’29 DB/WR is a star in wrestling too
Johnson Central is among the very best 4A programs in KHSAA football. They are a power run scheme who gives you exactly what you expect and dares you to stop it. Few are the teams which find themselves able. The Eagles were 11-1 in 2025 and looked, for much of the year, like a contender for the crown. The Eagles narrowly bowed out in the second round to Covington Catholic. However, the boys from Paintsville always boast some fine football talent and many of those stars are star grapplers in addition. Enjoy this look at one of ’29s brightest stars Kentucky-wide.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Paintsville, KY: Johnson Central, year in and year out, are threats to win a 4A title. The Eagles looked like the team to beat, in 4A, in 2025 for much of the season.
Johnson Central has a storied career as both a wrestling and football program. This dates back to the late Jim Matney, who was a Hall of Fame coach in both disciplines.
We featured Coach Matney in our Slow Motion series last summer. Here is that article.
That aside, Johnson Central is a team which is going to get downhill on opponents in the power run game and dare you to stop it. Last season, with every opponent knowing exactly what was coming, the Eagles gained 4,579-yards rushing, in 523-carries, with 58-rushing TDs over their 12-games. That is averaging 8.76-yards a carry and a TD every ninth (9th) carry.
In the game which eliminated the Eagles, against Covington Catholic, Johnson Central ran for 491-yards in 73-carries and scored four (4) rushing TDs. This was the game which put them out (36-29). Who has ever heard of a team rushing for close to 500-yards from scrimmage and losing.
Johnson Central rushed for nearly 500-yards in the game it lost in 2025
Friday Night Fletch, KHSAA Statistical Website
I must confess, I don’t know how Covington Catholic did it, how they won. It might have been a miracle.
The Eagles ran for close to 500-yards, averaged 6.73-or so yards a carry, and scored four (4) rushing TDs and lost. That is so astounding it bears repeating.
That aside, the Eagles boasted (like every year) a fine collection of rostered playing talent. Dylan Peck, a guy we should have had on our Large School All-State team and just missed (Oops) was among the more feared and accomplished linemen in the commonwealth. Running behind guys like Peck, that is how you thrive.
The Eagles also had a stud, third level, freshman defender who will be a star for the near foreseeable future. His name is Rylan Kelsey.
Kelsey had a tremendous year, especially for a freshman. Kelsey registered 57-tackles, forced a fumble, and led the team with a pair of INTs and several more passes broken up. Rylan also played offense where he had a handful of carries, averaged four (4) yards a carry, caught three (3) passes, one of which he housed for a touchdown.
It is the offseason now and most of Kelsey’s teammates are throwing plates around the weight room. Kelsey is doing that, but that isn’t all. Kelsey is an accomplished wrestler on the varsity team and had a fine career coming up from the middle school ranks.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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