Perhaps it’s a no-brainer to say, but the best teams typically have the best players at key positions — and that was the case with Region 2. The (now) back-to-back KYMSFA BOTR champs picked up a 16-0 win over an upset-minded Region 1 in the opening game before a gutsy 26-24 victory over Region 4 in the championship game.

The improvements Mark Stivers III Mark Stivers III 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL/DL Louisville Trinity | 2030 KY has made in his game since I last saw him play live in June 2025, is drastic. He’s always been bigger than nearly everyone on the field, but he’s noticably more powerful. Instead of winning 1:1 battles by simply holding the other guy up, he’s now driving the opposition backwards and finishing his blocks. I can’t say enough about his overall improvement.

Nearly a carbon copy of LJ Smith IV LJ Smith IV 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL/DL Louisville Male | 2030 KY in terms of height, weight and overall size, Mark Stivers III Mark Stivers III 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL/DL Louisville Trinity | 2030 KY will likely play the opposite bookend of Smith IV, at Right Tackle. After deciding to reclass from 2029 to 2030 last July, Stivers has truly transformed his body and looks significantly stronger. He recently posted a video of him squatting 435 pounds.

Last year Stivers was the starter at Right Guard on the Kentucky Future Stars in their victory over Tennessee. After watching him at the KYMSFA BOTR in March, Stivers looks significantly bigger than he was a year ago. Also a basketball player, his feet and size make him an option at either Guard or Tackle. He should challenge for a starting spot at either/org.

It was impossible to miss Stivers on the field for Region 2, as he was the biggest 2029 prospect out there–listed at 6-foot-2 and 265-pounds–which is 20 pounds heavier (of apparent good weight) since I last saw him in June. Stivers played Right Tackle and was part of an Offensive Line that paved the way for Meaux’s four rushing touchdowns on the weekend. Additionally, he did a nice job of reach blocking the aggressive and fast Edge defenders, sealing them off and allowing for jet sweeps to come off his outside hip and into the boundary.