BluegrassPreps.com Mr. Football Watchlist (11/7)

[DevilMayCare]

Milestones In The Mountains

One was reached, with a couple more on deck. 

With the full blessing and encouragement of his coach, Daniel Thomas is reaching for the next rung on the ladder of historical achievements. He may have grabbed a couple in Round 1 against Magoffin County. 

Thomas bowled over the Hornets for 336 yards and four touchdowns, marking his fourth game of 300+ this season. 

That total pushes him past 6,000 career yards and into 17th place on the all-time rushing list. Among the names he hurdled last week was Madisonville and UK great Sonny Collins.

The four scores against Magoffin places him third in the record books for rushing touchdowns in a single season.

As a date with Belfry beckons, Thomas has another milestone within arm's reach. He needs 90 yards to become the 9th player in KHSAA history to run for 3,000 in a season.

He frequently surpasses 90 in a quarter of work, but this is Belfry on Pond Creek. They would love nothing more than to deny him and send Hilton and the Bobcats back to Log Mountain with their tails tucked.

 

Maximizing Minimal Moments

If you're not chasing history, Round 1 is about getting a few reps and hitting the bench by the second quarter injury free. Several watchlist regulars did just that, but not before getting their names in the papers a time or three.

Boyle County handled Wayne County, with Sage Dawson and Avery Bodner doing a lot with a little. Dawson completed five passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns, while Bodner carried just three times for 116 yards and a score.

Sage Dawson. Pic cred to inFocus Media. Pulled from their x/twitter account.

 

Brady Hensley equalled Bodner's carries, but scored on each of his three touches as LCA smoked Clinton County. Hensley's 92 yards put him over 2,000 for the season. Cutter Boley added three touchdown passes on just four completions in an equally limited role.

 

In less than a half of game action, Cole Hodge completed all eight of his throws for 301 yards and five touchdowns against Marion County. The last one moves him past Trinity legend Brian Brohm and into a three way tie for fifth in KHSAA history for career touchdown passes with 120.

Highlands clocked South Oldham, with Brody Benke completing four passes for 136 yards and three scores, plus a 25 yard touchdown reception. This is the fifth time this season he's thrown and caught touchdown passes in the same game.

 

Noteworthy Performances From Round 1

- No one at Male could have imagined that Kolter Smith and Max Gainey would be playing into the fourth quarter against two-win Great Crossing. But there they were, working a late shift, trying to keep the Bulldogs ahead of a pesky Warhawks squad. The offense wasn't the problem, as Smith completed 12 of 14 throws for 313 yards and six touchdowns. Gainey hauled in seven of those completions for 151 yards and four scores. The four touchdown receptions ties the school single game record held by Montrell Jones. He's now within striking distance of the Male's single season touchdown catch mark of 22, also held by Jones.

 

Smith's last six games have been next level. He's completed almost 80% of his attempts during that stretch and has five more touchdown passes (22) than incompletions (17), as well as zero interceptions. He's taken his game to a place no one outside of Male could have seen coming this season.

- Daniel Thomas was the obvious choice for Class 3A District 7 Player Of The Year. But in a world without him, Rockcastle's Tucker Warren would have been a near unanimous pick. The Rockets' dual threat quarterback is on the verge of a single season milestone of his own. The 349 yards of total offense he produced against Knox Central has him - more than likely - a game away from two thousand yards passing and a thousand rushing. 

 

Players Featured This Week

Daniel Thomas (RB/LB, Bell County)

Season to date: 270 carries for 2,910 yards and 44 touchdowns | 61 tackles | 1 sack | 1 scoop and score 

Highlights: Season to date

 

Sage Dawson (QB/DB, Boyle County)

Season to date: 111/157 for 2,094 yards and 26 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 236 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns

 

Avery Bodner (RB/DB, Boyle County)

Season to date: 106 carries for 968 yards and 16 touchdowns | 306 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns | 60 tackles | 9.5 TFL | 4 sacks | 1 interception | 2 fumbles forced and 2 recovered, including a scoop and score 

 

Brady Hensley (RB, Lexington Christian Academy)

Season to date: 193 carries for 2,032 yards and 39 touchdowns | 197 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns

 

Cutter Boley (QB, Lexington Christian Academy)

Season to date: 144/227 for 1,916 yards and 20 touchdowns with 5 interceptions | 5 rushing touchdowns 

 

Cole Hodge (QB, Christian Academy of Louisville)

Season to date: 212/295 for 3,031 yards and 42 touchdowns with 7 interceptions | 408 rushing yards and 3 touchdown

Highlights: vs. Marion County

 

Brody Benke (QB, Highlands)

Season to date: 94/147 for 1,578 yards and 24 touchdowns with 4 interceptions | 885 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns | 208 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns

Highlights: vs. South Oldham

 

Kolter Smith (QB, Male)

Season to date: 116/165 for 2,141 yards and 32 touchdowns with 4 interceptions 

Highlights: Season to date

 

Max Gainey (WR, Male)

Season to date: 45 receptions for 859 yards and 18 touchdowns | 2 rushing touchdowns | 3 kick return touchdowns

Highlights: TD Reception vs. Great Crossing

 

Tucker Warren (QB/DB, Rockcastle County)

Season to date: 114/170 for 1,894 yards and 27 touchdowns with 2 interceptions | 997 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns | 49 tackles | 3 interceptions including a pick-six 

[MaddenCurse44]

I don't know how 6A leading passer is left off the list? Ryle QB Logan Verax 2808 yards passing 28 tds 8 ints averages 255 yards a game. Also has 285 yards rushing 6 tds. 3rd NKY all time career passing leader.

[DevilMayCare]

On 11/7/2023 at 1:10 PM, MaddenCurse44 said:

I don't know how 6A leading passer is left off the list? Ryle QB Logan Verax 2808 yards passing 28 tds 8 ints averages 255 yards a game. Also has 285 yards rushing 6 tds. 3rd NKY all time career passing leader.

It's awfully late in the game for new additions. Ryle would probably have to make a run to the finals with Verax balling out before he gets in here. He needs a Travis Egan finish to his season.

[Purple88]

So, is Boley still the front runner due to his UK connection?

[DevilMayCare]

3 minutes ago, Purple88 said:

So, is Boley still the front runner due to his UK connection?

I would hope that's not the deciding factor. I think the fact that Mr. Football is now solely in the hands of the KFCA suggests that the formula for picking a winner places more value in things like statistics, eye test, performances in the big games, how much you elevate your team, winning a championship, etc. Travis Egan winning last year is a perfect example.

[theguru]

[Voice of Reason]

57 minutes ago, theguru said:

What school?

[Voice of Reason]

5 hours ago, Purple88 said:

So, is Boley still the front runner due to his UK connection?

I don't think Boley is the favorite from his own team. I put Hensley ahead of Boley.

[DearToday]

4 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

What school?

North Laurel 3 years, Rockcastle this year.