GolfRev

I would be surprised to see Will Adkins get the starting nod. Ratliff has had more varsity experience from last season, however, I would think he might be on a somewhat short leash. In spite of the pick he threw on his fist pass at GW, Will played with poise and patience, and he is gaining confidence. On the scoring drive at GW he did move the team downfield well - but I realize it wasn't against their first string defense, either. Whoever is at QB for the Tomcats will benefit from the return of Brown, and the injured Roberts and Love. I haven't heard for sure if Burgess will be back this week, or not, but we could sure use him. Ratliff would add depth and skill to the secondary if, indeed they use him there. The young man is a good athlete, and he needs to be in the ball game. It ought to be a good game, and much closer than that nightmare last Friday.

Thanks CWB! Very interesting. Had never seen that on BGP.

Thanks Hellbird. We have an unusual situation here that I'm not about to comment on publically. I hope he gets the chance he deserves. Good kid.

The "O" Line did a good job on giving him some time, but Will does have a pretty quick release. He rolled out on a few of the passes, on others it was a straight drop back, or quick pass from the shotgun. He does read defenses well and can and does check down. He has gone to the Manning Passing Academy for three summers and has had instruction from the Peyton and Eli as well as several D-1 quarterbacks. He's tall (6'4")and sees the field well and has done very well at finding the open receivers. Of the 10 incomplete passes, 6 were drops (3 in the end zone) and 4 were just bad passes. As I said, he did have pretty good protection from the "O" line, (probably better than Ratliff got on Friday night). However, if the primary receiver is covered, he doesn't break and run immediately. While he is an excellent roll out passer, over the last three seasons he's shown patience, and will stay in the pocket, deliver the pass and take the hit. (did I say I was a little proud of him?)

What is the average number of receivers that a quarterback will connect with in a high school football game? What is the highest number of different receivers that you have ever seen the quarterback hit in one game? In Saturday morning's 30-8 Ashland JV win over Raceland, Will Adkins was 11 for 21 with completed passes to EIGHT different receivers. Understand that Will is my grandson, and I am always proud of him, but I think this is a legitimate question. I knew he had a good performance Saturday in the "revenge win" after Friday night's varsity loss to the Rams, but it wasn't until watching the video that I realized that 8 of his 11 receptions were to different receivers. I thought that must be highly unusual for a high school game. Thoughts?

I think there is no doubt that going into camp Braxton would be the presumptive starter. He probably took nearly half the varsity snaps last year and did a good job. Although he and Will (Adkins) are both Sophomores, Braxton is more than a year older and probably a little more physically mature. I'm sure he (Braxton) has an edge in foot speed, but Will is quick and has excellent mechanics. Of course I am prejudiced, but I believe (as DevilMayCare says in his post) that Wilol is more "pure QB". He has excellent footwork and mechanics. Reads defenses well. Strong and accurate arm, both as drop back passer or roll out in either direction. Runs the option well too. He is big, and strong, can take the hit and still deliver the pass. And even though he doesn't possess blazing speed :-) he is a strong runner. Braxton is an excellent athlete and a good QB. I think it would be great to have them both in the lineup, enjoying and utilizing their various skill sets together for the next three years! That's one Kentuckian (and Grandpa's) opinion! However it turns out, Go Tomcats!

I'll echo Eightdigits on this one. Isaac Caines is the real deal. He's played with my grandson, Will Adkins - (forgive the shameless family self promotion!) from Middle School through Freshman season. Will can throw it, and Isaac can go up and get it! Strong passing tandem. With two very talented sophomore QB's (each with their own special skill sets) along with some other talented young guys could possibly give Ashland a strong and diverse attack beginning this season - and into the forseeable future.

Thanks Oldbird! I pastor a church in Huntington, WV and spend most of my waking hours over the past 13 years over her in the Mountain State, but still live in Ashland and a Tomcat fan, always! With one grandson in High School now. playing Football and Basketball, and another real athlete coming in Middle School next year - I'm going to have to make time to watch them, and follow the KY sports scene. No where better to to that than Bluegrass Preps! Of course, @Chaplain is down there in the Big Easy, but he keeps up with what's happening back here in God's Country.

Thanks Watusi! BGP is a special family. Glad to still be able to participate.

