KPGFootball’s Preseason Top-Five (5A) @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

Looks like it may be Cooper and BG for the title for the third consecutive time, will it turn out similarly or diametrically

It is tough, any pre-season, to predict who will do what from a standpoint of ranking KHSAA teams. The 5A classification looks particularly deep and stout this coming season. Cooper has some critical pieces returning but lost some once in a program history type receivers, TE, and defenders. Bowling Green has athletes every year but the Purples lost some pieces it will be difficult to replace particularly at QB. We are all wondering how long it will take Owensboro to look like the Owensboro with whom we are all accustomed and Atherton may have been the sleeper team in 5A the last two seasons. Woodford County lost plenty but is plenty well coached and Madisonville-North Hopkins has some players who are studs. Can the Maroons find that final piece which will take them on a long, long run? Here is our take; this, plus a dime, may not buy you a cup of coffee.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Cooper, Number One

’24 Record: 14-1, State Runner-up, lost to Bowing Green 37-20

Cooper, under Randy Borchers, has been to the 5A title game the last two seasons, losing both times to Bowling Green. We believe the third time may be the charm. 

Cooper has some weaponry returning. QB, Cam O’Hara is a real threat. O’Hara is a ’26 prospect and a “Mr. Football” candidate. He threw for 3,617-yards and 52-TDs in ’24 against only three (3)-INTs. O’Hara completed over 65% of his attempts (212/325) and ran for four (4) scores. This might be Kentucky’s elite player at the QB-position in ’25 among all KHSAA schools regardless of classification.

Talk about your running threats, Keagan Maher returns and he will vie for the coveted “Mr. Football” distinction before it is all said and done. Maher is dangerous out of the backfield in passing routes as he caught 22-balls in ’24. Cooper graduated two fine receivers in Isaiah Johnson and Jaiden Combs and one of Kentucky’s all-time TEs in the high school ranks in Austin Alexander, but O’Hara will find someone to target down the field and Maher will be among his choices.

Look for Ryker Campbell to develop in the passing game. Ryker is already a leading returning defender (102-tackles, 2-TFLs, 1-FF, and eight (8) picks including a pair of “pick-sixes”). Don’t be surprised if the ’26 prospect doesn’t get involved more heavily on offense in ’25. Campbell ran the ball from scrimmage some as he averaged around 11.5-yards a carry in ’24 and scored a rushing TD every fifth carry.

Keagan Maher gained 1,433-yards and scored 22-rushing TDs in ’24 and the ’26 prospect proved himself to possess a versatile, multi-phase skill set. Maher was the team’s leading scorer (150-points) in addition to being among the leading receivers and leading return threats on special teams.

Eyler Tibbs (’26) was something a year ago, converting 75-PATs, and making two of his three FG attempts. Corey Freihofer (’27) can kick it too, as he converted 87.5% of his PATs with limited opportunities and even recovered a fumble. Freihofer registered 15-tackles in ’24 playing for one of Kentucky’s most talented rosters. Keep you eye on this young man. 

Max Wethington returns at the “Mike” or MLB slot. The ’26 second level guy registered 75-tackles, 3-TFLs, and picked off a pass. 

Dax Bolen also returns as the ’26 prospect registered 70-tackles, 3-TFLs, a QB sack, and a pair of INTs. Carson Clark (’27) has demonstrated a penchant for big plays. Clark had three (3) sacks a year ago amongst his 14-stops. Clark forced a fumble too. That amounts to quite a few “specialty stats” for someone who played limited snaps spread out over 11-games of action.

Bowling Green (Senior High)

’24 Record: 13-2, State 5A champions

First of all, let’s get this out of the way. The Purples are working on a three-peat and have won three of the past five titles in 5A football.

Picking Bowling Green (right now, anyway) to win the 5A title is a sexy pick. That doesn’t mean we will do it. Should another publication do so, we would hardly blame them.

Bad News doesn’t improve with time. The bad news is Bowling Green High’s Deuce Bailey is out of eligibility.

Bailey threw for close to 3,200-yards in ’24 and 45 passing TDs. The “Deuce” also ran for over 400-yards and 5-rushing TDs.

Losing that level of production from such a prime-time position is tough on any program regardless of the program’s classification. It looks to us like Embree Dotson (’27) will get the first crack at filling those shoes.

They can always snap the ball to Trevy Barber. He attempted a pass a year ago and certainly knows where he’s headed with the ball in his hands.

