[Strikeout King]

Strikeout when you get a chance could you post 5a district 6 ?

1. Anderson County 8-3): Anderson has talent at the skill positions, good size and depth in the line, and experience. WR Ross Cox is getting serious looks from some Divison 1 schools and many other Bearcats wil have the opportunity to play college football.

2. Franklin County (12-1): The Flyers must replace the enormously gifted Ryan Timmons, QB Logan Woodside and a host of other players but have some talented athletes who have played key roles on teams that have gone 23-2 over the last two seasons.

3. West Jessamine (3-8): West Jessamine gave both Anderson and Franklin fits last season. Don't be surprised if the Colts turn some heads around the state this time around.

4. East Jessamine (2-8): The Jaguars return a solid nucleus that could easily move up in the dsitrict. If East Jessamine gets more consistency, it will be a force.

5. Montgomery County (7-4): The Indians must overcome graduation losses to key playmakers, but rebuilding around a healthy Uvea Moala is a good place to start.

6. Woodford County (4-6): Woodford has won just one district game over the last two years and continues its rebuilding efforts.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - ANDERSON COUNTY

Mark Peach is optimistic about the 2013 season with Anderson County returning 19 of 22 starters from an 8-3 team. In an otherwise balanced district, Anderson is a heavy favorite to take the title.

"We have had the best off-season we have had since I have been here," says Peach, who took his alma mater to the state 5A championship two years ago.

Much of the Anderson attack will go through senior Ross Cox, a dangerous WR who caught 51 passes for 1,153 yards and 13 scores last year. Junior QB Zachary Carmichael is a fiery two-way threat who threw for 2,622 yards and ran for 690 more. The Bearcats' line is strong with seniors Landon Searcy nad Darius Harvey and junior Jarrod Cubert. On defense, leading tackler Tristian Ashburn returns at middle linebacker. He'll be flanked by seniors Huston Page and Justin Woodworth giving Peach what he calls "the best group of linebackers we have had." Kicker Joe Rose is also a major weapon for the Bearcats.



THERE IS LIFE AFTER RYAN - FRANKLIN COUNTY

Even without Ryan Timmons, Franklin County will be formidable. The Flyers return talented running back Chris Roberts and receiver Lorenzo McCaskell, two of the district's best athletes.

The Flyers will be experienced up front with seniors Zane Stone (5-10, 250) and Michael Hudkins (6-1, 220). That should bode well for a very explosive offense.



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Devin Taylor, West Jessamine, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 210. Devin Taylor, who is a slight pick over Anderson's Ross Cox for Player of the year, is probably the best player few people outside central Kentucky have ever heard of. But rest assured, District 6 is fully aware of the workhorse who ran for 2,422 yards - best in the sate in the regular season - and 23 touchdowns last year. Taylor, who squats 525 pounds, averaged 27 broken tackles per game last year.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cody Anderson, West Jessamine, Jr., FB/LB, 6-0, 230;
Tristan Ashburn, Anderson County, Sr., FB/LB, 6-0, 220;
Zachary Carmichael, Anderson County, Jr., QB/S, 5-10, 170;
Ross Cox, Anderson County, Sr., WR/S, 6-4, 200;
Darius Harvey, Anderson County, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 260;
Zack Korby, Woodford County, Sr., K/P, 6-3, 175;
Ian Kossick, West Jessamine, Sr., TE/LB, 6-2, 225;
Lorenzo McCaskell, Franklin County, Sr., WR/LB, 6-1, 190;
Uvea Moala, Montgomery County, Sr., FB/LB, 6-2, 240;
Chris Roberts, Franklin County, Sr., RB/LB, 6-4, 240;
Joe Rose, Anderson County, Sr., K/P, 6-1, 175;
Landon Searcy, Anderson County, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 250.


Class 5A, District 6 - John Herndon (The Anderson News)