Trio of 2026’s From Ashland Middle School Earn Kentucky Honors

The Kentucky Middle School Football Association released its Regional Player of the Year Honorable Mention Teams recently, and a trio of class of 2026 Ashland Middle School athletes earned nods. Coming off a state championship last year on the high school level, the middle school Tomcats were unfortunately eliminated from post-season contention earlier this month. However, that doesn't take away from the accomplishments of the 8th graders that earned honors. Take a look at the three athletes that were recognized. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224632 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/MaverickAshby-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Maverick Ashby | Quarterback</strong> The unquestioned leader of the Ashland Middle School football program, Ashby earned these honors through hard work. Not the biggest quarterback yet at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, what he lacks in size he makes up for with his ability to create with his legs. A true dual-threat quarterback in every sense of the word, he can make plays with his arms and his legs. Also brings the toughness of a wrestler to the position. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224634 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DylanDuckwyler-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Dylan Duckwyler | Athlete</strong> While Ashby may be the leader of the squad at the quarterback position, Duckwyler has to be the most dangerous athlete on the field at all times. He’s physically more mature than most of the other athletes on the field and he handles his business accordingly. Line him up at running back or in the slot on offense, and he has the ability to take the rock the distance. On defense, he can play linebacker or anywhere in the secondary because of his overall strength and quickness. A year ago, he played for Team Kentucky in the FBU National Championship tournament. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-224635 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Ty-Plummer-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ty Plummer | Offensive Line/Defensive Line</strong> While the Tomcats, from top to bottom, don’t have a tremendous amount of size—Plummer is the big boy up front on both sides of the ball. Receiving the honor doesn’t come as a surprise because of the stability he brings up front. By all accounts, Plummer is a hard worker and acts as an extension of the coaching staff on the field.