Barber (’26) caught 79-passes a year ago for 1,327-yards receiving and 22-TDs. Barber scored 138-points in ’24 averaging 9.2-points scored per game.

That is major, major down field production. Barber will vie for “Mr. Football” along with several other of his 5A compatriots. 

Jaxen Smith (’26) will insure opposing defenses don’t overly focus on Barber. Smith caught 48-balls in ’24 for 700-yards and 11-TDs. If Smith were playing for any team other than Bowling Green, he would be the marquee guy split out wide.

The kicking game lost Braden Widener to graduation. Widener converted on 98.5% of his PATs (67/68) and knocked through nine of 14 FG attempts.

Widener scored 94-points a year ago and he will be sorely missed. Kale Phelps looks to inherit the job.

Phelps, ’28 PK, was perfect on PATs making both of his attempts. Sure, that is a limited sample size; but, it could have been worse. He might have missed them both instead. 

Montez Trussell (’26) returns and he is among the more devastating defenders in the KHSAA. Trussell registered 121-tackles, 27.5 TFLs, and 16-sacks in ’24. 

Malik Coburn is a classmate of Trussell (’26) and he is nearly as devastating. Coburn registered 92-tackles, 19.5 TFLs, and nine and a half sacks (9.5). 

If you are looking for a young gun to keep an eye on, may we suggest Kyle Sledge (’28). The Sledge-Hammer (couldn’t resist) registered 31-tackles over his freshman year playing 5A ball for the classification’s premier program.

Sledge-Hammer also picked three (3) passes and accumulated 45-IRNYs. Arlando Jones (’27) and Miles Richey (’27) each had an INT a piece getting varsity PT along the Purples’ third level.

It kind of boils down to Cooper has an established superstar at both QB and RB returning in ’25. Deuce Bailey is gone and Jaxen Smith hasn’t shone, to date, he is quite a Keagan Maher.

That and that alone is why we picked Cooper and BG in that order instead of the reverse.  We literally went back and forth on these two.

The Big A-Train, Atherton High, Number Three

’24 Record: 10-3, lost to Bowling Green in the regional championship

This biggest news this offseason for The Big A-Train was the transfer of Garyon Hobbs to Atherton from Christian Academy Louisville (CAL). We usually don’t discuss transfers but we have heard Hobbs has been cleared for play.

Hobbs has been ranked as high as the number two (2) overall football prospect in Kentucky in the ’27 class by On3.com. The 6’1,” 220-pounder is listed as an “Athlete” by the service. Talk about your accurate descriptions.

Last year at CAL, in helping the Centurions win the 3A title, Hobbs gained close to 400-yards rushing and scored a pair of TDs. Hobbs caught 16-passes for 184-yards and three scores.

On defense, Hobbs registered 79-tackles, 13-TFLs, a sack, and picked three (3) passes including 83-IRNYs and a “pick-six.” That isn’t shabby.

Atherton will have some pieces to plug in along with Hobbs when the season arrives. Deairus Smith is a ’27 and will be back to run the offense. He threw for close to a 1,000-yards and 12-TDs last year. 

For what this prospect lacks in flash and pizzaz, he makes up for with heady play. Smith is a winner and gets his team in the “right play.”

Du Zye Grundy will try to fill the huge shoes of Michael Curry’s graduation. Grundy gained 669-yards and scored 8-rushing TDs in only 64-carries a year ago. Grundy also had 31-tackles, 5-TFLs, and 4-sacks.  

Aiden Wilson (’27) returns at WR. Wilson caught 35-balls in ’24 for 608-yards and 3-TDs. On defense Wilson picked a pair of passes, including a “pick-six” while also accumulating 75-IRNYs.

Bruce Leisten converted over 70% of his PATS in ’24, converting 31 of 44. Leisten is a ’27 guy who is off to a good start and has plenty of time to further develop.

Donee Sutton had 85-tackles and 9-TFLs with three (3) sacks in ’24. James Allen Briscoe picked 4-passes for 78-IRNYs and a pick-six in ’24. The ’26 prospect also chipped in 42-tackles, a TFL, and a FF.

As for coaching, Anthony “Nino” White has done an incredible job reinvigorating the football fortunes of The Big A-Train, including branding Atherton football as “The Big A-Train.”

Getting players like Hobbs to come over from CAL is an indication of the “buy-in” into the program of top-flight, Derby City football playing talent. Over the past two years, Atherton is 21-5.

Can you believe it? Well, you better get to believing. The Big A-Train is pulling into your station with plenty of talent to compete for championships.

