The Tomcats among 4A’s very best
Paul Blazer High has built an impressive football program in Ashland, Kentucky. The Tomcats routinely competes for championships, at its level of play, last winning a title in the pandemic shortened, ’20 season (11-0) under the guidance of Tony Love. Chad Tackett hasn’t missed a step since assuming the reigns and this present edition of the program has been silently going around “doing its thing” this year. Better not discount these guys with the playoffs upcoming.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Ashland, KY: Consider this for a brief moment. There are 223-schools which play HS football in the commonwealth of Kentucky. As we sit here, right now, seven teams have completed its regular season with a perfect record.
One team is a 1A ball club (Sayre). One team is a 2A ball club (Owensboro Catholic). One team is a 3A ball club (Hart County).
There are three (3) in the 4A classification (Paducah Tilghman, Boyle County, and Franklin County). One team competes in the 5A classification (Cooper High). Not a single 6A team numbers among the unbeaten.
That is how deep 4A is this year. Ashland Blazer is 9-1, has lost a ball game to the 4th best Ohio team in its Division V (Harvest Prep), is undefeated in the commonwealth of Kentucky, and is ranked 5th in the KHSAA RPI.
This Tomcat team shouldn’t be overlooked. For one, the team has a championship pedigree, having last won a KHSAA title in 2020. Secondly, the team has done some impressive work this season.
Paul Blazer High has boat-raced Raceland, Bardstown, and Simon Kenton. The Tomcats also bested a very good Johnson Central (7-3, No. 8 in the KHSAA RPI in 4A) team by five (5) just a week or so ago (October 25).
This team has some star power, particularly in its offensive backfield. That was on full display against Simon Kenton in the regular season finale.
Against the Pioneers, Jennings rushed the ball 16-times, gained 185-yards, and scored 4-TDs…
KHSAA Statistical Website
Against the Pioneers (6A), Braxton Jennings (’25), for Ashland Blazer, rushed the ball 16-times, gaining 185-yards, and scoring 4-TDs. Jennings caught 5-passes for 40-yards and led the team in scoring with 24-points.
The 5’11,” 195 Jennings bench presses 315-pounds, back squats 425, all while carrying a 3.25 GPA. Jennings is a 3-Star, nationally rated player who is the No. 135 RB in America and the 28th overall prospect in KY.
Jennings also plays varsity basketball. He is being recruited mostly as an “Athlete.” He is certainly that.
Jennings holds offers from Louisville, Buffalo, EKU, and Eastern Michigan. He’s the best senior football player in Kentucky about whom many of you, across Kentucky, have yet to hear.
The Tomcats enter the playoffs awaiting a home date with Harrison County (2-8). After that, it is anybody’s guess as these brackets get reseeded more than my front lawn.
One would have to expect there will be a showdown upcoming between these Tomcats and the Redhounds of Corbin, also 9-1 entering the playoffs. Fighting like cats and dogs…where have we before heard that said?
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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