2023 Team MVP Predictions: 5A (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. After already covering 6A, I have turned my attention to class 5A in my “Team MVP” series. With that being said, here is another group of 5A MVP predictions for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwestern: </strong>Southwestern is coming off an impressive 2022 that they unfortunately saw come to an end in the 5A semifinals. They have a solid group of players returning that will be looking to take that next step this season, led by incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='417454' first='Christian' last='Walden']. While splitting carries with senior Tanner Wright last season, Walden ran the ball 130 times for 1,157 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also proved to be a threat in the passing game, catching 18 passes for 174 yards. I expect his numbers to go up even more this season as he will now be the lead back that Southwestern looks to lean on in this offense. Walden doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect that to change soon as he has received a lot of college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodford County: </strong>The Yellow Jackets are another team looking to build off a strong 2022 season. While they have a nice amount of returning talent, incoming junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='373809' first='Makhi' last='Smith'] stands out to me the most. He is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he caught 41 passes for 671 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith is a skilled route runner with impressive ability to create separation and also has the athleticism to go up and catch passes at their highest point. He is also very dangerous after the catch, showing the speed and elusiveness to turn short passes/screens into big plays. Smith also plays a key role on defense as a defensive back, coming away with four interceptions last season. Makhi currently holds offers from Kentucky, Louisville, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a Power 5 caliber wide receiver prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper: </strong>Cooper is a program that has a very impressive group of returning talent on their roster that will be looking to make some noise in 2023. Among that group, incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] stands out the most. Alexander had an outstanding sophomore season at defensive end, finishing with 85 tackles, two tackles for loss, and eleven sacks. He is a dangerous pass rusher that uses an impressive combination of speed and strength to wreak havoc in the pocket. Alexander also showed some athletic ability in pass coverage, coming away with an interception and returning it for a touchdown last season. On offense, Alexander plays tight end and caught 34 passes for 522 yards and six touchdowns last season but I still like what he brings to the table on defense the most. Austin currently holds a long list of Division I offers and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a true Power 5 caliber prospect and has been receiving a lot of attention this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highlands: </strong>Highlands is another program in Northern Kentucky that has an impressive group of returning talent. This group will be led by incoming senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='317390' first='Brody' last='Benke']. Benke is coming off an impressive junior season in which he completed 160/277 passes for 2,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has a very strong arm, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field and hit them in stride in the deep passing game. Benke also has shown the ability to make plays as a ball carrier, running the ball 55 times for 232 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. Brody currently holds one offer from Pikeville but should see more 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>Conner: </strong>The Cougars are a team that will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. They have a solid group of returning players that will be looking to turn things around. Incoming junior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='373822' first='Dylan' last='Stewart'] stands out the most among this group. Stewart is a physical right tackle that is very impressive as a run blocker. He explodes out of his stance and does a great job of driving his man off the line of scrimmage. Stewart also has shown the ability to pull from the tackle spot and pick up blocks in the open field. Dylan currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has received a lot of college interest and is a Division I caliber offensive line prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dixie Heights: </strong>Dixie Heights is another team that will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to turn things around this year, they will be relying heavily on incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice']. Rice plays a huge role on both sides of the ball for the Colonels. On defense, Rice lines up at linebacker and has the ability to move sideline to sideline to make tackles all over the field. Last season, Rice finished with 126 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks. He is also very impressive on offense as a running back, finishing his junior year with 92 carries for 605 yards and nine touchdowns. Rice currently holds offers from Ohio, Southern Illinois, Bowling Green State, Miami (OH), Toledo, Wofford, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boone County: </strong>Boone County is another program in Northern Kentucky looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to have a better 2023 season, they will need a big year from incoming senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='852895' first='Jamarion' last='Hocker']. Jamarion is coming off a solid junior year in which he completed 89/156 passes for 1,430 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Hocker throws a nice deep ball, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field and hit them in stride. He also puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his receiver will have a chance to catch it. Hocker has also proven to be a threat as a runner, finishing this past season with 105 carries for 341 yards and six touchdowns. Jamarion doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to keep an eye on as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scott County: </strong>The Cardinals are a team that is typically right in the mix and will be looking to continue their success this season. If they want to take the next step this year, they will be relying heavily on their Wing-T rushing attack. This season, I see incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='653380' first='Ellis' last='Huguely'] leading the charge out of the backfield. Last season, Huguely finishing with 101 carries for 784 yards and 11 touchdowns. Huguely has impressive vision, showing the ability to hit the running lane in a hurry and use his speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He has also shown the ability to break tackles without losing stride and that he has the elusiveness to make defenders miss. Ellis also caught eight passes for 154 yards and a touchdown last season. Huguely doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collins: </strong>Collins is a team that will be looking to improve off a 2022 season that ended in the first round of the playoffs. They have a solid group of returning players looking to turn things around but [player_tooltip player_id='735561' first='Quinten' last='Wooten'] stands out to me the most. The incoming junior is a key player on both sides of the ball for the Titans. He only played in seven games this past season but was productive when on the field. On offense, he does most of his damage at receiver, finishing this past season with 17 receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He also served as a ball carrier at times, running the ball seven times for 35 yards last season. Wooten also played a key role as a defensive back, finishing his junior year with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. Quinten doesn't currently hold any offers and is also a talented baseball player so it remains to be seen what his future holds after high school but he definitely has the talent to play football at the next level if he chooses to follow that path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Southern: </strong>Madison Southern is another team that will be looking to bounce back from an early playoff exit in 2022. If they want to improve this year, they will be relying heavily on incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='373792' first='Ethan' last='Moore']. On offense, Ethan is a dangerous deep threat on the outside at wide receiver. He finished his sophomore season as the team's leading receiver, catching 25 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns. Moore also plays a huge role on defense at safety, finishing this past season with 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception. Ethan currently holds an offer from Union College but I expect more to come his way as he has received a lot of college interest and has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Bullitt: </strong>North Bullitt will be looking to bounce back from a one-win 2022 season. If they want to improve this year, they will need a big year from incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='855036' first='Evan' last='Ernspiker']. Evan plays a key role on both sides of the ball for the Eagles. On offense, Ernspiker finished his sophomore year as the team's leading rusher, carrying the ball 168 times for 864 yards and five touchdowns. He also had an impressive sophomore year at linebacker. Ernspiker finished this past season with 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and one sack. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Evan should be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on the next two seasons as someone who could play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pulaski County: </strong>Pulaski County will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season this year. They have a solid group of returning players coming back to continue their success. Among this group, incoming junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='735686' first='Harris' last='Denmyer'] stands out the most. Denmyer is coming off an impressive sophomore season in which he caught 39 passes for 771 yards and eight touchdowns. He is a dangerous deep threat on the outside with the speed run away from opposing defensive backs to create separation. Denmyer is also very impressive after the catch, showing the ability to turn short passes/screens into big gains. Harris doesn't currently hold any offers but he should definitely be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Montgomery County: </strong>To wrap up this list, I have Montgomery County. This is another team that will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. While they have some solid returning players on their roster this year, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='852896' first='Harrison' last='Haddix'] stands out the most. Haddix had an impressive junior season, catching 37 passes for 622 yards and six's touchdowns. He has shown the ability to line up on both the outside and in the slot, and is a very smooth route runner, showing the ability to create separation with ease. Haddix is also very dangerous after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes/screens into big plays. Harrison doesn't currently hold any offers 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><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->