State Semi-final Headlines
• Johnson channels Belfry greats
• Atwell hunts wild hare for sport
• Hodge out-jousts the Knights 

First Team All-Watchlist
Jarren Johnson (Union County, ATH)
From David Jones to Isaac Dixon, Belfry is no stranger to explosive, dynamic runners. The Pirates are usually the beneficiary of restless legs, yearning to chew the turf. 

The cleat was on the other foot in Morganfield, where the Pirates were scouring the west for buried treasure, only to find they'd been lured into a trap.

The Braves sprung an ambush with Johnson bombarding Belfry with 246 rushing yards and four touchdowns, plus another 49 yards on 4/4 passing. 

A pair of Pirate passes also found their way into Johnson's hands.

The watchlist has been sprinkled with comparisons between Johnson and last year's Mr. Football and single season rushing king, Daniel Thomas.

Johnson will now attempt to do what Thomas couldn't: loosen CAL's grip on 3A and bring home a state championship. 

If he can propel the Braves to the state's crowning team achievement, will he join Thomas as a recipient of the state's highest individual honor?

Season to date: 241 carries for 2,533 and 43 TDs | 629 passing yards and 6 TDs | 46 tackles | 4 INTs

 

Second Team All-Watchlist
Brady Atwell (Owensboro Catholic, QB)
Someone forgot to give Somerset a copy of the script. The Jumpers proved to be as uncooperative as you might expect a wild rabbit to be.

They hung around for a half, leaving Atwell little choice but to reach back for that little extra something that few others in the state can tap into.

The Aces stayed the course, as Atwell retrieved a few arrows from his quiver.

Three touchdown passes and a short touchdown run later, and O-Cath had done enough to put Somerset behind it and earn the freedom to set their sights on Beechwood and the championship that has continually slipped their grasp.

He completed 20 of 25 throws for 303 yards, plus another 45 on the ground. 

Courtesy of x/twitter.

As he's known to do when the need arises, he flexed a little defensive muscle, recording six tackles and two for a loss.

A routine showing in the finals will get Atwell to the unfathomable milestone of 200 career touchdowns. The question is, will routine be enough to best Hayden and the Tigers? 

Season To Date: 227/328 for 3,406 yards and 47 TDs with 5 INTs | 563 rushing yards and 18 TDs 

Third Team All-Watchlist
Connor Hodge (Christian Academy of Louisville, ATH)
The date is set… like Johnson, Hodge held up his end in the semifinals to secure a showdown in Lexington with potentially heavy Mr. Football implications. Individual awards aside, he's also secured a shot at a third consecutive state championship, one that would cement CAL as a legitimate dynasty. 

The Centurions continued their march behind Hodge's 239 yards of offense against Lexington Catholic and four passing touchdowns on 17 of 21 attempts, including this dime to Trey Cotton. 

Hodge is averaging 327 yards of offense per game so far in the postseason with 19 touchdowns accounted for and zero picks.

Season to date: 230/335 for 3,419 yards and 38 TDs and 8 INTs | 847 rushing yards and 15 TDs | 5 INTs

Honorable Mention
Luke Pennington (Sayre, QB)
Pennington helped the Spartans keep Campbellsville at arm's length with three touchdown passes. He's reached 50 for the second straight season, giving him 100 against just three interceptions in that time. 
Season to date: 190/254 for 2,720 yards and 50 TDs with 3 INTs | 5 rushing TDs | 1 INT

Austin Alexander (Cooper, DE/TE)
Alexander has been trending up with a superb all-around playoff performance thus far, including two touchdown receptions and a pair of sacks against Highlands. Through four playoff games, he's got six touchdown catches, four sacks, and five fumbles forced or recovered, including a scoop and score. He has an opportunity to go out on the highest note against Bowling Green. 
Season to date: 48 tackles | 12 sacks | 5 fumbles forced or recovered | 42 catches for 677 yards and 12 TDs 

Clay Hayden (Beechwood, QB)
The Tigers continued their torment of LCA in recent years, with Hayden throwing for 263 yards and a pair of scores. He'll come face to face with Brady Atwell as the two trade daggers for the 2A title.
Season to date: 166/248 for 2,808 yards with 46 TDs and 6 INTs

Just got some updated numbers on Kade Elam and this significant historical achievement. 

 

Elam passed and ran for 100+ yards each against Tilghman with two rushing touchdowns. The Hounds lost, ending one of the greatest individual seasons in Corbin history. Career wise, he leaves behind a touchdown to interception ratio of 106/10.

Kade Elam (Corbin, QB)

2024 Season: 200/268 for 3,411 yards and 40 TDs with 3 INTs | 483 rushing yards and 16 TDs