LCA opens in the eCampusdotcom Bowl with 6A North Hardin
LCA has built a Christ-centered environment prioritizing character-building and faith alongside athletic successes. Along the way the program boasts a 2A title (2025), a 1A title (2009), a pair of Kentucky runners-up finishes (2020, 2021), and a Kentucky 1A runner-up finish (2007). LCA opens with a 6A football team in North Hardin which will come off the bus with size, speed, depth, and talent. To get to play the semi-state game at home, LCA has to bolster its RPI and playing the “North Hardins” is a good way to do just that. We like LCA in this ball game and the below comprises the reasons why.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Ass. Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
eCampus.com was built on a simple idea: make textbooks affordable, convenient, and accessible for every student. Founded in 1999 in Lexington, KY and backed by visionary investors like Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, the company has grown into a premier online textbook retailer for high school and college students nationwide.
Their mission has always been supporting student success both on and off the field through affordable access to the course materials they need. eCampus.com is excited to invest in our student-athletes through Kentucky Prep Gridiron (KPGFootball) which was founded to promote and assist young high school football players get promoted to “next level,” college football opportunities.
That is why eCampus.com sponsors the KPGFootball, Big Man on the eCampus series. This week we are doing something a bit different. In stead of giving you a feature, we are going to predict the order of finish in the 2A classification for the ’26 season.
We aren’t sure how many of you remember this, but KPGFootball may have been the only Kentucky-wide publication which came out on the record and picked the Eagles to win the title last season (2025). We didn’t panic when the team came out of the gates losing three of its first four.
Iron sharpens iron. We knew the tough early season schedule would pay off dividends in 2025 when it got to playoff time. We were right and believe the similar course of action, in 2026, may well net a similar result.
The 2A classification will be a tough league in 2026 and boasts as many top-flight, top-notch teams as any other class in the commonwealth. There are literally 11-teams who could take home the title with four to five at the top capable of beating the other depending on factors as rudimentary as the location of the game.
Lexington, KY: The Eagles commence its big title defense with a visit from a 6A powerhouse (North Hardin) in the eCampusdotcom Bowl. This Bowl game will feature two primetime games between four prestigious contenders at their respective levels of play.
In the first game, a 5:30 p.m. (EST) kickoff South Warren, a 6A finalist from a year ago, plays a Bryan Station (6A) not too far removed from a title game appearance but coming off a substandard season by the program’s standards. In the night-cap, LCA (2A defending champion) draws North Hardin, a 6A program accustomed to being in the hunt in the Big Boy, KHSAA classification.
The LCA Eagles have been predicted by On3’s High School Football Predictor as having a 79% win probability. The projected score is LCA over North Hardin, 40-20. The game will be broadcast on television, live on Fox 56.
These two programs are familiar with the other. Last season, LCA handled North Hardin decisively (41-21).
Quarterback Nash Whelan (’28), behind a hulking offensive front, anchored by All-Staters Matthew Montgomery (’28) and Nick Greer (’28), provided a breakout, multi-touchdown performance.
A key matchup to monitor is the LCA defensive front against the roster depth of Class 6A North Hardin and its three-star, national recruit and FBS, Division I commit, KeeShun Jackson. Last year this matchup swung in the Eagles favor and will need to do so again for the Eagles to enjoy a similar result.
This is an important game. At the end of the year, when the playoffs roll around, victories against out of classification teams, especially moving up four or so classes, factor heavily into RPI and, consequently, playoff seeding.
The Eagles will have to figure out an effective way to deal with KeeShun Jackson (’27). Jackson is a 6’5,” 302-pounder who is a three (3) star, nationally ranked recruit and commitment to the Toledo Rockets.
Chris Lee (’27) is a 6’0,” 160 pound defensive back and athlete noted for making plays. Zayden Winfield (’27) is a versatile 6’1,” 165-pounder who is an offensive weapon at RB and WR who can be utilized in various roles and Aiden Lyons (’27) is a physical 6’1,” 200-pound linebacker helping to anchor the defense.
The Eagles are a consistent title contender in the 2A classification. The Eagles always seem to round into playoff form at just the right time. Coaching has a lot to do with those circumstances. So does culture as does talent.
We know this, the performance of the players, last season, strengthens (in our minds) the prediction this upcoming version of LCA will meet with future success, both on and off the field. These players comport themselves appropriately and exhibit strong, academic performances; possessing excellent class standing and sure-fire qualifying credentials for the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Congratulations to Coach Watkins, players, and staff and the entire LCA program. In addition to all the other skills and assets we have highlighted, the program has developed the best athletes, citizens, and students in addition to this program’s being our eCampus.com, Big Men on the eCampus feature of the week!
Good luck against North Hardin, men!
Join us next week as we return to honor another eCampus.com, Big Man on the eCampus. Until then, from any classroom to every field, eCampus.com delivers an easy, fast, and affordable way to order textbooks for students everywhere.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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