Warner Named MVP; Other 2030 KY Future Stars Shine Offensively

The annual border war between the Kentucky Future Stars and Tennessee Future Stars went down this past weekend on the beautiful, scenic campus of UT-Martin. While both states featured plenty of future college prospects–some with verbal offers already–the home team would come away with the victory on all three grade levels. Call it a Tenne-sweep, but Kentucky had plenty of standouts. Below are the Kentucky prospects that shined on the offensive side of the ball, in the seventh-grade (2030) Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game.    Last year's 6th Grade Kentucky Future Stars Offensive MVP wasted little time making a case to repeat the honor this year on the 7th Grade Future Stars. Following Tennessee's quick strike on their first possession, [player_tooltip player_id='1306246' first='Keilin' last='Warner'] had three big runs to help Big Blue Nation respond with a touchdown of its own, on its initial drive.   Come the second quarter, on Kentucky's second drive, Warner had runs of 11-yards and 18-yards that brought the ball down to the Tennessee three-yard, but a missed FG attempt kept Tennessee ahead 12-7. The Kentucky Future Stars third possession of the game went much like its previous two. Warner hit for a 24-yard run, then a 7-yard run, but the drive would again fizzle out.   The eventual Kentucky Offensive MVP finally broke through on the opening drive of the second half. Following a pair of short runs, he hit for a 20-yard gain that brought the ball down to the Tennessee four-yard line. A play later, he patiently took a direct snap and bounced outside for a touchdown. The Tennessee Future Stars defense certainly made him work for it, but Warner earned every yard he got while securing his second consecutive Offensive MVP award.     For the second consecutive year the class of 2030 Kentucky Future Stars were led by Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1306237' first='Kal' last='Ridner']. I had little doubt coming into the weekend, but Ridner's performance in this year's 7th Grade Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game made it crystal clear who the top 2030 QB in Kentucky is.   Following a Tennessee touchdown on the second offensive play of the game, Ridner responded by orchestrating a touchdown drive on Kentucky's first possession. After three runs to open the drive, QB1 connected on a short completion to ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1275344' first='Peyton' last='Moncrief'] to start the day. Two plays later, he threw a dart to his Northern Pulaski teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1276039' first='Colt' last='Sturgill'] for a touchdown. Ridner continued to show off his arm talent throughout the game. He truly has a gunslinger mentality and thinks he can make every throw on the field—like his crossbody, off-platform seed to Cole Chappel late in the first half.   There were a few throws that got away from him and Tennessee either made him, or nearly made him, pay for it. With that said, [player_tooltip player_id='1306237' first='Kal' last='Ridner'] is a QB in the 2030 class that colleges around SEC country need to know about immediately.     The headlines and history book will show that Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1306246' first='Keilin' last='Warner'] (listed above) came home with his second straight Offensive MVP award for the Kentucky Future Stars. While Warner is undoubtedly nothing short of special, [player_tooltip player_id='1672966' first='Jake' last='Salmons'] had a big hand in Kentucky's offense this past weekend.   Salmons is a tough, gifted kid who knows how to find the end zone. However, in All-Star Game format, and on a team with as much talent as the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars had, sometimes kids are asked to do more. Salmons had no problems with that.   More impressive than his production with the ball in his hands, was Salmons' blocking. Off the top of my head, I can recall at least four key Salmons blocks that helped Kentucky pop off for a big gain. His overall ability as a "football guy" was on display with a number of very tough runs throughout the day too.     When QB1, [player_tooltip player_id='1306237' first='Kal' last='Ridner'] (listed above) and WR1, [player_tooltip player_id='1276039' first='Colt' last='Sturgill'] won a KYMSFA 7th Grade State Championship together during the regular season, fireworks had to be expected from the duo for the Kentucky Future Stars—and that's exactly what we got.   It didn't take long for the pair to show off the pre-installed chemistry, as Sturgill hauled in Kentucky's first touchdown of the day on a pass from Ridner. Following a successful extra point, the catch also gave Kentucky it's first—and only lead—of the game.   