Around the Horn

Max Sturm, from McCracken, ready for an expanded role on the ’26 roster @MCHFC_Brooks78, @MaxSturm09, @racersfootball, @eCampusdotcom, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans

May 23, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Max Sturm is among the best DBs in the ’28 graduating class particularly in western Kentucky. Sturm registered 56-tackles, a pair of TFLs, a FF, and an INT in the 10-games of PT he got as a sophomore. Sturm figures to be a starter in 2026 from night one, snap one. Finding the field as a sophomore is a “good sign” for those hoping to move on to next level success. We would like to see Sturm on the offensive side some more this coming season. The 5’10,” 160-pounder sports a 250-pound bench press and squats 385. He has plenty of strength and explosion to be a steady hand on offense and a three-phase performer on a 6A roster, something not easy to do. This kid’s 4.0-GPA makes him an easy take for many of the colleges around the commonwealth fielding college football teams. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Tanner Stutler, from Paul Blazer High (Ashland, KY), rising to the top of @khsaafootball dual threat QBs @TannerStutler, @CtackettC, @QBREIGN, @KyHighFootball, @LasatersCoffee, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom

May 21, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Tanner Stutler is a dual threat QB from Paul Blazer High in Ashland, KY. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7-seconds, presses 225-pounds, squats 385, and shuttles (5-10-5) in 4.57-seconds. Stutler has a 30-inch vertical, and at 5’10,” 170-pounds, is among the better QBs in KY’s 2029 graduating class. Matter of fact, “Prep RedZone,” a nationally disseminated recruiting service, has Stutler ranked the 6th best QB in the KHSAA, among 29s, and 29’s 35th overall prospect regardless of position. If we didn’t know anything else, we knew this; it was high time we got around to featuring this Tomcat. So, we did. Enjoy the article.

Friday Night Fletch

Mark Stivers III very likely to be a night one, snap one starter @STIVERSmarkIII, @Aspirationsgym, @trinitysports, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom

May 16, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Let me just stop you right there. We used to do a freshman and sophomore all-state football team back years ago. We stopped doing them because so many freshmen and sophomores started earning their way onto our Big Ass Fans Large and Small School All-State teams. We have heard all the “Freshmen don’t play at _________ High,” crap. The fact is, if the freshman is good enough, he will play. There is one thing high school coaches prize over rules and structure…and that is winning. If the freshman helps the program win, he will play. The fact remains more and more freshmen are showing up these days prepared mentally and physically to compete and contribute. Right here, this guy who is today’s feature, Mark Stivers, is a perfect example. Let’s see this season how long he stays on the sideline, regardless of where he plays.

Friday Night Fletch

Trigg Whisenant will be looking for eight when they pull that gate…@Trigg5whisenant, @MasonS3324, @LCCougarSports, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

May 14, 2026 Fletcher Long 2

Trigg Whisenant is one of Kentucky’s very best two way, multi-phase threats entering 9th grade in the Fall of 2026. Whisenant has a 4.0-GPA, plays football, basketball, baseball, and is a sprinter on the track & field team. Whisenant has made all the customary MS all-star teams and was the KYMSFA’s Region 4, POY. Will Whisenant hit the lineup for the Letcher County Central as a freshman on Friday Nights, night one, snap one? Hard to say. Letcher is a 4A team coming off a six (6) win season which is graduating its top two rushers from a year ago in Garrett Howard and Brett Sturgill. He will have to beat out Gunner Holbrook but all signs point to early PT for this up and coming ’30 prospect. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

South Oldham’s Silas Kennedy shooting up the list of 2028 linemen @silaskennedy33, @CainSams, @SOHighFootball, @SOHSDragons, @CoachBMeredith, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

May 9, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

One of the things we notice first about a young big, like Silas Kennedy (6’4,” 275-pounds, ’28) are his feet. This kid has excellent feet and sink to go along with find height and good length. Kids with his frame are generally Division I, FBS football recruits. With his 4.25-GPA, he is a “take” at many, many levels and different leagues including a league called “The Ivy” or “The Ancient 8.” We don’t know where this kid will end up but we do expect him to populate the first string in ’26 and (potentially) on both sides of the scrimmage line (OT/DE). That defensive deployment should tell you all you need to know about his movement and quicks. This is a large, tall, long, explosive, “twitchy” kid who is a delight to know and the kind of kid you want on your roster. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Ariyon Stills-Carter, also known as The Bear, should have a big season upcoming @BearCarter42, @CoachDerekDay, @EKUWWells, @CoachBakerNH, @eCampusdotcom, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

