Central gets an unexpected ‘off week’ and needs to take stock of where it is & plan its way forward
The game with Kentucky Country Day (KCD) was cancelled due to the electrical storms in the area of Morton’s Gap. There are two ways to look at that; perhaps, Central was denied a chance at a signature win against a top-flight, elite 1A program or “The Almighty” stepped in and kept the team from getting beat up badly before an important stretch run through a district which appears “wide open” and for the taking should we have the gumption to take it. As we were granted the unexpected “off week,” we decided to take stock of where we are as a team, look at the injury situation, and evaluate where we appear headed. Enjoy this look at what we have done, to date, and let’s brace for a trip to a hard place to win (Russellville) against a Russellville team which has certainly seen better days and not too long ago either.
HB Lyon, Senior Scout, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: We expected to be describing for you the Storm’s encounter with one of Kentucky’s heavyweight, 1A football dynasties (Kentucky Country Day from Louisville). Get this, the Storm’s game with KCD was cancelled for a lightening storm.
This stuff just writes itself. It really does.
So we thought we would take the opportunity to give the Storm a mid-year report card. Afterward, we will look ahead to the Russellville game.
Through the first half…
Sylas Gunn (’26) is one of the more recruitable and skilled players on our roster. He has been injured since the North-Hopkins game. We talked to h is father and requested an injury status.
Josh Gunn told us, “…barring a setback in practice [Sylas is] a go…I’d say Sylas will be at 85% or so.” Josh went on to prognosticate that “…Manning will probably sit Sylas as much as possible on defense and pull him completely ‘IF’ The Storm gets a sizable and safe lead.”
This following is why the injury status of Gunn is so critical. Gunn is the leading passer (304 yards and 3 TDs), leading rusher (361-yards and 4 TDs), and leading scorer with 8.5-points per game (4-rushing TDs, a punt return, and a pair of two-pointers).
Gunn on defense has 27-tackles, 2-TFLs. Gunn has housed a punt. Gunn is (when healthy) a three phase standout on our roster and in our lineup.
Kamran Harrison (’26), Jeremiah Groves (’26), and Isac McKnight (’27) each have a sack. Up and coming superstar, Neilan Bruce (’29), has a pick and a FR in addition to being our second leading passer on offense.
Khristian Scott (4, ’26), Isac McKnight (3, ’27), and Conner Miles (3, ’27) and Neilan Bruce (3, ’29) have 13 of the team’s 22-TFLs. Senior Isac Earl (’26) has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Jude Mitchell (’26) is 4 for 4 on PATs.
As for a report card, we have allowed mistakes and composure to deny us a couple games which could have gone our way otherwise (Caldwell/Fort Campbell). That aside, the Fort Campbell game is the only contest in which we were beaten by a team we probably should beat and the Falcons have been really hot of late. We caught them at a bad time, and with Gunn limited physically, they caught us at the perfect time.
A-plus grades, flat design
Vector illustration
We also need to find a way to better (and more often) utilize Isac Earl. We aren’t finding him enough (in my humble opinion) and we need to make getting the ball in his hands. in space, a priority.
I am giving us a mid-term report card grade of “C.” We have had moments we were a good football team and moments which make you think, “Huh?” The schemes and strategies have been solid. Getting Gunn back to 100% is critical owing to all the attributes of his we regularly utilize.
Now, let's turn our attention to the Panthers from Russellville High School
We need to get to 2-3 with a big win, on the road, against Russellville. We can beat this team.
Russellville is coming off a 48-6 thumping by Murray High. A win against this tradition-rich school (Russellville) could bump us up a letter grade.
Russellville was formerly coached by the late Ken Barrett. Coach Barrett had an incredible run with the Panthers and left coaching among the KHSAA’s all-time, winningest, high school head football coaches. The point being, Russellville’s tradition and history are second to none on the western end of Kentucky.
Jerius Coleman (No. 7, ’26) for the Panthers passed for 87-yards and a TD against Murray High while throwing a pick and contributing 5-tackles. Labryan Nourse (’26) gained a hundred yards on the Tigers and led the team with 6-tackles. JaCoveon Temple-Dickerson (’27) caught three balls for 69-yards and the lone TD.
Madden Bloodworth missed his only attempt against Murray but the ’26 PK is usually steady. Bloodworth is 3 for 5 on the year.
When the Panthers elect to attempt a FG, they usually bring on ’26, PK, Alex Arnold. He has only attempted one and missed it. This could well be an exploitable advantage for our Storm.
Our Guess:
Russellville is 0-5, a 1A football tea ranked 174th in the commonwealth of Kentucky among all classifications. The Panthers are the home team and hosting Hopkins County Central (3A). Central comes in 1-3 and ranked 161st in the commonwealth.
On paper this is a winnable game. These two teams are not far apart. Russellvile is just four years out from losing the 1A title game to Pikeville High (2021). That team and this team shouldn’t be confused, one for the other.
KPGFootball likes the Storm in Russellville. We believe the Storm will win by three (3) points, 35-32.
The Storm needs the fans to pick them up after the “Mother Nature” imposed off-week. We need to arrive in Russellville, Kentucky ready to cheer on our team.
The team has to show up. The players have to show up and so do the fans! See you at the game.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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