Defection…Top 6A RB from Simon Kenton takes his talents to Anderson HS in Ohio… @rell_turner1 @CoachEvanDreyer

Turner bolts up north for senior year

Turner led the classification in rushing yards from scrimmage in ’23

Durrell Turner was among the top junior RBs in Kentucky’s “Big Boy” classification (6A) a year ago. You would think Roy Lucas and his charges would be excited about his return. However, that little thing called transfer makes predicting any success from year to year a dicey proposition. Turner will play at Anderson HS outside Cincinnati, OH in ’24 and the RB is already stockpiling some offers.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Photo: Cincinnati Enquirer, Jim Owens

Turner Highlights

Turner X-Account

Developing top-flight talent is difficult these days. Keeping that talent is even more cumbersome.

It is all over the news. What with the NCAA transfer portal, NIL money, and the like, players are here one year, gone the next. These young high school kids are watching what these college players are doing. They are emulating them every time one turns his head.

Now not all transfers are a “greener pastures” situation. Families move. Dad or Mom gets a new job and, often, in a new area. We are a much more transient society than we have before been.

We don’t know why Durrell Turner has transferred to a high school (Anderson HS) in the greater-Cincinnati, Ohio area. We haven’t asked him.

We can tell you Roy Lucas, at Simon Kenton, was (most likely) sorry to see him leave. We believe SK’s fans were also.

We are a much more transient society than we have before been

Friday Night Fletch

Turner was pretty terrific in ’23. He played in 10-games at RB, led 6A in yards gained from scrimmage, gained 1,401-yards in 195-carries with 13-rushing TDs. He was fifth (5th) on the team in receptions and first in offensive scoring with 82-points.

Photo credit: Roy Locas, Jr. (l) and
Roy Lucas, Sr. (r); by
Patrick Reddy, Cincinnati Enquirer

Turner registered a handful of tackles. Most coaches would have considered the leading rusher “too valuable” to gamble on his “going both ways.” That (likely) accounts for the limited run defensively. Again, we are guessing; we haven’t asked.

Turner is 5’7,” and weighs 170-pounds. He carries a 3.3 GPA and already holds quite a few offers heading into his senior year.

Simon Kenton was 5-5, after playing nine regular season games in ’23, losing in the playoff’s first round. However, SK wasn’t embarrassed a bunch in ’23.

The Pioneers lost to Covington Catholic by a considerable margin on September 1, 2023. However, SK played Beechwood tough (lost by four), lost to Ryle by three (3), lost to Ashland Blazer by seven (7), and lost to Fern Creek by four (4) in the first round.

Fern Creek was 7-5 a year ago. It is not like they were bounced out of the playoffs by a dog.

Simon Kenton has a strong tradition and is a “tough out,” if you ask any team which regularly plays the Independence, Kentucky team. They will be a “tough out” in ’24, like in previous years.

Still, they will miss Durrell Turner. We all will!

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

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About Fletcher Long 1674 Articles
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

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