’26 RB got off to a huge start against 6A Central Hardin in Elizabethtown
Du Zye Grundy is a stud RB in the ’26 class on many recruiting boards. This past Friday night, Grundy kicked off his senior season the right way. Grundy carried the football 17-times, gained 170-yards, and housed a couple in the end zone. The 6’0,” 200-pound RB with the 4.46-second, 40-yard dash is a guy who can turn “the right fit” completely around at the college level. Goodness knows Atherton has never seen the type success on the football field they are now, yearly experiencing. Atherton may be an early favorite to win 5A this year. The “Big A-Train” [as we call them around KPGFootball] is at home hosting Southern tonight. This one could get ugly but should be a blast.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Louisville, KY: Atherton was once thought to be an impossible place to build a consistent winner. The team historically struggled since the departure of Hall of Fame head football coach, Dan Goble, to Christian County in the early 80s (1981).
Then the team hired Nino White. Things have never been the same since.
We consistently refer to Atherton as “The Big A-Train” on our weekly podcast, “Friday Night, Kentucky.” Atherton refers to itself as the “Big A-Factory.” We prefer A-Train, it is the 🎶[y]ou say tomato, I say tomato…🎶 thing.
Regardless of how referenced, Atherton is among the more feared opponents to play in 5A football since Nino took the reins. The year before Nino got to Atherton, the Ravens were 4-6 under Kenneth Walker, Jr. (2018). Since hiring Nino White, the team has gone 5-6 (2019), 1-5 (2020, pandemic season), 6-6 (2021), 7-5 (2022), 11-2 (2023), and 10-3 (2024).
Nino’s 40-27 overall record is both his calling card and coaching résumé since his hire in 2019. Six years, 40-wins, at Atherton…who’d a thunk?
These days everyone expects Atherton to win games; including Atherton. Atherton notched Nino’s 41st win, Friday night in rather convincing fashion. The Ravens dispatched a usually tough Central Hardin (6A) team, 48-0. Atherton will return home to host Southern (5A) tonight at the old A-Factory.
Du Zye Grundy is a ’26 RB who got off to a fast start with the remainder of his teammates this past weekend. Grundy carried the ball 17-times, gained 170-yards and housed a pair of TDs along the way.
If you look at Grundy’s dimensions the prolific statistics appear more explainable. Grundy is a well put together, six-footer who tips the scales in the neighborhood of 200-pounds.
Grundy clips off 40’s in 4.46 seconds. Grundy was among the leaders in yards gained from scrimmage in ’24, as a junior, among 5A ball carriers.
What will he do in ’25 as a senior? If the opening night’s production is an indication, more of the same would appear certain.
This ain’t your father’s (or even your big brother’s) Atherton football program!
Friday Night Fletch
Atherton has landed some top-flight talent from the transfer portal (if you will). Top ’27 talent, Garyon Hobbs, transferred over to Atherton from Christian Academy-Louisville. Hobbs caught three passes, one of which for a TD, and registered six (6) tackles, two (2) TFLs, and a FF on his opening night riding the Big A-Train. One might say Hobbs, like Grundy, got off to a fast start.
Atherton has some mountains to scale to get ultimately where the program appears headed. Mercer County at Alvis Johnson Field is never easy. DuPont Manual coming to Atherton in September (12th) for a game is a matchup where the Ravens could well have the opportunity for a statement win.
Apart from those two, Atherton has a legitimate chance at 10-0 this regular season. That all seems to fit with what we know of Atherton these days, wouldn’t you agree? Going 10-0 just seems like an entirely “A-Train” thing to do. Now let’s see if they get it done.
Like we have been saying, this isn’t your daddy’s Atherton. It isn’t your big brother’s Atherton either.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball and KPI Newspaper Group, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
If you enjoyed this article and wish to gain full-access to the site, then subscribe monthly to Kentucky Prep Gridiron by following the prompts!
© The information contained on this site is the copyrighted intellectual property of KPGFootball. Any unauthorized dissemination of this material without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited!
Leave a Reply