BluegrassPreps.com Mr. Football Watchlist (10/3)

[DevilMayCare]

Born To Run

Push play and let the Boss take you somewhere. You'll instantly feel better.

 

From the rolling hills of Owingsville to the mountains of Evarts lying in perpetual slumber, the eastern region of this state is scattered throughout the record books, with running backs, in particular, at the forefront. 

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth, resides the two best carriers of the rock east of I-75.

Daniel Thomas' night against Rockcastle County was one of confliction, ranging from milestones to, ultimately, disappointment. The state rushing leader rewrote his own personal record book with a new career high of 371 yards, which pushed him past 5,000 for his career. If only it were enough…

Rock prevailed on Log Mountain, despite the best efforts of Dudley Hilton's latest "Bell" cow. On an additional sour note, Thomas was on the receiving end of a candidate for tackle of the year.

He could have used a little more help - or any help at all - after accounting for 97% of Bell County's yards and all five of their touchdowns. Thomas carried the ball on 41 of his team's 47 offensive snaps.

When push comes to shove, Thomas is the man for the Bobcats, but his career night was perhaps a detriment to Bell County's defense of its unbeaten season. 

The only running back around the state that can top Thomas' production over the last three weeks, happens to live one county removed from Bell. Housed within the borders of neighboring Knox County is a player opposing defenses have been unable to contain lately. 

Steve Partin has packed a great season into three games. He gashed McCreary Central for 310 yards and five scores, bringing his three week haul to 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

This statistical feat can't be disseminated without noting that the defenses he's run through wouldn't cut it in flag football, but the numbers are nonetheless staggering. 

He's Ivy League bound for his defensive prowess at linebacker, which was also on display against McCreary. The future Yale Bulldog recorded four tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks.

Thomas and Partin's worlds collide this week on the mountain top, as Knox Central visits Bell County. And from the watchlist's perspective, the timing couldn't be any better.

 

Noteworthy Performances From Week 7

- With red clad defenders draped across his back like a cape, Brody Benke looked like a superhero preparing to take flight against Dixie Heights. Fortunately for Highlands, his feet stayed firmly on the ground, where he repeatedly battered the Colonels for 166 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with another 115 yards and a touchdown through the air. Benke stretches a defense as thin as anyone right now. He has the body of a D1 tight end with the speed to run away from defensive backs. Once his legs unfurl, you seldom see defenders gain on him. He always falls forward and has the arm strength to stretch the field. In other words, he's kept a defensive coordinator or two up at night.

- If you had told LaRue County folks two years ago that there would be a Division 1 quarterback balling out on their home field in Hodgenville, you could only be referring to Cutter Boley, right? The football gods threw LaRue a curveball, sending Boley to LCA and instead, bringing Cole Hodge to town for a night. And one night is probably enough for their liking, after Hodge only misfired on two pass attempts for 227 yards and four touchdowns. The Hawks also got a look at him last year in Louisville. In two games against LaRue County, Hodge is 21/24 with ten touchdown passes and zero picks.

- If we've learned anything from watching Male this year, it's that good things happen when you get the ball to Max Gainey. He's a high frequency rainmaker, with nine receiving touchdowns on just 19 receptions. His last three catches have reached the endzone, including two against Roncalli (IN) that covered 128 yards. 

- Tyleeq Williams has continued to shine like a beacon amidst an otherwise dreary season for Bardstown. He roasted Breckinridge County for 155 yards and three scores on eight carries. This marked his fourth consecutive game of 100+ yards. Williams surpassed the 4,000 yard barrier for his career against the Fighting Tigers. He's Bardstown's leading rusher, receiver, return man, a top defender, and pretty much whatever else coach David Clark needs him to be.

 

Players Featured This Week

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)

Season to date: 183 carries for 1,837 yards and 29 touchdowns | 45 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score 

 

Steve Partin (RB/LB, Knox Central)

Season to date: 89 carries for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns | 27 tackles | 9 TFL | 5 sacks

Highlights: vs. McCreary Central

 

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)

Season to date: 75/123 for 1,157 yards and 15 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 787 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns | 101 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Dixie Heights

 

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)

Season to date: 142/198 for 1,942 yards and 28 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 335 rushing yards and 1 touchdown

Highlights: First 7 Games

 

Max Gainey (WR, Male)

Season to date: 19 receptions for 458 yards and 9 touchdowns | 1 rushing touchdown | 1 kick return touchdown

 

Tyleeq "TyTy" Williams (ATH, Bardstown)

Season to date: 110 carries for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns | 272 yards and 2 touchdowns | 1 scoop and score | 23 tackles | 1 sack | 1 interception | 2 kick return touchdowns

[BlueRaider]

[ATLCat]

You hear people talk about NFL backs not having any tread left on their tires after four or five seasons.

 

As much as Dudley Hilton runs poor Daniel Thomas I am afraid he won't have tread left on his tires before he hits 20.

Dudley been riding that kid harder than a Myrtle Beach rental scooter.

[DevilMayCare]

2 hours ago, ATLCat said:

You hear people talk about NFL backs not having any tread left on their tires after four or five seasons.

 

As much as Dudley Hilton runs poor Daniel Thomas I am afraid he won't have tread left on his tires before he hits 20.

Dudley been riding that kid harder than a Myrtle Beach rental scooter.

 

There's an alternate take of the goal line play above somewhere on twitter where you can hear a spectator wondering aloud if they (Bell) are going to try something different. The ball is snapped and the person  says something to the effect of, "no, they're just giving to him (Thomas) again."

Everybody in the place knew where the ball was going, most importantly, Rockcastle County.