Front Runners

 

Beau Allen (QB, Lexington Catholic)

 

Week 8: Beau knows how to do a lot of things on a football field, including how to spin a spheroid with the best of them. But the knowledge of how to beat Boyle County has eluded him the last three years. Allen's right arm was present and accounted for last Friday against the Rebels, but unfortunately for Lexington Catholic, he doesn't play defense. He threw for 308 yards with three total touchdowns, and the Knights put up a fight early, but were eventually overwhelmed by a force of nature disguised as Boyle County's offense.

 

Season to date: 159/229 for 2,342 yards and 24 TDs/2 ints. - 250 yards rushing/7 TDs

 

 

 

Reed Lanter (QB, Boyle County)

 

Week 8: It's time to give Lanter his due. He's receiving a bump to front runner status on the heels of his incredible outing against Lexington Catholic. How's this for a night's work - 24 of 28 for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns? Anytime you attempt that many passes and have more touchdowns than incompletions, you're in a Tom Brady-esque zone. Lanter out-dueled his more highly touted LexCath counterpart in a commanding 64-28 Rebels Win. His 73.3% completion percentage leads the state for QBs with at least 100 attempts.

 

Season to date: 88/120 for 1,654 yards and 19 TDs/1 int.

 

Lexington Catholic High School - Reed Lanter highlights - Hudl

 

 

 

Michael Mayer (TE/LB, Covington Catholic)

 

Week 8: Beneath the bright lights of a NKY vs. Cincinnati clash of heavyweight proportions, Mayer stood out among a deep collection of D1 prospects. The future Fighting Irish tight end caught six passes for a game high 97 yards. He equalled, if not bested, his offensive effort with a season high twelve tackles (2 TFL) and a pick-six. Behind the superstar effort of Mayer, as well as many others, the newly minted #1 Colonels won an unexpectedly comfortable encounter with La Salle, 27-7.

 

Season to date: 27 catches for 505 yards and 9 TDs - 3 carries for 37 yards and a TD - 48 tackles/1.5 sacks/2 int.

 

 

 

Reese Smith (WR/S, Boyle County)

 

Week 8: The fact that Week 8's standout performer from the Boyle/LexCath game is up for debate tells you just how scary this Rebels offense is and how special the connection is between Smith and Lanter. Lexington Catholic's secondary proved no match for Boyle's inevitable all-state duo. Smith gutted the Knights' defense for 275 yards on eight catches and three long touchdowns, each of which displayed Smith's underrated breakaway speed. He also added a 38 yard TD run on his only carry and contributed six tackles from his safety position.

 

Season to date: 30 catches for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns - 17 tackles/4 ints.

 

 

 

 

Locks

 

Malachi Corley (RB/WR/DB, Campbellsville)

 

Week 8: Campbellsville was off last week. They return to action this Friday against one of 1A's surprise teams this season, 5-1 Bethlehem.

 

Season to date: 39 rushes for 416 yards and 9 TDs - 19 catches for 525 yards and 8 TDs - 49 tackles/4 forced fumble/1 fumble recovery - 1 punt return touchdown

 

 

 

Izayah Cummings (WR, Male)

 

Week 8: As expected, the Bulldogs overwhelmed Southern early and didn't require Cummings to don his cape this week. In limited action, he did manage to haul in four passes for 83 yards.

 

Season to date: 31 catches for 626 yards and 9 TDs

 

 

 

Jackson Hensley (WR, Pikeville)

 

Week 8: The Panthers roared past Phelps 50-0 with four different receivers recording a touchdown on their only catch of the game, including Hensley's 43 yard catch and run. He also found the endzone on a scoop and score. At this point in the season, the numbers you expect from him aren't quite there. He needs a big night versus Hazard to justify his position as a lock for this list.

 

Season to date: 27 catches for 385 yards and 6 TDs - 36 tackles/2 int./1 forced fumble/1 fumble return TD

 

 

 

Jeriah Hightower (RB, Madisonville-North Hopkins)

 

Week 8: Despite falling short of the beastmode he displayed in previous weeks, his 132 yards rushing were enough to help the Maroons edge Hopkinsville, 20-18. With Week 8's numbers, Hightower has already surpassed last season's yardage total with at least three games remaining this season.

