KYMSFA 2024-2025 Regional Players of the Year Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each year the KYMSFA (Kentucky Middle School Football Association) names an eighth-grade Regional Player of the Year in each region and all three levels. The prospects below earned the honors this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">8th Grade (2029) Division 1</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662543"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1736"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 1, Region 1 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Very dangerous two-sport athlete with game-changing speed. Arguably the fastest 2029 prospect in the state of Kentucky, with the track numbers to back it up. Was clocked at an 11.29 in the 100m and 23.34 in the 200m in March 2025. Can play multiple positions and can be used in various ways. Looks most natural as a Running Back and Cornerback, based off what I've seen on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662547"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1797"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 1, Region 2 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Extremely gifted multi-sport prospect who can flat out play football. Runs the basketball court nearly as well he moves the football on the gridiron. Rankin is a versatile kid that did a little bit of everything for the Colonels during the 2024 season. Can play Running Back, Wide Receiver and Defensive Back at a very high level. He's one to keep in mind for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1650792"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc17de"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 1, Region 3 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northing short of a work horse as a Running Back prospect. A year after being named an Honorable Mention Regional Player of the Year nominee as a seventh-grader, Kelsey came back in 2024 as an eighth-grader and ran wild all over Region 3. Watching him at the Battle of the Regions tournament in late March 2025, he showed off toughness and skill. Also a very good wrestler for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868414"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1837"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 1, Region 4 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen Wooldridge play live four times over the last three years, and every time I see him play he is absolutely elite. As a Defensive Back his length and athleticism can erase the top Wide Receiver on the team he's playing against. As a Quarterback, his dual-threat ability completely paralyzes the opposition. The son of a football coach, he's fast, physical and all signs point to him being an elite talent as he gets set to head to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">8th Grade (2029) Division 2</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662563"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1883"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 2, Region 1 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite undeniably being on the small side in stature at just 5-foot-6 and 135-pounds, Bussell has a ton of athleticism. At this point, what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with ability. A two-sport athlete who may be even better on the hardwood, Bussell had countless highlight-worthy plays this past season for the Bears. He shined as both a Safety and a Wide Receiver in 2024 and a big off-season of development will dictate what the future looks like for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662567"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc18c5"} --> <!-- wp:list {"className":"text-gray-700"} --> <ul class="wp-block-list text-gray-700"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 2, Region 2 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I was going through the list of award winners, as you'll see, it's littered with offensive skill position players. So when I saw Nettles on the list, it immediately got me excited. While he does play offensive skill position(s)--namely Wide Receiver, he looks more like a Tight End and it's his physicality that people should get familiar with. On the defensive side of the ball, he's a heckuva' play-making Linebacker. Can drop and flip his hips well, in addition to using his length to maximize his range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1650972"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1906"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 2, Region 3 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After being named an Honorable Mention Regional Player of the Year nominee as a seventh-grader in 2023, Stutler came out in the 2024 season noticeably took his game to another level. After leading Ashland to a Regional Championship, he was selected to the Kentucky All-Star Classic and earned a victory there as well. A tireless worker in the off-season, he sharpens his play at the QB position almost daily. His mechanics are on point and he wastes very little movement in his delivery of the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662580"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1944"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 2, Region 4 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't pretend to be an expert in all things Kentucky Middle School Football, but for Marlow to bring home the Region 4 Player of the Year, you know he has a ton of ability. Like [player_tooltip player_id='1662567' first='Sam' last='Nettles'], the Division 2, Region 2 Player of the Year, Marlow made his mark on the defensive side of the ball as a Linebacker. Will be entering high school with ideal size, good speed and can lower the boom at any time. He looks like a very good young LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">8th Grade (2029) Division 3</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662612"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1981"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 3, Region 1 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm obviously going to talk about Burwash's ability on the football field here since we're taking a look at the KYMSFA Regional Players of the Year, but make no bones about it, this kid has the potential to be a future Major Leaguer. Just an eighth-grader, he's already in his second season on the Varsity baseball team and is batting .357 this year. Back to the gridiron, he's a dual-threat QB that used his muscular frame and talented arm to pass/run through, over and around the opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662615"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc19c0"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 3, Region 2 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like his Division 3, Region 1 Player of the Year counterpart [player_tooltip player_id='1662612' first='Ty' last='Burwash'], Overstreet is also already playing varsity baseball as an eighth-grader. A thick, powerful kid at 5-foot-9 and 175-pounds he's built a Fullback but plays some great dual-threat Quarterback. Has a strong arm and has little issue letting the pigskin fly 40-50+ yards in the air. The 2024 season saw Overstreet lead CAL to a Regional Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662640"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc19fe"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 3, Region 3 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Raceland came up short in the Regional Championship game this past season, Bell put an exclamation point on his stellar 2024 season with a Regional POY selection. A year after being named an Honorable Mention Regional Player of the Year nominee as a seventh-grader, he was noticeably faster and overall a better athlete this year. The aggressive, down-hill Linebacker also finished sixth in the state wrestling tournament and was clocked at a 12.65 in the 100m earlier in April 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["868210"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680bcffcc1a3b"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Division 3, Region 4 Player of the Year</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When looking at the Kentucky Middle School Football Association over the last two years, it's hard not to put [player_tooltip player_id='868210' first='Caden' last='Lawson'] near (or at <em>the</em>) the top of the list of the most dominant players. Yes, he's on the smaller side and yes, he doesn't play at the biggest school--but he's the only two-time Regional Player of the Year on this list. Also a two-time Kentucky Future Stars standout player, in 2024 the talented athlete had one of the most productive eighth-grade seasons in recent history, recording over 2,500 all-purpose yards, 46 touchdowns and 65 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->