2023 Team MVP Predictions: 2A (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football season just kicking off this past week, it is time to start previewing the season ahead. 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 have now turned my attention to class 2A in my “Team MVP” series. With that being said, here is another group of 2A MVP predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edmonson County: </strong>The Wildcats are a team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season but are off to a rough start following a Week 1 loss to Grayson County. If they want to get things going in the right direction, they will need a big year out of senior [player_tooltip player_id='958995' first='Michael' last='Mills']. Mills played a key role on offense last season as a running back, running the ball 157 times for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns while also catching one touchdown pass. He also played a role on defense last season, finishing with 38 tackles and two interceptions. Michael doesn't currently hold any offers but will be a player to keep an eye on as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bracken County: </strong>The Polar Bears are a team that will be looking to build off a solid 2022 season. They are off to a great start with a Week 1 win over Lewis County. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] played a huge role in the win, recording 21 tackles and two tackles for loss. He also led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. As a freshman, Tarter had a very impressive season at linebacker, finishing with 111 tackles, one sack, and an interception. Tarter has yet to receive any offers but will definitely be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carroll County: </strong>The Panthers are a team that will be looking to take the next step following an early playoff exit in 2022. They have gotten off to a hot start with a season-opening win over Western. This season, their offense has added another talented play maker in senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='418720' first='Malachi' last='Embers']. Embers transferred to Carroll County from the Christian Academy of Louisville where he caught 10 passes for 186 yards and five touchdowns. Malachi currently holds and offer from Millikin 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>Gallatin County: </strong>Gallatin County is another team that is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season and they are off to a great start with a Week 1 win over Dayton. If they want to continue their winning ways this season, senior [player_tooltip player_id='958996' first='Chad' last='Hon'] will be one of the players leading the way. Hon is one of the leaders on the Wildcats' defense at linebacker and is coming off a strong junior year in which he finished with 74 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He finished their first game with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. Hon also plays a role on offense at running back, and he ran the ball 32 times for 110 yards and a touchdown last season. Chad has yet to pick up any offers but he is a player to watch during his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen County: </strong>The Rebels are another team looking to bounce back this season but are unfortunately off to a rough start following a Week 1 loss to Campbellsville. If they want to get things going in the right direction, they will be looking for a big season out of senior [player_tooltip player_id='958999' first='Kade' last='New']. New lines up at tight end in the Owen County offense and was their leading receiver last season, catching 24 passes for 384 yards and seven touchdowns. He also plays a role on the defensive side of the ball where he finished his junior year with 35 tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks. New doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Danville: </strong>Danville is another team looking to turn things around following a rough 2022 season. They aren't off to a great start as they suffered a Week 1 loss to West Jessamine. If they want to get things turned around, they will need a big year out of junior [player_tooltip player_id='959000' first='Braidin' last='Baughman']. Braidin played a big role in the Danville offense last year, running the ball 90 times for 658 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the team in receiving with 11 catches for 187 yards. He also played a role on defense last season, finishing with 42 tackles and three interceptions. In his first game as a junior, Baughman was very impressive, running the ball 21 times for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Braidin doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons as he transitions into being Danville's lead back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Somerset: </strong>The Briar Jumpers are a team looking to take the next step this season following a second-round playoff exit in 2022. They are off to a rough start this year following a Week 1 loss to Perry County Central. If they want to get back to their winning ways, senior [player_tooltip player_id='417455' first='Kam' last='Hughes'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Hughes played a key role in Somerset's offense last season, running the ball 59 times for 428 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 27 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also made an impact on defense, finishing his junior year with 58 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two interceptions. In their season opener, Hughes ran the ball seven times for 42 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 42 yards. He also led the team with 14 tackles. Hughes currently holds an offer from Hanover and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play multiple positions at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Floyd Central: </strong>The Jaguars have already matched their win total from 2022 following a Week 1 win over Paintsville. If they want to continuing their winning ways, senior [player_tooltip player_id='958997' first='Brody' last='Buck'] will be one of the players leading the way. Buck was the Jaguars' leading receiver last season, catching 20 passes for 312 yards and one touchdown. He also played a role on defense, coming away with one interception as a junior. He played a key role in their win this past Friday, catching two passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. Brody doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on as a senior that has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knott County Central: </strong>The Patriots are another team looking to turn things around this season and they are off to a great start following a Week 1 win over Jenkins. If they want to keep this going, they will be looking for a big year out of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='959029' first='Chance' last='Amburgey']. Amburgey had an impressive freshman year, finishing as the team's leading receiver. He finished last season with 23 receptions for 486 yards and six touchdowns, and also threw three touchdown passes. Chance also played a key role on defense as a freshman, finishing with 43 tackles. Amburgey doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martin County: </strong>To wrap up this group of MVP predictions, I have the Martin County Cardinals who are coming off an impressive Week 1 win over Hazard. If they want to continue their winning ways, they will need another big year out of senior [player_tooltip player_id='653487' first='Brock' last='Messer']. Brock had a strong junior year as a ball carrier, running the ball 143 times for 1,532 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also returned one kickoff return for a touchdown. Messer also played a key role on defense last year, finishing with 69 tackles and three tackles for loss. Brock is off to a great start to his senior year, finishing their first game with 14 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown along with eight tackles. Brock doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->