 

Season to date: 186 rushes for 1,870 yards and 20 TDs

 

first 8 games Jeriah Hightower - Jeriah Hightower highlights - Hudl

 

 

 

Octavious Oxendine (DT, North Hardin)

 

Week 8: North Hardin was off last week. They return to action this Friday against Barren County.

 

Season to date: 28 tackles/6 TFL/11 sacks

 

 

 

Walker Parks (OT/DL, Frederick Douglass)

 

Week 8: Ditto for Frederick Douglass. They return from a week off to face Great Crossing this Friday.

 

 

 

Jake Sloan (WR, Pulaski County)

 

Week 8: Another week, another eight catches for Kentucky's all-time #2 in that category. Sloan accounted for 112 yards but was held scoreless in Pulaski's 35-14 win over North Laurel. Likely 2020 watchlist contender Tristan Cox hogged the endzone glory for himself with all five PC touchdowns.

 

Season to date: 74 receptions for 889 yards and 5 TDs - 1 kickoff return TD

 

 

 

Jayden Stinson (QB, Mayfield)

 

Week 8: The Cardinals were off last week. They return to action this Friday versus Ballard Memorial.

 

Season to date: 96/147 for 1,830 yards and 22 TDs/7 ints.

 

 

 

 

On The Bubble

 

Jayden Barnhardt (QB, Lexington Christian Academy)

 

Week 8: Barnhardt totalled 373 yards and two passing touchdowns in a 36-0 win over Washington County. LCA is currently on a five game winning streak with Barnhardt serving as the spark plug. He's working on five straight games with 300+ yards of total offense. Since the loss to Belfry, he's accounted for 362 yards per game 20 total TDs.

 

Season to date: 106/170 for 1,812 yards and 18 TDs/7 ints. - 381 rushing yards and 8 TDs

 

Senior Year Mid-Season Highlights - Jayden Barnhardt highlights - Hudl

 

 

 

Brycen Huddleston (LB/KR, Highlands)

 

Week 8: Well, it finally happened. Most, if not all, had just about given up hope on the possibility of Huddleston seeing the field offensively for the Birds. But there he was in the first half against Boone County, scoring his first offensive touchdown in a Highlands uniform on a twelve yard reception from Collin Hollingsworth. Whether or not this was a one time cameo appearance or a sign of things to come remains to be seen. It's definitely a development worth following this week against Covington Catholic.

 

Season to date: 66 tackles/8 TFL/4 sacks/1 int./1 fumble recovery - 1 receiving TD (stats incomplete)

 

 

 

Vito Tisdale (RB/DB, Bowling Green)

 

Week 8: The Purples were off last week. They return to action this Friday against Christian County.

 

Season to date: 41 tackles/4 ints./1 fumble recovery TD (stats incomplete)

 

 

 

Hunter Utley (QB, Murray)

 

Week 8: Utley continues to put up huge numbers and make it look easy. He threw for 312 yards and six touchdowns on 10 of 15 passing in a 54-6 beatdown of Ballard Memorial. His place on the watchlist will either be cemented or erased in the next two weeks. The Tigers host Caldwell County this Friday before traveling to Mayfield on the 25th.

 

Season to date: 118/172 for 1,928 yards with 27 TDs/3 ints.

 

7 Games In - hunter utley highlights - Hudl

Half of the players from last week's watchlist had a bye, so I swapped out a couple of names just to fill the list out. Some worthy players might not make the cut next week.

I am throwing a new name into the mix for you. His best days may be ahead next season but he is having an amazing Junior campaign.

 

Junior RB Braedon Sloan of Wayne County

96 carries, 1296 yards, 23 TD's (13.5 ypc, a TD ever 4.2 carries)

11 catches, 310 yards, 6 TD's

107 Touches, 1606 Total yards, 29 TD's

 

Averages 15 yards per touch and a TD every 3.7 touches.

 

On pace to threaten for a rare 2000/1000 season and 40+ TD's while playing decent competition! :eek:

 

If their game against Danville was not cancelled he would have even more impressive numbers. If he can navigate this next stretch against Knox Central (not a great team but decent Defense) and Corbin, I think he starts getting more attention.

I am throwing a new name into the mix for you. His best days may be ahead next season but he is having an amazing Junior campaign.

 

Junior RB Braedon Sloan of Wayne County

96 carries, 1296 yards, 23 TD's (13.5 ypc, a TD ever 4.2 carries)

11 catches, 310 yards, 6 TD's

107 Touches, 1606 Total yards, 29 TD's

 

Averages 15 yards per touch and a TD every 3.7 touches.

