[Strikeout King]

This is from the CatsPause Preview (Note: If you would like to see a Class/District and do not have a copy of the CatsPause, feel free to ask and I'll post it)


Class 3A

District 5:

1. Bourbon County (13-1): The Colonels have plenty of weapons left from the team that had the school's best season ever to make another run in John Hodge's second season.

2. Garrard County (7-5): Mark Scenters will field a young team that, if it remains healthy, could have the first in a string of good seasons.

3. Powell County (2-9): The Pirates return all but seven players as Tony Burchett tries to turn around a team that slipped from eight wins to two.

4. Bath County (8-3): Reed Fields' Wildcats won more games last season than in the previous three years, but 18 of the 33 players on their roster were seniors.

5. Estill County (0-10): Mike Jones must repair an Engineers defense that allowed 50.2 points per game last year.

6. Western Hills (1-9): Don Miller's Wolverines won only one game last season and lost their top two scorers and their top tackler.


PRESEASON FAVORITE - BOURBON COUNTY

No, they don't have Kentayvous Hopkins anymore, but the Colonels do have just about every other key player back from a team that won it's first 13 games last year before losing in the semifinals.

Bourbon is now a senior-dominated team, and it has the talent and experience to be considered a solid favorite in this district and one of the best teams in 3A.

She star this season figures to be senior quarterback Dalton Pope, who threw for 1, 576 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for 578 yards and 10 TDs last year. Charles Johnson returns after leading the Colonels in receptions (22 for 479 yards) and interceptions (8) last year, and Brent Holman (397 yards, 8 TDs) is the top returning running back.

The Colonels also return the top two tacklers - linebackers Dakota Mitchell and Holman - to a defense that held seven opponents to eight points or less last season, as well as leading linemen Chase Berry and Lucas Rutledge.


BOUNCING BACK - GARRARD COUNTY

The Golden Lions won five fewer games last year than in 2011, when they reached the semi-finals. They have reloaded, however, and they're positioning themselves for a good season this year and in the years to come. There are only seven seniors, but the junior class is deeper and the sophomore and freshmen class are stocked with talent.


2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dalton Pope, Bourbon County, Sr., QB, 5-10, 175. Pope thrived in Hodge's system in his first year as a starter, completing about 60 percent of his passes and finishing as the Colonels' second-leading rusher. It's possible he and the passing game will play an even bigger role with Hopkins gone.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chase Berry, Bourbon County, Sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 215;
Brent Holman, Bourbon County, Sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 180;
Brett Goodwin, Powell County, Sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 175;
Charles Johnson, Bourbon County, Sr., WR/CB, 5-9, 160;
Trevor Jones, Estill County, Sr., QB, 5-9, 170;
Nick Lockett, Western Hills, Jr., WR/DB, 5-9, 145;
Dakota Mitchell, Bourbon County, Sr., LB, 5-9, 180;
Bradley Rector, Garrard County, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 205;
Curren Shrout, Bath County, Sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 190;
Jacob Smith, Garrard County, Sr., WR/DB, 6-4, 185;
Noah Williams, Garrard County, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 190;



District 6:

1. Mason County (8-5): The Royals reeled off seven straight wins before falling to Bourbon County in last season's regional final. With a solid senior group and possibly even stronger junior class, they'll likely retain the district crown.

2. Russell (6-5): The Red Devils dropped a couple of heart-breakers at home a year ago. How they rebound will depend heavily on the offensive line and backfield, as usual, in the Wing-T offense.

3. Fleming County (7-5): The air attack takes a hit, with the graduation of the Panthers' QB and top pass-catcher, but a good junior class led by Maverick Burnett should keep them competitive.

4. East Carter (2-8): The Raiders' record doesn't reflect the significant improvement they experienced last season. Most of their production, though, came from seniors.

5. Lewis County (4-7): The Lions couldn't follow up a record setting 2011 with much success in '12. Lewis County's strength should be its run game, paced by hefty fullback Mason Thurman.

6. West Carter (0-10): The youthful Comets have gained some seasoning, and with that should come at least a couple wins in 2013. They return their QB, leading rushers and top tacklers.


PRESEASON FAVORITE - MASON COUNTY

Mason County is quickly making that abysmal 2-8 in 2011 a distant memory. By the end of this season, the Royals may just forget about it altogether. Reigning district player of the year Rashon Nelson returns. While he leads the seniors, the juniors are chock full of talent. Some of them are:

Quarterback Jake O'Mara, who offers size (6-4, 215) and a growing competitive edge.
Defensive end Ashton Humphrey, who has possible Division-1 promise.
Linebacker John Combs Buchanan, who received an exclusive invitation to the elite Rivals/UA Camp in Cincinnati during the offseason.



NOT GOING AWAY - RUSSELL

While they return only four full-time starters from last season's 6-5 team, the tradition-rich Red Devils are never an easy out. Even after suffering a heart attack during the offseason, successful local legend Ivan McGlone is set to enter his 39th year at the helm. Junior Bronson Korzep (6-0, 210) averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season and will likley team up with Jackson McKnight as the team's feature running backs. McKnight and Korzep will fill vital defensive back roles as well. Other top contributors should be tight end J.T. Howell (6-0, 215) and offensive guard Landon Arnold (5-10, 225). Special teams is also a strong suit, as long snapper Pavin Downs and kicker Patrick Soucy return.



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Rashon Nelson, Mason County, Sr., RB, 5-9, 205. Nelson put up impressive numbers in 2012. He had 1,746 rushing yards and 19 scores.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

John Combs Buchanan, Mason County, Jr., LB, 6-2, 185;
Maverick Burnett, Fleming County, Jr., RB/DB;
Chase Felty, East Carter, Sr., RB/DB;
Jacob Gray, East Carter, Sr., OL/DL
Ashton Humphrey, Mason County, Jr., DE, 6-3, 215;
Bronson Korzep, Russell, Jr., RB/DB, 5-11, 190;
Austin Matheny, Mason County, Sr., C/DL, 6-0, 255;
Tyler McGlone, West Carter, Sr., RB/LB, 5-8, 175;
Jackson McKnight, Russell, Sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 170;
Tristen Mitchell, West Carter, Jr., RB/DB, 5-11, 170;
Jacob Nunley, West Carter, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 180;
Jake O'Mara, Mason County, Sr., QB, 6-4, 215;
Dalton Stamm, Lewis County, OL/DL, 5-8, 220;
Chase Steele, Fleming County, Sr., RB/LB;
Amani Thomas, Fleming County, Jr., WR/DB;
Mason Thurman, Lewis County, Jr., FB/LB, 5-8, 250;
Jacob Tompkins, Mason County, Sr., K/P, 5-10, 170;