’27 ATH an example of the type talent the Prestonsburg program is developing and utilizing
When talking Prestonsburg High football there aren’t but a few legends who stand out amongst the rest. There was the great Doc Ferrell who was a star player at UK and walked through the town as its head football coach, dressed to the nines, like he owned the place (and may well have). The late Phillip Haywood whose stardom transcends any one city or county in the Bluegrass. Last but not least, Hall of Fame football coach and former Prestonsburg shoe-shine boy, Dan Goble, who presently lives in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and who keeps alive the legends of Prestonsburg’s past. We think you may add the name Alex “AJ”Johnson to this burgeoning list of great Blackcats if his play so far is any indicator.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Prestonsburg, KY: Prestonsburg had another extraordinary season in 2025. These type seasons have become custom under Coach Wes Hager.
The Blackcats finished ’25 with a 12-1 worksheet, losing to Beechwood in Fort Mitchell, KY in the regional championship game. Losing to Beechwood is far from anything about which to hang the program’s collective head.
Now Prestonsburg pounds the rock. Against East Ridge in the fourth game of the regular season, the Blackcats gained over 200-yards rushing against an unusually high throwing output from Alexander Johnson (’27). Johnson completed 14 of his 19-passing attempts for 291-yards and two (2) TDs.
Johnson had quite a few prodigious offensive outputs in the ’25 season, finishing the year throwing for 1,413-yards on 77 completions over 113-attempts with 13-thrown TDs. Johnson was lethal with his legs too. Johnson rushed for over a thousand yards (1,099) on 86-carries, scoring 18-rushing TDs.
Overall, in 2025, Johnson accumulated 2,512-yards, throwing and running, with 31-total TDs while scoring 139-points. That is staggering production on the offensive side of the ball.
Johnson played a little defense, registering a handful of tackles. While he is way too important on offense to play a ton of defense, defense is a side of the ball some college programs envision for the 6’0,” 180-pounder who is built as solidly as a rock.
Johnson has worked mighty hard this offseason. Johnson’s weight room numbers bear out this hard work.
Johnson has put on 15-pounds of “good weight” this offseason. Johnson has his bench press up to 255-pounds, his deadlift sitting at four plates (405-pounds), and his back squat at the same four plates. Remember, before anyone criticizes any of these numbers, we are talking about a guy playing QB at Prestonsburg (2A, D-7).
AJ Johnson threw for 1,413-yards, rushed for 1,099, and scored 31-total TDs as a Junior in 2025
KHSAA Statistical Website
Johnson is most assuredly an all-state caliber performer who is sure to be a next level guy. We don’t know where he fits in, position-wise, at the next level but we know he fits in somewhere.
Looking forward to the season ahead, the Blackcats have won 23 of its last 26 football games and has mad the regional championship two years running. The Blackcats drew Somerset at home in ’24 and Beechwood on the road in ’25.
Coach Hager would appreciate a more favorable, third-round draw in 2026. Here’s to hoping.
One thing is clear: developing talent like AJ Johnson and turning Johnson into the multi-phase, multi-threat talent has become, so far, the sine qua non of running a successful, high school, football program. Winning double digit games yearly, and annually playing for the regional title, are levels of success the Blackcats expect and the fans demand out of the proud and successful program.
That is not to take anything away from Coach Hager and his fine staff. They are doing their jobs rather well.
Having guys like Johnson around certainly helps. See you guys at the games this coming Fall.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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