article BluegrassPreps 2017 Class 1A Preview

Return of the King

 

After losing several high quality D1 athletes from the 2015 state runner-up team plus other talent that went on to play college football, it looked like the 2016 Beechwood Tigers' prospects for finally getting that elusive twelfth title were not very promising. A new QB. A very young line. Not much size beyond the line of scrimmage. Inexperience everywhere. The young Tigers surprised everyone and made an impressive march to a 14-1 record and a state championship.

 

The Tigers' opponent in the title game was also a surprise to some, but not to your BGP rankings crew. In last year’s preview, this was the comment on Hazard:

In 2016, if you are looking for a dark horse pick, Hazard is your team. It seems like every 3 or 4 years Hazard puts together a championship game team. This could be their year. If they stay healthy this year, look out.

 

That was a prescient comment as the Bulldogs gained momentum as the year went on. They battled their way through the playoffs past an up and coming Williamsburg team; running over the pre-season favorite Pikeville Panthers; and upsetting the undefeated, virtually season long #1 Paintsville Tigers, charging into the title game with confidence. It was a battle to the end but the Bulldogs fell just short in the title game. Those two teams enter 2017 as the favorites to meet in a rematch for the title. Both teams were young in 2016 and both return a lot of talent.

 

Don’t expect it to be that clear cut though. Last year all signs pointed to a Pikeville repeat. The Panthers returned a lot of talent in 2016 including one of the top QB’s in 1A, Wyatt Battaile. The Panthers had a heck of a season. With a regular season win over Hazard, they looked to be on a collision course with rival Paintsville in the playoffs, until the Bulldogs sprung the upset on them in the regional final. This year Pikeville is facing some challenges, which we will get to shortly.

 

The biggest threat to a Beechwood vs. Hazard title game rematch looks to be the Paintsville Tigers. Paintsville beat Pikeville in game 3 in 2016 and steamrolled through the rest of their schedule. An excellent Raceland team took the Tigers to overtime before losing, and Paintsville entered the playoffs undefeated. In the semi-finals those Hazard Bulldogs had the Tigers’ number, hanging a 20-7 defeat on them and ending the dream of an undefeated state championship. Paintsville is back and once again led by a D1 committed player. They are a notch behind Beechwood and Hazard, but in position to challenge, as we look forward to 2017.

 

Last year’s dark horse pick was Hazard. This year we are hanging the dark horse banner on Kentucky Country Day. The Bearcats are another team returning a load of talent including their QB and a D1 committed TE. The Bearcats were 10-2 when they met up with eventual champion Beechwood in the regional finals and they hung right with the Tigers for a half before Beechwood gained momentum in the second half and things got out of hand for Kentucky Country Day. With all the talent they have returning, no doubt the Bearcats are pointing toward a rematch with Beechwood to see if they can get some revenge.

 

The other team to really keep an eye on is the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets. They have been rebuilding for a couple seasons from their back to back title game appearances in 2013 and 2014. This is the season they have been building toward. They started slow in 2016 but were on a six game winning streak when the Hazard Bulldogs ended their season in the playoffs. If we are allowed to say watch out for two dark horses, Williamsburg would be option two in 2017.

 

There are some familiar names a little lower than usual in the rest of our top ten. Raceland and Russellville had very high hopes and goals in 2016. Both put together great seasons but fell short in the playoffs. This year both look to be in a bit of a rebuild, although these two programs usually reload more than they rebuild.

 

Louisville Holy Cross, Pikeville and Bracken County round out the 2017 pre-season top 10. Those three all have different stories as they look at their 2017 prospects. We will fill in the rest of their stories below. Here are the details on our 1A pre-season top 10:

 

1. Beechwood Tigers (14-1; 1A State Champion) – Can Beechwood do it again? Last season was unexpected by the fans in Ft. Mitchell. After losing a very talented group of seniors from the 2015 state runner up, most of those who follow the Tigers were not expecting what the young 2016 players did. What they did was put together a string of strong performances defeating one top team after another and making the fans believers with each passing game. When Beechwood defeated an outstanding 2A Covington Holy Cross team that clearly outsized the young Tigers, everyone was on the Tiger train. That train rolled all the way to title number 12.