Owensboro “Senior” High, Number Four

’24 Record: 8-4, Lost to BG, at home, in RD Two

Jay Fallin stepped down at the end of the year and DaMarcus Ganaway has taken the reigns. Ganaway is a former All-American receiver at Kentucky Wesleyan and played a couple years in the league (NFL). 

The first thing Ganaway will have to do is replace Trevor Delacey at QB. He will turn to a pair of underclassmen, both of whom are talented. Ty Ashley (’27) threw a TD pass in ’24 as did Zeke Beehn (’28). Both of these guys have talent and lack experience so it will be interesting to see who can be brought around for this Fall. 

Ashley plays defense and was the leading tackler a season ago. Ashley registered 116-stops, five (5) TFLs, three (3) sacks, and a FR. 

Evan Hampton may be the best RB in Kentucky and a bone fide “Mr. Football” candidate who has committed to Louisville. Hampton gained 1,549-yards in ’24 and scored 20-rushing TDs. Hampton caught four TD passes, led the team in scoring (148-points), and played a little “spot defense” where he registered a hand full of tackles.

Kingston Dillard (’28) is a sure-thing, bone fide, Friday Night star. Dillard caught 41-passes, for close to 600-yards, with four (4) TDs as only a freshman. Dillard also registered 11-tackles.

Romar Payne graduated and that will hurt. Payne converted 46-PATs and four of his five FGs. Hard to find a PK any better than that at the HS level.

Omarian Tee Green (’27) was a monster in ’24 as only a sophomore. Green had 56-tackles, a TFL, but forced five (5) fumbles, recovering four (4).

Guess what? Green also picked a pair of passes and accumulated 75-IRNYs. Green played offense too.

Green gained 238-yards on 32-carries, scored six (6) rushing TDs, and caught a TD pass on top of everything else. There seems to be literally nothing this kid can’t do.

Classmate Kalil Shemwell (’27) had a year in ’24.  Shemwell picked four (4) passes, housed a “pick six,” and registered 17-tackles. 

Now for the Hampton who gets overlooked, Evan Hampton’s brother Elijah Hampton (’26). This kid is a terrific player who reports wherever you wish to deploy him and just excels. 

Elijah had 104-tackles, three (3) TFLs, recovered a fumble, picked a pass, carried the football a couple times, and played along the OL, blocking for his twin, for much of the year. This kid can play and is worth a look independent of his being Evan Hampton’s brother. 

Here is the bottom line for you fans out there. The Red Devils will contend. Welcome to the KHSAA. This happens all the time.

The “Red Devils” won eight (8) games a year ago and it wasn’t a particularly good year. Owensboro is used to winning double digit games a season and making deep playoff runs. We expect to see much of the same out of the DaMarcus Ganaway edition as we have grown accustomed to seeing out of teams with Owensboro blazoned across the chest.

Woodford County, Number Five (tie)

’24 Record: 10-2, lost to Highlands in the second round

Woodford County is an excellently coached football team. Hiring Tony McCombs to help with the defense was a really good idea. 

High school programs don’t get opportunities to add former NFL players, and one of EKU’s all-timers every day. Dennis Johnson, Woodford’s HFC, being one of UK’s greatest all time DEs would be the perfect guy to appreciate such a pedigree.

Justus Wertzler is out of eligibility. This hurts as he passed for nearly 3,000-yards with 32-TDs a year ago in leading the Yellow Jackets to another 10-win campaign. 

The Jackets will be unproven at RB. Darrian Tomlin has talent and youth (’27). Tomin averaged a little over 9-yards a carry in ’24 but in limited opportunities. 

Omari Jointer (’27) has big-play potential. Jointer had 10-TDs receiving in ’24 to lead the ball club. Jointer also averaged over 21-yards a reception so he wasn’t getting tossed a ton of slip screens if you catch what I am laying down. Jalen Johnson caught 31-passes in ’24 so he will balance out the edge attack down the field.

Logan Ford gradated and he was a real weapon at PK. Ford made 58 of 59-PATs and nine (9) of 10-FGs. We don’t know whether the Yellow Jackets turn to now as no one not named “Logan Ford” tallied a single point kicking the football in ’24. 

Thurman Wade (’27) looks like he will be a real defensive star for the Jackets. Wade registered 41-tackles, 8-TFLs, a sack, a pair of FRs, 90-FRNYs, and a “scoop and score.” 

