WR/ATH/DB forced to play QB in ’25
Eminence High School, in Eminence, KY, has been struggling to win games. The Warriors were 4-7 in ’25, surrendered 84-more points than it scored, and has had to sit idly by and watch district rival, Sayre, develop into an elite, title contending, program in both district five (5) and the 1A classification throughout the Bluegrass. The Warriors sport some interesting talent and some of it is framed out the way one would like. David “Deegan” Ortega is one of those. Ortega was a dual threat QB in ’25 but also reports being able to play at WR and DB. Ortega is 6’2,” 180-pounds with a 3.3-GPA and a penchant for coming through when needed most. Ortega also plays basketball. We like him in football and would like to see him get more run on defense in the coming Fall. Clearly the kid has a versatile and varied skill set which would lend itself to multi-phase deployment. It will be “all hands on deck” if the program is to make the type improvement Coach McPeek was brought in to spearhead.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
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This week our feature is about David Deegan Ortega. Ortega played on Eminence, Kentucky’s Eminence High School football team and was a star on the basketball team too. Ortega was a dual-threat QB in ’25 and had some limited run on defense. We would like to see more of the versatile and skilled athlete on defense this coming Fall.
To us, Ortega appears likely to contribute to the ’26 ball club in multiple phases. Ortega will be instrumental to the team’s ability to score points and win ball games in the coming season, his junior year.
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Friday Night Fletch, “KPGFootball”
Eminence, KY: Eminence High struggled in ’25. The Warriors scored 179-points on the year, surrendered 263, and limped across the finish line with a 4-7 mark.
Coach Barrett Sanderson exits. Coach Garry McPeek enters from stage right.
David “Deegan” Ortega did a ton for the team as a sophomore (’28) in 2025. Ortega played QB, threw for three (3) scores, rushed for five (5) scores, was the ball club’s second leading scorer (5.1-points a game) all on a club averaging 16.3 points a game while surrendering 23.9 last Fall.
Ortega played some defense too. He didn’t set the world on fire, but he did register six (6) stops.
Ortega looks to fit the bill from the “eye test” perspective. Ortega is 6’2,” 180-pounds of multi-phase, multi-sport athleticism. In addition to his on-field, football attainments; Ortega carries a 3.3-GPA.
Offensively, Ortega played QB in ’25 but is capable of aligning at both wide receiver and defensive back. Ortega should have played in all three phases more last season. He is the best athlete on the team. It is 1A football, one has to play his players at the 1A level.
Eminence struggled universally in ’25. The Warriors also struggled developing an “identity” under Barrett Sanderson in ’25. Hence the coaching change. Garry McPeek is a salty veteran who figures to fix all that in relatively short order.
Ortega is 6’2,” 180-pounds and capable of playing in all three (3) phases and in multiple varsity sports
Friday Night Fletch
We have before conceded we prefer high school athletes who play a variety of sports over specialization. We have found college recruiters agree with our view.
Ortega plays basketball and football. So in addition to his being a multi-phase, footballer; he is also a dual-sport, varsity athlete. That is a skill set in high demand and one would have to figure this kid has a next level future somewhere.
Talk about your diamonds in the rough; if I were a recruiting coordinator for one of the seventeen (17) colleges fielding rosters in the commonwealth of Kentucky, I would have to take a hard, long look at this cat. Ortega’s height, length, and varied competitive skill set would necessitate at least some consideration.
Eminence can be a place struggling for suitable and sufficient roster talent. The program won several Eight (8)-man, football titles. It is time to challenge for some of the 11-man variety.
There are good players on virtually every roster. If following us hasn’t taught you a thing, it should have taught you that.
The Warriors have some enviable talent returning. Deegan Ortega looks as good as anyone.
Sophomores (rising Juniors) like the Ortega-types make the Warriors, heading into a new season, appear formidable. Look for Eminence to be a much better ball club in 2026.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball; reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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