The Riverbank

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.

Ethan Bowling from Breathitt High is the picture of versatility…and promise! @BreathittFb @BreathittCoach @miguabeefjerky @840WHAS @1776Bank @KyHighFootball @YaBoyHolcomb @CaseyAl62171239

May 11, 2024 Fletcher Long 0

Ethan Bowling has been a “high energy guy” since coming out of the middle school ranks one of the better thought of prospects in the region at that level of play. He hasn’t disappointed in high school. Bowling is a two-way star along the Breathitt fronts and plays with the zeal which has transformed him into a fan favorite. Enjoy this feature. Friday Night Fletch.

Anyone hoping to get past Bracken County and the Polar Bears would do well to avoid the Tarter Sauce- @TarterDaulton @brackencounty @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @kyhighs @HLpreps @MaxPreps @evans02_Mike @840WHAS @sfitz_840whas

October 31, 2023 Fletcher Long 0

We love to come up with something clever in the title. Daulton Tarter’s name lends itself to “Tartar Sauce” references easily and we decided to go with that. I wanted to make a “Steak Tartare” reference but Coach Lyon pointed out the spellings were significantly different. Coach Lyon really enrages me some days. Enjoy this feature. Friday Night Fletch

The Brothers Hughes hope to be The Brothers Grimm to 2A, District 6- @KammHughess_ @krishughes2026 @1776Bank @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball @MaxPreps @minguabeefjerky @HopkinsCentral @evans02_mike @840WHAS @sfitz_840whas

September 25, 2023 Fletcher Long 0

They were called The Brothers Grimm (die Brüder Grimm or die Gebrüder Grimm) and they were German academics and cultural researchers of whom you have undoubtedly heard. Well, Somerset has The Brothers Hughes and they will be heard from before the title to District 6 in 2A gets ultimately decided. Enjoy the feature. FL.

Kory Combs, ’25, is a no-doubter. @minguabeefjerky @1776Bank @PrepSpin @KyHighFootball

February 15, 2021 Henry Lyon 0

As we say farewell to another group of ballers we have covered since they played in middle school, we get to meet and update our database with an entire new class of up-and-coming stars who will play their freshman seasons this coming Fall. Many of these guys will start on Friday Night sometime during their initial campaigns. Some of these guys will start night one, snap one and we aren’t talking about on specials either. Today, we are highlighting a kid we call around the magazine a “No-doubter.” Why? Well, you may have to just read this article and find out. HB.

Knott County’s Blake Whitaker proving a reliable target down the field…

October 10, 2019 Henry Lyon 0

When writing features and covering Kentucky high school football, many publications exclusively cover players on the really good teams. Well, there are players on rosters for teams who struggle. The difference between the rosters of teams doing well versus those who aren’t is often the number of good players the roster contains. Blake Whitaker for Knott County Central is a very good football player. Enjoy this feature about a player who (without us) may get both overlooked and underexposed.

Team Preview South Laurel Cardinals (Featured Photo: Jay Sams (No. 2) and Ace Allen (No. 34) with the picture taken by Les Nicholson)

July 23, 2019 Henry Lyon 0

Clay County has backed out of playing Breathitt County in the Honey Bowl this year. Don’t blame them, the Breathitt Bobcats are loaded and will have its strongest team in a number of years (we believe). South Laurel is close to finalizing the paperwork to come to “The Riverbank” and take on the Bobcats. The Cardinals, from Class 5A, District 8, would be a stern test for the Class 2A, District 7 home team. Here is a look at Coach Donnie Burdine’s Cardinals and how they project in 2019 and particularly as a Breathitt Honey Bowl opponent.