We believe the Eagles will be ‘in the Mix’ in 2026
Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) played a murder’s row type schedule in 2025 and still won the 2A title and finished 12-3. We believe it entirely likely the Eagles repeat, they have a ton of pieces returning to include one of the better offensive fronts in KHSAA football. There will be some other contenders along the way, and the importance of Noel Rash being back on the Beechwood sideline just can’t be discounted. Still, at the end of the day, the Eagles should prove to be a nearly insurmountable obstacle in the 2A classification but, nevertheless, we will take closer look at the two teams we expect to vie for the title this coming season…
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
eCampus.com was built on a simple idea: make textbooks affordable, convenient, and accessible for every student. Founded in 1999 in Lexington, KY and backed by visionary investors like Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, the company has grown into a premier online textbook retailer for high school and college students nationwide.
Their mission has always been supporting student success both on and off the field through affordable access to the course materials they need. eCampus.com is excited to invest in our student-athletes through Kentucky Prep Gridiron (KPGFootball) which was founded to promote and assist young high school football players get promoted to “next level,” college football opportunities.
That is why eCampus.com sponsors the KPGFootball, Big Man on the eCampus series. This week we are doing something a bit different. In stead of giving you a feature, we are going to predict the order of finish in the 2A classification for the ’26 season.
We aren’t sure how many of you remember this, but KPGFootball may have been the only Kentucky-wide publication which came out on the record and picked the Eagles to win the title last season (2025). We didn’t panic when the team came out of the gates losing three of its first four.
Iron sharpens iron. We knew the tough early season schedule would pay off dividends when it got to playoff time. We were right.
The 2A classification will be a tough league in 2026 and boasts as many top-flight, top-notch teams as any other class in the commonwealth. There are literally 11-teams who could take home the title with four to five at the top capable of beating the other depending on factors as rudimentary as the location of the game.
Lexington, KY: Here is how we see the 2A classification shaking out in 2026 regarding the two teams we expect will be at the top of the heap. We like LCA to win it again this year, there is certainly an abundance of talent returning, especially in the ’28 class, but things will still have to fall the Eagles way for them to return to the Promise Land.
No. 1, LCA, 12-3 defending state champs;
Championships are won upfront, that is largely why LCA was able to break through with the program’s second title a year ago. We called this one early last year and there weren’t too many who agreed.
Nick Greer (’28) and Matthew Montgomery (’28) comprise the best interior duo, upfront, in the KHSAA. Fellow ’28 prospect Nash Whelan returns under center. In ’25, Whelan threw for 2,526-yards and 28-TDs against only six (6) picks. Whelan ran for over a thousand yards and scored 16-TDs rushing. When your QB is getting that amount of time to operate, the boys upfront, like Greer and Montgomery, are getting it done.
Tyler King will be missed but Sam Pearson (’27) and Dawson Farmer (’28) return and the 48-receptions and 10-TDs the pair contributed. Whelan and Daven Hood (’27) paced the club in scoring and Brandon Shackleton (’29) will get the first shot to replace Dean Hester at the PKer slot.
The top defenders, Aiden Lyons (’27), Thomas Sizemore (’28), and Bode Darland (’28) are all back and Darland contributed 14.5 TFLs, a FF, and a pair of FRs while Sam Pearson picked off four (4) of the opponent’s aerials a year ago. Look out for John Simon Bertram (’29). Bertram had a 61-yard “pick-six” a year ago demonstrating his playmaking ability.
Not a better coaching staff in Kentucky. The school boasts enviable administrative support, facilities, academic support and unparalleled tradition in the central-KY surrounding area.
No 2, Beechwood, 11-2 lost to Owensboro Catholic by one in Regional Championship
The 2A Classification was packed at the top a year ago with a bunch of teams any one of whom could beat the other on any given night. Beechwood, Owensboro Catholic, and Belfry were practically indistinguishable a year ago.
Noel Rash is back at the helm in Fort Mitchell. If you don’t know what that means, you haven’t read my new book, “Kentucky’s All-Time, High School Football Coaches & A Few More I Liked.”
Beechwood won 11-games in 2025. At a place like Fort Mitchell, bowing out at the Regional Championship level will warm your seat. These guys have won 18-KHSAA titles. Rash was at the helm for eight (8) of them.
Tyler Fryman (’27) is a Mr. Football candidate and may be the best athlete playing KHSAA football today at any level. Fryman threw a TD, scored four (4) rushing, caught 23 TDs among his 62-receptions, returned three (3) punts in leading the team in scoring 180-points last year, registered 35-tackles, 2.5-TFLs, a FF, a FR, with a pair of picks all to his considerable credit.
Emmett Queen (’27) threw for 2,710-yards and 39-TDs and returns. Queen only threw two picks all year in ’25.
Nathan Pabst (’27) is the leading returning rusher and scored 12-TDs over his junior season. Jack Mercer (’29) will likely earn the PKer duties. He was a back up a year ago but still converted 94.4% (34 of 36) of his PATs and a pair of FGs on two opportunities. Mercer was the best freshman PKer we saw last year across KY.
The defense lost Chase McDaniel but returns many key performers. Caleb Arrasmith (’27, two pick sixes), Anderson Durrett (’27), Pabst (a pick six), and Fryman are nine (9) of last year’s. 17-picks and three of the four pick-sixes.
Both of these two teams have what it takes to win a 2A title this coming year. Both of them have outstanding roster talent, candidates for post-season distinction, excellent coaching staffs, facilities, fan bases, and institutional and district support. Either LCA or Beechwood could take the title this coming season.
How will it all flesh out? Well, that is the fun part!
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
If you enjoyed this article and wish to gain full-access to the site, then subscribe monthly to Kentucky Prep Gridiron by following the prompts!
© The information contained on this site is the copyrighted intellectual property of KPGFootball. Any unauthorized dissemination of this material without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited!
Leave a Reply