It wasn't just Ridner and Sturgill who had a connection, the WR also seemed to be a favorite of QB [player_tooltip player_id='1278296' first='Brody' last='Shannon'] as well. They had a nice pitch and catch in the second half, in addition to being targeted a few times. Sturgill was difficult for Tennessee to keep in check all day long. Whether it was drawing a PI call or making some tough grabs, he kept the defense on its toes.     First-time Kentucky Future Stars signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1278296' first='Brody' last='Shannon'] did some nice things for the boys in Blue.   He flashed his arm talent during Kentucky's second drive, which bridged the first and second quarter. On the opening drive of the second half, Shannon had his most productive series. Following a beautiful 20+-yard pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1276039' first='Colt' last='Sturgill'] (listed above) that brought the ball into Tennessee territory, Shannon operated a nearly textbook RPO and scampered for 10 more yards on the very next play.   Additionally, there were some definite drops and a few balls that looked catchable from up in the box--which were out of his control. At the end of the day, I came away liking what I saw in the Paducah QB.     Moncrief had a solid showing for the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars on both offense and on special teams. Following three runs to start Kentucky's opening drive of the game, Moncrief made the first reception of the game for Kentucky. He was targeted several times and despite a few unfortunate miscues, he got himself open regularly.     Coming into the game I knew [player_tooltip player_id='1672789' first='Karsen' last='Gosser'] had some speed, but he confirmed that with his first carry of the ball game. Despite fumbling initially, and then receiving a gratuitous bounce, Gosser motored for a first down late in the opening quarter. He only had a few carries in the game, but he made the most of his opportunities and looked quick on the field.     Littlejohn made some plays in all three phases of the game for the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars. He was targeted three times offensively, and finished the day with two receptions. They didn't go for a ton of yards, but he successfully worked himself open.     Special Teams, specifically Kickers, don't always get a ton of love on any level--much less the middle school level. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1687870' first='Kip' last='Walden'] had an impressive day for the 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars. Walden was 2-for-2 on extra point attempts, and although his FG attempt rattled the uprights, had he been kicking on a high school or middle school field (as oppose to the more narrow college uprights at UT-Martin) he would have nailed that with ease too. Additionally, he drove the ball deep on his kickoffs. There's a pretty impressive leg on this young man.     The big-bodied, WR/TE hybrid threw his hat in the ring with a big reception late in the second quarter. With QB [player_tooltip player_id='1306237' first='Kal' last='Ridner'] (listed above) scrambling and firing back across his body, Chappell caught a blistering ball and rumbled 35 yards to move the ball into Tennessee territory. Though the drive would go for not, seeing the big man catch, turn and run was nice to see.     Irvin had an uncharacteristically quiet afternoon offensively, other than being targeted on back-to-back plays by [player_tooltip player_id='1278296' first='Brody' last='Shannon'] (listed above) late in the fourth quarter on what appeared to be the same play. Irvin brought in the second of the two attempts, an 11-yard third-down reception, and showed great balance as he was nearly brought down, but managed to stay up.     It was a bit of a quieter Future Stars Game in 2025, than it was in 2024 for [player_tooltip player_id='1306224' first='Trigg' last='Whisenant']. Nonetheless, his talent is undeniable. His best play of the game came on the final play of the opening quarter. On the play, the Letcher Central prospect had an exciting run that brought the ball down to the 32-yard line in Tennessee territory. It ultimately resulted in a FG attempt for the Kentucky Future Stars.

The annual border war between the Kentucky Future Stars and Tennessee Future Stars went down this past weekend on the beautiful, scenic campus of UT-Martin. While both states featured plenty of future college prospects–some with verbal offers already–the home team would come away with the victory on all three grade levels. Call it a Tenne-sweep, but Kentucky had plenty of standouts. Below are the Kentucky prospects that shined on the offensive side of the ball, in the seventh-grade (2030) Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game.