Quarterbacks Split MVP; 2030 Tenn. 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. Below are the Tennessee prospects that shined on the offensive side of the ball, in the seventh-grade (2030) Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game.    The 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars had an embarrassment of riches at the Quarterback position, with all three of QBs sharing the tri-Offensive MVP.   With that said, [player_tooltip player_id='1695977' first='Bryce' last='Aukerman'] got the nod as the starting QB and on the second play from scrimmage, he showed everyone why. On the play QB1 launched an absolute laser to [player_tooltip player_id='1307192' first='Kaion' last='Hines'], and after the tremendous grab, the Big Orange went up 6-0, just a minute and 1:19 into the game.   His second series of the game didn't last much longer. On 1st-and-10 from Tennessee's own 47-yard line, the Lipscomb Academy connection took center stage. Aukerman hit regular season his his Mustang teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1307084' first='Ace' last='Eschenburg'] on a deep ball that looked destined for more points, until a Eschenburg had the ball punched loose on a great defensive play. Kentucky recovered the loose ball and took over possession on its own 3-yard line. It wasn't all for not though, as Tennessee still got points out of the “drive”, when their defense recorded a safety just two plays later. This kid is going to be a special QB in the state of Tennessee for class of 2030.     During warmups down on the field, [player_tooltip player_id='1307192' first='Kaion' last='Hines'] was one of the first Wide Receivers that caught my eye. In fact, without having a roster on me until after I got back up to the press box, I didn't even realize it was the same young man I saw last year for the 6th Grade Tennessee Future Stars.   The long, lean pass-catcher was at least three inches taller than a year ago and looked very quick getting down the field. He immediately struck me as a WR that could take the top off a defense, and that's exactly what he did. On the second play from scrimmage, Hines beat his man deep and then made a beautiful catch on a nicely thrown ball by QB [player_tooltip player_id='1695977' first='Bryce' last='Aukerman'] to put the 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars up very early.   That was Hines' big play of the game, although he did tally another catch late in the second half, as Tennessee attempted to put the game on ice before the break.     On the Volunteer State's second possession of the game, [player_tooltip player_id='1051781' first='Caleb' last='Johnson'] came in at Quarterback and immediately made an impact with his dual-threat ability.   Another one of the Tennessee Future Stars' tri-Offensive MVP award winners, the All-Rutherford County prospect quickly showed exactly why I feel that he's one of the most exciting 2030 prospects in the state to watch. With Kentucky likely still reeling from the Aukerman's haymaker, Johnson hit the defense with body blows on a well-executed 65-yard, seven-play scoring drive. Oakland Middle School's QB1 showed off his arm and lethal legs by capping off the drive with a well-executed bootleg for a touchdown.   Paced by a well-coached game, Johnson's ability to hurt the defense with his legs kept Kentucky off balance.     Just like he was a year ago as a member of sixth-grade squad, [player_tooltip player_id='1307126' first='K.J.' last='Baker'] was outstanding as both a Running Back and in the Special Teams game for this year's 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars team.   Baker got things started from the jump on Special Teams with an excellent kick return to begin the game and set up what would-be Tennessee's first scoring drive. On Tennessee's second drive of the game, Baker showed what he could do coming out of the backfield. On a 4th-and-short from Tennessee's own 44, Baker showed patience by setting up his blockers and then following them to scamper nearly 40-yards into Kentucky territory. Then, two plays later, Tennessee retook a lead they would not relinquish again.   On the ensuring kickoff following Tennessee's Safety late in the opening half, which put them up 20-7, Baker would gash the Kentucky kickoff coverage and return the ball to the 42-yard line. Though the possession would not result in a score for Tennessee, he again showed how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands.     Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1307092' first='John' last='Slagle'], the starter on the 6th Grade Tennessee Future Stars team a year ago, completed the trifecta of Offensive MVPs for the Volunteer State.   He made his first appearance of this year's game on the two-point conversion attempt, following Tennessee's second touchdown, a [player_tooltip player_id='1051781' first='Caleb' last='Johnson'] (listed above) run. Following a personal foul that pushed the two-point conversion attempt back a considerable distance, Slagle threw an accurate ball out to RB [player_tooltip player_id='1307180' first='Macc' last='Chapin'] but he was ultimately stopped short.   However, Kentucky couldn't hold Slagle for too much longer. On the first play of Tennessee's third drive of the game, Slagle connected on a 91-yard catch and run with WR [player_tooltip player_id='1695516' first='Braylen' last='Mathis']. The impressive scoring play made it: three Quarterbacks, three possessions, three touchdowns.     As mentioned in [player_tooltip player_id='1307092' first='John' last='Slagle']'s write up (listed above) the 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars scored on each of its first three drives of the game against the Kentucky Future Stars.   Out of those three scores, perhaps none were more explosive than the touchdown reception by [player_tooltip player_id='1695516' first='Braylen' last='Mathis']. Pinned back deep on a 1st-and-10 from Tennessee's own 9-yard line, Mathis sprinted past broken coverage and 91-yards later, Tennessee was up 18-7.     The Offensive MVP on last year's 6th Grade Tennessee Future Stars team, the first time [player_tooltip player_id='1307084' first='Ace' last='Eschenburg'] touched the ball in this year's game, it looked like he would be in the mix to repeat for the honor this year as a seventh-grader. After his Lipscomb Academy teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1695977' first='Bryce' last='Aukerman'] aired out a beautiful ball, Eschenburg ran underneath it, made the catch and started heading to paydirt. However, a stellar defensive play by Kentucky resulted in him fumbling the ball as he churned towards the endzone.   Seemingly taking a good deal of mental strength, Eschenburg wouldn't let the second quarter mishap define his 7th Grade Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game. While repeating as MVP wouldn't happen, the significantly thicker and stronger ATH would finish with a couple catches on the day and a number of targets.     The starter at Running Back for the 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars, Chapin got the first carry of the game and was a consistent plus throughout the day. Despite the aerial assault offense, Chapin ran tough and broke tackles (and ankles) from the first quarter to the last.   Speaking of the last quarter, Chapin saved his most impressive run for late in the game. Facing a 2nd-and-7 on Tennessee's own 17-yard line, Chapin took a handoff and appeared to be tackled, however there was no whistle. He continued to play and managed to rip off a nearly 20-yard run for a Tennessee first down. That play personified the balance and intelligence he displayed all game long.     One of the better overall athletes on the 7th Grade Tennessee Future Stars, Lairy was kept in check until inside the final five minutes of the game. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1695977' first='Bryce' last='Aukerman'] continued his strong performance and connected with Lairy for a nearly a 20-yard reception, pushing the ball into Kentucky territory.

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. Below are the Tennessee prospects that shined on the offensive side of the ball, in the seventh-grade (2030) Tennessee vs. Kentucky Future Stars Game.