William Long Weighs in on Top-30 List…

William Long judged 10th-best offensive lineman in Kentucky (all-classes, preseason) gives his opinion of the omission of teammates, Smith and Deaton

William L. Long, II

In a list which annually gets published first on Bluegrass Rivals, the top-30 offensive linemen in Kentucky were released weeks ago. One kid from Breathitt County High School is on it and one kid with considerable ties to Breathitt County tops the list. 

Jager Burton, who plays for Frederick-Douglass High School (5A), but who has extensive ties to Breathitt County, is the top-rated offensive lineman in Kentucky entering the upcoming 2020-season. The list, dominated by linemen playing at the Class 4A or higher levels (24 of the 30), also had more local flavor for both Appalachia mountain kids and particularly those from Breathitt.

William L. Long, II, from Breathitt County High School was listed as the top-rated offensive lineman in the 2A-classification, the 10th-rated offensive lineman (all-classes), and Kentucky’s top-rated offensive center. KPGFootball talked with William Long and he had some interesting things to say.

“First-off, I thought kids from the 1, 2, and 3A-classifications were under-represented. I also thought the omission of Breathitt’s two KPGFootball, Sophomore All-Staters, Teegan Smith and Connor Deaton, was in error. I am pleased and honored to have been selected for the third straight year; but I believe there to be top-30 caliber players this list missed.

“No list is ever perfect and this guy does a solid job. He obviously spends countless hours compiling the list each preseason.”

Long continued by saying, “I am thankful for the recognition and grateful for the author’s effort in compiling and publishing the list. This guy (Bluegrass Rivals‘ handle, BoyleCo.) does this every preseason. His lists generate both interest and discussion about a topic we all love, high school football. High-school football across Kentucky owes this guy a lot for what he does for the game.”

Long finished by telling KPGFootball, “compiling and publishing any list of that type, or any other pre or post-season team or list, is a thankless job. It usually draws nothing but criticism from those who never seem to have their own list but rather reside safely on the sideline.”

The watchers are always willing to take shots at the doers. I hope this guy doesn’t interpret my giving this opinion as doing that. I just wanted to weigh-in on the discussion from the mid-field, vantage-point.”

“I have played a lot of football in Kentucky these last three-years, as have many on that list. Believe me, if you want a true top-30, poll the top-30. We know who the players are around Kentucky.”

William, we believe those to be among the truest and wisest words we have ever before published.

This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!

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About Henry Lyon 1210 Articles
Have coached at the high school and middle school level. Have worked in athletic administration. Conceal my identity to enable my candor on articles published by this magazine. Only members of the editorial board are aware of my true identity.

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