2023 Team MVP Predictions: 4A (Part 3)
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As we approach the end of June, 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…
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Continue ReadingAs we approach the end of June, 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 and 5A, I have now turned my attention to class 4A in my “Team MVP” series. With most of the class already covered, here is my final group of 4A MVP predictions.
Johnson Central: Johnson Central is a team that is consistently right in the mix over the past several years once the playoffs come around. They have a solid group of returning players coming back that will be looking to continue their success. Among this group of players, incoming junior running back Zack McCoart Zack McCoart 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Johnson Central | 2025 State KY stands out the most. McCoart had a very impressive sophomore year, running the ball 189 times for 1,721 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is a physical, downhill runner that has the strength and contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. McCoart also finished as the team’s leading receiver last season, catching five passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He has also shown some value on special teams, returning one punt for a touchdown this past season. Zack doesn’t currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Logan County: Logan County is a team that will be looking to build off an impressive 2022 season. While they have a solid group of returning players, incoming senior Elijah Hawkins Elijah Hawkins 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Logan County | 2024 State KY stands out to me the most. Hawkins is most impressive on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker. He has shown the ability to fly all over the field to make tackles, finishing this past season with 126 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks. Hawkins also showed some reliability in pass coverage, coming away with one interception as a junior and returning it for a touchdown. He also plays a role on offense as a running back, finishing last season with 26 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Hawkins hasn’t received any offers yet but he has picked up some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.
Allen County-Scottsville: The Patriots are a team that will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to turn things around, incoming senior running back Levi Cooper Levi Cooper 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Allen County-Scottsville | 2024 KY will be one of the players leading the way. After sitting behind some seniors last season, Cooper will likely be the lead back for the Patriots this season. As a junior, he ran the ball 55 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper is a physical runner with the ability to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency and break tackles in the open field without losing stride. He has yet to receiver any offers but he will be a player to keep an eye on as he takes on a bigger workload in the offense this season.
Breckinridge County: Breckinridge County is another team looking to turn things around this year following a winless 2022 season. If they want to push things in the right direction, they will look to incoming senior wide receiver Jackson Lee Jackson Lee 6'3" | 210 lbs | WR Breckinridge County | 2024 KY to be one of the players to lead the way. Last season, Lee finished as the team’s leading receiver, catching 16 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Lee is a dangerous deep threat on the outside, using his speed to create separation from opposing defensive backs. He also does a great job of looking in passes over his shoulder and has very reliable hands. Jackson doesn’t currently hold any offers and is also a talented basketball player so his future after high school remains to be seen but he has the talent to play football somewhere at the next level if he decides to pursue that path.
Thomas Nelson: The Generals are another team that will be looking to bounce back following a winless 2022 season. Now that they have moved up to 4A, they will have new challenges ahead and if they want to have more success, incoming senior running back Chance Wimpsett Chance Wimpsett 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Thomas Nelson | 2024 KY will be one of the players to lead the way. Although he only played in six games last season, Wimpsett still finished as the team’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 66 times for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Chance is a hard runner that has shown the ability to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency and break tackles in the open field without losing stride. He also has the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Wimpsett doesn’t currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior year.
Western Hills: Western Hills is another program that is making the move up to 4A from 3A this season. After a disappointing 2022 season, they will be looking to turn things around this year. If they want to get things going in the right direction, incoming sophomore Cameron Flynn Cameron Flynn 5'9" | 140 lbs | ATH Western Hills | 2026 KY will be one of the players to lead the way. Flynn is a big part of the Wolverines’ offense. As a freshman, he finished as the team’s leading receiver, catching 16 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He also made an impact as a ball carrier, running the ball 39 times for 171 yards and a touchdown. He also played a key role on defense as a defensive back, finishing this past season with 42 tackles and two tackles for loss. Flynn has yet to receive any offers but he will be a player to watch over the next few seasons as he continues to develop.
Grant County: Grant County is another team that is new to 4A, being moved down from 5A this season. They will be looking to have more success in their new class following a winless 2022 season. If they want to turn things around, incoming senior Kaleb Dionne Kaleb Dionne 6'1" | 160 lbs | ATH Grant County | 2024 KY will be one of the players leading the way. Dionne does most of his damage on the offensive side of the ball at receiver. He finished his junior year as the team’s leading receiver, catching 28 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Dionne is a dangerous deep threat, using his quick release and speed to run by opposing defensive backs. He also uses that speed to run away from the defense after the catch. Kaleb also plays a key role on defense at safety, finishing his junior year with 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Dionne has yet to pick up any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.
