Fletcher Long

Slow Motion Replay: Crittenden County and its ‘Rocket Man,’ Coach Al Starnes @CrittendenCoHS, @tanner_tabor, @KyHighFootball, @khsaafootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @coachthomp9, @pths_football

May 15, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Those of you who have been featured in our “Slow Motion Series” may not realize this, but you owe your inclusion to one of our intrepid staff members or agents at Kentucky Prep Gridiron. Many articles begin with “Hey Fletch, you need to feature this guy or that guy” together with a small explanation why the coverage is warranted. This article began that very way. We were contacted, last night, by our central Kentucky agent, who formerly coached on this end of Kentucky, and he told us we needed to feature Al Starnes. His reasoning was Starnes is the Hoover Niece of the western end of the commonwealth. Well, that was good enough for us…Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: Justin Haddix, whether playing or coaching, is just a freaking winner! @CoachHaddix11, @BCRebelFootball, @BreathittFb, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @CountyMustangs, @KyHighFootball, @kyhighs, @khsaafootball

May 13, 2025 Fletcher Long 2

Justin Haddix is a mountain legend. Much like Jay Cobb at Trinity, people from outside the mountains tend to forget from where Justin Haddix comes. The important thing is the former WKU QB-ing great hasn’t forgotten. As the Appalachians would be proud to claim, “Justin is one of ours.” Haddix has had a Hall of Fame run both as a player and coach. He still talks with the great Mike Holcomb regularly and the two of them run a QB camp together which convened on Joe MacDaniel field at Andy Frye stadium a year ago. Enjoy this look at a guy who, like Mark Spader, is a future Hall of Famer.

Friday Night Fletch.

Slow Motion Replay: Dan Haley had the Midas Touch! @pths_football, @bryanstationfb, @PurplesFootball, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans

May 12, 2025 Fletcher Long 1

Dan Haley finished his career with an overall record of 253-79-3 with stints as the head football coach at Bryan Station in Lexington, Paducah Tilghman, and Bowling Green Senior High. Haley did something else rather singular, he took every program he ever coached to the title game, winning titles in ’73 at Tilghman and ’95 at Bowling Green. His ’95 title likely stands alone as he won that title over Fort Thomas Highlands, and its enigmatic and brilliant head coaching legend, Dale Mueller (28-12). Haley won four COY’s in four (4) different decades and was enshrined in the Dawahares, KHSAA Hall of Fame in 2007. Enjoy this look at one of the finest coaches the sport has known, a guy with a real “Midas Touch.”

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: Tom Becherer, from the ‘thin thirty’ to the Rockets’ ’87 launch @SCHSRockets, @RocketPrincipal, @SCPS_Activities, @centurions_fb, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans

May 11, 2025 Fletcher Long 2

We were praising the 1971 season at Shelbyville High, the one where Dan Goble led the “Rockets” to an all-time season, when a reader reminded us Shelby County had other “all-time” seasons under coach Tom Becherer. Becherer won over 225-games, led the “Rockets” to a “Big-Boy” title (4A), and led them to the finals on three other occasions. Becherer helped get the Christian Academy-Louisville started on its path to Kentucky HS powerhouse status; but, what he did in Shelbyville, Kentucky is singular, remarkable, and why he is considered among the very best and more elite coaches at the HS level in commonwealth history. Enjoy this look at the former UK football great.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: Jim McKee knows two things, farming and football @cards_football, @HLpreps, @ScottCoSports, @_claymckee7, @KyHighFootball, @khsaafootball, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans

May 7, 2025 Fletcher Long 1

Jim McKee is a farmer. He is he son of a farmer. His kids like farming. Now, I don’t know much about farming, but my dad was one generation off a working farm. My granddad farmed and for a living. There are similarities between the practices which successfully harvest a bountiful yield and the practices which harvest a well trained and effective football team. McKee would know all about it, that it why he is approaching 300-wins and winning at a rate close to 80%. Enjoy this look at another of Kentucky’s greatest all-timers in the football (KHSAA) industry.

Friday Night Fletch

Slow Motion Replay: A salute to ‘yesteryear’ and the great coaches from ‘way back,’ stand and cheer for Ralph Mills and Preston Ty Holland @murrayhighFB, @MurrayTigers, @MurrayQBClub, @HopHighTigers, @HopkAthletics, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball

May 6, 2025 Fletcher Long 3

I remember when I was a lawyer every town, no matter how small, had a big-timer amongst its people “before the bar.” There are hometown heroes in every small high school and there are former “greats” tied to every football program across the commonwealth. Today, we salute two coaches of whom you possibly have never heard but two guys (nevertheless) who had a ton to do with the programs which still exist and compete today. Ralph Mills was a guy for Hoptown in the 40s on an incredible “heater” and Preston “Ty” Holland won Murray its first title and the stadium is named for him. Enjoy this feature about two men who deserve being remembered and honored.

Friday Night Fletch

Kam Wells has gotten himself ‘game ready,’ already @CoachAtchley, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @ColonelFootball

May 3, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Kam Wells is a beast whose frame can virtually finish anywhere. He is strong as a bull, wins the leverage game against about anyone, has tremendous leg kick and explosion, and elite strength and power. Wells will likely have to be deployed “both ways” this coming Fall even though he will be a freshman. We have seen freshmen start at really good programs and acquit themselves very, very well. What will Wells do? We would be surprised if he did anything less than dominate many of his mirrors over the course of his initial campaign. Enjoy the feature.

Friday Night Fletch

Bryson Ford would rather give you a song than diamonds or gold @CoachAtchley, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @ColonelFootball

May 2, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Bryson Ford is one of ’29s finest at either MLB or TE. It isn’t likely he plays both ways at 6A Christian County, at least not as a freshman. It is highly likely he gets varsity early run on defense. They call him “Cowboy” and the nickname just fits. Unlike the song written by Ed and Patsy Bruce, letting your son grow up to be this particular “Cowboy” isn’t nearly as bad a prospect as the other type of cowboy. This kid has enviable length, a solid frame, and has his strength and power numbers close to where you would like to see them. If we can get a little height and more density we will be cooking with grease. Enjoy this feature about one of our favorite players.

Friday Night Fletch

Donavan Smith, ’27 LB, from Knox County Central High is the Kentucky Comfort Creator of the Week @bigassfans, @minguabeefjerky, @KyHighFootball, @khsaafootball, @donavon_smith42, @KnoxCentralFB, @CoachMillsKCHS

May 2, 2025 Fletcher Long 0

Donavon Smith from Barbourville, Kentucky is among the very best the ’27 graduating class has at the LB position anywhere on the eastern end of the commonwealth of Kentucky. Smith is a 6’0,” 210-pounder who hits like a ton of bricks. Smith registered 116-tackles, over his sophomore season, and contributed seven (7) QB-sacks, four (4)-TFLs, 2-FFs, and 2-FRs, one of which he scooped and scored. Knox Central is pleased to have this type talent returning in its defensive second level and we are glad we get to enjoy this cat another two seasons. Enjoy this feature about a kid whose performance made the unbearable heat a tad more bearable and who hopes his performance brings comfort to the home fans around Knox County, KY this upcoming Fall. Let’s keep it comfortable out there, Kentucky, and allow us to help you out in that regard.

Friday Night Fletch