 

On pace to threaten for a rare 2000/1000 season and 40+ TD's while playing decent competition! :eek:

 

If their game against Danville was not cancelled he would have even more impressive numbers.

 

Sloan is a virtual guarantee for next year's watchlist and a possible candidate for the front runner category. He's one of the few names that stand out in that junior class.

If you look at Lanter and Smith both, their numbers could even be bigger if they would have played in every quarter in every game. The first 2 or 3 games they didn't even play the second half or only the first series of the second half. Plus they have not played a lot of the 4th quarter in most of the game. Not taking anything away for Beau Allen because this kid is good and you really don't know that until you see him play. But Lanter's numbers could be close to Allen's if he had played every quarter.

If you look at Lanter and Smith both, their numbers could even be bigger if they would have played in every quarter in every game. The first 2 or 3 games they didn't even play the second half or only the first series of the second half. Plus they have not played a lot of the 4th quarter in most of the game. Not taking anything away for Beau Allen because this kid is good and you really don't know that until you see him play. But Lanter's numbers could be close to Allen's if he had played every quarter.

 

Soap box for a moment after reading comments following the Boyle/LexCath game.

 

The argument I make against Lanter is I am not sure anyone outside a handful of schools who play LexCath can name a single skill player on the Knights roster.

 

Meanwhile Boyle has one legit Mr. Football candidate who may be the best WR in the entire State (Smith), one household name for even the least observant fans (Bartleson), and a kid that most people have heard of if you say the name (Colwick).

 

Lanter is a phenomenal High School QB, but when you compare what they have to work with around them (and as a bonus Allen's rushing ability), I do think some Boyle fans have short changed Allen and oversold Lanter a little bit in the wake of last week's game.

 

Let's put it this way, if Allen suited up for Boyle and Lanter suited up for LexCath I would be shocked if it wasn't Allen who looked like an All-American Friday while Lanter would have probably as many lost yards from being sacked as he would have had passing.

1.) Hayes - McCracken 952 yds receiving 17 TD's against good competition

2) Allen - LexCath

3) Hightower - Madisonville

 

Meyer had a statement game as well, but is further down the list than these 3. The argument i see on here about different athletes is they don't play the entire game much. That's true, but for most everyone. I think that's where Allen at LexCath has an advantage in that he has to help score 45+ each game if they are going to win.

Soap box for a moment after reading comments following the Boyle/LexCath game.

 

The argument I make against Lanter is I am not sure anyone outside a handful of schools who play LexCath can name a single skill player on the Knights roster.

 

Meanwhile Boyle has one legit Mr. Football candidate who may be the best WR in the entire State (Smith), one household name for even the least observant fans (Bartleson), and a kid that most people have heard of if you say the name (Colwick).

 

Lanter is a phenomenal High School QB, but when you compare what they have to work with around them (and as a bonus Allen's rushing ability), I do think some Boyle fans have short changed Allen and oversold Lanter a little bit in the wake of last week's game.

 

Let's put it this way, if Allen suited up for Boyle and Lanter suited up for LexCath I would be shocked if it wasn't Allen who looked like an All-American Friday while Lanter would have probably as many lost yards from being sacked as he would have had passing.

 

It shouldn’t be held against Reed Lanter that he has better coaches and has played for a better program than Beau Allen.

After last week the only answer is Reese Smith for both Mr. Football awards.

It shouldn’t be held against Reed Lanter that he has better coaches and has played for a better program than Beau Allen.

 

It also isn't fair to compare completion percentages as if it is some type of head to head measuring stick when one kid has multiple WR's who will be continuing their career at college against a defense noted as being less than the Steel Curtain, versus a player with a lot less talent around him playing against one of the better Defensive units in the entire State.

 

Call me crazy, but the fact Allen still did what he did should have actually been praised a bit more instead of used as some grandstand for why one kid was "the better QB that night". Lanter absolutely balled out and deserves all the praise he got. Allen also played his butt off despite being over-matched.

 

How many players in Kentucky will be able to throw for 300 yards against that Boyle pass rush and secondary featuring one of the best ball hawking Safeties we have seen in recent years?

After last week the only answer is Reese Smith for both Mr. Football awards.

 

If I got to choose one player to build my team around for a single season there is no question I would choose Reese Smith for 2019.

