KSR's 2023 Kentucky High School Football Preview: Class 2A
It’s once again football time in the Bluegrass. With just weeks remaining until the kickoff of the 2023 Kentucky High School football season, KSR will preview all 220 schools and all six classes. We started last week with Class A. Up next is Class 2A, home to reigning, defending 17x State Champions Beechwood and four-star Kentucky commit QB Cutter Boley and Lexington Christian Academy.
Class 2A, District 1
Caldwell County, Crittenden County, #10 Mayfield, Murray
After an emotional year for the community of Mayfield, the Cardinals fell just short of winning their 13th State Championship last season. Trailing by seven with 3:32 remaining in the game, the Cardinals recovered a crucial fumble, keeping their championship dreams alive. Mayfield quarterback Zane Cartwright then led a gutsy two-minute scoring drive, capped off by a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaac Stevenson. Kroger Field erupted, as it looked like Mayfield was going to knot things up at 14.
That, however, didn’t happen.
The PAT was no good, leading to Beechwood running out the clock for their 17th State Championship victory. This no doubt placed a huge chip on the shoulders of those on the losing side to avenge last year’s loss this season. Cartwright (2,120 YDS, 24 TD, 4 INT), alongside senior running back Jutoriaus Starks (1,214 YDS, 21 TD) and senior receiver/defensive back Brajone Dabney (628 YDS, 9 TD, 5 INT), returns to bring some veteran leadership to that locker room, potentially making Mayfield one of the favorites to win the 2A State Championship this season.
Crittenden County looks to make a splash in 2A following their jump from 1A, where they won two postseason games last season. Senior quarterback Micah Newcom looks to improve on a solid junior campaign, in which he threw for 2,208 yards and 27 touchdowns. Murray and Caldwell County participated in postseason play as well, with Murray actually winning a game before being thrashed by Mayfield in the second round.
Class 2A District 2
Edmonson County, Fort Campbell, #25 Owensboro Catholic, Todd County Central
After experiencing its best season since 2019 (9-4), Owensboro Catholic returns one of the best cores in all of Class 2A. Junior quarterback Brady Atwell enters his second season as QB1, fresh off an impressive sophomore campaign in which he threw for 2,743 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions. Also returning to Catholic are Atwell’s top two receivers in senior William Carrico and junior Waryn Ebelhar. The duo combined for 1,481 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns last season. William’s brother Vince also just so happens to be one of the best defensive players in the Class. Along with making 131 tackles (8.5 for loss) last season, Vince also hauled in five interceptions. The Aces of Owensboro Catholic may just be one of the most underrated teams in 2A.
Edmonson, Fort Campbell, and Todd County Central will all look to bounce back from first-round postseason losses last season.
Class 2A District 3
Clinton County, Green County, Metcalfe County, Monroe County
As the 2022 season began to draw to a close, a small school by the name of Metcalfe County slowly started to make headlines in the world of Kentucky High School football. The Hornets quietly dominated the regular season, heading into postseason play at an unblemished 10-0. Head coach LJ Harbison’s squad then won their first two playoff games, setting up a quarterfinal matchup against Mayfield. The Cardinals however played spoiler, shutting out Metcalfe County 28-0. After going a lowly 1-9 back in 2019, coach Harbison has done a phenomenal job in turning the program around as they look to make a deep postseason run once again this season.
Green County will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 campaign, in which they finished 7-4 but were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by Somerset. Junior quarterback Houston Hodges (1,640 YDS, 17 TD, 7 INT) is back for the Dragons this season alongside senior lead receiver Kelson McKinney (656 YDS, 9 TD). Monroe County and Clinton County will look to flush last season, as Monroe won just three games while Clinton finished at 0-10.
Class 2A District 4
Fort Knox, #13 Lexington Christian Academy, Shawnee, Washington County, WEB DuBois
Eyes from all around the Commonwealth will be on District Four this season as four-star University of Kentucky QB commit Cutter Boley and Lexington Christian will look to improve on last year’s 9-5 season, in which the Eagles fell in the 2A semi-final to Mayfield. Although he was injured for multiple games last season, Boley still led the state of Kentucky in passing yards (3,901) and tied for fourth for touchdown passes (36). The future Wildcat will get back his No. 1 receiver in senior Parker Chaney, who hauled in 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns last season. With the return of senior linebacker Major Brown (136 TACK, 8 TFL) and the major addition of Madison Central transfer running back Brady Hensley (1,470 yards, 16 touchdowns), the Eagles are much improved and will be hungry for their first state title since 2009. Hensley, along with Boyle County transfer running back Demauriah Brown (Danville), may possibly end up as one of the most impactful transfers in all of Kentucky high school football.
