2023 Team MVP Predictions: 6A (Part 2)

<!-- 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. With that being said, I will continue my “Team MVP” series with another group of 6A programs in Kentucky. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frederick Douglass: </strong>After winning the 5A State Championship last season, the Broncos are making the jump to 6A. As has been the case over the past several years, they are loaded with talent this season. One player that has continued to stand out to me for them is incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='408048' first='Demeco' last='Kennedy']. Kennedy is our fourth-ranked overall player in the 2024 class and is most impressive in my eyes on the offensive line. He lines up at left tackler and has proven to be a physical mauler in the run game while also showing the athleticism and foot quickness to be a very reliable pass blocker. Kennedy has also shown some promise on the defensive line, finishing this past season with eight tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Demeco holds several Power 5 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a special talent. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryan Station: </strong>Bryan Station is another football program in Lexington that is returning a ton of talent. Among all of that talent, incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='408040' first='JT' last='Haskins'] stands out the most. Haskins is an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball for the defenders. On offense, he is a dangerous deep threat at wide receiver, finishing his junior year with 40 catches for 758 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also shown promise as a returner on special teams, returning one kickoff for a touchdown last season. JT is also a very talented free safety. Last season, he finished with 46 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions. He is a true ballhawk on the back end, showing the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Haskins currently holds offers from Navy, Ohio, Austin Peay, West Virginia, Marshall, Miami (OH), Tennessee Tech, Louisville, Akron, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Power 5 caliber prospect that could play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dunbar:</strong> Dunbar is a program in Lexington that has been on the rise over the past several years and continues to have a nice amount of talent on their roster. Among the returning talent, incoming senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='418723' first='Traevon' last='Berry'] sticks out as a player to keep an eye on. Berry split targets with three senior wide receivers this past season but still found a way to be productive, catching 29 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns. Berry is a long, athletic wide receiver with impressive deep speed and route running ability. He also has a high catch radius which helps him win very frequently in jump ball situations. Traevon has been taking advantage of the camp circuit this summer and has impressed several college coaches, currently holding one offer from Wright State. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Berry pick up some Division I interest going into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tates Creek:</strong> The Tates Creek Commodores are consistently in the mix in their district and have some solid talent coming back this season. If they want to make an extra push this season, they will be looking to incoming senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='313677' first='Andrew' last='Witherington'] to lead the way. Witherington had a solid junior year, completing 132/251 passes for 1,488 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He has impressive arm strength, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game and zip passes into tight windows in the short/intermediate passing game. Witherington has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs, running the ball 63 times for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew currently holds offers from Wright State and Mount Saint Joseph, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a successful quarterback somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Clay: </strong>After a disappointing 2022 season, the Blue Devils will be looking to bounce back this year. They have some intriguing returning talent but incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='838946' first='Walden' last='Cole'] stands out the most to me. Cole finished last season third on the team in receiving, catching 41 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. He is also impressive on the defensive side of the ball at outside linebacker. As a junior, Cole finished with 43 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception. While Walden hasn't received any offers yet, he definitely deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette: </strong>The Lafayette Generals are another program in Lexington that had a disappointing 2022 season and will be looking to bounce back. Incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='838947' first='Des' last='Hanley'] was one of the bright spots on last year's team and will be looking to continue his success this season. On offense, Des was the team's leading rusher as a junior, running the ball 50 times for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a solid year on the defensive side of the ball. Hanley plays middle linebacker for the Generals and finished last season as their leading tackler with 53 along with 4.5 tackles for loss. Des hasn't received any offers yet but should be on the radar of college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Great Crossing:</strong> Great Crossing is a newer program that has had some impressive talent come through over the past few years. One of the next players to carry on that tradition is incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='839266' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson']. Johnson split carries with senior [player_tooltip player_id='385936' first='Jakeece' last='Patterson'] last season but still managed to impress, finishing with 44 carries for 503 yards and six touchdowns. Now that Patterson has graduated, I expect those numbers to increase this season. Johnson has a great combination of speed and quickness in the open field. He has the ability to run away from the defense but also has shown that he can make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss. Johnson has also shown the ability to pose as a threat in the passing game, finishing this past season with nine catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. While Isaiah doesn't currently hold any offers, I expect some to come his way soon as he has received a nice amount of college interest and has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Central: </strong>Next up on this list are the very talented Madison Central Indians. They had a solid 2022 season and incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='381931' first='Brady' last='Hensley'] played a huge role in their success. He proved to be one of the best running backs in the state, running the ball 196 times for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns in just nine games. Hensley is a physical, downhill runner that shows the strength and contact balance to run through defenders without breaking stride. He also has impressive speed and elusiveness once he hits the open field. Brady has also shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, finishing this past season with six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Hensley currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State but I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henderson County: </strong>Henderson County is coming off a successful 2022 season and has some nice talent returning that are looking to continue that success. If they want to have another great season, they will need a big year from incoming junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='838982' first='Trajdon' last='Davis']. Trajdon is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he completed 68/124 passes for 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Davis throws a nice deep ball, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field while also showing nice touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. He is also a dangerous threat as a runner, finishing this past season with 148 carries for 784 yards and 11 touchdowns. Davis doesn't currently hold any offers but he should definitely a name to watch over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George Rogers Clark: </strong>The Cardinals had a strong 2022 season but unfortunately fell short in the first round of the playoffs. They have a strong nucleus of returning talent that will be looking to build off last season. Leading the charge for this group of talented players will be incoming junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='373823' first='Kalen' last='Washington']. As a sophomore, Washington carried the ball 117 times for 1,001 yards and 16 touchdowns. Washington is a strong, physical runner that gets downhill in a hurry and has the contact balance to run through defenders without breaking stride. He also has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Washington also caught one pass for a touchdown and a returned one kickoff for a touchdown last season. Kalen doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Campbell County: </strong>To wrap up this group of teams, I have the Campbell County Camels. The Camels are coming off a disappointing 2022 season and have a talented group of players that will be looking to turn it around. One player that sticks out from this group is incoming junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='373807' first='Jaidan' last='Combs']. Combs had a strong sophomore season, finishing the year with 22 receptions for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Jaidan is a dangerous deep threat, using his speed to create separation from opposing defensive backs. He also has the ability to make big plays after the catch, turning short passes and screens into big plays. Combs was also used as a ball carrier last season, running the ball 19 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Jaidan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a name to watch over the next couple seasons that could turn into a highly sought after prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->