KSR Preps High School Preview: Week One

KSR Preps Game of the Week 

High School football season kicks off tomorrow night across the bluegrass and I’ll be traveling to Toyota Stadium in Georgetown for Scott County’s week one double-header. Scott County and coach Jim Mckee will play in the opening game against coach Antoine Sims of Tates Creek. In the second game, Lafayette will have the chance to bounce back from its State Championship loss in a playoff rematch against Paul Laurence Dunbar. These four exciting teams will not disappoint, providing exceptional entertainment in week one.

Scott County (0-0) vs. Tates Creek (0-0)

Farm Tough Football coming to a field near you soon. pic.twitter.com/yYH8mCUmHk

— Coach McKee (@cards_football) August 12, 2016

The Cardinals will open their season against Tates Creek after their 2015 season was ended by Lafayette. Coach Mckee will be reloading his troops after losing 23 seniors from an 11-2 team in 2015. The Cardinals do return their starting quarterback Joshua Davis along with running backs Simon Bond and Brice Fryman. In Coach McKee’s wing-t offense its crucial to have an experienced quarterback like Davis to control the huddle. Another key to Scott County’s success will be line play. 6’5 260 lb sophomore offensive tackle Bryan Hudson has an offer from UK and will lead this offensive line with 6’4 250 lb senior center Colby Mckee. Scott County is rated 7th in the state by Maxpreps.

Tates Creek is coming off an up and down 5-6 season in 2015. Creek has a new quarterback this season in 6’2 181 lb junior Cam Workman. Workman has a tough task in replacing Peyton Burke as he accounted for more than 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. 6’5 200 lb Senior receiver Jackson Beerman will be Workman’s favorite target this season after he had 609 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season. Beerman has picked up 6 offers this off-season from Eastern Kentucky, Wofford, Air Force, etc. Running backs Dylan Adkins and Laron Warner will spilt carries in the backfield for the Commodores after they both had impressive 2015 seasons. Tates Creek has been rated the 46th best team in the state by Maxpreps.

Eli’s pick- I believe this game will be a lot closer than last year’s 46-0 beat down but Tates Creek’s run defense will be the key to this game. Tates Creek will put up some points but I’ve got Scott County pulling away early in the 2nd half.

Lafayette (0-0) vs. Paul Laurence Dunbar (0-0)

There is no love lost between these teams after PLD almost pulled off an epic upset in week one of last years playoffs. Lafayette rallied to win in overtime 27-21 after a 96 yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Both teams have exchanged trash talk on Twitter throughout the off-season.

Current UK target and five-star offensive tackle Jedrick Wills reminded Dunbar just how close they were:

https://twitter.com/JWills73/status/765547606302949376

Lafayette and Coach Eric Shaw return 5 all-city members from last year’s state championship runner up team, including Kentucky commit QB Walker Wood. Wood threw for 2,611 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He added 1,622 yard and 22 touchdowns on the ground. After having off-season shoulder surgery Wood will look early and often to his favorite receivers Senior Quinton Brown and Senior De’Kwan Edwards. Wills, along with Senior guard Alex Simpson will lead an impressive offensive line for Lafayette. Look for Junior Middle Linebacker Ean Shaw to make big plays for an improved defense. Coach Shaw is looking for his team to shut out any distractions and focus week by week. Maxpreps has the generals rated as the 3rd best team in the state.

Dunbar hired a new coach this off-season after Coach Paul Rains stepped down after just two years at PLD. Coach Chris Mullins will lead the bulldogs this year after a successful rebuild of Greenup County. Mullins is trying to bring some eastern Kentucky toughness to Lexington and will coach his team to play tough physical defense each play. The Bulldogs have two junior quarterbacks on the roster in Tre Homer and Gavin Bugg. PLD will be without its star running back Jay Harkless after he suffered a knee injury in the spring but junior running back Nate Gay will have to fill a huge void in the backfield. Senior Dontell Brown 6’6 218 will be the bulldogs biggest target this season as he returns to the gridiron after winning a state championship on the basketball court. The bulldogs are rated as the 55th best team in the state by Maxpreps.

Eli’s pick – Dunbar is heading in the right direction under Coach Mullins but Walker Wood will be too much on the ground and through the air for the bulldogs to contain. Lafayette by three touchdowns.

Follow me on twitter @EMitchKSR for updates from Georgetown.

Other Notable Games Around the State

DeSales vs. Fairdale — It’s the first time Nick Roush’s alma mater has ever played a home game.

Pulaski County vs. Harlan County —  Trey Huntsman’s first radio call is against Freddie’s former school.

Central vs. Manual —  If you’re in Louisville, you can watch the city schools on the CW.

Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU —  There are two great matchups featuring 2015 State Champs on Saturday.  South Warren starts against Monroe County before a battle between John Hardin and Bowling Green.

Paducah Tilghman vs. McCracken County —  Bragging rights are on the line in the first game of the season.

Butler vs. Meade County — A 6A showdown to start the year.