News and Notes from the Gridiron…

We have begun featuring, here on KPGFootball, a weekly variety of shorter stories in one combined article about high school football news from around the coverage area. These articles feature snippets of information for the football enthusiasts which we consider, without a doubt, of interest to the Kentucky high school football fanatics, such as we. So, without further adieu, here we go with the News and Notes from the Gridiron…

Kentucky Future Stars news from the Northern Kentucky combine…

Well, Team Kentucky Future Stars rolled into Mason County, Kentucky to see what was what with the Northern Kentuckians and got an unexpected burst of speed from a WR/DB from Lexington Christian Academy named Frankie Knight. It’s a secret to no one there are some players at LCA, after all, they are the reigning KYMSFA, Division 3, State Football Champions. It’s no secret Frankie Knight can run, with his starring on the track team and running the 100 meter for LCA, clocking a 11.9, laser time, at Tate’s Creek High School just a little over a week ago. However, all of that being said, no one saw coming the 4.68 second forty he busted in Mason County.

Xavier Brown, also from LCA and someone we feature ahead of time impressed too. Brown, the son of a coach, measured 5-9 and 160 pounds and showed out at three separate positions, and like Tre Jefferson from Hoptown, demonstrated he could make the squad at RB, WR, and even at Safety. Xavier, also exhibiting speed (especially for an 8th grader) clocked a 4.89 forty. The thing to remember is that over the summer all these kids will be lifting with their respective HS, as will the Tennessee kids. Many of these kids have never squatted before now. That won’t be true in July. What we are saying is they will be much faster then they they are now.

I am told Preston Agee came to the Northern Kentucky combine to get in another work-out with a second opportunity to make an impression. In talking with the QB evaluator, Coach Darragh from South Oldham, he certainly did make an impression and it was very favorable. According to Coach Darragh, Agee looked as good or better than he did in Louisville throwing the ball and showcased his mobility and ability to throw accurately while rolling out to either side.

Will Darragh, 8th grade LB/RB from Crestwood just keeps getting faster…

Will Darragh who, as a 6-0, 185 pound linebacker/running back combo, reminds many of former Junior All-American Austin Gough from Owensboro. Though only 14 years old, Darragh ran a 4.84 second forty at the Louisville Future Stars’ combine and shuttled in 4.63 seconds. That is incredible speed and agility for someone the size and age of Darragh. Well, the night after the Louisville combine, Darragh ran two more forties, this time indoors on turf at Corey Taylor. His times…4.77 on the first 40 and, on the second 40…4.72. Darragh who has only begun lifting to prepare for varsity football is already benching 185 pounds, squatting 275, and deadlifting 315. Oh yeah, almost forgot, he is also power cleaning 185. Just like last year in stud LB/RB combo Austin Gough, this kid come Future Stars Classic may be the horse we can ride all the way to three victories in a row.

Visits and Offers…

Class of 2020 offensive center and AFI-KPG Sophomore All-Stater, Ethan Wolford from Belfry High School, got the opportunity to visit Marshall University and The Thundering Herd football program. From all indications the two parties formed quite the mutual admiration society which I have feature in an article linked here. In the picture to the left you will see Ethan with Offensive Line Coach Greg Adkins. Adkins, a veteran college coach at the highest levels of football, is a Marshall alumnae himself. The coaches at Marshall told Wolford that they just love Kentucky linemen. The 2018 signing class would indicate the truth in that as The Thundering Herd signed 5 Kentuckians in this most recent class, all of whom played with their hands in the dirt. The following Bluegrassers signed with Marshall this year alone…Aarak McDuffie from Louisville, Ethan Bingham from Prestonburg, Trey Livingood from Berea, Zack Ferris from Somerset, Dalton Tucker from Carlisle.

There were other AFI-KPG All-staters on visits this weekend. Devin Johnson, Johnson Central High School was at Marshall with Wolford. Grayson Cook visited EKU. Also worth mentioning is the fact Jaylyn Allen from Paintsville picked up an offer from TSU. Congratulations Jaylyn and all the folks supporting him around Paintsville.

Blue-Grey All-American Combine…

The Blue-Grey All-American Combine is hitting middle Tennessee, for its Tennessee Regional, May 5. There will be several AFI-KPG All-Staters in attendance. This combine is very prestigious and requires an invitation to get to attend. Four of our very own are expected to compete and have been invited. AFI-KPG All-State Football players, Jay Bland (QB, 2020), William Long (Center, 2021), Ethan Wolford (Center, 2020), and Austin Gough (LB/RB, 2021) were all invited. This combine series has traveled the nation and was in Reno, Nevada this past weekend. It is part of the college all-star/All-American game of the same name which has been around for years. We are very proud of our Kentucky boys for scoring invitations to this prestigious event. Athletes will check-in for the event beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST with the combine immediately following. The Tennessee Regional is being held at Pope John Paul II High School on turf. PJP2 is located on 117 Caldwell Drive in Hendersonville, Tennessee, 37075.