2023 Team MVP Predictions: 2A (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter the middle of August, 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 the 3A-6A classes, I will now turn my attention to class 2A in my “Team MVP” series. With that being said, here is my first group of 2A MVP predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beechwood: </strong>To kick off my 2A predictions, I have the reigning 2A State Champs. With the Tigers losing some very talented seniors from last year's team, incoming junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='735732' first='Chase' last='Flaherty'] will be stepping into a leadership role this season. Flaherty stepped up in a big way following senior Mitchell Berger's season-ending injury last season and played a huge role in the Tigers' championship run. He finished his sophomore year with 111 carries for 768 yards and 19 touchdowns while also catching seven passes for 84 yards. Chase doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect him to receive a lot of interest starting this season as he heads into a full season as their lead back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mayfield: </strong>Next up is the team that fell just short against Beechwood in last year's 2A State Championship Game. The Cardinals return an impressive group of players from last year's team but incoming senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='313658' first='JuJu' last='Starks'] stands out to me the most. As a junior, Starks ran the ball 144 times for 1,214 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also plays a role on defense as a defensive end but he definitely makes his biggest impact as a ball carrier. Starks currently holds one offer from Murray State and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a productive running back at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexington Christian Academy: </strong>The Eagles will be a team out for revenge this season following a disappointing loss in the state semifinals last season. If they want to make it to Kroger Field this season, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='331733' first='Cutter' last='Boley'] will be the man to lead the way. Boley recently reclassified to the 2024 class so this will be his last chance at a state title. He established himself as the top player in the entire state last season, completing 254/400 passes for 3,901 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Boley has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs when needed, scoring six rushing touchdowns last season. Cutter is committed to Kentucky where I see him being their QB of the future once he gets there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owensboro Catholic: </strong>The Aces are a team that will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season. While they return an impressive group of players from last year's team, senior [player_tooltip player_id='653479' first='William' last='Carrico'] stands out to me the most. Carrico does a little bit of everything for the Aces on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Carrico finished as the team's leading receiver, catching 47 passes for 774 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 71 times for 344 yards and four touchdowns. Carrico also plays a key role on defense as a linebacker, finishing last season with 131 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. He also came away with five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns last season. William has also proven to be a dangerous returner on special teams, returning one punt for a touchdown last season. Carrico currently holds offers from Benedictine College, Marian University, Ave Maria, and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Murray: </strong>Murray is a program that will be looking to take the next step this season follow an early playoff exit in 2022. If they want to take this next step, incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='919065' first='Jeremiah' last='Jones'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Jones is a true ballhawk at safety for the Tigers, finishing his sophomore year with five interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. He is also very reliable against the run, finishing last season with 97 tackles and four tackles for loss. Jones also scored one rushing touchdown on offense last season but he is definitely at his best on the defensive side of the ball. Jeremiah currently holds offers from Murray State and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber safety prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Walton-Verona: </strong>The Bearcats are a team that will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season. If they want to take the next step this season, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='418829' first='Jackson' last='Smith'] will be the man to lead the way. As a junior, Smith completed 85/193 passes for 988 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. While he has shown some ability a passer, Smith is at his most dangerous as a ball carrier. He finished his junior year with 146 carries for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns. Jackson currently holds offers from Indiana Wesleyan and 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>Breathitt County: </strong>The Bobcats are another team that will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season. If they want to continue their success this season, they will need a big year out of incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='735687' first='Austin' last='Sperry']. Sperry has established himself as one of the better receivers in the state and is coming off a very impressive sophomore season. As a sophomore, Sperry caught 41 passes for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns. Austin's currently holds a football offer from Eastern Kentucky but is a highly regarded basketball recruit with multiple offers so he will likely go that route. However, if he were to decide to play football at the next level he definitely has the talent to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leslie County: </strong>Leslie County is a team that will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to turn things around this year, they will need a big year out of incoming junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='373793' first='Landry' last='Collett']. Collett is coming off an impressive sophomore season in which he completed 146/263 passes for 2,228 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He has also shown that he can make plays on the ground when needed, finishing last season with 52 carries for 341 yards and four touchdowns. Landry doesn't currently hold any offers but has received some college interest and has the talent to play quarterback at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Ridge: </strong>The Warriors are another team that struggled last season. If they want to get things moving in the right direction this season, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='653386' first='Steven' last='Layne'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Layne is a key piece of the East Ridge defense at linebacker and is coming off a strong junior year in which he finished with 99 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in just eight games. He also plays a key role on offense as a running back. Last season, Layne carried the ball 35 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Layne doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to watch going into his senior year that has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shelby Valley: </strong>The Wildcats are a team that will be looking to build off an impressive 2022 season. If they want to take the next step this year, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='417271' first='Russ' last='Osborne'] will be the man to lead the way. Osborne had an outstanding junior year, completing 156/220 passes for 2,787 yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He is a true dual-threat quarterback as he also ran the ball 90 times for 649 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Russ also plays a key role on defense at safety. He finished his junior year with 78 tackles and four interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown. Osborne currently holds an offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->