2006 Class 1A Kentucky High School Football Preview

Raceland (7-4)

Head coach: Randall Vanderhoof

2005: Lost to Bellevue 49-23 in the first round of the playoffs

By oldrambler

Scott Grizzle is one of the best players you’ve probably never heard of.

The three-year starter threw for 2,188 yards and 25 touchdowns last year in helping lead the Rams to a 7-4 mark – the school’s third winning season in four years.

However, Grizzle will play around a new supporting cast as head coach Randy Vanderhoof tries to compensate for heavy losses in the receiving and line corps.

Grizzle's targets this year will be Benji Mullins (5-10, 155, Sr.), Jacob Sparks (6-4, 210, Jr.), and Scott McKenzie (6-0, 180, Sr.).

Also expected to see plenty of action are Daniel Pettrey (6-1, 170, Jr.) and sophomore Tyler Boyles (5-11, 150).

The Rams will be making some changes in their offense as two running backs – J.T. Forest (6-1, 240, Sr.) and Brad Rogers (6-2, 240, Sr.) – will move to the offensive line to help plug some holes. The duo combined to rush for over 600 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Caleb Caldwell (6-1, 225, Sr.), Kyle Rennie 5-10, 260, Sr.), Jarrod Smith (6-1, 215, Soph.), and Robbie Logan (6-2, 225, Soph) will also see time on the line.

With Rogers and Forest now opening holes instead of running through them, the bulk of the rushing load will fall on the shoulders of Brett Denton (6-2, 190, Jr.), who has impressed the coaching staff with his combination of power and speed, Joe Stevens (5-11, 235, Soph.), and John Scott Carver (5-10, 160, Soph.).

In order for the Rams to be successful in 2006, Vanderhoof said they must improve on defense after giving up over 215 yards rushing a game last year.

The linebacker corps of Forrest, Stevens, and Denton is expected to lead the hard hitting and much improved defense.

South Floyd (4-6)

Head coach: Donny Daniels

2005: Missed the playoffs

After winning a school-record eight games in 2004, the Raiders took a small step back in 2005 and will likely have a similar season in 2006.

Head coach Donny Daniels is looking for several underclassmen to step into starting roles in hopes the Raiders can sneak into the playoffs as a four seed.

Senior running back/linebacker Anthony Barker returns after rushing for nearly 500 yards and leading the team with six fumble recoveries.

In another type of recovery, Daniels is hoping that senior quarterback Anthony Thornsbury has recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him the second half of last year. It was the second straight year a Raider quarterback missed part of the season due to an injury.

Trimble County (3-7)

Head coach: Johnny Poynter

2005: Missed the playoffs

Johnny Poynter is looking to pull a 180-degree turn the folks in Bedford haven’t seen in years.

The Raiders ended a 25-game losing streak last year with a win over Nicholas County.

After losing just two seniors to graduation, Poynter has this team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and bring home the program’s first-ever winning season.

“I’ve coached for 14 years, and I have never been involved in a situation like this,” Poynter said of his prosperity entering the season.

Confidence and adapting to a new system were the two main things accomplished last year other than ending the long losing streak.

This year, Poynter wants to go a step further, and he will have plenty of weapons to work with in his wishbone attack.

David Bird (5-10, 190, Jr.) rushed for 1,161 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, while Abram Moore (5-11, 210, Jr.) proved to be a dependable red zone back, reaching the end zone nine times on 91 carries.

Junior Justin Hawkes is expected to move to the backfield after finishing last season at quarterback.

Miguel Maldonado (5-10, 165, Sr.) threw for 501 yards and five touchdowns before breaking his leg in the fourth game of the season.

Maldonado’s top target will be Matt Jennings (6-5, 190, Sr.), who caught 32 passes for 887 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Jennings also proved to have a nose for the football, recovering ten fumbles last year, which is third-highest in state history. He will also handle the kicking duties for the Raiders.

Trimble County will also be helped out by two transfers from Shawnee – brothers Donte Jones (6-1, 280, Sr.) and Corey Jones (6-2, 300, Jr.).

Their additions will allow Poynter to Josh Jones (6-1, 280) to tight end.

Joining the brothers’ Jones on the offensive line will be Josh Boyd (6-3, 350, Jr.), Nathan Durrett (6-4, 250, Sr.), and Trent Mulliken (5-10, 215, Jr.).

“I feel that our skill guys were pretty good last year, and now our offensive line is starting to look better,” Poynter said.

Numbers have increased to near 40 for Poynter, who feels the excitement of winning is one of the reasons for the increase.

Walton-Verona

Head coach: Woody McMillen

Like several of their northern Kentucky neighbors, Walton-Verona is starting a football program from scratch with intentions on moving up to the varsity level in the coming years.

Former Ludlow assistant coach Woody McMillen is the man in charge of the Bearcat program, which will have a middle school team this fall.

Like Bishop Brossart, the money to fund equipment and other start-up costs is being raised privately.

Walton-Verona will likely play a freshman schedule in 2007 and a junior varsity schedule in 2008 before deciding when to make the jump to varsity competition.

Williamsburg (4-6)

Head coach: Jerry Herron

2005: Missed the playoffs

Williamsburg struggled through the school’s first losing season in four years and lost their head coach in the offseason.

Jim Black coached the Yellow Jackets to a 31-23 record in five seasons before taking the Whitley County job over the summer.

Assistant coach Jerry Herron was promoted to the top spot and will have a chance to direct one of the top quarterback/receiver combos in Class A.

Senior Thomas Frazier threw for 1,876 yards and 18 touchdowns and added another 712 yards rushing.

Senior Chase Hamblin hauled in 60 passes for 1,174 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also kicked 14 extra points and scored four two-point conversions for a total of 115 points last year.

Herron should also have the services of returning linemen Michael Bird, A.J. Jusino, and Aaron Root – all seniors – and receiver Tommy Helbig.