Articles by Fletcher Long

About Fletcher Long
Two-time winner of Kentucky Press Association awards for excellence in writing and reporting news stories while Managing Editor of the Jackson (KY) Times-Voice

Sawyer Hall, Another ‘Bo Wolford-type’ in the ’26 class @SawyerHall19 @CaseyAI62171239 @BreathittFb @wolford_bo @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

April 27, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Sawyer Hall and Bo Wolford are universally considered among the best five or so interior OL in all of Kentucky’s ’26 class. The two of them have many similarities, all but the heights and length. Both of these guys move a considerable amount of weight in the weight room and both of them dominate defensive linemen every single snap. The two of them are good friends to boot. Enjoy the feature about Sawyer Hall. Friday Night Fletch.

Isaac Manning is the @1776Bank Revolutionary Player of the Week @_CoachManning @HopkinsCentral @840WHAS @minguabeefjerky @JoshGunn311

April 26, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Isaac Manning figures the be “The Man” on the Storm’s roster for ’24. He was a multi-phase contributor in ’23 and has one of the more dynamic skill-sets on this end of Kentucky playing 3A football. Enjoy this feature and don’t forget to get by your local Independence Bank and discover why and how our people, financial products, and services have started a revolution in the Kentucky banking industry. Friday Night Fletch.

Zane Cook from ‘Mighty Mayfield’ is the @minguabeefjerky Protein-packed Performer of the Week @Zane_Cook56 @mhscoachjoe @CortBraswell @CoachJBrandon @OLBeastCoach03 @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

April 24, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Zane Cook reminds us of an interior OL who doubled along the defensive front and has played defensively in college at prestigious Centre College. We are talking of the two-way, All-Stater, William Long formerly from Breathitt, which was also a 2A ball club. Cook’s QB from last season, Zane Cartwright has just inked with the Colonels. This guy here is a freaking football playing Jesse. Enjoy the feature. You will be hearing much more about him before it is all said and done. Friday Night Fletch.

Braxton Blackburn promises the Betsy Layne Bobcats will challenge for 2A supremacy, particularly in the Appalachias @BraxtonBlakbu3 @BLBobcatsFB @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS

April 23, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

There was a Blackburn kid who played at Paintsville High a few years back who was a fine player and a monster of a man. We have no idea of this particular Blackburn and he are related. However, we can confidently say the two of them share certain physical characteristics. This Blackburn (Braxton) is 6’3,” 275-pounds and sufficiently mobile to be a second level defender and the top returning tackler to the Bobcat defense. Enjoy the feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Baron Hardesty, Leading the Charge(rs) Among 2026 Defenders @BECoachKendrick @BE_Chargers @hardesty_baron @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

April 22, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Byron Hardesty is entering the Fall the 2nd ranked DE/LB prospect in Kentucky’s 2026 KHSAA class. He plays at a program which has emerged as a top outfit in Kentucky 6A not too far removed from a KHSAA title (2022). Talent like Hardesty ensures the Chargers are finished chasing additional championships. Enjoy the feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Brady Steward from Union County Middle brought his A-game to the Battle of the Regions @UCBraves @ucms_indians @UCHSathletics @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS

April 20, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Battle of the Regions was last month and the Future Stars will be coming up this summer. This is the time of year we learn there are some middle school ballers across Kentucky doing some incredible things. Brady Steward is a ’29 QB about whom plenty will be written before his high school years have been exhausted. Enjoy this feature about one of Kentucky’s best at this grade level. Friday Night Fletch.

Simon Rickman from Murray High is the Independence Bank Revolutionary Player of the Week @simon_rickman10 @MurrayTigerFB @murrayhighFB @Dickerson_Coach @1776Bank @minguabeefjerky @840WHAS

April 19, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Simon Rickman from Murray High is among the more accomplished defensive second level defenders in the Western Kentucky Conference (WKC). He made all conference a year ago and made All-State on the list of one of the major publications covering the commonwealth. We believe you will see him much more on offensive this coming season. Enjoy this feature and don’t forget to get by your local Independence Bank and discover why and how our people, financial products, and services have started a revolution in the Kentucky banking industry. Friday Night Fletch.

Storm Warning: Kamran Harrison will be a junior in 2024 and there is a level of excellence expected from ‘Harrisons’ @HopkinsCentral @minguabeefjerky @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @MaxPreps @1776Bank @_CoachManning

April 18, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Kamran Harrison is the little brother of a Storm player who fully demonstrated his wares as a varsity football player. Kamran is outstanding and versatile like big brother. He runs track, power lifts, and contributed greatly to the finished product on the field in ’23 while just a sophomore. What will he do as a junior? It just may be mind boggling. Friday Night Fletch.

Nick Osborne from Bethlehem High is the @minguabeefjerky Protein-packed Performer of the Week @N1ck_Osborne5 @HC_TimMattingly @BethlehemAthle1 @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

April 17, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Nick Osborne has taken versatility to new heights around our offices. This guy was among the leading receivers, rushers, and defenders for his football team in ’23. Osborne was the school’s leading scorer and among the leaders in FT % and rebounds in basketball. Heck, this guy is on the golf team. Is there anything he can’t do? Enjoy this feature and don’t forget to #SavorTheFlavor. Friday Night Fletch.