’28 Athlete has made the change to RB seamlessly and unselfishly
Colten Barger can play QB. Colten Barger can play WR. Colten Barger can play SS. Colten Barger has shown over the course of the first six games of 2026, he can play RB too. This guy plays baseball where he is a left handed pitcher among other positions and basketball where he plays point guard. This is a cat who has an abnormally large athletic skill set. Barger and his teammates moved their ’26 record to 6-0 Thursday night (September 24, 2026) in beating Pendleton County, 35-12 while resting many of its frontline stars for parts to much of the game. Look out for the Juggernauts. They may not be a match for CAL, they are more than a match for virtually any other 3A team across the commonwealth.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Ass. Scouting Director, “KPGFootball“
Erlanger, KY: No one can rightfully claim we have been surprised by the play of Erlanger, Kentucky’s Lloyd Memorial High Juggernauts so far this ’26 football season. The Juggernauts stand at 6-0 and have beaten both 5A, Conner High, and 6A, Campbell County.
Among the final four regular season games is Boone County (5A). Should the Juggs pull off the hat trick (10-0), the men from Erlanger, KY would seem to be in line for a rather robust RPI entering the playoffs.
We thought the Juggs would be strong entering the season. In our preseason listing of top teams, here is what we said about Lloyd Memorial:
No. 3; Lloyd Memorial, ’25 record 13-1, lost the semis to finalist Murray High
The Juggernauts are aptly named. Kyle Niederman has resurrected a storied program and has them annually contending in 3A.
Lincoln Tomlinson (’28) is a stud. There is just no other way to describe it.
Tomlinson rushed for 726-yards and 16-TDs, caught a pair of TDs, scored 120-points to lead the team to include six (6) two-pointers on special teams, led the team with 149-tackles, led the team with 16-TFLs, registered 2.5-sacks, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass. Trying saying all of that five times, really fast!
Avery Conrad (’27) returns in the backfield to help the Juggernauts enjoy one of the better one/two punches in any offensive backfield in the KHSAA. Conrad gained 736-yards as a junior with 14-TDs, a TD receiving, scoring 92-points, while registering 116-tackles, 5-TFLs, a sack and a half, a FF, a FR, and a pick.
There is a question mark under center with Kaleb Evans gone. Ryan Miller will have to be replaced at PKer too. Otherwise, Lloyd Memorial has a really good team returning for another run.
Link to full article…
There was one star whose prowess we overlooked on that roster, preseason. We forgot all about the skill-set that is Colten Barger.
Barger has been quite the warrior through the first six games. Barger has primarily played RB and has averaged 94-yards a game through the first six.
Barger is 5’11,” weighs 165-pounds and is a member of the ’28 prospect class. Barger has played QB, WR, and RB on offense and SS on defense. With his play on the coverage and return units on special teams, he is that three phase performer we covet at the high school level at the magazine.
Barger has been quite the warrior for the Juggernauts in ’26
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Barger is a three sport, varsity athlete at the school, playing baseball and basketball in addition to football. Barger wears number 10 but is number one in the hearts of many a Juggernaut fan.
Barger is an example of the Friday-nighters about whom we are perpetually writing. Will he play next-level? We believe so.
There is a level at which this guy, this versatile athlete, this multi-sport skill-set will have tremendous value. While he may fly a bit under the radar for most publications, we have our eye firmly on him, whether he plays on Thursday or Friday Night!
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