The rest of district four will look to bounce back from disappointing seasons, as Fort Knox, Shawnee, and Washington County combined for an overall 8-23 record. WEB DuBois is still not eligible for district postseason competition until at least 2024.
Class 2A District 5
#12 Beechwood, Bracken County, Carroll County, Gallatin County, Owen County, Walton-Verona
All hail the king(s).
New head coach Jay Volker and the Beechwood Tigers look to continue their dynasty this season, fresh off of their three-peat last season. Volker takes over for the legendary Noel Rash, who retired following last season’s championship victory. Beechwood has consistently been one of the most impressive programs in the entire state of Kentucky, and that looks to be no different this year. Junior quarterback Clay Hayden returns this season, albeit without his right-hand man in three-star receiver/defensive back Antonio Robinson, who graduated following the season and is now at the University of Wake Forest. The Tiger defense however got a major asset back in senior defensive lineman Xavier Campbell, who led Class 2A in sacks last season (11). Competition in 2A gets tougher every single year, and that will be no different this season. Beechwood will be right in the mix alongside Mayfield and Lexington Christian.
Carroll County and Walton-Verona both advanced past the first round of the postseason last season, just as they did in 2021. These two squads seem to get better every single year and may turn some heads in 2022. Owen County and Gallatin County however look to get back on track, as the Rebels of Owen County were bounced in the first round by now 3A Lloyd Memorial, while Gallatin finished at 2-8 and missed the postseason.
Class 2A District 6
Breathitt County, Danville, Leslie County, Somerset
Before the season could even begin, Danville suffered a huge loss in running back Demauriah Brown. Brown, who exploded in his sophomore season for a state-leading 1,971 yards and 28 touchdowns, transferred to rival Boyle County in the offseason. The loss of Brown will be detrimental to the Admirals, as the shifty sophomore accounted for a staggering 60% of their offensive yardage last season. Along with being the state of Kentucky’s leading rusher, Brown also led the squad in passing yards (280) and passing touchdowns (two). A major adjustment will be needed by new head coach Frank Parks, Jr. this season, or it could be a long one for the Danville faithful.
Breathitt County made it to the 2A quarterfinals for the first time since 2020 last season thanks to electric receivers junior Austin Sperry (891 yards, 13 touchdowns) and senior Isaac Turner (595 yards, five touchdowns). After losing quarterback Tyler Bryant to an early graduation, the Bobcats will need to find the pair a capable QB if they want to experience any success this season. Leslie County and Somerset have been somewhat disappointing as of late, as the Briar Jumpers have failed to even come close to Kroger Field since their run with Kaiya Sheron in 2019. These two still seem a few years away from being really relevant again.
Class 2A District 7
Floyd Central, Knott County Central, Martin County, Prestonsburg
District seven was extremely disappointing last season, as Floyd Central and Knott County Central combined for a 4-14 record, both missing the postseason. Prestonsburg was bounced in the first round of the postseason by 1A bound Middlesboro and Martin County was quickly taken care of in the second round by Breathitt County. The good news for Cardinal fans is that Martin County returns senior running back Brock Messer, who is the leading returning rusher in Class 2A this season (1,532 yards, 19 touchdowns).
Class 2A District 8
Betsy Layne, East Ridge, Pike County Central, Shelby Valley
The best quarterback in Class 2A not named Cutter Boley returns to Shelby Valley this year for his senior season. Russ Osborne was phenomenal for the Wildcats last season, throwing for 2,787 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Osborne’s stellar play led the ‘Cats over Matt Jones’ Middlesboro Yellowjackets and to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2014. The Valley also returns Osborne’s top two receivers in seniors Brady Bentley (1,208 YDS, 13 TD) and John Fields (689 YDS, 9 TD). It’s an exciting time to live in Pike County.
East Ridge failed to make the postseason last year and Betsy Layne (1A) and Pike County Central (3A) are both making the jump to 2A this season.
Pre-Season Honors
- Class 2A Player of the Year – QB Cutter Boley (Lexington Christian Academy)
- Class 2A Coach of the Year – Doug Charles (Lexington Christian Academy)
- State Champion – Lexington Christian Academy Eagles
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