Local military high schools exempted from federal government shutdown making Jaylen Irish, ’26 RB, the @bigassfans Kentucky Comfort Creator of the week @FortKnoxKY, @eCampusdotcom, @Ale8One, @bigassfans, @KyHighFootball, @khsaafootball, @cleats2whistle

Jaylen Irish (’26) already has eclipsed 700-rushing yards on the season

The Federal Government governmental shut-down affects people in various ways. One (probably) unintended consequence is the shut down keeping military high schools from practicing or playing high school football. That restriction was remove this week as the Pacific West Division Superintendent sent around a letter permitting Fall extracurricular activities to resume. Than you, Lord! One guy who is particularly relieved to continue his assault on the single season record books is ’26 RB, Jaylen Irish, of Fort Knox. Irish is having an All-State season and putting incredible production on the board for his Eagles as they stand at 3-3 with three (3) games remaining (Owensboro Catholic, Hancock County, and Breckinridge County). Can the Eagles hit the playoffs on a heater like in the Pappa Joe Jaggers‘s days? Let’s see…

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Big Ass Fans from Lexington, Kentucky has a simple corporate goal. The company is “creating a more comfortable world,” one fan at a time.

The logo is the rear of a donkey (Fanny) swishing its tail back and forth. The trademarked logo is among Kentucky’s more celebrated and well known corporate identities across the commonwealth and has come to represent commitment to quality, cutting-edge innovation, and product reliability.

Big Ass Fans is so much more than just a gigantic fan. It is gigantic quality, gigantic performance, and a gigantic commitment to reliability and innovation. Its size is far from the only selling point about our product. Our product is a Kentucky Comfort Creator…and, these days, isn’t that exactly what Kentucky needs?

Fort Knox, KY: The US federal government has been shut down after Republican and Democratic politicians failed to resolve a budget dispute. We talked about this last week in our article featuring Fort Campbell’s Keshawn Dixon.

Some, but not all, US government services were temporarily suspended. As we understand it, 40% of the federal workforce – about 750,000 people – were expected to be put on unpaid leave. That is a ton of impacted people.

One of the unexpected consequences, keeping Fort Knox and Fort Campbell from playing football, has b been remedied. By letter from the Pacific West District, Superintendent, Dr. Jacob S. Sherwood, Ed.D., dated October 7, 2025, DoDEA had received direction allowing extracurricular activities, including athletics and afterschool clubs, to be considered excepted activities during the current lapse of appropriations. The Pacific West District will resume all athletic practices and afterschool activities …[as of], Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

That means Keshawn Dixon from Fort Campbell is back in business. That means Jaylen Irish, from Fort Knox, is too.

David Armes’s (HFC, Fort Knox) Eagles squad stands at 3-3 on the year coming off a 36-20 win over 4A, Waggener. The Eagles get top ranked (RPI) Owensboro Catholic tonight in Owensboro. The Eagles will need all hands on deck for this game. It’s star ’26 RB particularly.

Jaylen Irish has had a year though the first six. Irish has carried the ball 109-times for 719-yards and five (5) TDs. Irish has caught a few passes swinging out of the backfield and is second on the team in scoring.

Irish plays defense and contributes on special teams. Irish has 16 registered tackles, a TFL, and a sack and has scored a two-pointer among his 36-points on the year.

Irish is a 6’1,” 160 pound guy who competes in track in addition to football. Irish runs the 100-meter in 11.42 and clips off 400-meters in around 50-seconds.

While Dixon plays RB for his Eagles, he is capable of moving down the line and giving his team valuable reps at WR. Matter of fact, there are schools, next level, who prefer him at WR to RB. Point is, he is an athlete who is capable of moving the bottom line in his teams favor from a variety of different positions.

It is hard to say where Irish’s next level is. Irish is a guy we could see anywhere from the NAIA to NCAA, FCS-level, Division I. We could even see FBS, Mid-major interest in this prospect if highlighted and showcased appropriately.

Irish’s head coach at Fort Knox, David Armes, evidences little doubt about Irish’s prospects and ability to fulfill them. If given the chance, Armes is convinced Irish won’t let down anyone!

Last week we asked those federal government guys, “…to get their collective heads out of their rears and get these kids back to playing.” Judging by the developments this week, it appears they did just that!

Jalen Irish is out there making a huge difference for his team. Irish, his teammates, and his coaches have all keep it cool out there on central Kentucky’s north western end of the commonwealth!

Thank you for exempting these kids from the shutdown. Go Eagles!

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

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