As we end 2025, KPGFootball hopes this serial article will continue into ’26
Today is January 1, 2026 and our coverage of the Storm football program expired last night at midnight. We cannot tell you what a privilege it has been to cover this program, its players, its achievements, its staff, and its now former head football coach, Chris Manning. Manning is among the elite gentlemen coaching KHSAA football and we mean that in every possible way. We don’t know what the future holds for this article. A new coach, once hired at Central, may decide to continue this relationship or he may not. Either way, on behalf of our magazine we would like all the Storm fans to know that getting to be part of your family these many years has been an inestimable privilege and honor. Our love for Morton’s Gap and the Central program will continue on for so long as we remain in business and we aren’t planning on going anywhere.
HB Lyon, Senior Scout, “KPGFootball”
Morton’s Gap, KY: Isaac Earl and Sylas Gunn will walk the graduation stage this coming Spring along with several seniors on whom the program has grown to rely. The graduation of these two skill guys, together with linemen like Khristian Scott, defensive players like Kamron Harrison, and versatile skill sets the likes of Gage Brasher will be difficult to replace, to replicate.
There will be talent around whom to build. The program has excellently coached “feeder programs” in the middle school ranks to restock the cupboards and there are young guys who showed this year they are ready.
We would like to review a few of the “young guys.” Hey, it may be our last article so a bit of indulgence would be appreciated.
Kaijain Hayes (’28) is a versatile guy with lots of skills. In ’25, Hayes was second (behind Earl) in receiving, was 3rd in scoring (behind Gunn and Earl), and was among the top defenders. With his work on special teams, this guy was a three-phase guy much like Sylas Gunn and looks poised to step into those rather large shoes.
Neilan Bruce (’29) had quite the freshman year. Bruce completed every pass he attempted (six for six), caught five passes in six games of run on the varsity, recovered a fumble, and picked a pass. That is a ton of production over six games for a freshman.
Glennis McKnight will be a senior in ’26. McKnight was a top defender with around 40-tackles, a FR, and an INT.
Sawyer Allen (’29) was also a freshman. Allen was productive in the backfield over his 25-carries, caught a pass, and logged 25-tackles over his 10-games of run.
Mattox Allen (’27) was a leader on defense (40-stops and three TFLs). Having both Allen boys back for the Fall of ’26 will be helpful to say the least.
The program has a solid foundation. The team has been knocking on the door of a break out season and we owe Coach Manning and his staff for the fine work they did in constructing a foundation on which a tradition may be built.
Over his tenure, Manning restocked the cupboard with plain talent, fostered open lines of communication with the area middle schools and their coaches, and put Central on the map as a good place to play prep football and showcase one’s skills for next level deployment. Along the way, he became one of my most trusted and treasured contacts and friends.
If this is the end, like Coach Lyon above said, know it has been my privilege, my honor. Happy New Year!
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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