2021 KYMSFA Tryout Defensive Top Performers: 8th Grade

The Kentucky Middle School Football Association (KYMSFA) held its annual post-season all-star tryout event at West Jessamine High School in Nicholasville recently and offered athletes an opportunity to dawn the white and blue of Kentucky. In the largest group of the event, 8th graders arrived in droves of literally by the hundreds, to showcase their talents. The best of Kentucky middle school football showed up and showed out at this event. Here are some of the 8th grade (class of 20206) athletes who brought their "A" game on defense <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/416DD3F3-A871-4A9E-9E30-638C9E753B02-e1637087425155.jpeg" width="205" height="206" /> <strong>Isaiah Jackson | Defensive Back</strong> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The types of attributes a coach seeks in a corner are what you will find in Jackson. He is a speedy and versatile defensive athlete with glue like coverage. A shutdown corner that has no problem laying down a punishing tackle on receivers and running backs alike. Isaiah will be a nice addition to Rockcastle High School's defense next year.</span> &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/8B2D49E8-0C83-4FA5-9E26-2F08226BB748-e1637085821540.jpeg" width="205" height="199" /> <strong>Brayden Kenwright | Defensive End</strong> Georgetown Middle School's D-end had one of the best swim moves of the day while penetrating the offensive line. Kenwright's not one of the biggest tight ends you will see, but he more than makes up for with his speed off the edge. Brayden will be attending Great Crossing High School next year. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/8E8E8AC0-FE60-4532-9F27-F0BA7E47195C-e1637086092873.jpeg" width="205" height="206" /> <strong>Brauck Strunk | Linebacker</strong> His size is what you expect from a linebacker, however his effort is even bigger. Strunk was all over the field with his speed and never quit attitude. A powerful backer who crashes the gaps with reckless abandon and a nose for the ball. Brauck is a student at Mcquarry Middle School and will attend Mcquarry High in the fall. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/F0B1B1B8-4AA2-4158-B9ED-091921670FA8-e1637086204712.jpeg" width="205" height="218" /> <strong>Jaxon Perkins | Defensive Line</strong> Jaxon is a powerful lineman who pushes the O-line around at will, creating pressure for the linebackers and himself. Perkins has so much push on the line that he was creating a situation where the only answer to his attack was holding him. He currently attends Clark Middle School and will begin his high school career at Madison Central. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/0EC0AE46-3F04-4AFE-B3D7-A95AC4D08EEA-e1637086693279.jpeg" width="205" height="214" /> <strong>Xzayvion Brown | Defensive End</strong> The pride of Elkhorn Middle School, Xzayvion is an extremely talented athlete with a quick first move off the line. He is a fierce competitor who has an innate ability to get into the backfield with minimal resistance. Brown did an excellent job with his containment and lateral movement. Xzayvion will be playing football for Franklin County next year. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/0DA35528-EA70-48DD-B019-0094CCEE55FA-e1637086823131.jpeg" width="205" height="223" /> <strong>Logan Music | Corner</strong> Logan is a tall corner with excellent cover skills as well as a great first step on the snap to keep up with receivers. A big bodied corner with great hands. In one segment he caught more balls than the receiver he was covering. His speed helps him cut routes designed to go underneath him. Music is a student at Johnson County Middle and will be attending Johnson Central High next year. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/C3EAA114-1026-40B4-A6CE-01348B0B9E68-e1637087100742.jpeg" width="205" height="203" /> <strong>Deven Meclerey | Defensive Tackle</strong> A brawler in the trenches would be an under statement. Meclerey is an absolute beast in size and battle. A large tackle that is packed with muscle, Deven is not easy to move around on the line of scrimmage. A nightmare for any running back trying to run off tackle. Southern Middle will be sad to see him go to Southwestern High in the fall. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/261FA267-9037-486E-A06D-0AEEF41045A1-e1637087244876.jpeg" width="205" height="200" /> <strong>Jhamir Cato | Defensive Tackle</strong> Westport Middle School has enjoyed this powerful D-lineman for his tenure there. Cato is built for the position and can move with a quickness out of his stance. Jhamir is a big guy, but that doesn't keep him from spinning off of linemen in pursuit of the back field. Ballard High School has plenty to look forward to in the future. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;