Kentucky BOTR: Region 2 c/o 2030 Edge 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 Ends/Edges on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688808"],"_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-69c2c5caf11b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There was a good amount buzz about [player_tooltip player_id='1688808' first='Anthony' last='Richardson II'] prior to last year's BOTR tournament, but injuries slowed much of his 2025 season. Fast forward nearly 365 days and he looks more than ready for a big 2026 BOTR and beyond. Looks to have grown and transformed his body significantly and I'm excited to see him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to 2025 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Three-time BOTR selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Led Barrett Traditional in tackles sand sacks for 2025 season</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688685"],"_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-69c2c5caf121c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Edge/Defensive End position on the middle school level encompasses many different body types, as oppose to the more advanced levels of football. [player_tooltip player_id='1688685' first='Joe' last='Caudill'] is a prime example of this with a solid, thicker and more compact build. What he lacks in length, he more than makes up for with ability and strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to 2025 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to 2025 KYMSFA All-Star Classic </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2026 JCPS Middle School Indoor Champion in the Shot put (40' 4.75")</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673816"],"_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-69c2c5caf1271"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reportedly over an inch taller and 15 pounds heavier than he was when I saw him last June, [player_tooltip player_id='1673816' first='Kaiden' last='Gunterman'] lists himself at 6-foot-3 and 190-pounds right now. Possesses a sinewy build that strength and conditioning coaches on the next levels will be drooling over, as he continues to pack on pounds. He should be a force on the Edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to 2025 7th Grade Kentucky Future Stars</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Three-time BOTR selection</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Earned an MVP in the 2024 KYMSFA All-Star Classic </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2157308"],"_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-69c2c5caf12b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of three Boone County prospects selected for this Region 2 8th Grade Team, [player_tooltip player_id='2157308' first='Mekhi' last='Johnson'] is the lone Rebel that I was no familiar with ahead of the BOTR tournament. I don't know much about him at all and have seen very limited clips of him in action. With that said, he looks like a developing Edge player who is yet to play his best football. He has length and can find his way into the backfield with inside and outside moves. To speculate any further is meaningless, but I look forward to seeing him in action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->