Soap box for a moment after reading comments following the Boyle/LexCath game.

 

The argument I make against Lanter is I am not sure anyone outside a handful of schools who play LexCath can name a single skill player on the Knights roster.

 

Meanwhile Boyle has one legit Mr. Football candidate who may be the best WR in the entire State (Smith), one household name for even the least observant fans (Bartleson), and a kid that most people have heard of if you say the name (Colwick).

 

Lanter is a phenomenal High School QB, but when you compare what they have to work with around them (and as a bonus Allen's rushing ability), I do think some Boyle fans have short changed Allen and oversold Lanter a little bit in the wake of last week's game.

 

Let's put it this way, if Allen suited up for Boyle and Lanter suited up for LexCath I would be shocked if it wasn't Allen who looked like an All-American Friday while Lanter would have probably as many lost yards from being sacked as he would have had passing.

 

I agree with some of what you are saying but I am looking at the numbers. I didn't say that Lanter should be Mr. Football or be put in the same boat as Allen. But if his numbers were the same as Allen's he might be getting a look. I believe that Allen will when Mr. Football but Smith should be a close second. Most of the Boyle fan I have talked to thinks that Allen is the best QB in the state. If you were to switch the two QB than I totally agree.

It also isn't fair to compare completion percentages as if it is some type of head to head measuring stick when one kid has multiple WR's who will be continuing their career at college against a defense noted as being less than the Steel Curtain, versus a player with a lot less talent around him playing against one of the better Defensive units in the entire State.

 

Call me crazy, but the fact Allen still did what he did should have actually been praised a bit more instead of used as some grandstand for why one kid was "the better QB that night". Lanter absolutely balled out and deserves all the praise he got. Allen also played his butt off despite being over-matched.

 

How many players in Kentucky will be able to throw for 300 yards against that Boyle pass rush and secondary featuring one of the best ball hawking Safeties we have seen in recent years?

 

Everyone has different criteria for their choices. I always gravitate to the ones who win and not put up gaudy stats with a .500 record. Beau is a damn good QB and I hope he has a great career at UK. He always plays his butt off and almost won the Game of the Year against CovCath. Despite all of that I’m taking Reed Lanter over him as my HS QB. The only thing Beau does better than him is run. Reed is insanely good in the pocket, makes great decisions in all facets, insanely accurate, strong arm. He’s gotten better every game since his freshman year and he is putting on a show this year. Would he have the same numbers at LexCath? Who knows. Doesn’t matter. He lives in Boyle County and will finish his career as the all time passing leader at Boyle County. That’s saying a ton.

 

Also, as of today the only WR who caught a pass last Friday night playing college football is Reese Smith. None of the other kids who caught balls on Friday will be playing college football and if they do it likely won’t be at WR.

It also isn't fair to compare completion percentages as if it is some type of head to head measuring stick when one kid has multiple WR's who will be continuing their career at college against a defense noted as being less than the Steel Curtain, versus a player with a lot less talent around him playing against one of the better Defensive units in the entire State.

 

Call me crazy, but the fact Allen still did what he did should have actually been praised a bit more instead of used as some grandstand for why one kid was "the better QB that night". Lanter absolutely balled out and deserves all the praise he got. Allen also played his butt off despite being over-matched.

 

How many players in Kentucky will be able to throw for 300 yards against that Boyle pass rush and secondary featuring one of the best ball hawking Safeties we have seen in recent years?

 

In all fairness the last 100 pretty much came when the clock was running. Like PP said why should Reed be penalized for being on a team with better players and coaching. Those 24 completions the ball was thrown on the money to the receivers on 28 attemps. I can't say that on the other side of the field.

 

Reed has a State Championship already, QB on the #1 rank 4A team and not lost a game. He has the stats, the wins, and a State Championship. The only thing Reed doesn't have is a college body for the next level. Now, I don't think he should win Mr. Football but I witnessed the better high school quarterback last friday night and it was Reed Lanter.:thumb:

Edited October 16, 20196 yr by Rebel

I will be BEYOND shocked if the Top 3 for Mr. Football aren't Michael Mayer, Beau Allen, and Reese Smith in some order. I think you can make a compelling case for all 3 (and probably a couple of others), and goodness knows each voter has their own set of criteria they measure by, but I'd guess those 3 are the top three when the dust settles.