We are expecting an Owensboro Catholic/Beehwood battle at the top
There are some legendary coaches who have retired or moved along, however it is to be characterized, like Joe Morris at Mayfield and Noah Rash at Beehwood (who left before last season) and there are some big-time performers who have also moved along to the “next stop.” So who do we like in 2A entering the season? This article should clear that up a little and why we feel the way we do.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
The season is upon us. This is the time of year we like to take stock of where we think some programs are, personnel-wise, and which of these programs appear headed to the top of the list.
This article will attempt to set forth for the reader the “lay of the land” in the 2A classification in Kentucky. Here is who we favor, and more importantly, why.
Our Favorite: Owensboro Catholic
’23 Record: 14-1, State Runners-Up to Mayfield
Still here:
Brady Atwell: ’25, QB, 301/434 (nearly a 70% completion rate) for 4,743-yards and 68-TDs against only six (6) picks; 69-rushes, 695-yards and 17-TDs; 10-tackles, 1-TFL
Vince Carrico: 197-tackles, 13.5 TFLs, four (4)-sacks, two (2)-FFs, a FR, and an INT
PK, Andrew Garvin, 68-made PATs and a FG
Gone:
William Carrico, 95-receptions, 1,922-yards receiving, 30-TDs; team’s top scorer; 107-tackles, 12-TFLs, half a sack, five (5)-FFs, two (2)-FRs, six (6)-picks
Top Newcomer:
Dereon Crowe is a 6’2,” 200-pound specimen of a linebacker Catholic is not accustomed to aligning in its defensive 2nd level every day. Crowe, who has D-1 offers already, is a transfer from Owensboro (Senior) High. Crowe runs a 4.65-second, 40-yard dash, and carries a 3.7 GPA.
Beechwood’s Clay Hayden completed 73% of his passing attempts and threw 48-TDs
KHSAA statistical website
Also in the Hunt: Beechwood
’23 record, 12-2, lost in the semis, by three points, to champion, Mayfield
Still here:
Clay Hayden, ’25, QB; 210 completions over 288-attempts for a completion percentage approaching 73%, threw for 3,910-yards passing and 48-TDs against only seven (7)-picks
Chase Flaherty, ’25 RB, 676-yards rushing and 16-TDs, 2nd leading scorer,
Luke Erdman, ’25 WR, 50-receptions, 1,133-yards receiving, 16-TDs; leading scorer
Tyler Freeman, Among the top ’27 WRs in KY, 47-receptions, 1,052-yards receiving, 10-TDs, 3rd leading scorer
Colson Lair, ’26 PK, 81 of 82-PATs, 3-5 on FGs, 4th leading scorer
Gone:
Xavier Campbell, Talon Linder (5-picks), legendary coach Noah Rash
Lexington Christian Academy
Lost plenty but usually a re-load and not a re-tool
Still here (Perhaps the best OL in the KHSAA at any level):
Hayes Preston, C, OT, ’25, headed to Air Force
Jake Darby, OL, ’25, headed to West Point
Trefor Thomas, OL, ’25, headed to Navy
Brooks Kerwin, OL, ’25, offered by EKU, UT Martin
Hunter Adams, DB, 76-tackles, 13-TFLs, 2.5 sacks in ’23
Doug Charles, Oakley Watkins: These two coaches are among the best at what they do in the coaching ranks. Charles is among the hottest head coaches in the high school industry and deserves tremendous credit for what he has done at LCA. Watkins is the associate head coach and does a really fine job. The pair will have their work cut out for them this coming season.
Gone:
Cutter Boley, QB; Brady Hensley, RB; Parker Chaney, WR; Will Howell, PK; Major Brown, LB; Kenyatta Hardge, DL
LCA has the most decorated and recruited offensive front in Kentucky at any level of play
Friday Night Fletch
Somerset High Briar Jumpers
’23 record 10-4, Semis
All indications point to the Jumpers returning to prominence
Still here:
Josh Bruner, ’25 QB, returns. Bruner completed 116 of 198-passing attempts (58.5% completion rate) for 1,558-yards and 17-TDs against only six (6)-picks; Bruner ran for 346-yards, in 61-carries, with a score
Kris Hughes, ’26, gained 732-yards in 98-carries with 13-TDs. Hughes led the team with 34-receptions for 515-yards and six (6) scores. Hughes is the leading returning scorer and registered 85-tackles with four (4)-TFLs, two (2)-sacks, two (2)-FFs, and a FR, with a pair of picks.
Austyn Lawless, ’27, may have been the top freshman in all of football (outside Trinity High) in ’23. Lawless registered 111-tackles, 12-TFLs, and six (6)-sacks from his LB post. Lawless also forced a pair of fumbles, recovering one.
Anderson Ruble, ’25, PK, returns. Ruble converted 61-PATs, a pair of FGs, and had a 95.3 conversion rate on extra-points. Very solid!
Gone:
Kam Huges was one of the better RBs in Kentucky a year ago. His over 2,000-yards rushing and 35-rushing TDs will be missed as will his 226 scored points.
Mighty Mayfield
’23 record, 13-1; 2A Champions
Still here:
Well, they’re still Mayfield. They still expect to beat the Dallas Cowboys…
Ian Williams, ’25 LB, 112-tackles, 3.5-sacks
Diego Torres, ’26, WR/DB, 15.7-yards per reception in ’23, and a TD receiving every 7-catches; 49-tackles, 4-picks, 145-IRNYs, and a pick six
Mak Hoover, ’26, WR/DB; 3-picks, 1-pick six; 25-receptions, 421-yards receiving, 7-TDs
Gone:
Joe Morris, HFC, legend and HOF, hard to put a number on this loss; Zane Cartwright, QB; Xavier Biggers, WR, DB; JuJu Starks, RB; Mehki Dumas, RB; Braden Morris, WR; Lincoln Suiter, PK
Two more to watch
Look out for Breathitt High as we hear Hall of Fame football coach, Mike Holcomb, is back helping on Kyle Moore’s staff. New comers, Eli Thomas, ’28, and QB, Miles Hollon, ’28, could make a huge difference for a team with plenty of returning playmakers, like Austin Sperry, and a huge, hulking OL. Look for the return of Kory Combs from off the IR. Kory Combs is among the best LBers in the ’25 class at any level of play.
Murray High: Melvin Cunningham is in his second year and has Jeremiah Jones, ’25, back and committed to Nebraska. Murray looks like a top-flight bunch exiting the bus, if you know what I mean!
Well, there it is…these are the teams we expect to challenge for 2A supremacy before everything is “said and done” around the commonwealth. See you under the Friday Night Lights!
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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