2023 Lexington All-City Team: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of the year, another season of high school football has come and gone. The city of Lexington has recently been an area that has been filled with very impressive talent and this year was not exception. While there was a ton of talent on display across the city, I wanted to focus on the players that stood out the most. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, here is my 2023 Lexington All-City Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["408048"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408048' first='Demeco' last='Kennedy'] is a player that has stood out to me on both sides of the ball throughout his career. During his senior year, he stood out the most on the defensive side of the ball at defensive tackle. While his stats don't pop out due to limited reps in several blowout wins, Kennedy was dominant against the run when on the field. He showed the ability to use his strength to drive straight through blocks to get into the backfield to make tackles before the ball carrier could get going. Kennedy also showed the ability to use his speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen as a pass rusher to put pressure on the quarterback. Demeco officially signed with Purdue where I can see him becoming a key piece of their defensive line once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["408042"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408042' first='Jahvon' last='Frazier'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. He played a huge role in Bryan Station's run to the 6A State Championship Game. Frazier lined up at defensive tackle  where he was very disruptive against the run. He showed the ability to shed blocks quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles. Frazier finished the season with 72 tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to use his speed off the edge to pose as a threat as a pass rusher, finishing the season with five sacks. Jahvon signed with Akron where I can see him developing into a key contributor on defense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["381933"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='381933' first='Kenyatta' last='Hardge'] quickly cemented himself as one of the top defensive linemen in the city after transferring to LCA this season. Hardge lined up at defensive end where he was very disruptive against the run, using his strength to fight through blocks and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles. He finished the season with 50 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. Hardge also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the season with three sacks. Kenyatta currently holds offers from Morehead State, Thomas More, Kentucky Wesleyan, Kentucky Christian, and Union, and I expect him to be an impact player wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["653370"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='653370' first='Logan' last='Julian'] is a player that jumped onto my radar last season and had a very successful senior year. Julian lined up at linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He showed the ability to read his keys quickly and get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles in the open field. Julian finished the season with 91.5 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown in 12 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the season with 2.5 sacks and an interception. Julian also scored two rushing touchdowns on offense. Logan currently holds offers from Millikin, Hanover, Mount Saint Joseph, Union, and Wright State, and I expect him to become a key piece of the defense wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["408041"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408041' first='Jason' last='Hocker'] is another linebacker that had a very impressive senior season. Hocker was very impressive against the run this season, showing the ability to read his keys and get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle. Hocker finished the season with 91 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 14 games. Jason signed with Akron where I can see him becoming a key piece of their defense.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["408043"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another Bryan Station linebacker that stood out to me this season was [player_tooltip player_id='408043' first='Dahvon' last='Frazier']. Frazier lined up at outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, showing the ability to flow to the ball quickly and fight through blocks to get to the ball carrier and make tackles in the open field. He finished the season with 61 tackles and 17 tackles for loss in 14 games. Dahvon also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing the season with four sacks and an interception. Frazier is committed to join his brother Jahvon and Hocker at Akron where they could eventually be a dangerous trio on the defensive side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["422907"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='422907' first='Hunter' last='Adams'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. Adams lined up at linebacker where he was able to use his speed to blow by offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier in a hurry and make tackles in the open field before they could get going. Hunter finished the season with 76 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the season with 2.5 sacks. Adams currently holds offers from Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year as he is a true Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["408040"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408040' first='JT' last='Haskins'] is a player that came into this season with high expectations and truly lived up to them. He lined up at safety where he was very impressive in pass coverage. Haskins showed the ability to read the quarterback and break on the ball with perfect time and cover a ton of ground quickly to make a play. He finished the season with seven interceptions in 14 games, returning one for a touchdown. Haskins also showed the ability to come downhill and provide run support, finishing the season with 50 tackles and three tackles for loss. He also finished the season as his team's leading receiver, catching 41 passes for 878 yards and 10 touchdowns. JT signed with Ohio where I expect him to be a true impact player once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["735612"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Another Bryan Station defensive back that stood out to me this season was [player_tooltip player_id='735612' first='Jaiden' last='Shegog']. Jaiden lined up at corner where he was very impressive in man coverage. He showed the ability to open up and run with opposing receivers to mirror their routes. When the ball was thrown his way, he did a great job of breaking on the pass with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the season with one interception and several pass breakups in 14 games. Shegog also showed the ability to make plays against the run, finishing the season with 26 tackles and one tackle for loss. Jaiden currently holds an offer from Miami (OH) and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["408049"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='408049' first='Jeremiah' last='Lowe'] continued to prove that he is one of the top players in the entire state this season. He lined up on the outside at corner where he continued to be impressive in man coverage, showing the ability to mirror receivers' routes with ease. When the ball was thrown his way, he showed the ability to break on it with perfect timing to make a play. He finished the season with one interception and multiple pass deflections in 12 games. Lowe also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the season with 25 tackles and one tackle for loss. Jeremiah signed with Michigan where I can see him developing into a very productive defensive back at the next level once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["422905"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"To wrap up my 2023 Lexington All-City Defense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='422905' first='Terrion' last='Hicks']. Hicks lined up at the opposite corner for the Broncos where he was very impressive in man coverage. He showed the ability to mirror receivers and fight across their bodies to break up passes when the ball was thrown his way. Hicks also showed tremendous ability to come downhill and make tackles against the run, finishing the season with 30 tackles and one tackle for loss in 12 games. He also finished the season with a half sack. Hicks signed with Northwestern where I can see him becoming a key part of their secondary once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658c72576714d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423622' first='Chase' last='Couch'] (LCA, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linebacker: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381930' first='Major' last='Brown'] (LCA, 2024); Colton Turlington (Dunbar, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='838946' first='Walden' last='Cole'] (Henry Clay, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='735603' first='Kaden' last='Clay'] (Frederick Douglass, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='422904' first='Darion' last='Neal'] (Frederick Douglass, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='653371' first='Sam' last='Clements'] (Lexington Catholic, 2024); [player_tooltip player_id='735618' first='Jackson' last='Dillow'] (LCA, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='408044' first='Isaiah' last='Watts'] (Bryan Station, 2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->