SEKY’s Most Indispensable Returning Contributors
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With the memorable 2022 season now fading in our rear-view mirrors and 2023’s kickoff barely perceptible on the horizon, it helps to while away some of the extra hours by considering the more noteworthy bodies of work produced by some…
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Continue ReadingWith the memorable 2022 season now fading in our rear-view mirrors and 2023’s kickoff barely perceptible on the horizon, it helps to while away some of the extra hours by considering the more noteworthy bodies of work produced by some of southeastern KY’s smaller school underclassmen. Whether the results of their production on one or both sides of the ball, their poise under pressure or their abilities to lead and inspire others, some athletes just seem to possess that intangible “it” factor that not only makes them stand out in competitive contests, but also elevates the play of those around them at critical moments. And while this fall promises to unveil a whole new array of emerging talents statewide, several returning performers already have established themselves as essential to their teams’ long-term prospects for success in 2023.
Cayden Grigsby
Cayden Grigsby
If any sponsoring organizations decide to award a “Straw that Stirs the Drink” award for football this fall, then Mr. Grigsby certainly merits some early consideration. In leading his Yellow Jackets to an 8-4 season, he threw for 1475 yards, ran for 1089 and contributed to 34 total touchdowns while missing two complete games to injury. Whether executing designed runs or eluding rushers, Grigsby’s speed and athleticism are quickly evident and he appears capable of making all throws—particularly when throwing on the move or extending plays to connect with subsequent reads. Clearly, given his burst and exceptional pocket awareness, he proves most difficult to defend in open field situations, so opposing defenses often find themselves blitzing at their own peril.
Donovan Montanaro
Donovan Montanaro
Completing his first season as starting quarterback, Montanaro produced 925 yards of total offense and a total of 17 touchdowns, helping propel his Green Dragons to their best season and first playoff victory since 2015. However, just as vital to his team’s success are his defensive contributions, where he proves to be an extremely active safety, displaying a willingness to play downhill versus the run and an emerging understanding of the pursuit lanes necessary to bracket the football. After collecting 37 solos, 26 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries in 2022, Montanaro seems poised to emerge as one of the region’s most disruptive third-level defenders.
With two full seasons as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback already under his belt, this rising junior seems poised to establish himself as one of the more fundamentally sound signal callers to emerge from this region in quite some time. While his measurables and overall athleticism certainly prove well suited for the position, what really separates Pelfrey from other “above average” talents are his throwing mechanics, his footwork and his ability to sense pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. He demonstrates more than sufficient arm strength to make all throws on the passing tree, but his technical proficiency really shines when he is forced to step up, evade an initial rusher or otherwise reposition his launch point.
No survey of this region’s top returning contributors would be complete without acknowledging the monster year that the Bobcats’ Daniel Thomas Daniel Thomas 5’9″ | 180 lbs | ATH Bell County | 2024 State KY recently completed. Returning for his senior season, the reigning KFCA Class AAA Player of the Year has Bell County fans giddy with the possibilities of an epic encore! Contributing an average of over 200 yards of total offense and almost 3 touchdowns per game in 2022, he proves equally effective whether running behind his pads between the tackles for the tough yards or bouncing outside with a deceptive burst of speed. And oh, by the way, he also plays defense—where last season he collected 87 total tackles, 5 sacks and recovered two fumbles.
Highlights
Hunter Thomas
Hunter Thomas
Thomas will enter the 2023 season as the Yellow Jackets’ top returning rusher and second most productive receiver from the previous year. However, in addition to his offensive contributions, he perhaps proves even more invaluable defensively after collecting 76 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries from his outside linebacker position. While a bit undersized versus some closed formations and/or inside matchups, he consistently presses the line of scrimmage versus the run game, utilizes active hands to shed open field blockers and employs an effective pass drop to position himself strategically in relation to the ball and intended receivers.