Front Runners

 

Beau Allen (QB, Lexington Catholic)

 

Week 1: LexCath's opener versus Pulaski looked like a sure fire "first team to 50 wins" type shootout on paper, but that game never materialized. Instead, we got a non-existent Knights offense in the first half that found them in a 14-0 hole at intermission. But Allen came alive in the second half - as did his defense - to account for all three LexCath touchdowns as they outscored the Maroons 21-0 over the final two frames. The UK commit completed 22 of 32 throws on the night for 276 yards and a scoring toss to Dylan Bracken in the back of the endzone to get the Knights on the board in the third quarter. Allen both tied the game up and scored the winning touchdown with his legs at the goal line.

 

 

Michael Mayer (TE/LB, Covington Catholic)

 

Week 1: Mayer didn't waste any time announcing his arrival to the 2019 season. Just two plays into CovCath's 37-0 defeat of Ryle, he caught a deep ball from Caleb Jacob along the sideline before evading a defender and racing to the endzone. He only caught two balls all night, but they both went for scores covering 106 yards. From his inside linebacker position, he contributed seven tackles and an interception.

 

 

Reese Smith (WR/S, Boyle County)

 

Week 1: Similarly to Mayer, Smith also had limited touches to work with. And by limited, I mean one. The Rebels had Iroquois outgunned from the moment an agreement to put the two teams on the same field was made. Following a punt that pinned Boyle County back to its own four yard line, Reed Lanter found Smith for a 96 yard touchdown reception on the first play of the drive. Two offensive series' later and Boyle's starters had called it a night while the JV and freshmen put the finishing touches on a 36-0 Rebels win.

 

 

Vito Tisdale (RB/DB, Bowling Green)

 

Week 1: Among the front-runners, Tisdale easily had the most inauspicious season debut. The Purples lost on a last minute field goal to Father Ryan and Tisdale had no impact on the game offensively. His absence on offense is a head scratcher and makes you wonder what kind of effect that strategy will have on BG going forward if in fact Vito is defense only all season. He's a tremendous defender and will make his share of plays on special teams, but without the offensive numbers to compliment his contributions in those phases, his status as a front-runner is in serious jeopardy.

 

 

Locks

 

Malachi Corley (RB/WR/DB, Campbellsville)

 

Week 1: Corley got his hands on the ball nine times versus Casey County, totalling 72 yards. Those numbers won't blow you away, but his three touchdowns in a Week 1 blowout win are enough to keep him in the conversation.

 

 

Izayah Cummings (WR, Male)

 

Week 1: Few players on this list made as big a Week 1 splash as Cummings. His 177 yards and four touchdowns in Male's 42-13 rout of Floyd Central (IN) were career highs, and his eight receptions equalled a career best. Health is the key for Cummings. As Floyd Central found out on Friday, when he's on the field, he's a handful to deal with.

 

Last First Game - Izayah Cummings highlights - Hudl

 

 

Jackson Hensley (WR, Pikeville)

 

Week 1: Hensley got the ball rolling with a 31 yard touchdown catch against a game Bardstown squad. The Tigers weren't put away until the fourth quarter, but the Harvard commit played a huge role in getting Pikeville to the finish line victorious. He totalled 91 yards of offense and a touchdown plus seven tackles from his safety position in the 47-25 win.

 

Bardstown High School - Jackson Hensley highlights - Hudl

 

 

Brycen Huddleston (LB/KR, Highlands)

 

Week 1: The Birds took longer than expected to spread their wings against Scott in Week 1. Huddy played his part, contributing an interception to the 42-13 win. This week, Highlands faces a daunting task in the form of Knoxville Catholic, an FBS talent laden team ranked among the best in Tennessee. This is a major opportunity for Huddleston to substantially raise his stock.

 

 

Reed Lanter (QB, Boyle County)

 

Week 1: An outnumbered and overmatched Week 1 opponent didn't afford Lanter the opportunity to pad stats - a tip of the cap to Coach Chuck Smith for showing class and mercy by benching his starters early. Boyle's sensational signal caller only put the ball in the air twice, but they went for 131 yards and a touchdown.

 

 

Octavious Oxendine (DT, North Hardin)

 

Week 1: Double O and North Hardin did exactly what you'd expect him/them to do against a smaller opponent. The Trojans, ranked #5 in 6A, controlled the game from start to finish in a 48-14 victory over 4A Waggener. For his part, Oxendine was a load at the line of scrimmage, tallying eight tackles/3 TFL/2 sacks.

 

 

Walker Parks (OT/DL, Frederick Douglass)

 

Week 1: The Clemson commit did as he pleased, running down defenders and opening running lanes in the Broncos' 43-0 waxing of Bryan Station. An intriguing matchup with Tates Creek awaits this Friday, with Frederick Douglass looking to remain unbeaten against the other Lexington schools.