 

This year, the expectations are very different. Sr. QB Brayden Burch has established himself as one of the top QB’s in 1A. Sr. RB James Davis is getting D1 interest after flashing his talent in 2016 and working hard hitting camps this off season. The young, sophomore Tiger linemen have bulked up and enter their junior season ready to take on a schedule featuring Corbin, Covington Catholic and Simon Kenton. Jr. C Noah Fisher and Jr. Adam Derry anchor the lines. Sr. CB Elijah McKenney was one of the state leaders in interceptions in 2016. Sr. K/WR Daniel Mescher is a returning playmaker. Jr. WR/RB/DB Logan Castleman is Beechwood’s version of Chris MacCaffrey. He has started since his freshman season and he makes plays from wherever the Tiger coaches insert him on the field.

 

The schedule is tough. There will likely be a loss, or two. But at playoff time, everyone is expecting this Tiger team to be one of the favorites to take it all.

 

2. Hazard Bulldogs (12-3; State Runnerup) – The question Hazard fans had to be asking themselves heading into 2016 was, can we stay healthy? The Bulldogs had been through a couple of injury plagued seasons. In 2016, the answer to that question was yes, and by staying healthy Hazard made another run at a state title. The highlights of that title run were playoff defeats of defending champion Pikeville and the undefeated Paintsville Tigers. The title game was a battle royale but Hazard fell just short, losing to Beechwood 21-14.

 

In 2017, the Bulldogs return almost everything. WR Jason Johnson graduated and he was half of Hazard’s two headed offensive monster, but the other half is back – Sr. RB Corey Smith. Another season like last year and Smith should get listed as a candidate for Mr. Football. He is on track to end his career in the top 20 rushers all time in Kentucky history.

 

Smith has plenty of help. Jr. QB Bailey Blair had a very good first season leading the Bulldog offense in 2016. Look for his top targets to be returning WR Sr. Braxton Whitaker and So. Skylar Pelfrey. There is size, strength and experience along the line in Sr. Austin Smith, Sr. Bryce Spencer and Jr. McKenzie Caudill. The defense will be led by returning Sr. MLB Kade Holland.

 

The schedule has enough challenges with several larger schools in their non-district games. The Somerset game should give us a bit of a preview of that possible Beechwood rematch as Hazard plays Somerset the week after the Briars face Beechwood. A further key playoff preview happens when Hazard faces title contender Paintsville on October 13, just three weeks before the playoffs start.

 

The Corey Smith yardage watch is on. Running behind his big line, with QB Blair throwing enough to keep defenses honest and a deep playoff run, Smith could go over 3,000 yards and put up one of the top 10 rushing seasons in Kentucky history.

 

3. Paintsville Tigers (13-1; Lost in state semis to Hazard.) – Paintsville is inching closer and closer to that long sought trip to the 1A title game. The past two years they have made it to the semifinals. Last year they were the favorite to get the title game when Hazard upset them 20-7 in the semifinals. It has been 31 years since Paintsville’s last trip to the title game, and this could be the year the Tigers end that drought.

 

Sr. DL Tyrese Allen is this year’s D1 stud leading the Tigers. Allen has committed to West Virginia. He will lead a Paintsville defense that will be perhaps the best in 1A. Tyrese Allen will have help in the trenches with plenty of size including Seniors Tyler Couch and Jonathan Riley. The bulk of last year’s starters return and that will be bad news for the rest of 1A.

 

However, just like last year, there will be holes to fill on the offensive side. Lost to graduation are RB Kent Phelps, who was #2 in 1A in rushing in 2016, and QB Darren Morris, who did an admirable job succeeding 2015 Mr. Football Kash Daniel. Who are their replacements? Whoever it is, there will be inexperience at some key spots. The top returning skill player is Jr. WR James Allen. The offensive line will be stout. If things get a little sluggish, the Tigers will just move the 285 pound Tyrese Allen to the backfield and see if anyone can stop him running behind the big line.

 

If Paintsville can find those key offensive replacements, everything else is in place for another outstanding season and a run at breaking that title game drought.

 

4. Kentucky Country Day Bearcats (10-3; Lost in regional title game to Beechwood.) – Kentucky Country Day took a big step up in 2016. The Bearcats lost two in the regular season to higher class opponents and had little trouble with the rest of their schedule. They blew out their first two playoff opponents and then gave Beechwood something to think about trailing only 14-7 at halftime before the eventual state champions figured out the formula and put the Bearcats away in the second half.

