As the curtain drops on the 2020 season, a Tiger takes the throne as king of the 2A jungle. Broyles comes agonizingly close to bringing a championship to the capital city, but is denied by a "Title Town" rebellion. And a monster day from a future West Point cadet helps end a thirty year Tomcat drought.  

 

(Alphabetically)

Jaylin Bross (RB) Male

2020 Season: 119 carries for 1,077 yards and 19 touchdowns 

State finals: Sometimes all you can ask for is a second chance. Bross and his fellow Bulldogs earned another crack at seemingly invincible Trinity for the 6A state championship, after falling by four scores the first time with Bross being a non factor in the run game. Any real shot Male's star tailback had at Mr. Football was dashed as history repeated itself on Saturday. The Shamrocks again won by four scores and Bross was again a non factor, totalling 18 yards on nine carries. 

 

Nick Broyles (QB), Franklin County

2020 Season: 149/205 for 2,371 yards and 27 TDs/1 ints.

State finals: Broyles and Co. proved that the win over Johnson Central was no fluke by taking Boyle County to the wire in the 4A state final. The two sides traded scores until a fourth and goal pass in overtime from Broyles was deflected at the last second, sealing the Flyers' fate. If there's ever been a throw in a state championship game that a quarterback would love to have back, this was it. Despite the bitter end, this was a phenomenal season for Broyles. He went over 200 pass attempts without throwing an interception and led the Flyers to playoff road wins at Central and JC. 

 

Clay Games (QB), Elizabethtown

2020 Season: 155/254 for 2,526 yards and 31 TDs/2 ints.

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqWwk

State finals: Elizabethtown's high octane offense was the latest victim of Ashland's vice grip defense. Some early drops helped set a dismal tone for Games and the Panthers. On the day, he completed just 48% of his throws as E'town fell, 35-14. His Mr. Football hopes were dealt another blow by the fact that watchlist regular Keontae Pittman turned in one of the best performances of the weekend against the Panthers.

 

Jagger Gillis (QB), Boyle County

2020 Season: 118/169 for 2,037 yards and 25 TDs/1 int. - 415 rushing yards/12 TDs

State finals: The marriage of Gillis and Boyle County during the off-season proved to be a match made in heaven. He handled his business a little differently than his predecessor, utilizing his legs more, but otherwise exuded the same leadership and toughness that's been a staple of Boyle County QBs over the last two decades. He was simultaneously able to push the ball down the field to great effect while being careful with it. Gillis ranked among the state leaders in yards per completion and was only picked off one time. His dual threat ability (168 passing yards/85 rushing) was a key ingredient in defeating Franklin County and bringing another trophy back to "Title Town". 

 

Cam Hergott (QB), Beechwood

2020 Season: 161/220 for 2,467 yards and 26 TDs/6 ints. - 1,078 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns 

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eq9iL

State finals: This was not Hergott's cleanest performance. It was rough around the edges, but it may have been his most satisfying. The numbers have been there for him all season, but the last two weeks have witnessed steps into the realm of "all-time Beechwood great". Hergott added further shine to the family name with 251 yards of total offense and three scores to help down LCA for the 2A title, the second championship of his career. It's been well documented here at BGP that he's shouldered a disproportionate amount of the workload for the Tigers this year, so his season highs for pass attempts and carries against LCA were a fitting end.

 

Nathan McElroy (QB), Trinity

2020 Season: 104/163 for 1,375 yards and 17 TDs/4 ints.

State finals: The story with Trinity all year has been defense, and rightly so. The Rocks fielded one of the best defensive units Kentucky's seen in recent memory. The offense was relegated to playing second fiddle this season, despite scoring 40+ in eight of ten games. McElroy was the steady hand pulling the trigger on that side of the ball. Saturday's title clinching win over Male was a microcosm of T's season. The defense won the day, while McElroy cooly piloted the ship and made throws when called upon. He got the Rocks rolling early with a deep ball for six on the opening possession of the game.

 

Keontae Pittman (RB), Ashland

2020Season: 171 carries for 1,557 yards and 24 touchdowns

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqgQx

State finals: Pittman is essentially in the same boat as McElroy. Both have been outshined this year by historically great defenses, but Pittman broke through with the biggest "hey AP voters, look at me!" performance of championship weekend. He had already established himself as the latest in a long line of great Ashland ball carriers before Saturday's 3A championship game against Elizabethtown, but 253 yards and three touchdowns on the sport's biggest stage has a way of elevating one's stature a notch or two. 

 

Noteworthy performance from championship weekend:

Will McDaniel (RB/LB), Boyle County: 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus 7 tackles/1.5 TFL against Franklin County

Seasons previously concluded:

Jager Burton (OL/DL), Frederick Douglass

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EaTXM

The best lineman in Kentucky. An unstoppable force on offense and part time wreaker of havoc on defense.

