Elijah Hawkins patrolling the middle of the Cougars defense. @coachadler @jaxon_kenner @LC_Cougars @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @PrepSpin @MaxPreps @KyHighFootball

Photo: Joseph Barkoff, BG Daily News

We used to do a freshman and sophomore all-state football team at KPGFootball. Back in the day, Elijah Hawkins would have been a virtual shoe-in to make our sophomore all-state defense. Definitely a star at MLB in the ’24 graduating class.

Fletcher W. Long, KPGFootball Senior Scout and Editorial Board Member

Remember the old KPGFootball freshman and sophomore all-state football teams? We stopped doing them for two reasons. One, freshmen and sophomores started routinely making the Coaches and the AP teams. Two, no one has been willing to sponsor the teams from the onset of the pandemic forward.

If a company were to approach us about partnering up to produce the teams once more, I am sure we would oblige. I suppose that is a “wait and see” proposition.

This kid here, Elijah Hawkins, would have surely made the sophomore team, were it still in existence. What Hawkins accomplished as a sophomore starter at MLB for a prestigious Class 4A football program is incredible.

Hawkins had 127-tackles, 14-TFLs, 5-QB sacks, 1-FR, and 1-INT just on defense a season ago. Hawkins scored a few TDs at his offensive position (RB) to go along with his defensive production.

Going forward, we would think Hawkins may see more carries. Will he turn into the offensive star he has been on defense? We aren’t ready to predict that.

Hawkins is a guy we would encourage to keep his GPA high. We get the feeling, though we haven’t seen his height or weight listed anywhere, he may be a little short of the frame D-1s are coveting for the “second-level” on defense.

His frame looks close to right, and it could always lengthen and thicken. Presently, assuming he doesn’t hit a fairly late growth spurt, Hawkins appears to be one of those guys caught between NCAA divisions.

This should never take away what he is to the high school game. What he is to HS football is a bone fide star.

Now, Logan County experienced an unprecedented level of success in ’21. The school won its region in football for the first time in school and program history.

Logan County finished 10-5 on the year. They were bounced from the playoff in the semis at Boyle County, the classification’s champion.

Things are looking pretty rosy for a repeat run through the playoffs in ’22. District one is very winnable for the Cougars. The defense should be solid, especially with No. 34 still patrolling the middle.

This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!

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About Henry Lyon 1210 Articles
Have coached at the high school and middle school level. Have worked in athletic administration. Conceal my identity to enable my candor on articles published by this magazine. Only members of the editorial board are aware of my true identity.

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