 

Bryan Station High School - Walker Parks highlights - Hudl

 

 

Jake Sloan (WR, Pulaski County)

 

Week 1: In a spotlight showdown between two of the state's best, Sloan more than held his own against Beau Allen. His 14 grabs for 196 yards were each good enough for career second best totals, but he wasn't able to connect on any touchdown throws in Pulaski's 21-14 loss to Lexington Catholic.

 

 

Jayden Stinson (QB, Mayfield)

 

Week 1: The numbers were very pedestrian by his standard - 19 of 28 for 233 yards with 2 TDs and a pick. Stinson didn't throw his first interception until the seventh game last year. But he delivered two scoring strikes - including one off his back foot with two defenders bringing heat - to pilot Mayfield past highly touted Lausanne Collegiate (TN), 45-22.

 

Lausanne Collegiate High School - Jayden Stinson highlights - Hudl

 

 

John Young (OT, Christian Academy of Louisville)

 

Week 1: In an old school display of blood and guts trench warfare that would have brought a smile to the face of Chuck Bednarik - one of the toughest, meanest individuals to ever strap on a football helmet - the Centurions gutted out an overtime win over South Oldham. Young's block paved the way for the game winning touchdown run in OT.

 

 

On The Bubble

 

 

Drew Hartz (QB, Owensboro Catholic)

 

Week 1: Hartz may have posted the most eye popping numbers of any quarterback in the state in Week 1. Yes, it came against Ohio County, a team that posted one win last year. But any time you have as many touchdown passes as incompletions, you're going to draw someone's attention. Hartz shredded the Eagles' secondary - featuring Q'Daryius McHenry - for 404 yards and six touchdowns on 34 of 40 passing with zero interceptions.

 

219 Game 1 - Drew Hartz highlights - Hudl

 

 

Nick Mitchell (RB, Glasgow)

 

Week 1: Mitchell was one of the top rushers in the state last year, posting 2,071 yards and 30 touchdowns. He picked up right where he left off against ranked (at the time) LaRue County, gashing the Hawks for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns on 15 carries in the comprehensive 35-13 victory.

 

http://www.hudl.com/v/2BZ1SG

Edited August 28, 20197 yr by DevilMayCare

Great Work @DevilMayCare !!!!

Because we're only one week into the new season, there was no fluctuation on the watchlist other than trimming down the bubble. We could start to see some movement beginning next week.

That's alot of work DMC! Great Job!

 

I wish I could disagree with you on Vito Tisdale, but I can't.

That's alot of work DMC! Great Job!

 

I wish I could disagree with you on Vito Tisdale, but I can't.

 

It's a curious situation not having your most dynamic offensive threat involved in the offense. Hard not to wonder what's going on there.

That's alot of work DMC! Great Job!

 

I wish I could disagree with you on Vito Tisdale, but I can't.

 

 

If Tisdale is being recruited by Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Texas A & M, LSU, UK, UL, etc. as a DB, why does he have to have time on offense as a running back to be considered a front runner?

There are other candidates on this list that appear to not play both sides of the ball.

If Tisdale is being recruited by Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Texas A & M, LSU, UK, UL, etc. as a DB, why does he have to have time on offense as a running back to be considered a front runner?

There are other candidates on this list that appear to not play both sides of the ball.

Who you are being recruited by doesn't have anything to do with where you play on the field.

He is playing in the defensive backfield as I'm sure you know. And you are correct in stating that there are candidates on this list that don't play both ways, but the precedent has been set, most recently last season. Everybody that knows anything about Vito knows he can make a difference on offense. See his 2018 (last year) highlights below:

 

2

If Tisdale is being recruited by Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Texas A & M, LSU, UK, UL, etc. as a DB, why does he have to have time on offense as a running back to be considered a front runner?

There are other candidates on this list that appear to not play both sides of the ball.

 

Because his stats on defense alone won’t be enough for him to win the award over the others who will have the stats to be front runners.

Who you are being recruited by doesn't have anything to do with where you play on the field.

He is playing in the defensive backfield as I'm sure you know. And you are correct in stating that there are candidates on this list that don't play both ways, but the precedent has been set, most recently last season. Everybody that knows anything about Vito knows he can make a difference on offense. See his 2018 (last year) highlights below:

 

218 season - DeVito Tisdale highlights - Hudl

 

If you watch this video and still think Vito shouldn't have an opportunity to make a difference on offense, please let me know.

 

I am not a football coach. Never have been. Never will be. My football pedigree is very limited and have been a fan of the game way more than a participant of the game. Despite my limited expertise on the game of football it is inexcusable for him to not be a focal point of offense unless that is something he told the coaches he doesn’t want to do anymore.