 

Last year’s team was led by the junior class filled with returning starters. Those juniors are seniors and they know the time is now. D1 committed Sr. TE/DE Josh Lifson and Sr. QB Jackson Diaz lead the way. There are experienced, returning starters in the line and in the backfield. The core of the offensive line is returning starters - seniors Zach Ellis, Blake Robbins and Robert Thomas. Sr. CB/WR Gianni Minor will be a key target for QB Diaz.

 

The defense also returns almost all its starters. Key experienced starters including Sr. LB Chris Scott who led the team in tackles in 2016 and four year starter DT Brandon Leonard is tough to move anchoring the defensive line.

 

The highlights on the schedule are a 9/22 match versus top 2A opponent Lexington Christian Academy and a season ending game against Waggener. Kentucky Country Day has the experience and the talent to be a serious threat for the 1A title.

 

5. Williamsburg Yellow Jackets (7-5; Lost in round 2 to Hazard.) – Things did not look good for Williamsburg in 2016 when they started the season 1-4. At the end of the year though those four losses were all to high caliber teams so no shame in that 1-4 start. The Yellow Jackets won 6 straight after that start losing in the playoffs to the state runner up Hazard. A young team grew up a lot in 2016 and they are ready to turn that experience into a run at a state title.

 

Arguably, no team in 1A returns as much firepower on offense. Sr. QB Alec Poore was the top passing QB in 1A last year, just missing 3,000 yards passing. He has three receivers returning who each had over 500 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns - Jr. Eli Mattingly and Sophomores Dalton Ponder and Caleb Rose. Ponder will also carry the ball along with Sr. RB Darrell White, who is also a receiving threat himself. The Yellow Jackets' offense certainly has the weapons.

 

With 10 starters returning on the defensive side of the ball the experience is there to help the offense out. Jr. LB Hunter Brown led the Jackets' defense last year. Defense is an area that needs to improve if the Yellow Jackets are going to get past Hazard in the playoffs.

 

There are some challenges early in the schedule in Somerset and Leslie County. The highlight game on the schedule though is a September 15 matchup with Paintsville. These early games will tell us what to expect in 2017. Have the youngsters matured the way Jackets fans are hoping? We will find out soon enough.

 

6. Raceland Rams (10-3; Lost in regional title game to Paintsville.) – It is hard to say a 10-3 season is disappointing, but that is probably how Rams' fans, players and coaches feel about 2016. The hopes and expectations were sky high last year and it was a very good season. Yet, the Rams could not get to that next level in the playoffs that they thought they could achieve. Adding insult to injury it was district rival Paintsville who hung two of the three losses on the Rams and ended their season in the playoffs.

 

Now, 2017 is looking like a rebuild. The Rams lost a lot – their QB, top RB, top WR, key starting linemen. The good news is the Rams have over 60 players in preseason workouts so the numbers are there to find those replacements. One key addition looks to be Jr. Dalton Adkins who transferred in from Boyd County. Adkins played QB at Boyd County but he looks to be moving to WR for Raceland. That would make Sr. Damon Black the QB. He has a nice target returning in Sr. WR Cameron Webb, who had just under 1,000 yards receiving in 2016. Ram fans are excited about the potential of Jr. RB Judd Adkins. The line is a rebuilding project with Sr. Tyus Ferguson being relied upon to lead the way.

 

Despite the big numbers, it looks like several of the players named above will be called on to help out on the defensive side of the ball as well. Adkins, Webb and Ferguson are all key defensive players. The Rams defense has been an important part of their success the past few seasons so expect the Raceland coaching staff to put together another strong defense.

 

There are more question marks than known parts to this Rams team. The track record of success is there for the program so look for the Rams to get better as the season moves along and be a factor when playoff time gets here. All eyes in Raceland are focused on the October 20 district game against Paintsville.

 

7. Russellville Panthers (12-2; Lost in state semis to Beechwood.) – Russellville’s resume is going to sound a lot like Raceland’s. Hopes in 2016 were sky high. The Panthers arrived in the state semifinals with only one loss, that being to eventual 4A runner up Franklin Simpson. However, Beechwood steam rolled the Panthers in the state semifinals putting a big damper on an excellent season.

 

And like Raceland, 2017 looks to be a rebuilding season for Russellville. Russellville’s talented backfield has graduated and the search is on for their replacements. The new QB is expected to be Jr. Jacob Naylor. Naylor has experience last year as a key DB for the Panthers. Russellville likes to run the ball and they usually get plenty of carries for multiple backs. The key names to look for out of the backfield will be Sr. RB Damon Hales, Sr. RB Jacolbie Mason and Sr. FB Edward Barber. They have all been waiting for their time to take over for the talent that graduated and are chomping at the bit to show their stuff.

