Kentucky BOTR: Region 2 c/o 2030 Defensive Line Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In March 2025, Region 2 had a mixed bag of results in the Kentucky Middle School Football Association (KYMSFA) Battle of the Regions (BOTR) tournament. Both last year's 8th Grade Team (2029) and 6th Grade Team (2031) finished 3rd in convincing fashion, following tough opening round matchups with the eventual champions. However, the 7th Grade Team (2030) Region 2 squad brought home the crown and is now back to do it again as 8th Graders in 2026. Here's a preview of the Defensive Linemen on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156289"],"_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-69c53befa9f75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henry County Middle School will be represented on both sides of the ball on the Region 2 8th Grade with WR [player_tooltip player_id='1652060' first='Brystin' last='Pyles'] being joined by Defensive Lineman, [player_tooltip player_id='2156289' first='Beaux' last='Miskell']. Miskell is built more like an Edge rusher than an interior guy at this point, but look for his length and explosion off the ball to be an advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two-time KYMSFA D3 Regional POY Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Named a Team Captain in 2025</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Also plays soccer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156291"],"_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-69c53befaa021"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Region 2 8th Grade Team has a solid mix of prospects on the defensive line who bring a diverse skill set; Which will allow them to get creative with matchups. North Bullitt's [player_tooltip player_id='2156291' first='Bentley' last='Miller'] is a kid that can stay on the field in any situation with his stout play against the run, in addition to his ability to get after the QB. He'll be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 KYMSFA D1 Regional POY Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 KYMSFA All-Star Classic MVP</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Finished 2025 with 33 tackles, 9 sacks and 2 forced fumbles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2156323"],"_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-69c53befaa093"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Echo Trail will have half of its starting Defensive Line represented on the Region 2 8th Grade Team with interior DL [player_tooltip player_id='2156323' first='Chase' last='Martin'] joining Edge [player_tooltip player_id='1688685' first='Joe' last='Caudill'] up front. Martin isn't put together quite like Caudill in terms of muscle mass at this point, but he arguably made the biggest impact on the field for Echo Trail in 2025. I'm excited to take a good look here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 Echo Trail Defensive Player of the Year</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First-time selection to the KYMSFA BOTR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Led a defense that only let up 14 points in its three victories</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689156"],"_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-69c53befaa10f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On last year's BOTR Region 2 7th Grade Championship team, [player_tooltip player_id='1689156' first='Ethan' last='Sparks'] was an immediate eye-test passer when the team took the field. He would go on to start the game on the Offensive Line and solidify himself as one of the standouts in the region. This year he'll flip to the other side of the ball and try to replicate his strong play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two-time KYMSFA BOTR selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 Kentucky Future Stars selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Also wrestles and power lifts</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689175"],"_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-69c53befaa17d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Out of all the Defensive Linemen on this roster, [player_tooltip player_id='1689175' first='Hakim' last='Stephens'] is the prospect I can see taking the next steps to separate himself from the pack. Like [player_tooltip player_id='1689156' first='Ethan' last='Sparks'] (listed above), Stephens was an Offensive Line standout last year but returns this year to stake his claim on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 Newburg Middle School Defensive MVP</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2025 Kentucky Future Stars selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two-time KYMSFA BOTR selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2157408"],"_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-69c53befaa1ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Region 2 8th Grade team roster is littered with Bullitt East prospects. Nearly 1/4 of the 30-man roster are Chargers -- seven to be exact. Of those prospects, Whittington is the only kid slotted to play on the defensive line. He has a nice frame and had an extremly active 2025 season in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Helped Bullitt East reach the KYMSFA D1 State Championship Game in 2025</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two-time KYMSFA BOTR selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>He reports 21 sacks for the 2025 season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->