Cleats 2 Whistle

James “LJ” Smith, 3030 OL/DL, is our @bigassfans Kentucky Comfort Creator Feature of the Week @LJ_94_Smith, @OfficialKYMSFA, @PrepRedzoneNext, @drew_toennies, @JCTMSFootball, @JMLampley75, @eCampusdotcom, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

March 6, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

The ’30s are coming on the roster for the Fall 2026 season. They will be freshmen and some of them will start, many of them will playing meaningful, varsity snaps, many of them will contribute in tangible ways, and a few of them will round into immediate, HS stars. Bigs are hard to figure as some of these guys outgrow their athleticism and need a few years to recover. One guy who figures to be an immediate contributor, if not a starter is James “LJ” Smith, IV. He is 6’4,” 292-pounds, appears headed to Male High where he will play both basketball and football, and already has D-1s checking in on him. Enjoy this look at a young, KY phenom and let’s keep it comfortable out there Kentucky, brought to you by our friends at Big Ass Fans!

Friday Night Fletch

The Lasaters Coffee & Tea, Preseason, ‘Nifty double-Nichols!’ @7eleven, @LasatersCoffee, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @eCampusdotcom, @bigassfans

March 4, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

We call these the Seven-Eleven. We have identified seven small school players and 11-large school studs all of whom will move the needle considerably this coming Fall. These are the guys who, if they are ’27s, will be in the “Mr. Football” race, and if they are younger will be serious threats for post season accolades. These teams are the teams who will make deep playoff runs, if not win championships, next season too. Enjoy this look at the stars and players who will be drawing much of the ink as in-season coverage commences. Remember from where you first hear this.

Friday Night Fletch

Is Jalen Dantzler the best safety in @khsaafootball? Yep. @JalenDantzler_9, @CoachDantzler, @CHSJacketFB, @KyHighFootball, @Doug_Preston1, @bigassfans, @eCampusdotcom

February 12, 2026 Fletcher Long 0

Jalen Dantzler is either the best athlete in the high school game in Kentucky or certainly among them. This kid, frankly, has shown this offseason a penchant for doing physical things other kids just can’t. This kid is running the 40 in under 4.4-seconds, shuttling in the low 4.2’s, broad jumping close to 11-feet, all while standing a minimus of 6’2,” with a long reach and lengthy frame which may even add an inch or two before it is all said and done. This kid had a dynamite junior season for the Yellow Jackets and figures to add a senior year for the story books. At the end of the day, Jalen Dantzler is a high end, Division I backend guy with all the physical attributes and characteristics coveted by the “Big Boys.” Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Blast from the Past (Originally published in June of 2023); Storm Warning: Even an airplane has wheels…Calil McNary keeps Air Raid Offense grounded- @CalilMcNary @HopkinsCentral @evans02_mike @_CoachManning @1776Bank @minguabeefjerky @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @CoachDeanHood @CoachjjClark

December 4, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

McNary is Kentucky’s consummate FB. He is the best player, Kentucky-wide, at a position under utilized in the modern game. He is a throw-back to a simpler, tougher time and he keeps the “Air Raid” attack grounded. Enjoy the feature. FL.

Junior, Sam Pearson, from Lexington Christian Academy is our Big Man on the eCampus this Week @eCampusdotcom, @HokiesBaseball, @SamPearson1303, @Oakley_Watkins, @CoachDCharles, @jhyde61, @MattieLebryk, @LCAEAGLESFB, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @CoachDCharles, @matthewmont57, @Dfarmer2028

November 12, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

We are proud to add eCampus.com to our list of sponsors. These guys have set the industry standard for savings, selection, convenience, and customer service and have committed themselves to helping college students more easily afford to better themselves and develop. Now, eCampus.com is helping high school football players gain notice, attention, and opportunities to play at the next level when their KHSAA playing days are through. Join us each week as we inform you about a KHSAA, high school football player who is a “Big Man on (our) Campus” and should be a Big Man around your Campus too. Thank you, eCampus.com for taking this step to provide worthy high school kids this type opportunity.

Friday Night Fletch

Catching up with where some of the best talent in the commonwealth stand through games six though eight of the regular season @KatherineL58069, @Ale8One @LasatersCoffee, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @davaree_gude6, @TriggFootball, @CountyColonels, @HopHighTigers, @murrayFB

October 18, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

We have identified in the offseason and leading up to the season’s commencement some star guys we foretold would “break out” this year. We are over half way through (6-8 games in) and bracing for the stretch run before the playoffs and many of these guys are doing exactly what we forecast they would be doing. We are going around the horn and checking in on some of these former predictions just to see how we did and where we are. Join us, won’t you?

Friday Night Fletch

Tanner Walters ’28 QB from Fort Campbell High is the Lasaters Coffee & Tea Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Player of the Week @CoachAtchley @AlPopsFootball @ColonelFootball @ReallyTristin @bigassfans, @HenryMi74881410, @HopHighTigers, @ColonelFootball, @FC_FALCONS_FB

September 9, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

We are very pleased to welcome Lasaters Coffee & Tea to our growing family of advertisers. The Kelley family has a very long history in the local football industry and several of the Kelleys have had their numbers retired owing to their familial history of playing excellence. Football has been very good to their family and they look for ways to give back to this very special community. Lasaters is a place one goes to get caffeinated and motivated and couldn’t we all use a bit more of that invigoration in our daily routines. Get by one (1) of our four (4) Christian County, Kentucky locations and enjoy the roasted flavor of a hot cup of warmth and love.

Friday Night Fletch.

Pick Six, Week of September 5, 2025…Raceland vs. Pikeville @hagermikey0, @PikevilleHSFB, @Kadeqb9, @cleats2whistle, @CoachPDeCapito, @bbubna, @MITFootball @markezz_25, @BlueGreyFB, @All_American_Me, @Maroon_FB_MNHHS

September 2, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Every week, in addition to our own show (Friday Night, Kentucky) we guest appear on the popular, YouTube podcast, Cleats 2 Whistle. These guys have a segment called “Pick Six” where they set out six big games and invite comment from the dais. We are on the dais. We have picked Raceland at Pikeville. After putting the matter to our editorial board, this is what we have to say on the matter. Enjoy this analysis.

Friday Night Fletch

Friday Night Fletch’s Week Zero Picks @KatherineL58069, @cleats2whistle, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

August 17, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Well guys, we will be regularly appearing on two different podcasts this coming season. We will be on Cleats 2 Whistle and (of course) our own Friday Night Kentucky which will air for the third season with Scott Fitzgerald. This is just an example of the work required to be “Friday Night Fletch.” Welcome to my life, folks. I absolutely love it!

Friday Night Fletch

The Dog Pound: Could Hazard be even better than we forecasted a couple months ago? @minguabeefjerky, @coach_chandler, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @Gjohnson1418,

August 13, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

We almost never know what to make of transfers. It seems, more and more, teams are picking up transfers and it becomes difficult to track. Our policy has always been not to comment on transfers until the young men have been cleared to play. Well, the Hazard Bulldogs picked up three huge transfers and all three have been cleared for play. What does it all mean. Hazard already boasts one of the finest and more talented rosters in the KHSAA 1A classification. Well, we think it means Hazard may be even better than we predicted in June. Enjoy the article.

Friday Night Fletch