Thanks Youngbloods. I know that his Dad, Benji, Sent a highlight video out to a number of colleges after his 7th Grade season. He also had posted the 2015 video on YouTube, and I guess some folks saw it that way. He got a couple of emails from schools asking for stats, GPA, and other info. I don't know for sure about the two Ivy League schools (Penn and Princeton) but both of them sent invitations to attend camp this Summer, and as far as I know now, he is going. Please understand, I'm not trying to hype him up and all, but he does have good size, mechanics, arm strength (and there are some good receivers out there in that Freshman class, too) Isaac Caines has great speed, good hands and can really go up and get it, too. Tomcats could open up a good passing game for the first time in a while. There is potential there.

did not mean to post video a second time. sorry.

Haven't posted here on BGP in several years, but I have monitored threads off and on for some time. I was delighted to see reference here to my Grandson, Will Adkins, who was QB of the Tomcat Freshman team this past season. I've got to brag on him a little bit. :ylsuper: He had (what I think was) an excellent season directing a primary running attack, but threw for 619 yards in 7 games. He completed 53% of his passes, with 33% of his completions going for scores. He had only two INT's. He will be attending the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana this summer (for his third time there). Without making a varsity offensive appearance this year, he has gotten on some teams radar. He has been invited to camps this Summer at Penn and Princeton, and the offensive coordinator at Old Dominion has contacted his Dad asking for some info on him. He's a big boy (6'4 1/2" and 215 lbs). Strong pocket AND roll out passer. Runs the option well. Can tuck it and run, himself, and can stay in the pocket, take the hit, and still deliver the pass. (do I sound proud of him?) His cousin in New Orleans took some video his Dad had shot and made a highlight film from last year. I'll try to post it here. Check it out. He's #16

I understand that, Mr. Freeze. I've been around Kentucky schools for a long time. This one is for sure... he won't be back. I'm not making a deal out of it, just mentioned the fact. I think it's somewhat ironic.

true... TRUE Again, I say best of luck to Coach Kidwell and to the Red Devils.

I understand that Horne was interested in coaching there in the past, but he and Dodd did not see eye to eye. He then took a position in Greenup County. Under Ronnie Back, Administrators were not allowed to coach. Rules must have changed... Interesting that Horne recently pink slipped one of his non tenured middle school teachers who was a paid assistant of Dodd's. The reason given was "lack of funds". If there were no funds, why is the same teaching position now posted? Doesn't quite pass the smell test...:sssh: I do wish the best to Coach Kidwell. He is a class act.

Being from the east end of the commonwealth, I am not rel sure... Is Union County in Region 1 or Region 2?

I understand that former coach Ed Jenkins' mother passed away recently. A friend told me that when he talked with him that Coach Jenkins mentioned he was interested in the Rose Hill job. Would RH be interested in Ed?

Everyone remembers the Rose Hill implosion after the departure of Mayo and Walker. Michael Taylor and Jamal Williams went back to Huntington, Blair and VanHoose to Russell, Matt Thomas to Ashland, and Barker landed at Fairview, etc. The loss of Euton (and Jackson, if that happens) will obviously be a blow to the program, but will this be another meltdown? Perhaps some members close to the program can shed some light on this... I'm not looking for rumors.. just the perspective of someone who may know.

My old Tomcat friend is right. Kidwell would seem to be the obvious choice - if he were willing to switch programs. He's done an excellent job with the girls program.

She certainly was a Title IX warrior at Paul Blazer.

Connie was a successful but controversial head coach of the Ashland Kittens back in the 90's. The last I had heard of her, she was at Walton-Verona, but that has been many years ago... Does anyone know where she is now, or if she is out of coaching?

The article appeared in the Daily Independent today. According to Rocky Stanley, the Eutons have bought a home in Georgetown this past weekend. I don't know Dakotah but I do wish him (along with all student athletes) the very best. Sad that he won't finish his High School career with the Royals. He has been there a long time.

An honor well deserved. Matt is a great athlete and a fine young man. Congrats. :thumb:

What he said!:thumb:

I remember a case about 14-15 years ago where a band director didn't want to bring his pep band to the district games. Some of the marching band kids don't enjoy playing at games, but my experience indicates that most of the kids who play in pep bands love to play and love to play at the games. Space limitations should be the only valid reason to keep pep bands out of the district tournaments. The band students have their own competitions (marching bands and concert bands) but I dare say most of the kids who play in pep bands would enjoy playing at the district games. If the missed dollars at the gate are the reason GC administrators have made this decision - shame on them. Many of the band kids' parents would attend the game as paying customers. Plus the band members and their parents have been known to purchase food and drink at the concession stands. The bands add so much atmosphere to the contests. I really hope the administraton will reconsider...