Editor's note: This feature was authored BEFORE Ethan was in a bad car accident wherein Ethan and passengers,Kory and Kylan Combs, were all seriously injured. At the time of publishing this feature, the three Breathitt stars were at UK Medical Center in various degrees of healing. All three young football players are stable and expected to make full recoveries. It may be a long recuperative process for the lot but this magazine prays for these three men and their families, friends, teammates, and coaches and wishes nothing but the best regarding their hopeful and expectant return to full health.
’26 two-way player, versatile both on and off the gridiron
Ethan Bowling just completed his sophomore season playing for one of the more storied programs in Kentucky 2A. He was a stalwart, up front, offensively for the Bobcats and contributed significantly to the defensive side of the ball. Bowling’s an undersized kid who has a huge heart, works very hard in the weight room, and plays with an enthusiasm which makes him exciting and a fan favorite on The Riverbank. Bowling is fast. Bowling is strong. Bowling is powerful. Bowling is explosive. Bowling is only going to get better.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, KPGFootball
We have been focusing, this offseason, on versatility. We have provided, all summer, fine examples of versatility both on the football field and off. Today will be no different, as we bring you a ’26 athlete brimming with talent and desire.
Ethan Bowling is a two-way lineman at Breathitt High. Bowling is a critical member of the Breathitt “Big Blue Wave,” upfront offensively.
Defensively, he is an active member of the defensive front. Bowling makes an inordinate number of plays for a guy whose snaps, on the defensive side of the ball have been limited by his offensive role, and its importance.
Bowling is 6’0,” and weighs 200-pounds. In spite of being “undersized,” his heart, desire, and effort are all ahead of the curve.
Bowling is bench pressing 290-pounds. Bowling is squatting 450-pounds. Bowling plays with speed and strength, demonstrating true zeal and excitement for the game and his program.
Bowling is a player the fans on The Riverbank love to watch play. Bowling’s example and pace brings kids to the game, on Friday nights, and makes those same kids dream of, one day, being “Bobcats” one day.
Bowling is a player the fans on the Riverbank love to watch play
Friday Night Fletch
Hard to measure what a player like Bowling means to any high school program. Last season, Bowling opened the path for an offense which rushed for over 2,000-yards and 34-TDs while passing for over 1,600-yards, with 16-TDs coming through the air.
The offense averaged close to 5.3-yards a rushing attempt. The offense housed one (1) in every 10-11 carries and close to three (3) rushing scores a night.
Defensively, in limited play time, Bowling registered 32-tackles and a TFL. We believe ’24 will see a substantial increase in his defensive snaps and a noticeable increase in his statistical outlay.
The high school game was created for the Ethan Bowling’s of the world. We believe there is a level where this kid could play on Saturday’s too; and, the answer as to where is awaiting his frame’s finishing out first. College aside, Bowling is a bone fide, high school star.
Let’s celebrate Bowling while we have him. Bowling’s kind doesn’t come through a program all too often.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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