Male Makes Maximum Gains

Chris Wolfe referred to the exploits he witnessed as "hero ball". 

I guess that makes Max Gainey the 'Flash' ? 

He was in a hurry from the get-go, fielding the game's opening kickoff and breaking left, toward Bullitt East's sideline. Gainey ran out of real estate before reversing field and running the turn like a world class 200m sprinter and reaching the endzone untouched. 

Gainey (#5) housing the opening kick-off. Pic cred to Matt Stone for the Courier Journal.

 

Male's retribution was hastily underway. 

He pulled the same act on a bubble screen early in the second quarter, switching to Plan B while evading tacklers and finding an angle that better suited him across the field. The result was the same: untouched to the endzone. 

Gainey. Pic cred to Matt Stone for the Courier Journal.

 

Male's reprisal was perhaps exceeding expectations.

Gainey displayed hops to rival his speed as he perfectly timed a leap in the endzone to snatch a dart from Kolter Smith for his third touchdown of the night, all in the first half. The last one made it 28-0, Dawgs.

Male's revenge was a forgone conclusion. 

Gainey's quarterback continued his hot hand, completing 16 of 19 throws for nearly 200 yards and the two touchdowns to the week's practitioner of "hero ball". He's connected on 84% of his pass attempts in district play.

Kolter Smith. Pic cred to Matt Stone for the Courier Journal.

 

Triple Threat For Double B

A triple double is relatively commonplace in the world of basketball, but it's as rare an individual feat as you'll see on the gridiron.

Technically, it's not an official statistic, but Brody Benke has flirted with the accomplishment - two touchdowns each, passing, running, and receiving in the same game - a couple of times this season.

He finally secured one against Scott, accounting for six total touchdowns, evenly distributed between his arm, legs, and hands. Those six scores came on ten total touches for an even 200 yards of offense in a game where little was asked, but a lot was delivered.

Check out the run below. That's 6'4" and 230 pounds moving like a freight train. Who wants to take that on in the open field?

If Benke doesn't have a future throwing passes at the next level, he surely has one catching them as a tight end. 

 

Noteworthy Performances From Week 10

- If there's anything to ding Cole Hodge for this year, it's the uptick in turnovers. He threw an interception against Elizabethtown, bringing his season total to seven. That's not a lot, until you compare it to the eight interceptions he threw as a sophomore and junior combined. For now, we'll chalk it up to the increased schedule strength. The majority of his turnovers have come against Owensboro, Ryle, Manual, and Central. His night against E-Town went smoothly, otherwise. Hodge accounted for 317 yards of offense and six touchdowns. 

- On a field of Commanders, Brady Hensley held a General's rank. Washington County was a significant step up from Shawnee, Fort Knox, and WEB DuBois, but they were no greater a match for LCA. Hensley was met with little resistance from the Commanders as he poured on 255 yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries. 

- Once upon a time, Hensley and Daniel Thomas were neck and neck for the state rushing lead, but the latter has left the former in his wake. Thomas now stands just shy of 2,300 yards after running for 205 and two scores to help put away Clay County. This marks his seventh 200+ game this season and the twelfth of his career. A likely second round date with Belfry on 'Pond Creek'  looms large as a potential stumbling block in the pursuit of 3K.

- That potential run-in with Belfry has come about because Bell County got "Rock'd" a few weeks ago. Tucker Warren earned a head turn from the watchlist that night. Three weeks later, Rockcastle County's quarterback showed up Steve Partin with 302 rushing yards and four total touchdowns against Knox Central to officially earn a seat at the table. He pilots the state's highest scoring offense and doubles as a standout defender. It's taken some time, but Warren's overall body of work has him threatening Thomas as EKY's premier player.

 

Players Featured This Week

Max Gainey (WR, Male)

Season to date: 33 receptions for 626 yards and 13 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns | 3 kick return touchdowns

Highlights: vs. BEast

 

Kolter Smith (QB, Male)

Season to date: 94/137 for 1,726 yards and 23 touchdowns with 4 interceptions 

Highlights: vs. BEast

 

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)

Season to date: 90/141 for 1,442 yards and 21 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 869 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns | 183 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Scott

 

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)

Season to date: 175/253 for 2,329 yards and 33 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 411 rushing yards and 3 touchdown

 

Brady Hensley (RB, Lexington Christian Academy)

Season to date: 177 carries for 1,675 yards and 31 touchdowns | 197 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. Washington County

 

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)

Season to date: 219 carries for 2,293 yards and 36 touchdowns | 54 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score 

 

Tucker Warren (QB/DB, Rockcastle County)

Season to date: 88/129 for 1,544 yards and 24 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 783 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns | 29 tackles | 3 interceptions including a pick-six 

Highlights: vs. Knox Central

Mr. Football Spotlight Games Tonight

Boyle County vs. Frederick Douglass - Dawson and Bodner will have to be iron men tonight, excelling on both sides of the ball. They both struggled last year, as Douglass humbled the Rebels in Danville.

Male vs. Manual - The Smith to Gainey connection accounted for both of Male's touchdowns in last year's defensive struggle.

LCA vs. Raceland - Time for Boley and Hensley to punch the accelerator after spending the last six weeks in cruise control. The top ranked Rams are worth getting up for.

Lexington Catholic vs. Scott County - The Cardinals won last year, despite Jackson Wasik playing at a high level. Another standout individual performance and a different outcome would boost his stock.