 

On defense the Panthers have a rising star to keep an eye on. Jr. DT/NG Teon Morris is 6’ 290 lbs. and was a defensive playmaker last year as a sophomore. The backs I mentioned above all had defensive success last year and will be joining Morris on the defensive side of the ball.

 

Russellville lost some key talent but they look to have players in the program ready to step in. Now it is a matter of seeing how they look on the field as the leaders of this 2017 team. They will be tested in their opener on Aug. 18 against Glasgow. We won’t have to wait long to see if the 2017 Panthers can keep the program momentum rolling.

 

8. Louisville Holy Cross Cougars (7-6; Lost in round 2 to Beechwood.) – The Cougars experienced a bit of an in between season in 2016. It was one step back then two steps forward, then one step back, and so on. Those steps back seemed to happen when they faced the tougher opponents. The end result was a winning record and solid season but they too had a tough ending loss to Beechwood in the playoffs.

 

The big weapon for Louisville Holy Cross will be returning three year starter Sr. RB/DE Mario Convenuto. Convenuto rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2016 and will lead the Cougars' offense. Convenuto will have help as Jr. QB Jaren McDonald returns after starting as a sophomore.

 

Returning to anchor the line is Sr. Demetrius Dillard. He will be joined by 6’9” Sr. Ethan Driskell. Louisville Holy Cross always seems to find some big guys to lead the way in the trenches and these two young men are following in that tradition.

 

The Cougars are an interesting mix of seniors and sophomores, many of whom got playing time as freshmen. Because there is a good amount of experience, this team could be a bit of a sleeper. They have a lot of players going both ways, but that isn’t unusual in 1A football. Besides the key district battle versus rival Kentucky Country Day, the big game on the schedule is on September 1 versus DeSales. The Cougars will be an interesting team to watch this year. Don’t be surprised if they move up the rankings as the year goes on.

 

9. Pikeville Panthers (13-2; 1A State Champion) – Pikeville was one of the toughest teams to project in this year’s pre-season rankings. On the one hand you have a team that was state champion in 2015, pre-season #1 in 2016 and finished with a 10-3 record, with all those losses to high quality opponents. On the other hand you have a team that has now lost almost all the key players from that 2015 title team and has lost key players expected to lead the way in 2017.

 

Sr. QB Wyatt Battaile would have been one of the top QB’s in the state this season. Unfortunately, off season surgery and recovery have caused Battaile to miss his senior year. That is a huge loss for the Panthers. The other key player expected to lead this team also is a question mark, Sr. WR/RB Evan Rhodes. As of this writing, we cannot confirm that Rhodes is playing football. Add in that the Panthers lost almost all starters on both sides of the ball and we have nothing but question marks.

 

However, we know this program has a good track record of talented players and winning seasons. We know there is talent in the pipeline. We just don’t know if that talent will be able to jump right in and get wins with little experience under their belts. It is going to be trial by fire for the Panthers in 2017 but make sure you come ready to play if you face them. This program knows what it takes to win.

 

Pikeville faces a team that also lost everything in their opener, 2A Covington Holy Cross. That will be an interesting matchup. The following week highly touted Lexington Christian comes to Pike County. Those two games will tell us where the Panthers' team stands in 2017.

 

10. Bracken County Polar Bears (8-3; Lost in round 1 to Fairview.) – What a story this senior class at Bracken County has to tell. Their freshmen year the Polar Bears went 0-11 and people questioned whether they would, or should, show up for their playoff game. From there it was 3-8 in 2015 then to last year’s 8-3 record. Now these seniors open the year as the #10 team in our 1A rankings. There is much to be proud of there.

 

This #10 ranking has been earned by hard work, wins on the field and a solid returning core of players. The bulk of the starters from last year’s 8-3 team are back, led by Sr. RB Tad Fisher who was one of the top rushers in 1A last year and went for over 1,000 yards. Other key returning players for Bracken County are Sr. FB/LB Griffin Appleton and Sr. lineman Frankie Collins.

