Chargers, won the school a 6A title, then traipsed off to the University of Louisville, taking his talents to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Along the way the 6’2,” 220-pounder threw for 2,934 yards and 35 touchdowns, completed 66.2% of his passes, and threw just five interceptions. In addition, Eagan rushed for 979 yards and had 17 rushing touchdowns while guiding the Bullitt East High School football team to its first state championship with an average of 39.3 points per game.
That is good work if you can find it. Having a QB like Eagan is both a boon and a good way to challenge for titles at any classification.
The Chargers had Cole Cornell under center in ’25. Cornell, a senior, threw for 1,141-yards, 15-TDs, and ran for 530-yards and nine (9) scores.
That is pretty good play. The Chargers were “pretty good” in ’25, finishing 7-5.
Cornell is gone and quite a bit of dual-threat production with him…
Friday Night Fletch
Now that Cornell is moving on, who figures to stand in his shoes under center in 2026. For our money, the race seems to be between Jack Pope (’28) and Garrett Stickdorn (’27). If it were up to us, we would say put your money on Stickdorn.
For one, Pope may be too valuable at WR to move to QB especially if there is a suitable person for the slot. Stickdorn is more than “suitable.” This offseason, Stickdorn has looked dad-burn good.
Stickdorn is built eerily similar to Travis Eagan, particularly when Eagan was still a prep player. Stickdorn is 6’2,” weighs 200-pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.91-seconds and shuttles in 4.37.
Stickdorn presses 215-pounds, has a vertical leap of 30.1 inches, and presses the high school rep weight (185-pounds) six times. Did we mention he can play safety? Did we mention he has a 4.0-GPA?
Stickdorn, in limited run under center in ’25, threw for 229-yards and a pair of TDs. Stickdorn ran for 138-yards and a TD. Stickdorn registered a tackle on defense.
That really doesn’t tell the tale. Stickdorn has been killing it on the camp/combine circuit. One recruiting analyst, in referencing Stickdorn as a “very under the radar recruit” wrote “Stickdorn really separated himself throughout (at this particular combine) with his strong arm and accuracy.”
This guy continued, “Stickdorn displayed a solid arm, hitting receivers in stride on the deep ball and throwing effectively on the move.” This guy went on to write, “I saw him on Friday nights last season, and he continues to get better, especially as a dual-threat who can get yards after contact. Keep an eye on him this spring when college coaches get to see him in-person.”
That sees like solid advice.
Stickdorn looks to be poised for a breakout season. The Chargers are kind of due as well.
Coach Kendrick isn’t aiming for seven (7) win seasons in Mount Washington, Kentucky. If Kendrick gets the kind of quarterbacking Stickdorn is capable of delivering, with the talents and skills the kid undeniably has, then Coach Kendrick may find himself (and his team) in the thick of a 6A title run.
Won’t that be something?
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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