 

I’d love to hear an official reason as to why he had zero carries last week and if that is what will happen going forward.

I am not a football coach. Never have been. Never will be. My football pedigree is very limited and have been a fan of the game way more than a participant of the game. Despite my limited expertise on the game of football it is inexcusable for him to not be a focal point of offense unless that is something he told the coaches he doesn’t want to do anymore.

 

I’d love to hear an official reason as to why he had zero carries last week and if that is what will happen going forward.

 

I, like you, am just a fan of the game. I've followed South Central Kentucky sports for a long time. The Bowling Green coaching staff has decades of experience, along with 3 former head coaches (aside from Spader). They have coached multiple athletes that have gone on to play college football. I've never been a coach but I believe a staff as experienced as BG's know what they are doing.

Obviously, there is a reason Tisdale is not playing offensively. Is it any of our business? Probably not. I'm not at practice so I don't know what goes on. When my son doesn't get to play as much as I would like for him to, I ask "HIM what he's doing to get better. I don't question whether or not the coach knows what he's doing.

A coach wants to win games as much as anyone, it's actually their livelihood. So we probably need to step back and trust that they know what's best for the team. Whether we like it or not.

I, like you, am just a fan of the game. I've followed South Central Kentucky sports for a long time. The Bowling Green coaching staff has decades of experience, along with 3 former head coaches (aside from Spader). They have coached multiple athletes that have gone on to play college football. I've never been a coach but I believe a staff as experienced as BG's know what they are doing.

Obviously, there is a reason Tisdale is not playing offensively. Is it any of our business? Probably not. I'm not at practice so I don't know what goes on. When my son doesn't get to play as much as I would like for him to, I ask "HIM what he's doing to get better. I don't question whether or not the coach knows what he's doing.

A coach wants to win games as much as anyone, it's actually their livelihood. So we probably need to step back and trust that they know what's best for the team. Whether we like it or not.

 

I don’t disagree with most of your post. I just don’t think there is anything wrong with asking why a kid who gained his fame and Mr. Football front runner status as a RB is no longer playing that position in his last year of high school football.

 

I was told he won’t play any RB at all this season. If that is the case then he should be removed from Mr. Football consideration.

At the least Vito could be used like Tre Fant was. Obviously I trust Spader and I think he’s a great coach, but if I were calling shots I’d at least get him a few touches a game. They very well could be saving him for later in the season, I have no clue honestly.

 

As for his defensive stats, they may not be as flashy because most teams tend to throw away from him. He makes a huge impact on defense just by being on the field.

 

Also, in the fourth quarter of the Raffertys Bowl he was begging to get one series on offense and the coaching staff just wouldn’t let him. The kid wants to win.

I, like you, am just a fan of the game. I've followed South Central Kentucky sports for a long time. The Bowling Green coaching staff has decades of experience, along with 3 former head coaches (aside from Spader). They have coached multiple athletes that have gone on to play college football. I've never been a coach but I believe a staff as experienced as BG's know what they are doing.

Obviously, there is a reason Tisdale is not playing offensively. Is it any of our business? Probably not. I'm not at practice so I don't know what goes on. When my son doesn't get to play as much as I would like for him to, I ask "HIM what he's doing to get better. I don't question whether or not the coach knows what he's doing.

A coach wants to win games as much as anyone, it's actually their livelihood. So we probably need to step back and trust that they know what's best for the team. Whether we like it or not.

 

You're going to have a hard time convincing anyone that not putting the ball in Tisdale's hands is what's best for Bowling Green this year.

 

Like 88 said, a precedent was set last season. From an impact standpoint, not utilising his talents on offense basically makes him half the player he was a year ago. Imagine if Reese Smith or Michael Mayer were one way players this year. We'd be scratching our heads over them too.

I was told he won’t play any RB at all this season. If that is the case then he should be removed from Mr. Football consideration.

 

The above answers your beginning question @bernies. With the offensive package Vito brings to the table, he is a Mr. Football frontrunner. Without it, he is simply a very good, highly recruited defensive back and not a Mr. Football candidate.

 

I don't like typing that, but it's true. And what does that mean for the team?

 

Also, in the fourth quarter of the Raffertys Bowl he was begging to get one series on offense and the coaching staff just wouldn’t let him. The kid wants to win.

 

I noticed this, too. I kept thinking why don't they give themselves a chance, he hasn't been in all night, maybe he will be the difference maker.

Reflecting on it, there is obviously something going on that we don't know about. Most coaches out there are going to do what it takes to win, except lose their integrity.

I guess we need to wait and see how it plays out. If he doesn't play on the offensive side of the ball all season, then there's a reason.

I don't know that that will warrant him being removed as a candidate. There is a long season ahead and he has a chance to make a big impact on defense.