Chris Manning

Storm Warning: Sylas Gunn was a man, take him for all in all, [we] shall not look upon his like again… @LasatersCoffee, @Ale8One, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning

November 13, 2025 Fletcher Long 1

We have covered this game, daily, 24/7, 365, since April of 2015. In all that time, there have been players who have hit us dead in the heart strings. When these guys have moved on to college football or out into the “real world,” it was as if a cherished member of the family had passed along to receive his ultimate reward. Sylas Gunn will be one of those for us. We started covering him in middle school at Webster County. We count ourselves fortunate to have been along for the ride through the transfer to Hopkins County Central, his rise to the varsity roster, and his ultimately becoming one of Central’s greatest, all-time, all-around football players. Along the way we have seen him become one of the KHSAA’s all-around, all-time football players. It has been a privilege, son.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: It is a ‘new season’ and the Storm will travel to Munfordville to face the Hart County Raiders… @LasatersCoffee, @Ale8One, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning

November 6, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

We get to travel to Munfordville and play the Hart County Raiders this coming weekend. That is a very hard place to have to play and the Raiders (8-2) are a very well coached (Chad Griffin), and red hot team. The Raiders opened the year with a 4-point loss to Logan County (4A, 8-2) in Russellville. That should tell you something about the talent we will be playing in round one. Still, we have some pieces which might well trouble the Raiders; and, where two teams enter a football field, either of them may emerge, on any give night, the victor. We need this game and are hoping our seniors can rise up and deliver it. Let’s get ready to car-pool to Murray, KY and cheer our boys onto victory. First read this…it will get you prepared for the road ahead.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Storm travels to Murray High coming off, maybe, its best performance of the season: @LasatersCoffee, @Ale8One, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning

October 23, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

The Storm will close with Murray High (7-0), and then Crittenden County (4-3). It would be nice to slip on Murray and catch them looking ahead to 6-2 Caldwell, but hard to count on that. Regardless, you have to take teams one at a time. Murray High team presents an opportunity to play an opponent who may out-talent us a bit but who can have a bad night as easily as the next guy. We need this game and are hoping our seniors can rise up and deliver it. Let’s get ready to car-pool to Murray, KY and cheer our boys onto victory. First read this…it will get you prepared for the road ahead.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Hopkins County Central lost a game to lightening, Mid-point Report Card, Russellville begins second half

September 25, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Like we have done in prior seasons, now the games are finally here, we will take the last week’s action and break it down and then look at the road ahead. We got an unexpected off week when lightening precluded our playing Kentucky Country Day in a game which will not be rescheduled. We have a winnable game on the road tomorrow night against a team with tradition, second to none on this end of the commonwealth. Russellville High School is struggling this year (0-5) but this program played for the 1A title just a few short years ago (2021) and has won three titles (1980, ’83, and ’90) while playing for four (4) more (1964, ’66, ’87, and 2021) Enjoy this feature and get out to the games this weekend. Remember, your hometown heroes need a little help from you! See you at the game!

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: The Storm needs a strong year out of Kamran Harrison @LasatersCoffee, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning

August 21, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Kamran Harrison is a “Harrison.” There are those of you who have followed this program for many years who will not need the first statement explained. Kamran is a kid who was expected to do big things last season, and was doing big things, until injury derailed his season. Having him return to the lineup fully healthy makes the Storm a better ball club. The Storm don’t get players as good as Kam Harrison everyday. When the program gets a Kam Harrison, it is important to make it count. Enjoy this edition of Storm Warning.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Jaiden Jones (’26 OL) is a man with many talents, many skills @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

July 24, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

The high school game is a game where the 5’8,” 240-pounder may flourish. It is his game. It is the game for the “Chapter 16” type kid, the Football Playing Jesse. If these referenced are unfamiliar to you, you need to read Sam Harp and my book, “Football 101: Boo-Boo’s a Quarterback.” There is a link at the bottom of this article, will take you right to where you can order. It is just $9.99 on “Kindle,” best ten bucks you will ever spend. Jaiden Jones will help anchor the Storm front this coming year. He appears well equipped to handle the assignment. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Khristian Scott is looking to meet opponents at the cross roads this season… @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

July 17, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Khristian Scott has “the look.” He is 6’3,” in the neighborhood of 265, and has a glare that would make a stranger want to cross the street just to get away from him. We need more tough guys like him manning the lines of scrimmage in Morton’s Gap. Enjoy this exclusive look at a player who will factor in heavily in the Storm’s seasonal prospects.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning, with nothing left but some Sevens throws, two scrimmages, and the opener what should we see from the Storm in ’25? @HopkinsCentral, @_CoachManning, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

July 10, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

It is that time of year. We are all coming out of the “Dead Period” and we want to know how our hometown, high school football team is likely to fare in the coming season? We have taken an in-depth look into one of our favorite teams, Hopkins County Central, and have attempted to forecast that very thing. Enjoy this breakdown of the Storm’s team and upcoming season. Let’s brace for the glorious season ahead enjoying this country’s greatest and most significant export.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Kaijain Hayes back for his sophomore season looking to fulfill his immense promise @CoachJRiley_, @hayes_kaijain, @_CoachManning, @SylasGunn, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

July 3, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

KJ Hayes came up from middle school with tremendous promise. We predicted he would start varsity as a freshman. We were right. Hayes was put into the starting lineup after the opener where he remained until being lost to injury the fifth game of the year. Hayes has rehabbed this injury, reports being back 100%, and is looking forward to getting back on the field and giving his all to the fans, his teammates, and brothers. We predict a break out year for Cajun Hayes in ’25 and believe as he goes, so goes the Storm to a large extent. Enjoy this feature about a kid who plays an important role on this team and a guy about whom you may have well forgotten.

Friday Night Fletch

Storm Warning: Look out for a pretty common name around Morton’s Gap, Collin Phaup @HopkinsCentral, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @CountyMustangs, @_CoachManning, @phaup40001

June 26, 2025 Fletcher Long 1

If you are a fan of the Storm, the surname “Phaup” isn’t an unfamiliar one. Collin is a ’29 guy and his varsity journey looks to get under way this coming Fall. Elizabeth Phaup is a known commodity who has just wound up her varsity tenure playing soccer for The Storm. From what we hear from our agents around Hopkins County, if you are excited about what Collin Phaup may bring to the playing field this Fall, you should be. Phaup is another of the 29’s we expect will see considerable playing time when the season opens in mid-August. If he does hit the stardom pay dirt, he will be following in his big sister’s footsteps. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch