2025 KY Week 9 Power Scores: 5A Impact Players

<p>This season, we have started a new idea at Prep Redzone called “Power Scores”. “Power Scores” are computer-generated team rankings (not scout-based) that take into account various factors which can be found <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/what-are-power-scores/">here</a>. With that being said, I wanted to take a look at where our “Power Scores” stand in the state Kentucky heading into Week 9 in each class and focus on an impact player on each time in the Top 10. After already covering 6A, here are some impact players for the Top 10 teams in 5A in our Week 9 “Power Scores”.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Collins:</h2>   <p>Collins is off to a strong start to their season, led by their talented junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378831' first='Kade' last='Goodin']. In five games, Gooding has completed 73/129 passes for 1,190 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only one interception. He has shown impressive ball placement this season, putting his passes in spots where only his intended receivers have a chance to catch them. Goodin has also shown the arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Kade has also continued to show his elite dual-threat ability this season, leading his team in rushing with 49 carries for 439 yards and 10 touchdowns. Goodin currently holds offers from Bowling Green State, Marshall, Eastern Kentucky, and Southern Mississippi, and I expect that list to continue to grow over the next two years. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Madisonville-North Hopkins:</h2>   <p>The Maroons have gotten off to an undefeated start to their season, due in large part to the impressive play of their senior running back, [player_tooltip player_id='401923' first='Markezz' last='Hightower']. Hightower is a downhill runner who bursts out of his stance and hits the running lane with a sense of urgency. Once he gets into the second level, he has the strength to run straight through defenders and speed to run away from them on long runs. Through seven games, Hightower leads his team in rushing with 123 carries for 1,106 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also caught 11 passes for 120 yards this season. Markezz surprisingly still has yet to pick up an offer but he is a player who college coaches should definitely be paying close attention to this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. South Laurel:</h2>   <p>Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='227403' first='Mason' last='Griffin'] has led South Laurel to a strong start to their season, completing 155/215 passes for 2,055 yards, 20 touchdowns, and two interceptions in eight games. Griffin has a cannon for an arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field with ease in the deep passing game. He has also shown impressive accuracy, fitting passes into tight windows where only his intended receivers can catch them. Mason currently holds an offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way throughout his senior year. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Scott County:</h2>   <p>The Cardinals have continued to be one of the more impressive teams in 5A this season. One of the key players leading the charge for them has been junior [player_tooltip player_id='1200641' first='Timmy' last='Emongo']. Emongo is a versatile playmaker on offense, serving as both a running back and wide receiver. As a receiver, he uses his explosive speed to blow by opposing defensive backs with ease. He currently leads his team in receiving with 16 catches for 514 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games. Emongo is very dangerous in the open field as a ball carrier, showing the elusiveness to make defenders miss and speed to break away on long runs. He has carried the ball 61 times for 512 yards and nine touchdowns so far this season. Timmy has also recorded 12 tackles and two interceptions this season. Emongo currently holds offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Kent State, Miami (OH), Eastern Kentucky, and Marshall, and I expect more to come his way over the next couple seasons.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Pulaski County:</h2>   <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1200643' first='Cohen' last='Finley'] has made a big impact on both sides of the ball during Pulaski County's impressive start to their season. On defense, he lines up at outside linebacker where he has been dominant against the run. He reads the play quickly then uses his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Through seven games, Finley leads his team with 87 tackles along with nine tackles for loss. He has also recorded three sacks on the season and is the team's leading receiver, catching 19 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns so far. Cohen should be a player to keep a close eye on over the next two seasons. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Woodford County: </h2>   <p>Woodford County is another team off to a very strong start to the 2025 season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='500831' first='Darrian' last='Tomlin'] has led the charge for them on offense, leading the team in rushing with 70 carries for 600 yards and nine touchdowns in seven games. Tomlin is very hard to bring down by a single defender as he has the elusiveness to make defenders miss and contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Darrian has also caught 10 passes for 71 yards this season and has played a role on defense, recording nine tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Tomlin currently holds offers from Toledo and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Atherton:</h2>   <p>While Atherton's roster is loaded with talent, junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1610654' first='Zai'Vion' last='Meads'] has stood out the most to me this season. Meads lines up at defensive tackle where he is a very effective pass rusher. He uses his speed to shoot through his gap before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to block him and he does a great job of finishing at the quarterback, recording six sacks through the first seven games of the season. Meads also causes a ton of disruption against the run, showing the strength to shed blocks quickly then use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. He currently leads his team with 42 tackles along with nine tackles for loss. Zai'Vion currently holds several Power 4/Division I offers and I expect offers to continue to pile up for him over the next two years. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. South Oldham:</h2>   <p>South Oldham has had a strong start to their season and a lot of the credit can be given to the play of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1348579' first='Anthony' last='Dixon']. Dixon leads his team in rushing with 60 carries for 783 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games. Anthony has explosive speed which he uses to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency then run away from the defense on long runs. He has also shown the elusive to make defenders miss in the open field. Dixon also leads his team in receiving with 22 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns, and has returned one punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. He has also made an impact on defense, recording 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions (tied for team lead) so far this season. Dixon is a player who college coaches should have on their radar this season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. North Laurel: </h2>   <p>North Laurel is off to an impressive start to the 2025 season, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1669891' first='Jude' last='McWhorter']. Jude has served as their starting quarterback this season where he is a dangerous rushing threat, leading his team with 109 carries for 659 yards and six touchdowns in seven games. He has the speed to break away for long runs and elusiveness to make defenders miss with ease in the open field. As a passer, he has shown off impressive arm talent when asked to throw the ball, completing 58/89 passes for 760 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He has also played a key role on defense at safety, accounting for 39 tackles so far this season. Jude should be a player to pay close attention to over the next two seasons. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Cooper:</h2>   <p>To wrap up the Top 10 teams in our Week 9 5A “Power Score” rankings in the state of Kentucky, I have the Cooper Jaguars. They have been led this season by the strong play of senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='283974' first='Keagan' last='Maher']. Through seven games, Maher leads the team in rushing with 147 carries for 909 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is a strong runner who has shown the ability to keep his legs churning through contact while maintaining his balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. Maher has also shown the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the second level. He has also caught 15 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. Keagan currently holds offers from DePauw and Mount Saint Joseph, and I expect more to come his way during his senior year. </p>

This season, we have started a new idea at Prep Redzone called “Power Scores”. “Power Scores” are computer-generated team rankings (not scout-based) that take into account various factors which can be found here. With that being said, I wanted to take a look at where our “Power Scores” stand in the state Kentucky heading into Week 9 in each class and focus on an impact player on each time in the Top 10. After already covering 6A, here are some impact players for the Top 10 teams in 5A in our Week 9 “Power Scores”.