 

There is a new coach at the helm. Head coach Dave Brausch walks into a good roster and hopes for another step forward for this program. The district has opponents in Bishop Brossart and Paris who both look strong in 2017. That is the toughest opposition we see on the schedule. That means the Polar Bears need to post impressive wins in their non-district games to prove they deserve to keep this top 10 status. Then the district tests will show us how strong this team is.

 

The Next Five

 

Forecasting the rest of 1A is difficult. There isn’t much that separates the next 10 or so teams when we look at them on paper. Expect movement in the weekly rankings for the next 5 and in the others to watch that follows. But we have to start somewhere as we look at these teams so here we go.

 

11. Frankfort Panthers (4-8; Lost in second round to Kentucky Country Day.) – Frankfort has fallen on tough times for a program that for years was consistently in the top 5 in the 1A rankings. The numbers in the program have been lower and they still are. Last year’s team was young. The hope is that those young players learned and have grown from their experiences.

 

The Panthers have a history of talented running backs and that is where optimism starts for 2017. Sr. RB Tremayne Jones rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2016 and was one of the scoring leaders in 1A. Other key players will be Sr. QB Holt Hammons and talented Jr. Jonathan Tillman. The Panthers have played top 5 schedules in the past few years but have toned down the schedule for 2017. Look for Frankfort to get on the winning side of .500 this year. A few wins and confidence may push the Panthers to an upset win and get them back into the 1A top 10.

 

12. Paris Greyhounds (5-6; Lost in round 1 to Paintsville.) – Coach Brian Washington has done a fantastic job turning around the Paris program in his 5 years at the helm. Last year was his first losing season but he has the team poised to return to the top 10 in 1A. A new training facility and stadium upgrade have everyone in the Greyhound program excited.

 

Success often starts behind center and Paris Sr. QB Aaron Maggard will be starting his fourth season at QB for the Greyhounds. Sr. WR Eric Johnson is a talented target for Maggard. Speedy So. RB Matthew Barber posted solid rushing numbers as a freshman. This offense has weapons. Paris opens the season against fellow next 5 Bethlehem Eagles. That will be a fun battle that will give us insight into both of these teams.

 

 

13. Fairview Eagles (5-6; Lost in round 2 to Paintsville.) – Fairview posted their first losing season in ten years in 2016. A tough district and one of the most difficult schedules in 1A can do that. Despite losing several key players from the 2016 team, the Eagles should get back over .500 in 2017 and be in position to make noise in the playoffs.

 

The players to watch for the Eagles this year are seniors Shane Cook, Mark Ekers and Tyler Keesee. The Fairview players and program are used to winning. That built in program confidence helps to push a team to success. The Eagles get an extra week to get ready as they are opening their season against 4A Boyd County on August 25.

 

14. Bethlehem Eagles (7-5; Lost in round 2 to Russellville.) – Bethlehem is on a good run after winning their district title the past two years. There is a solid core of starters returning but there are big changes. Three year starting QB Matthew Hagan graduated and there is a new head coach, Jesse Cantrall. Cantrall had success as offensive coordinator at Lexington Catholic so look for more offensive fireworks from the Eagles in 2017.

 

To run Cantrall’s offense, you need a good QB. Sr. Tyler Oehler is expected to take over at QB after playing RB the past couple years. Fellow Sr. WR Chris Osborne looks to benefit from the high powered offense. As mentioned above, Bethlehem opens the season against Paris. That should be an offensive show.

 

15. Campbellsville Eagles (4-8; Lost in round 2 to Russellville.) – For the second year in a row, Campbellsville had bad luck with injuries to key players that derailed promising seasons. Those injuries led to experience for young players and the Eagles have most of their starters returning in 2017.

 

One of those injured players last year was Sr. QB Devonte Cubit, who returns after missing most of last season. Joining him in the backfield is exciting So. Malachi Corley. At the line of scrimmage, a key player will be Jr. Lane Bottoms. This group of Eagles is hoping 2017 will be a healthy season. If it is, keep your eye on this team.

 

Others to Watch

 

Bishop Brossart Mustangs (8-3; Lost in round 1 to Raceland.) – This is a team that very well should be in our top 15. The Mustangs feature the top returning WR in 1A, Sr. Bryce Donnelly. There aren’t many tough tests in the schedule so the record should be good. Expect the Mustangs to move into the top 15 but their schedule won’t give them a key win to catapult them into the top 10.