May 7, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Not a lot of athletes around the KHSAA so sufficiently athletic to warrant the nickname, “The Bear.” Here are some facts about bears you might not know. According to Google, “Bears are exceptionally athletic and powerful, capable of running up to 35 mph (56 km/h), even on uneven terrain. They possess immense strength, with specialized muscles for digging, climbing, and swimming. Despite their bulk, they are surprisingly agile, quick to accelerate, and can maintain high speeds over long distances.” All of this sounds eerily like Ariyon Stills-Carter, who (not so coincidentally) is nicknamed “The Bear.” Our Bear is 6’0,” has been listed as high as 230-pounds, and can play both MLB and RB. We think this coming season for North Hardin may be the year of the Bear. That is our call anyway. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Matthew Briedwell, a rising senior QB/FS at Calloway County, is our Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company Feature of the Week @M_Briedwell8, @KYHighFootball, @MurrayLedger, @CClakerfootball, @teeroyhowell, @khsaafootball, @bigassfans, @LasatersCoffee, @eCampusdotcom

May 4, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

We continue on with our offseason coverage not really discussing players of the week so much as discussing featured players and prospects. Matthew Briedwell is simply among the best QB’ing football talents in the Kentucky-wide, KHSAA football game today at his level of play and particularly on the western end of KY. Briedwell came on our radar with his play last season in Coach Coby Lewis’s inaugural season at the helm of the Lakers’s ship. Since then, Briedwell has done nothing but confirm we were all right about him from the beginning. Briedwell is only going to improve over his senior season, particularly on offense where he should get many more throwing and running opportunities. Briedwell is the kind of kid coaches want to coach and, in the end, that may be the finest compliment which can be paid to him (or any other kid). Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch.

Alex Johnson among the best in the classification among dual threat guys @Alexbjohnson5, @QBCoachFox, @PrestonsburgFB, @Wes_Hager, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom

May 2, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Alex “AJ” Johnson is a dual-threat stud at QB who might end up a RB in college or even a strong safety/linebacker depending on how his frame continues its development. Johnson has added 15-pounds of muscle this offseason and has his bench press up over 250 (255) and both his squat and deadlift at the four plate (405-lbs.) level. This kid has quite the season a year ago in leading the Blackcats to a 12-1 finish and a loss in the regional championship game in Fort Mitchell, KY to Beechwood. No shame there. Enjoy this look at one of 2A’s more lethal offensive skill players and brace yourself for another fine season in Prestonsburg, KY.

Friday Night Fletch

Dalton Slone will be critical to the Pirates’s Plunder Prospects @bigassfans, @LemmingReport, @CoachStepp, @berea_football, @eCampusdotcom, @khsaafootball, @WBSportsGuy, @KyHighFootball

April 25, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

A “Pirate” may be described or defined several ways. A person who commits robbery, violence, or theft at sea is a Pirate. A person who illegally reproduces or sells copyrighted material (movies, music, software) is a Pirate. Taking something by force or reproducing content without authorization is “pirating” that information. A radio or TV station that operates without official permission maybe referred to as a pirated station. A super tough defensive lineman coming off an impressive freshman season who will be counted on to deliver for his ball club in ’26 is also a Pirate; a Berea High Pirate. Enjoy this feature about a kid from whom you are almost sure to hear plenty beginning this next Fall.

Friday Night Fletch

Miles Hollon, from Breathitt County, has come literally miles in a short time @Qb1miles4, @BreckenHarvey, @cleats2whistle, @wood7walker, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @eCampusdotcom

April 23, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Miles Hollon is a rare commodity among ’28 QBs. While many of them are selling “potential,” he’s selling production. How many QBs throw for close to 4,000 yards with around 50-thrown TDs entering their junior seasons? You can count them on less than a single hand. Hollon’s frame and growth potential are big pluses for him as he is today’s feature and a guy who has won almost every award one can bestow.

Friday Night Fletch