Wyatt Peters is a terror on the back end. Peters (’27) had 57-tackles, half a TFL, three (3) INTs, a FF, and a FR in ’24. Christopher Reed, Jr. (’27) housed a “pick-six” from 33-yards out a season ago to go with his 29-stops.

This will be a solid ball club. It is a well coached one.

Madisonville-North Hopkins, Number Five (tie)

’24 record: 7-4, lost to 5A Champion, BG, in the first round

This may be the “surprise team” of the classification. It was down between Owensboro Senior and these guys for the last spot. Why did we go with North Hopkins? Two words: star power!

One thing is painfully obvious when North Hopkins comes off the bus. These guys, year in and year out, dress some filthy athletes. I mean it is sick the type of athletic talent Madisonville rosters from year to year.

This year doesn’t appear to deviate.

Kanyon Johnson is playing college ball now. He was an example of athleticism we were discussing. That said, the Maroons have sank or swam on its run-game through the years over its passing attack. 

We believe Kirk LaGrange (’26) may get the first chance to fill Johnson’s shoes at QB. Make no mistake, LaGrange is a DAWG. Whether he will make a serviceable QB is another question but we like the deployment. 

If you’re a defensive lineman, you may pass rush LaGrange and get your face ripped off. Better be careful back there. LaGrange picked four (4) passes, registered 64-stops, with a pair of TFLs, a sack, and a FR a year ago. That is a mighty big defensive piece to take over to offense and slot at QB. If anyone can do it, it is LaGrange.

Markezz Hightower (’26) is the best RB in class 5A if not the entire KHSAA. He has been offered by MTSU and they would prefer me not mention him any further. They would love top sign him and don’t want me hurting their chances by “blowing him up.” 

Hightower gained 1,604-yards and scored 20-rushing TDs last year in 11-games. He caught 15-balls swinging out of the backfield and scored a TD receiving. Markezz led the team in scoring, putting 138-points up on the board, or 12.5 a game. Before we forget, Hightower had an INT on defense he returned 29-yards. Just saying…

With Austin Alexander graduated, we like Jayden Travis as perhaps the best TE playing high school football in the 5A classification. Travis is 6’3,” 230-pounds caught 25-passes in a run-first attack in ’24 with three (3) TDs receiving. Travis finished fifth on the team in “scoring.”

Travis also was instrumental in a rushing attack which gained over 3,200 yards and scored 42-rushing TDs. Travis accounted for three (3) of the team’s 11 TDs through the air. That is approximately 28% production out of that one player.

Travis bench presses 250, squats 365, pulls or “deadlifts” 440, and power cleans 280. Strong, powerful, and explosive are lethal combinations for HS TEs.

Travis has soft, receptive hands; a thick and long enough frame to effectively work the middle of the defense with considerable advantage, and is fast enough (4.9-second, 40-yard dash) to create match-up problems with opposing defensive coordinators hoping their 2nd line of defense can contain this offensive weapon. As for smarts, how about his 3.6-GPA.

Ryder Sandridge (’27) caught 21-balls last season for 321-yards. Sandridge caught three (3) TDs to tie Travis for the team lead as well as forcing a fumble, recovering three (3) fumbles, registering 71-tackles, and picking a pair of passes from his DB post. This is a versatile, multi-phase threat. 

Noah Mays was a steady hand converting PATs a season ago. Mays had an 80% conversion rate. 

Skylar Minton is gone and his 130-tackles and 11-sacks will be tough to replace. That being said, Mark McNary (’26) believes he’s the man for the job. McNary had six (6) sacks and eight (8) TFLs amongst his 54-tackles a year ago. 

The team had 26-sacks a year ago. Minton and McNary were 17 of them. 

Clayton Gunkel (’27) is a talented DB for the Maroons. Gunnel had a pair of kicks in ’24 as did classmate Ryder Sandidge. 

Joseph Gunn (’27) took his one INT to the house. His “pick six” covered 60-yards. 

Overall this is a seven win team from a season ago which was a play here, play there from nine (9) wins. This team has some really good talent and the right components in place to make a run like it did in 2019. Oh yeah, the running back for the ’19 team was also a “Mr. Football” candidate with the surname of “Hightower.” 

Rounding out the top-10

7. South Oldham
8. Graves County
9. Pulaski County
10. Southwestern

Beware: Look out for Muhlenberg County. They are excellently coached and have some really nice young players coming up through the ranks. If the Mustangs can keep the talent in-county and in-place, you are looking at a program on a definite "heater!" They may be a year or two away, but they are arriving.

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

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