Henry Clay Blue Devils

Head Coach – Samuel Simpson (21st season at Henry Clay)

2012: 5-7, Lost to Scott County in second round of playoffs

 

 

Overview

 

Long time coach Samuel Simpson probably can not wait for the 2013 season to start. His Henry Clay Blue Devils return most their key starters from the disappointing 2012 season. Leading this group is outstanding senior running back and possible Mr. Football candidate Elijah Bell. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils will have to put a pre-season tragedy behind them. Incoming transfer line backer Patrick Puckett was killed in a shooting in May. So as exciting as the 2013 looks to be for the Blue Devils they will undoubtedly have a heavy heart early on.

 

Will 2013 be the year that Henry Clay gets turned around? For four straight years, Henry Clay has failed to make it to the regional championship game, either losing in the first round or second round each year. Henry Clay went 5-7 in 2012, making it to the second round of the playoffs before bowing out to district rival, Scott County 70-7. Scott County gave up 40.0 points per game last year while only averaging 31.5.

 

Henry Clay lost 16 players from last year including Wide Receiver Logan Gross, who caught 11 pass receptions for 280 yards and three touchdown’s. Logan had one INT that went Ten Yards. Other notable players that graduated: Anthony Lindsey who had just 26 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Anthony went 2/4 passing for 48 yards and one TD. Jalen Ludwig, 2 INT’s and 1 Fumble Recovery. Jack Hellman who had 3 fumble recoveries. Cole McCarty had 2 fumble recoveries for 28 yards.

 

Henry Clay returns 3 starters on the line and two starting running backs in Elijah Bell and Davion Jackson. Elijah Bell (SR. RB. 5’8’’ 170) who rushed for 1,711 and 15 touchdowns, will be the player that Coach Simpson calls on in big situations. Davion Jackson (SR. RB. 5’11” 175) rushed for 526 yards and had 7 touchdowns. Other notable returning talent, DeArion Jones, 281 rush yards and 5 touchdowns. Sammy Carter 49/93 passing for 694 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rhoman James. 25/36 passing for 446 yards and 3 touchdowns. and had 126 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

Henry Clay will open the season on August 30 taking on Pike County Central in the Pike County Bowl @ Belfry High School. Henry Clay plays in 6A District 7 and faces district rivals Bryan Station, Scott County and Paul Lawrence Dunbar. It will also play local 6A teams Lafayette, Tates Creek, Madison Central and George Rogers Clark. Non-district game that should provide the Blue Devils a test include an away game at Boone County. On October 11th will the key matchup for the Blue Devils. This is the rival game against the powerful Scott County Cardinals. The Blue Devils get the Cardinals in a home game. Henry Clay will go back on the road for the final two regular season games. Henry Clay will travel down the road to face district opponent, Paul Laurence Dunbar on October 18. Henry Clay will end the season going to Bryan Station to face the Defenders on October 25.

 

 

Outlook

 

Simpson must get consistent play from his veterans this year. Though relatively young in 2012, the Blue Devils struggled in some games where their talent should have carried the day. The 2013 schedule sets up well for the Blue Devils as it mostly familiar opponents with a strong rivalry game at home. On the offensive side senior running back Elijah Bell (5’9” 165 lbs) leads the returning starters. Bell ran for over 1700 yards in 2012, averaging 171 yards per game and averaging over 10 yards a carry. Bell has his first college offer from Eastern Michigan and more are almost certainly coming.

 

Also returning for the Blue Devils is senior quarterback Sammy Carter. Carter played in 7 games in 2012. Also returning is receiver and defensive back Austin Black. Black had 453 yards on 29 receptions and 3 TDs in 2012. On the defensive side he had 2 interceptions.

 

The big question Henry Clay fans ask themselves is “Will this be the year that we finally make it past the second round and have a winning season?” Henry Clay hasn’t had a winning season in two years, going 5-12 in 2012 and 3-8 in 2011.

 

 

Players to watch:

 

- Elijah Bell (Sr., 5’9”, 165. RB/DB). In 10 of the 12 games that Henry Clay played, Elijah had rushed 1,711 yards on 157 attempts and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 171 yards per game. He also hauled in 13 pass receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown. On defense, he had one fumble recovery for 72 yards. He was fourth in the state in total scoring. A powerful runner and a versatile player, Bell has an offer from Eastern Michigan and should garner more by the end of the season. He should be in Mr. Football discussions for 2013

 

- Davion Jackson (Sr., RB-WR/DB). Davion carried the ball 101 times last season for 526 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had nine pass receptions for 61 yards. On defense, Davion had one interception for 29 yards and one fumble recovery for five yards.

 

- DeArion Jones (Jr., RB/DB). As a sophomore, DeArion had 281 rushing yards on 37 attempts and five touchdowns. He was 1-for-2 passing for 55 yards. He intercepted five passes for a total of 105 yards and one touchdown on defense in 2012.

 

- Sammy Carter (Sr., QB/DB). Completed 49-of-93 passes for 694 yards and five TDs in 2012 with 10 interceptions. He also had 10 carries for 32 yards.

 

- Rhoman James (Jr., QB/DB). As a sophomore in 2012, Rhoman completed 25-of-36 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. He also had 42 carries for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Bluegrasscard had a hand in this as well. Thanks BGC for the help and the info!

DeArion Jones may be a roster casualty.

Sydney Hugle had a good combine in Lexington in March. 10th Grade RB MVP.

 

NUC Lexington Award Winners: 10th - Coach Dave Schuman Presents: National Underclassmen (NUC) Football Combines, Recruiting & Football Showcase

Nice report.

 

I am going to dare say this season won't be much different than the last couple, if a passing game can't be found.