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

Carter Parsons, from Betsy Layne High, leading the Bobcats toward postseason glory @Real_CP1 @BLBobcatsFB @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

May 25, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Carter Parsons may be the crowned jewel of our offseason effort to feature versatile high school players. Parsons is a football star and a basketball star who already holds a basketball offer which may promise to pale in comparison to the football offers he is certain to receive. Enjoy this feature about a truly unique mountain athlete. Friday Night Fletch.

Logan Smith from Calloway is the Independence Bank Revolutionary Player of the Week @LSmith2026 @CoachSmithJosh @CchsTouchdown @MissyJSmith1981 @minguabeefjerky @PrepSpin @840WHAS

May 24, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Logan Smith has established himself as a Western Kentucky All-Conference caliber player. With his speed and athleticism, there is no reason to not see him become an All-State caliber player. That 3.62-GPA is All-State, All-Day! 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: How fast does KJ Hayes hit the field for the Storm? @HopkinsCentral @minguabeefjerky @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @MaxPreps @1776Bank @_CoachManning

May 23, 2024 Fletcher Long 1

It is getting time for the now former 8th graders to report to their varsity teams. The Storm, when opening camp, will certainly have some prime timers joining them from middle school looking for PT. KJ Hayes will be one of them. As the reigning KYMSFA, Region I, Division I, Player of the Year, it wouldn’t surprise many to see this kid in the lineup early in his HS career. Enjoy the feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Jacob Savage, 2026 LB/RB/ATH from Ryle High School, is the @minguabeefjerky Protein-packed Performer of the week @Ryle_Football @jacobsavage2125 @1776Bank @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

May 22, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Jacob Savage is one of a bevy of superstar LB’s in the ’26 class around Kentucky. Savage is so much more than just a LBer as he is among the top RBs on his team and receivers too. In an offseason where we have focused on versatility, this Savage cat is just right in line with the type talent on whom we have been focusing this offseason. Enjoy this feature and don’t forget to #SavorTheFlavor. Friday Night Fletch.

Bullitt Central High getting a kick (or punt) out of Peyton Hester @BullittFootball @thepeytonhester @Phase3Kicking @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @840WHAS @KohlsHighlights @KohlsKicking

May 21, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

“He’s just a punter!” That sentiment will get you beat in a football game. It will literally cost you a championship one day, we promise. Football is a three (3) phase game and each of the three phases are critical and have to superlatively executed for any team to function at a high level. There have been three punters taken in the first round of the NFL draft. Ray Guy became the first punter ever selected in the first round of a National Football League draft when the Oakland Raiders tapped him as the 23rd player chosen in 1973. Punters are important. This one we are featuring here may be the best punter in his class (’27) across the commonwealth of Kentucky. Enjoy the feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Kinnett Wills bent on making the Lakers ‘Mighty’ once more @kinnett_wills_ @RC_MightyLakers @WJRSRadio @Frenchie564 @minguabeefjerky @840WHAS @1776Bank @KyHighFootball

May 19, 2024 Fletcher Long 3

Kinnett Wills led the team in receiving, receiving yards, scoring, INTs, and IRNYs. The team will be leaning heavily on him entering the ’24 Fall. They will need his athleticism, three-phase contributions, and his moxie if they are to turn things around under first year head man, Steven French. Enjoy this feature. Friday Night Fletch!

Brady Atwell from Owensboro Catholic is the @1776Bank Revolutionary Player of the Week @BradyAtwell5 @WKU_Baseball @2025Legends @OCath_Football @minguabeefjerky @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

May 17, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Brady Atwell is no stranger to fame. He also is not stranger to this award, having before winning it in August of 2023. He enters ’24 the favorite to win Mr. Football. The contents of this feature should explain that. 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: Jaylehn Johnson looks to launch in ’24 @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @HopkinsCentral @_CoachManning @840WHAS @KyHighFootball

May 16, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Jaylehn Johnson is a versatile athlete who has made the most of his limited appearances on the grid iron. Johnson runs Track & Field and competes in the 400-meter where he clips off that longish sprint in around a minute flat. That isn’t too bad. He should get more opportunities in ’24 and, judging by what he did in limited appearances in ’23, should bode well for our Storm. Enjoy the feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Storm Warning: If Isaac brings what he can (physically) to the athletic table, it could me a long (Mc)Knight for Storm Opponents @HopkinsCentral @minguabeefjerky @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @MaxPreps @1776Bank @_CoachManning

May 16, 2024 Fletcher Long 2

Isaac McKnight is a freshman who played 3-games as a freshman in ’23. Notwithstanding the limited run, he still registered 7-tackles, a TFL, and a QB-sack. That is phenomenal, if we are being honest. His production would rocket in ’24. Enjoy this feature and don’t forget to #SavorTheFlavor. Friday Night Fletch.