 

Leetavious Cline (RB/DB), West Carter

2020 Season: 245 carries for 2,115 yards and 31 touchdowns - 48 tackles/1 pick-six/2 fumble recoveries/1 scoop and score

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2EExv1

The state's leading rusher and primary catalyst for the greatest season in West Carter history. Few players in the state were as valuable to their team as Cline.

 

Isaac Dixon (RB/DB), Belfry

2020 Season: 125 carries for 1,690 yards and 25 touchdowns/three receiving touchdowns - one kickoff return touchdown - one scoop and score

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Efksn

One of the best to ever don the skull and crossbones. A master of making something out of nothing and a lot out of a little. His 13.5 yard per carry average ranks sixth all-time in the KHSAA record books for a single season.

 

Dylan Preston (RB/LB), Johnson Central

2020 Season: 146 carries for 1,679 yards and 29 touchdowns/4 receiving touchdowns - 43 tackles/8 sacks/1 pick-six 

A perfect storm of work ethic, toughness, relentlessness, and efficiency who served as an exemplary Appalachian football player. The best two way resume out there.

 

Kaiya Sheron (QB), Somerset

2020 Season: 111/178 for 2,016 yards and 15 touchdowns/5 interceptions - 465 rushing yards/10 touchdowns 

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ehet3

The most college ready quarterback in Kentucky that passes the eyeball test on every level. Has a signed letter of intent to UK in his back pocket. How much will the early playoff exit coupled with Hergott's success in the same class hurt his chances?

 

Braedon Sloan (RB), Wayne County

2020 Season: 153 carries for 1,607 yards and 27 touchdowns/one receiving touchdown

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Ei7nR

As gifted a runner as we've seen in some time. No one could even slow him down, let alone stop him. Never had a realistic shot at duplicating the historic production of his junior season.

 

LaVell Wright (RB), North Hardin

2020 Season: 127 carries for 884 yards and 11 touchdowns/27 catches for 278 yards and a touchdown

Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Em4RY

A very physical runner with great hands, vision, and lateral quickness. Runs through contact as well as any back in the state. Saved the day against Douglass and Belfry with superb individual plays. Season was cut short due to injury, leaving his numbers a little thin. 

Thus concludes the pursuit of the 2020 Mr. Football award. All that remains is the casting and tallying of AP votes. But before they cast theirs, let's cast ours.

A little more data that speaks to Cameron Hergott's career at Beechwood 

CameronHergott2020_Complete.pdf

6 minutes ago, gbballfan21 said:

A little more data that speaks to Cameron Hergott's career at Beechwood 

CameronHergott2020_Complete.pdf 673.01 kB · 2 downloads

Thanks for that @gbballfan21 and here you go everyone:

 

I voted for Hergott. State Champion with great numbers plus put up good numbers in championship, and not sure any player means more for their team’s sucess than him.

Dixon earned a PWO invitation  to WVU today.

Per James Weber, who is the Northern Kentucky preps writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer, the nomination for the Associated Press Mr. Football Award is yet to begin.

In other news, Cam Hergott was presented with his KFCA Mr. Football Award today.

1 minute ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Per James Weber, who is the Northern Kentucky preps writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer, the nomination for the Associated Press Mr. Football Award is yet to begin.

In other news, Cam Hergott was presented with his KFCA Mr. Football Award today.

Sounds like a possible passing of the torch from the AP to KFCA for the "Mr. Football Award." 

3 minutes ago, theguru said:

Sounds like a possible passing of the torch from the AP to KFCA for the "Mr. Football Award." 

Agreed.

2 hours ago, theguru said:

Coach Rash and Beechwood Schools did a super job in celebrating Cam Hergott and recognizing the 2020 KY Football Coaches Association Mr. Football. Very impressive. Today was a GREAT day for KY HS FOOTBALL!

 

Per Jason Frakes, there are 7 finalists on the AP's Mr. Football ballot this year:

Jager Burton (Frederick Douglass)
Leetavious Cline (West Carter)
Clay Games (Elizabethtown)
Cameron Hergott (Beechwood)
Will McDaniel (Boyle County)
Keontae Pittman (Ashland Blazer)
La'Vell Wright (North Hardin)

5 hours ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

Per Jason Frakes, there are 7 finalists on the AP's Mr. Football ballot this year:

Jager Burton (Frederick Douglass)
Leetavious Cline (West Carter)
Clay Games (Elizabethtown)
Cameron Hergott (Beechwood)
Will McDaniel (Boyle County)
Keontae Pittman (Ashland Blazer)
La'Vell Wright (North Hardin)

AP going to name the 2020 Mr. Football once the 2021 season has started at this rate.