Official Kentucky 6th Grade FBU National Championship Preview

<strong>Get Familiar:</strong> In speaking with the staff they’re excited to come together for the first time and see what they put together. They know they’re going to have size up front along bother lines and they have stressed to all their players that everybody has a role. Some of these coaches have been together in previous years and have been to Naples, proving they know what it takes to get down there and what the level of competition will be like—but the kids have not. They feel that if they find a rhythm and a balance that not many teams in the country will stop their run game. In the words of their coaching staff, “it’s time to pull the trigger and explode.” <strong>How they’ll light it up: </strong>This Kentucky team is making no bones about it—they are going to run the ball until people stop them. They feel they have up to four talented running backs who all bring a little something different to the game and plan to use them all. Coaches were gushing over the embarrassment of riches they have at the running back position and noted they’re well aware they have a bunch of mouths to feed. They plan to keep it a little vanilla and let the defense show their hand before breaking into multiple run-first offenses such as the Wing-T, double wing and even the traditional i-formation. <strong>How they’ll shut it down: </strong>Expect this team to come out in a 4-2-5 and to “bring the heat” as coaches said. As is the case with most Kentucky teams, they have a good amount of size up front and some very talented athletes on the back end to match with the speed of other teams. Coaches made it a point to say that if they can control the line of scrimmage defensively, they will be creative enough with their schemes to keep offenses off balance. <strong><u>Mt. Rushmore</u></strong> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-238342 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/ConnorBlevins-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Connor Blevins | Offensive Line</strong> Every dominant program needs a cornerstone on the offensive line and that will be Blevins for this 6^th grade team. At 6-foot and 240 pounds in just the 6^th grade, the Northern Pulaski standout will be suiting up at tackle. He looks every bit of the next dominant offensive lineman to come out of the state, as he’s already putting impressive numbers with the weight room to the tune of a 335-pound squat. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-238343 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/BlakeTaylor-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Blake Taylor | Offensive Line</strong> Joining Blevins on the offensive line will be a very familiar face in Taylor. Taylor looks to be the answer at center for this team and coaches are very high on his ability and intelligence. Taylor has the ability to make all the calls on the offensive line and sets up blocking assignments for the rest of the line. He’s a dependable snapper with a quick first punch that should help pave the way. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-238344 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/AshtonTaylor-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ashton Taylor | Running Back</strong> Taylor is an explosive running back who brings some FBU National Championship experience to this team, as he played for Indiana as a 5^th grader last year. He’s a north and south runner who gets to full speed in just a few quick gallops. The son of a coach and trainer for the NFL combine, he clearly has the athletic tools and football knowledge to be a workhorse back for this team. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-238347 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/MaddoxBryant-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Maddox Bryant | Running Back</strong> A ying to the speedy yang of Taylor, Adams looks to be the power back for this Kentucky 6^th grade team. He’s a jacked up running back at 5-foot-4 and 140 pounds of hard muscle. Also a standout wrestler in the state, he helped lead Hazard Middle School to a birth in the state championship game, but ultimately came up short. Look for him to pound the rock between the tackles and eat up some tough yards. <strong><u>Offensive Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Jalen Anderson | Running Back</strong></li> <li><strong>Xavier Wooldridge | Athlete</strong></li> <li><strong>Eli Thompson | Running Back</strong></li> <li><strong>Will Adams | Quarterback</strong></li> </ul> <strong><u>Defensive Ballers to Know</u></strong> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Brennon Daniels | Defensive Line</strong></li> <li><strong>Corterrion Taylor | Defensive Back</strong></li> <li><strong>Chris Lucas | Linebacker</strong></li> <li><strong>Bode Darland | Linebacker</strong></li> <li><strong>Avery Thompson | Safety</strong></li> </ul>