Holmes: The Bulldogs are a team that will be looking to improve following a first-round playoff exit last season. If they want to take the next step this season, incoming senior defensive back Kayden Crowell Kayden Crowell 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Holmes | 2024 State KY will be one of the players leading the way. Crowell had an impressive junior year, finishing with 25 tackles and five interceptions. He has shown great positional versatility with the ability to play on the outside at corner or at safety. Crowell does a great job of reading the quarterback and breaking on the ball with perfect timing to catch interceptions in stride. He has shown the ability to turn interceptions into big returns the other way, returning one interception for a touchdown last season. Kayden currently holds one offer from Alderson Broaddus and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Rowan County: Rowan County is a team looking to get things turned around this year following a disappointing 2022 season. They have a solid group of returning players but incoming senior Joshua Drake Joshua Drake 5'7" | 170 lbs | ATH Rowan County | 2024 KY stands out the most. Drake plays a key role on both sides of the ball for the Vikings. On defense, Drake lines up at safety and is very reliable against both the run and the pass. He finished his junior year with 61 tackles and five interceptions. Drake also plays a role on offense at running back, finishing this past season with 46 carries for 159 yards, and he will likely see his carries increase this season. Joshua has yet to receive any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.
Lincoln County: Lincoln County is another program looking to bounce back from a tough 2022 season. If they want to turn things around, they will be looking for incoming senior quarterback Sawyer Horton Sawyer Horton 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Lincoln County | 2024 KY to guide them in the right direction. As a junior, Horton completed 80/171 passes for 1,243 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He has a very strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Horton has also shown the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He has also shown that he can use his speed to his advantage to pose as a threat as a runner. Horton finished his junior year as the team’s leading rusher, running the ball 115 times for 533 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sawyer doesn’t currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.
Russell County: The Lakers are another team looking to turn things around following a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to bounce back from last season, they will need incoming junior quarterback Owen Loy Owen Loy QB Russell County | 2025 KY to lead the way. As a sophomore, Loy completed 113/212 passes for 1,438 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Loy puts a nice amount of velocity in his passes, showing the ability to fit passes into holes in zone coverage quickly before defensive backs can react. He has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs when needed, finishing this past season with three rushing touchdowns. Loy doesn’t currently hold any offers and is also a talented basketball player so it remains to be seen what his future holds but he has the talent to play quarterback at the next level if he decides to pursue that path.
Wayne County: Wayne County is a team that will be looking to build off a solid 2022 season. If they want to take the next step this season, incoming junior quarterback Antajuan Dumphord Antajuan Dumphord 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Wayne County | 2025 State KY will be the man to lead the way. Dumphord had a solid sophomore season, completing 81/179 passes for 1,512 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has shown the ability to use his arm strength to zip passes into tight coverage in the short/intermediate passing game. Dumphord also throws a nice deep ball, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Antajuan is also very dangerous as a ball carrier. He finished his sophomore year as his team’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 180 times for 1,152 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dumphord currently hold an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Letcher County Central: The Cougars are another team that will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season. If they want to continue to have success, incoming senior Koby Johnson Koby Johnson ATH Letcher County Central | 2024 KY will be one of the players to lead the way. Koby plays a key role on both sides of the ball for the Cougars. Johnson shines the brightest on defense at inside linebacker. As a junior, he led the team in tackles with 105 along with two tackles for loss. On offense, Johnson gets a decent amount of carries at running back. Last season, Johnson ran the ball 23 times for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson hasn’t received any offers yet but will be a player to keep an eye on going into his senior year.
Whitley County: To wrap up the 4A class, I have the Whitley County Colonels. The Colonels are coming off a disappointing 2022 season and they will be relying heavily on incoming sophomore Dee Parker Dee Parker 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Whitley County | 2026 State KY to help them turn things around. As a freshman, Parker finished the year as the team’s leading rusher and receiver. As a ball carrier, Parker ran the ball 120 times for 859 yards and six touchdowns. He has incredible speed, showing the ability to burst through the running lane and run right through the defense on his way to the end zone. Parker is also able to use that speed to his advantage out of the slot in the passing game by running by opposing defensive backs to create separation. He finished his freshman year with 14 receptions for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Parker doesn’t currently hold any offers but he will definitely be a player to keep a close eye on over the next few seasons.