[BlackcatAlum]

Prestonsburg returns 20/22 starters.

No one in 2A returns more starters than Prestonsburg and this group is coming off a regional championship appearance that they hosted. They’ll be the favorite to win their district, they’ll likely be one the top teams in RPI, and all this will likely lead to the Blackcats seeing Beechwood, Belfry or Breathitt County in the regional championship round next season.

Due to 2025-26 realignment, Leslie County enters 2A district 7. This will now make it a 5 team district (Pburg, Leslie, Martin, Floyd Central and Knott). I do believe Pburg will be the odds on favorite to repeat as district champs considering Leslie and Martin Co lose a lot due to graduation. Leslie and Martin Co will still field competitive teams capable of upsetting Pburg if the Blackcats don’t bring their A game. I think Knott and FC fight it out for 4th seed in district. Knott returns most of their team, so they’ll be the favorites over Floyd Central.

Biggest things Pburg needs to work on this off season is just getting in the weight room and getting bigger and stronger. They were outmatched physically by almost everyone they played last season. The Blackcats played hard and played fast though and because of great conditioning, Pburg outlasted many of their opponents in close games, but teams like Breathitt and Somerset were hard to stop because they used their size well.

Logan Stumbo will likely be the leader on this team in 2025. He’s one the best LBs in 2A and the mountains. Very smart, directed a great Pburg defense this past season, and I look for him to become the all time leading tackler at Prestonsburg next season. He’ll wind up being a 4 year starter at Pburg. Great kid as well.

Kain Patton will be Prestonsburg’s best offensive weapon next season. He’ll start at RB and I’m sure you’ll see him at WR as well. He was probably the best football player on the field for Pburg this past November. Made a ton of plays on defense and was great with the ball in his hands as well offensively. He’s extremely elusive and plays football like someone who’s much bigger than he really is. I look for him to have a monster senior season. He’s one of those dudes that if they were 6’0+ 200lbs I think college coaches would be beating down the door to sign him. Kid is a baller.

QB Bryce Holbrook will be a junior and this’ll be his 3rd year behind center for Prestonsburg. He’s accounted for nearly 1400 yards and 21 TDs as the Blackcat quarterback. He’ll need to step up as a leader with this team going forward. I believe he managed Pburg’s offense about as well as you could hope this past season considering all the injuries and stuff the offensive line dealt with all season. I think if he can continue to improve and the OL can stay healthy and improve also that Pburg can have a dangerous passing game.

I hope to see Daniel Adams back at full strength. This guy is a legit 6’5 280lb OL/DL who played sparingly last season because of a knee injury. He had surgery and should be 100% by April or May. That’s huge for this program if he can stay healthy for his senior season. He’s could be a difference maker.

I’m excited for this offensive line group in 2025. I expect the starting offense line to be:

LT- Karston Johnson (SO)
LG- Noah Price (JR)
C- Cayden Reynolds (SO)
RG- Donnie Stephens (SR)
RT- Daniel Adams (SR)

I think there’s some JV guys that can help with depth next season as well and possibly a freshman or two.

I expect Colin Hatfield, Drake Hatfield, and Brody Hicks to join Kain Patton and Bryce Holbrook in the backfield. The Hatfield boys have continually proven themselves to be excellent football players. Brody Hicks could become one of Prestonsburg best players as a sophomore. Kid could honestly emerge Prestonsburg’s power back this next season if he gains the confidence. He’s already 6’0 190lbs. I could see him pushing 6’1 205lbs by next fall. He’ll be an animal.

Your main receiving targets are likely to be Kain Patton, Brady Allen, Drake Hatfield, and Clay Runyon. I think incoming freshman Christian Click and maybe another could play some varsity mins at receiver. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Click start.

Defensively the Blackcats should be one of the best in 2A both statistically and talent wise. Logan Stumbo and Maddox Pugh will lead the defense. I think Clay Runyon steps into Alex Harris role. I think DL will consist of Noah Price, Donnie Stephens, Baron Craft, and Brody Hicks. LB corp will be Stumbo, Pugh, Colin Hatfield, and Runyon. DBs are likely to be Kain Patton, Drake Hatfield, and Bryce Holbrook. Maybe freshman, Christian Click finds a spot here as well.

I think it’s no secret now that Shawn Hager will be joining the staff at Prestonsburg to coach along side his son, Wesley Hager. Shawn brings a lot of experience and knowledge to a young and energetic staff. I think he’ll help with things tremendously.

Blackcats JV team should be lethal. Really talented group coming up from feeder schools. That development will be crucial for future success at the varsity level. Very glad Pburg is finally getting to a point where they don’t have to rely on freshman to play varsity anymore and these guys can gain confidence and develop a year or two at the JV level. A talented JV team means a talented scout team as well for the varsity to practice against, which will help tremendously.

Expectations have returned to our traditional standards at Prestonsburg, in my opinion. Win district and compete for a regional championship. I think Pburg has made the state semi finals 8 times and been to the state championship twice in 100 years of existence.

2025 season will be Prestonsburg’s 100th football season. First game was played back in 1925 vs rival Paintsville. I think the plan is to rekindle a traveling trophy between the two schools again going forward, which should be fun for the rivalry.

I’ve heard rumors also of kids interested in transferring to Prestonsburg from surrounding schools. I think it’s great that Pburg is viewed again to some families and athletes as a possible destination. If Prestonsburg wants to compete for state championships then transfers are going to play a major role in achieving those goals. Hard to compete with Beechwood, LCA, Owensboro Catholic, Mayfield, etc without transfers. I’m grateful for the 2024 team and that they could restore Prestonsburg back at the table with homegrown talent, but the only way forward is with the addition of outside talent, which increases competition, and gets the best out of your talent pool. Positions will have to be earned going forward and that’s a good thing.

I already can’t wait to see what this staff and team can accomplish during the off season and next fall.

Go Blackcats!