2023 Team MVP Predictions: 5A (Part 1):

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of May, the 2023 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, it is time to start previewing the upcoming season. As I begin to preview some top players and teams to watch in the 2023 season, I wanted to focus on which player I believe will make the biggest impact for each individual team. After already covering 6A, I will continue my "Team MVP" series by focusing on a group of 5A programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bowling Green: </strong>The Purples had an outstanding 2022 season, falling just short to Frederick Douglass in the 5A State Championship Game. If they want to make it back to Kroger Field this season, they will be looking at starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='340071' first='Deuce' last='Bailey'] to lead the way. Bailey is coming off an impressive sophomore year in which he completed 221/360 passes for 3,136 yards, 34 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has a cannon for an arm, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. Bailey also does a nice job of putting touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Deuce has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs, running the ball 71 times for 424 yards and three touchdowns. Bailey currently holds an offer from Missouri State but I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greenwood: </strong>Greenwood is another team coming off a strong 2022 season that will be looking to build off of it. They have a solid group of returning players but incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='381910' first='TelTel' last='Long'] stands out the most in my eyes. Long is an electric playmaker that they simply look to get the ball in his hands by any means possible. He does a lot of his damage as a ball carrier, running the ball 122 times for 869 yards and four touchdowns this past season. Long also caught 26 passes for 391 yards and four touchdowns while also returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Once TelTel gets the ball in his hands, he uses his speed and elusiveness to break away for a big play on any given moment. Long also plays a role on defense as a defensive back, coming away with one interception last season. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Long has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owensboro:</strong> Owensboro is a program that has had a nice amount of success the past few years but is still looking to take the next step and win a state title. If they want to do this, they will be looking for a big season from incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='331763' first='Deion' last='Winstead']. Winstead had a solid junior year while sharing the backfield with a couple seniors, finishing with 50 carries for 546 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has a great combination of power and speed as a ball carrier. Winstead has shown the ability to run through defenders in the open field without breaking stride and also has the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. He also has shown the ability to pose as a threat in the passing game, catching six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown this past season. Winstead also plays a key role on defense at safety, coming away with one interception last season. Deion currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Warren: </strong>South Warren is a team that is usually in the mix in 5A but had an early playoff exit last season. If they want to improve this year, they will be relying heavily on incoming junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='331739' first='Bryce' last='Button']. Button is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he completed 168/272 passes for 2,021 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He throws a very nice deep ball, showing the ability to stretch the field and place the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. Button has also shown the ability to make plays on the ground, running the ball 90 times for 438 yards and six touchdowns. Bryce currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Laurel: </strong>North Laurel is another team that will be looking to bounce back from an early playoff exit in 2022. They have a nice group of returning talent this season but incoming senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='423658' first='Jack' last='Chappell'] stands out the most. Jack had a strong junior year, finishing with 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks. He plays with a very high motor, showing the ability to blow by opposing offensive linemen to get to the ball. Chappell has also shown the ability to make plays in pass coverage, coming away with one interception this past season. He also plays a key role on offense as a receiver, catching 22 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns this past season. Chappell hasn't picked up any official offers yet but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received a nice amount of college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Laurel: </strong>South Laurel is coming off a disappointing 2022 season and has a group of returning players looking to turn things around. Among those players, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='844797' first='Hunter' last='Bundy'] stands out the most. Bundy is an electric playmaker that makes things happen with the ball in his hands. He finished his junior year as the team's leading receiver, catching 20 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns. Bundy also proved to be a dangerous return specialist, returning two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown last season. On defense, Bundy plays a key role as a defensive back, finishing his junior year with 54 tackles and one interception. Bundy hasn't received any offers yet but should be a player to keep an eye on during his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madisonville-North Hopkins: </strong> Madisonville-North Hopkins is coming off a solid 2022 season and will looking to build off of it this season. A big reason for their success was a breakout freshman season from running back [player_tooltip player_id='401923' first='Markezz' last='Hightower']. He finished this past season with 166 carries for 975 yards and seven touchdowns. Hightower has everything you want in a lead back, showing a great combination of speed, power, and quickness as a ball carrier. He also has shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, finishing his freshman year with eight receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Hightower hasn't received any offers yet but he will be a player to watch over the next few seasons that could become a highly sought after running back prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Apollo: </strong>Apollo is a team that will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to improve this year, they will be looking for a big season from incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='762510' first='Eli' last='Masterson']. Masterson is a key playmaker on both sides of the ball for Apollo. He looks his best on offense at receiver where he caught 33 passes for 519 yards and three touchdowns last season. On defense, Masterson plays a key role at strong safety. He finished his junior year with 30 tackles and one interception. Eli currently holds one offer from Morehead State and I expect more to come his way as he has received a lot of college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Graves County: </strong>While they had a winning season in 2022, Graves County will be looking to improve this season. If they want to take the next step this season, they will need a big year from their junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='373074' first='Kaden' last='Gregory']. Kaden had a solid sophomore season, completing 125/203 passes for 1,719 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Gregory has a strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game and zip passes into tight windows in the short/intermediate passing game. He has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs, running the ball 63 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns last season. Gregory doesn't currently hold any offers but will definitely be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshall County: </strong>Marshall County is another team that will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season. While they have a solid group of returning players, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='313660' first='Aiden' last='Dunigan'] stands out the most as a player who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. Last season, Dunigan split carries with a senior but still produced, running the ball 56 times for 430 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught one touchdown pass this past season. Dunigan also played a key role on defense as a junior, finishing with 30 tackles and three tackles for loss. Aiden has yet to receive any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Muhlenberg County:</strong> Muhlenberg County is a team that struggled last season and will be looking to turn things around this year. If they want to do this, they will need a breakout year from junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='373794' first='Kanyon' last='Johnson']. He was used in many different roles on offense this past season. In eight games as a sophomore, Johnson completed 41/79 passes for 713 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. Johnson also ran the ball 88 times for 655 yards and five touchdowns. He also saw some reps at receiver, catching 11 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Johnson played a key role as a defensive back, finishing this past season with 33 tackles and four interceptions. Kanyon hasn't received any offers yet but should be a player to watch as someone who could play multiple positions at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Jessamine: </strong>The Jaguars will be looking to bounce back this season from a winless 2022. If they want to make improvements, they will need a productive season from junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='331737' first='Justin' last='Hisle']. As a sophomore, Hisle completed 79/180 passes for 1,106 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions. Hisle has a strong arm, showing the ability to hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He also shows a good feel for pressure, showing the ability to move through the pocket to avoid pressure. Hisle also has shown the ability to make plays with his legs, running the ball 85 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns last season. Justin doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Jessamine: </strong>To wrap up this group of teams, I have the West Jessamine Colts, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to have a better year in 2023, they will be relying heavily on sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='846559' first='Brody' last='Jones']. As a freshman, Brody finished second on the team in receiving, catching 55 passes for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. He is an impressive route runner out of the slot, showing the ability to create separation with smooth breaks in his routes. When the ball is thrown his way, Jones has very impressive hands, showing the ability to adjust to the ball and catch it away from his body. Brody doesn't currently hold any offers but will definitely be a player to keep an eye on over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->