2023 Team MVP Predictions: 3A (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the middle of August, the 2023 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, it is time to start previewing the upcoming season. As I begin to preview some top players and teams to watch in the 2023 season, I wanted to focus on which player I believe will make the biggest impact for each individual team. After already covering the 6A, 5A, and 4A classes I have now turned my attention to class 3A in my “Team MVP” series. With that being said, here is another group of 3A MVP predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hart County: </strong>The Raiders are a team that will be looking to build off of a very impressive 2022 season. While they have a strong group of returning players on their roster, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='381942' first='Jaxson' last='Shoulders'] stands out the most. Shoulders plays a key role on both sides of the ball for Hart County. On defense, he lines up at linebacker and led the team in tackles last season with 156 along with 11 tackles for loss and one sack. He has also shown some reliability in pass coverage, coming away with three interceptions as a junior. Shoulders also finished his junior year as the team's leading receiver from the tight end position. He caught 19 passes for 434 yards and five touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown. While Jaxson doesn't currently hold any offers, he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belfry: </strong>Belfry is another team that is loaded with returning talent that will be looking to take their success to the next level this season. If they want to get back to another state championship, they will be looking for a big season from incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='381888' first='Caden' last='Woolum']. Last season, Woolum finished as the Pirates' leading rusher with 88 carries for 978 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also played a key role in their passing game, catching seven passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Woolum also plays a key role on defense as a defensive back, finishing his junior year with 52 tackles and three interceptions. Caden has also proven to be a dangerous returner on special teams, returning one punt for a touchdown last season. Woolen currently holds one offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union County: </strong>Union County is another team that is coming off an impressive 2022 season. If they want to continue their success, incoming sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='401930' first='Willem' last='McPeake'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Willem plays a key role on both sides of the ball for the Braves. On defense, he lines up at linebacker where he had an outstanding freshman year, finishing with 70 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception. He is also a reliable running back on the offensive side of the ball. As a freshman, McPeake ran the ball 32 times for 188 yards and six touchdowns. Willem doesn't currently hold any offers but he will definitely be a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hancock County: </strong>The Hornets are a team that will be looking to improve after seeing their 2022 season come to an early end. If they want to take the next step this season, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='943483' first='Aiden' last='Weatherholt'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Weatherholt is the leader of the Hornets' defense at linebacker where he had an impressive 2022 season. He finished his junior year with 117 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Aiden has also shown the ability to defend the pass, coming away with one interception last season. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Aiden will definitely be a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McLean County: </strong>McLean County is a team that will be looking to take the next step following a second-round playoff exit last season. If they want to build on their success, they will be looking for a big year out of incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='943480' first='Elijah' last='Baldwin']. Baldwin plays a key role on both sides of the ball for the Cougars. On offense, he is a talented running back, finishing his junior year with 72 carries for 556 yards and seven touchdowns. He is also a very talented linebacker on the defensive side of the ball. As as junior, Baldwin finished with 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions. Elijah doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on that has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Casey County: </strong>The Rebels are another team that will be looking to build off a strong 2022 season. If they want to take the next step this year, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='943481' first='Evan' last='Stephens'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Evan is a very impressive two-way player for the Rebels. On defense, he lines up at linebacker where he had an outstanding junior year. He finished last season with 120 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Stephens is also a skilled running back on offense, finishing his junior year with 83 carries for 742 yards and nine touchdowns. He also played a key role in the passing game as a junior, catching 22 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Stephens doesn't currently hold any offers but is definitely a player to keep an eye on heading into his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garrard County: </strong>Garrard County is a team that will be looking to turn things around after a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to get things going in the right direction, they will need a big year out of incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='943541' first='Malachi' last='Simmons']. Simmons is coming off an impressive sophomore season in which he led the team in rushing. He finished the year with 212 carries for 1,275 yards and 13 touchdowns. Malachi is a big, physical running back that has tremendous contact balance, showing the ability to break tackles without losing stride. He has also shown that he has the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field, breaking away for several long runs last season. While Malachi doesn't currently hold any offers, he is a player that college coaches should keep their eyes on over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mercer County: </strong>The Titans are another team that is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to turn things around, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='943482' first='Thaddeus' last='Mays'] will be one of the players to lead the way. Mays is the starting quarterback for the Titans and has proven to have true dual-threat ability. As a passer, he completed 86/151 passes for 1,258 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions as a junior. He also finished second on the team in rushing last season, carrying the ball 114 times for 779 yards and nine touchdowns. Mays also plays a key role on defense as a defensive back, finishing his junior year with 25 tackles and two interceptions. Thaddeus is also a talented basketball player so it remains to be seen what his future holds after high school but he has the talent to play football somewhere at the next level if he chooses to pursue that path.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fleming County: </strong>Fleming County is a team that will be looking to take the next step this season following a second-round playoff exit in 2022. This season, they will be relying heavily on incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='653378' first='Austin' last='Trent'] to lead the way. Trent is a very talented running back and is coming off a very impressive junior year. He finished last season with 216 carries for 1,788 yards and 19 touchdowns. Austin also plays a key role for the Panthers on the defensive side of the ball. He lines up at linebacker where he finished the 2022 season as the team's leading tackler with 111 along with eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception. Trent doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Russell: </strong>The Red Devils are a team that will be looking to improve following a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to get things going in the right direction, incoming senior [player_tooltip player_id='287575' first='Andre' last='Richardson-Crews'] will be one of the players leading the way. Andre plays a key role in Russell's offense as a running back. As a junior, he split carries with a senior but still found a way to produce. He finished his junior year with 106 carries for 593 yards and seven touchdowns. Richardson-Crews also plays a role on defense for the Red Devils as a linebacker. He finished last season with 26 tackles and three tackles for loss. Andre currently holds one offer from Wilmington College and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay County: </strong>The Tigers are a team that will be looking to build off a solid 2022 season. If they are to continue to grow in their success, incoming senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='654297' first='Tate' last='Rice'] will be the man to lead the way. Rice is coming off a strong junior year in which he completed 154/241 passes for 2,417 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Tate has shown a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He also has a strong arm, showing the ability to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Rice has also shown that he can tuck the ball and make plays with his legs when needed, finishing his junior year with 30 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Rice is a player to keep an eye on this season as he has the talent to play quarterback somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Estill County: </strong>Estill County is another team that will be looking to take the next step after a solid 2022 season. If they want to take things to the next level this season, incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] will be one of the players leading the way. Jax is a key part of the Engineers' defense at linebacker. He finished his sophomore year second on the team in tackles with 119. Niece has also shown the ability to defend the pass, coming away with one interception last season. Niece also plays a role on offense as a running back as he finished his sophomore season with 11 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown while also catching one touchdown pass. Jax doesn't currently hold any offers but he will definitely be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Powell County: </strong>To wrap up this list of 3A teams, I have the Powell County Pirates. The Pirates will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing 2022 season. If they want to turn things around, they will be looking for a big year out of incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='943536' first='Aiden' last='Larrison']. Larrison played a key role in the Powell County offense last season as a running back, carrying the ball 60 times for 382 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games. He also caught one pass for a touchdown. On defense, Aiden plays a key role as a defensive back. He finished his junior year with 23 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception. Aiden doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player to keep an eye on as his role on both sides of the ball continues to grow over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->