There are programs across Kentucky getting set for Spring practice. There are players across Kentucky in the ’26 class preparing to enter the ninth grade.
Some of these guys will have to wait their turn to hit the field on Friday nights. Some of these guys will be pressed into action immediately.
Sometimes a kid hitting the field early is an indication the program is struggling. Other times, freshmen are just too good and too physically ready to not play.
South Oldham is a program which has seen its share of playoff successes over the years. It is a 5A program and not a place where freshmen come in expecting to play.
However, that being said, we wrote about an 8th grader back in October of 2021 which we opined was among the very best RBs in Kentucky in his graduating class. Five months later, heading into Spring, we are of the same opinion.
We believe Deacon King sees the field early. He’s a 3X Team Kentucky FBU select team member, has been selected to the Indy Select 7v7 team, and is a solid student with a 3.8 GPA. He plays SS (strong safety) on defense and RB on offense.
We could see him contributing first at SS on defense. Lots of stud freshmen start out on that side of the football. Eventually, we believe he will morph into one of Kentucky’s very finest RBs in the high school game.
Feel free to watch his highlights. We have linked them for you above right under his picture. Look for the blue-colored type.
Now we believe this young man will play for South Oldham High School. However, coming out of 8th-grade, he can enroll anywhere he chooses for 9th-grade free from KHSAA oversight.
Should the KHSAA pass the high school portal, “one free transfer” rule, in its May meeting (which we hear is on the agenda and believe will pass) there may be tons of moving around in the high school game. We just don’t know and that is something which will cause some speculation and consternation going forward.
What won’t be subject to much speculation is whether players like King hit the field over the course of their ninth (9th)-grade years. Five-foot, eleven-inch rising ninth-graders, who run like this particular one, don’t hang around the JV very long. Neither do they languish for long an anyone’s bench.
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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