 

Crittenden County Rockets (5-7; Lost in round 2 to Bethlehem.) – This is another team that has an argument to be in the top 15. The Rockets have been playing young players and building to this season for a couple years. Jr. QB Hunter Boone returns as a starter and should be one of the top QB’s in 1A. There is plenty more returning talent. Look to the Caldwell County game on September 8 as the Rockets chance to show their stuff.

 

Lynn Camp Wildcats (6-5; Lost in round 1 to Pikeville.) – It is always difficult to know how good a team that plays a weak schedule is. The Wildcats have some key talent returning. Jr. RB Dalton Cook rushed for almost 1,500 yards in 2016 and Sr. RB Brenton Medlin went for over 1,000. Sr. MLB Seth Baker will lead the defense. The Wildcats should post wins and could move into the top 15, but with their schedule it will be late in the year before we know how good they truly are.

 

Harlan Green Dragons (7-4; Lost in round 2 to Hazard.) – Harlan also returns some excellent players. Sr. RB Kendal Brock was one of the leading rushers in 1A in 2016. Most of his line returns. Also returning is Jr. QB Killian Ledford. Like Lynn Camp, the schedule is weak with little opportunity to prove their worth to be in the top 15.

 

Nicholas County Blue Jackets (6-5; Lost in round 2 to Raceland.) – The Blue Jackets had a storybook, undefeated season come crashing down when they lost two of their last three. This looks like a rebuild year after losing so many top players. The hopes for 2017 center on returning QB Jr. Isaac Fryman. Many new inexperienced players will need to step up quickly to get the Blue Jackets back into the top 15.

 

 

Players to Watch:

 

QB Brayden Burch, Beechwood

RB/WR/DB Logan Castleman, Beechwood

CB Elijah McKenney, Beechwood

WR/S/K Daniel Mescher, Beechwood

RB James Davis, Beechwood

RB Cory Smith, Hazard

QB Bailey Blair, Hazard

WR James Allen, Paintsville

QB Jackson Diaz, Kentucky Country Day

WR/CB Gianni Minor, Kentucky Country Day

QB Alec Poore, Williamsburg

WR Cameron Webb, Raceland

RB Judd Adkins, Raceland

QB/DB Jacob Naylor, Russellville

RB Mario Convenuto, Louisville Holy Cross

RB Tad Fisher, Bracken County

QB Aaron Maggard, Paris

RB Tremayne Jones, Frankfort

ATH Jonathan Tillman, Frankfort

QB Devonte Cubit, Cambellsville

WR Bryce Donnelly, Bishop Brossart

RB Dalton Cook, Lynn Camp

QB Justin Blackburn, Ludlow

 

Linemen to Watch:

 

Adam Derry, Beechwood

Noah Fisher, Beechwood

Austin Smith, Hazard

Tyrese Allen, Paintsville

Jonathan Riley, Paintsville

Josh Lifson, Kentucky Country Day

Brandon Leonard, Kentucky Country Day

Teon Morris, Russellville

Demetrius Dillard, Louisville Holy Cross

Really great stuff here VOR!

Crittenden County is one I don't have a good handle on, but your starting spot looks about right.

Fantastic @Voice of Reason

Man I can't wait to hear some pads..

Excellent Coverage / Preview . Thank you VOR !

 

Another "player to watch" for the Rams this season would imo be Hunter Lacks (Jr.). I would guess him to be around 6'2" , approx. 220 lbs. or so. Hunter will line up at RB and LB. A combination of good speed, strength.

Edited August 15, 2017 by oldrambler

Some wonderful work, here VOR! Extremely comprehensive and a lot of fun to read. I doubt seriously that too many HS beat writers across the state would have this breadth of knowledge across regions with this kind of detail about the squads that'll line up this fall. This is really, really, really appreciated!

Excellent Coverage / Preview . Thank you VOR !

 

Another "player to watch" for the Rams this season would imo be Hunter Lacks (Jr.). I would guess him to be around 6'2" , approx. 220 lbs. or so. Hunter will line up at RB and LB. A combination of good speed, strength.

 

I heard the name Gunnar Lewis had a good game and stood out for the Rams.

VOR, You hit it right on the head with Frankfort. "Dirty thirty" will look to prove its rank through out the season. Also "Players to watch" WR/DB DaJuan Davis & Jevon Bush.

Beechwood's schedule is very tough. This team looks very good but they will have some very difficult opponents to face. It is going to be fun to see how they match up with those very tough opponents. They will be prepared for anything in the playoffs after facing those teams.

This was a very nice preview. Great work.