[Strikeout King]

Will you post 4A district 8 please. Thanks in advance.

Class 4A, District 8

1. Johnson Central (9-3): Masters of the wishbone offense, the Golden Eagles pose a threat to rush for 3,500-plus yards every season. With some of its top offensive producers back, including quarterback Zach Gound, and running backs Daymion Belcher and Jordan Young, Johnson Central should be able to score with just about anyone.

Ashland (9-3): Sophomore running back Quinton Baker is electric, and Aaron Elam grew more and more comfortable as the guiding hand of the offense in 2012. The defense will have to make up for some lost power on the front line.

3. Rowan County (4-7): Three points separated the battle for third place, aka the tug-of-war to avoid a first round playoff date with Fort Thomas Highlands, last season as Rowan County defeated Boyd County. One of the most interesting storylines here is that Austin Gilliam, a Vikings' standout lineman, is the son of Boyd County's new head coach, John Gilliam.

4. Boyd County (5-6): Still in search of their first winning season since 2008, the Lions will rely on the leadership of longtime Morehead State assistant coach in John Gilliam to get them there.

5. Greenup County (0-10): After suffering two straight winless seasons, the Musketeers look to notch their first victory since 2010.



PRESEASON FAVORITE - JOHNSON CENTRAL

Under coach Jim Matney, Johnson Central seems to live for eliminating the seventh, eight and ninth lives of the Ashland Tomcats just about every season. In two of the past three meetings, the Golden Eagles have pulled out what some may deem miraculous one-point victories over their district archenemy. Overall, in his time at Sheldon Clark and Johnson Central, Matney is an impressive 10-3 against the Tomcats. Playing key roles in last season's district-deciding 22-21 thriller in Paintsville were quarterback Zach Gound, receiver Dalton Adkins and running back Jordan Young. Gound fired a dart to Adkins for an improbable overtime touchdown to close the gap to one before Young leaped over his offensive line for the game-winning two-point conversion. Also returning is playmaking tailback Daymion Belcher. The elusive runner tailled more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore.



INTRIGUING TEAM - ASHLAND

Tony Love takes over as head coach after 19 years as a Tomcats assistant. The former defensive coordinator wasn't left with an empty cupboard. Aaron Elam returns as the starting quarterback after rushing for 677 yards and passing for 973 yards last season. The left-hander connected with receivers for 11TDs and threw just five picks. Also back is running back Quinton Baker. A big believer in the weight room, Love will likely prefer to run a program revolved around power and discipline.



2013 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Quinton Baker, Ashland, So., RB. Baker, the son of former University of Kentucky standout Al Baker, rushed for 932 yars in nine games before getting injured last season.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dalton Adkins, Johnson Central, Jr., WR/DB;
Jacob Barnwell, Boyd County, Jr., RB/DB;
Daymion Belcher, Aaron Elam, Ashland, Sr., QB, 5-11, 205;
Austin Gilliam, Rowan County, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 250;
Justin Graham, Rowan County, Jr., QB, 5-11, 170;
Luke Johnson, Ashland, Sr., DL, 6-0, 240;
Keontae Moore, Rowan County, Sr., RB/DL, 5-10, 290;
Jake Perry, Rowan County, Sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 300;
James Queen, Ashland, Sr., DB, 5-8, 155;
Jason Smith, Boyd County, Sr., WR/DB;
Zach Taylor, Rowan County, Sr., WR/DB, 6-2, 180;
Quade Ward, Johnson Central, Sr., OL/LB;
Jeffery Williams, Greenup County, Sr., FB/LB;
Jordan Young, Johnson Central, Sr., RB/DB;