Best of the Bluegrass: October 23, 2015

Bowling Green's Jamale Carothers

Joquise Buford - Sr. - RB - Lexington (KY.)  Henry Clay High - Senior running back Joquise Buford had a big game, rushing 29 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the Blue Devils' victory.

Johan Williams - Sr. - RB - Madison County (KY.) Central - Williams had 12 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his team's win Friday night.

Des'jahvanni Miles - Sr. - QB - Murray High - Miles carried the ball only 9 times, but picked up 177 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Steven "Shorty" Cager - So. - ATH - Hopkinsville High - Shorty Cager had an enormous game, rushing five times for 112 yards a two touchdowns.  He also caught three balls for 22 yards and another score.  He accounted for 260 all-purpose yards in the game.

Quinton Baker - Sr. - RB - Ashland (KY.) Blazer - Quinton Baker scored his team's loan touchdown on an 80-yard run Friday night.  He rushed 25 times for 176 yards.

Jamale Carothers - Jr. - RB - Bowling Green - Carothers scored three touchdowns for the Purples in their district clinching victory.  He had 147 yards rushing in the contest.

Tavin Graves - Sr. - RB - North Hardin - Tavin Graves rushed 25 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.  He also caught nine passes for 58 yards in the game.

Asher commits to Louisville

Leslie County (KY.) OL Blake Asher is the newest member of the Louisville Cardinal football program.  The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior was offered the chance to be a part of Bobby Petrino's program and jumped all over it.

Blake Asher announced his intentions earlier this week to become a Louisville Cardinal shortly after receiving a preferred walk-on offer.

Asher has been enthralled by the Louisville program for months and with the opportunity to play there looming, he made his decision.

"It feels great (to be a Cardinal)," said Asher. "I've waited for this my whole life."

After making multiple visits to Louisville, Asher felt very comfortable with the coaching staff.

"I love everything about the program.  I just knew it was the place for me from the first time I visited there," he said.

There was another big thing that stood out about Asher's opportunity at Louisville.

"My favorite part is getting a chance to be coached by one of the best coaches in the game," he finished.

Asher joins Kentuckians Rodjay Burns, Keion Wakefield, Derek Dorsey and Austin Johnson in the 2016 recruiting class.

Around the State: News and Notes 10/23/15

While much talk yearly centers on the Trinity vs. Saint Xavier rivalry, DuPont Manual and Male are no slouches when it comes to being archrivals.  Tonight, as both teams sit in the top ten in the state, they had 13,001 attend their game. That's the largest crowd in the state this season.

Announced crowd of 13,001 makes this the largest attended high school football game in the State this season. JCPS PROUD...

— MALE HS Athletics (@MaleBulldogs) October 24, 2015

The home standing Crimsons sit at 7-1, while Male is 8-0.

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In case you haven't heard, Marshall commit Quinton Baker is planning an official visit to Mississippi State in December. According to Scout.com's Steve Robertson Baker hasn't received an offer from Dan Mullen's squad yet. That could change if an official visit is in the works.

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Woodford County (KY.) four-star center Drake Jackson was presented with his US Army All-American Bowl Jersey today at his high school. Jackson, a UK commit, has long been the top rated player in the state. The senior has been a standout at every combine and camp he's attended, adding offers from dozens of high profile programs.

Drake Jackson is officially an Army All-American. pic.twitter.com/WdgqrUWP47

— Steve Moss (@smosswkyt) October 23, 2015

The Race for Mr. Football

Ashland Blazer's Quinton Baker

It's getting close to the end of the Kentucky High School football season. Most teams will be playing their eighth or ninth game this week. The playoffs are around the corner.

It's almost time to discuss Mr. Football.

Traditionally a senior is named Mr. Football in the state. I like that tradition. I also like the fact that the Gatorade POY can be an underclassman.

At this point I still think Mr. Football is wide open.

Players like Kash Daniel, Rodjay Burns, Riley Hall, Quinton Baker, Devon Key, Noah Hughes and even Ray Zuberer are guys who I believe could argue for Mr. Football.

Usually linemen don't get heavy consideration,  but Woodford County's Drake Jackson and Manual ' Derek Dorsey are having big years.

At this point there are as many as seven games left for these prospects.  Somebody not on this list could explode over the next few weeks. One of these gentlemen could also make his case stronger.

One thing is for certain, this has been a banner year for talent in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Let's enjoy it while we can.

Best of the Bluegrass - October 17, 2015

Bourbon County's Clay Bolin

 

Best of the Bluegrass - October 17, 2015

Clay Bolin - Sr. - QB - Bourbon County - Clay Bolin completed 22 of 38 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns Friday night. Bolin also rushed for another touchdown.

Jamale Carothers - Jr. - RB - Bowling Green - Jamale Carothers rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries. He picked up four touchdowns in the Purples' big win.

Ziyon Kenner - Soph. - ATH - Christian County - Ziyon Kenner had a huge game for the Colonels.  Kenner caught five balls for 81 yards. He also rushed 24 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Kenner also returned a kickoff 80 yards for another score.

Mason Alstatt - Sr. - ATH - Lexington Lafayette - Mason Alstatt had 248 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in a victory Friday night.  Included in his yardage was a 99 yard kickoff return touchdown.

Devin Gentry - Sr. - RB - Louisville Male - Devin Gentry rushed 35 times for 114 yards and a touchdown in Male's victory over St. Xavier. He also had three catches for 97 yards receiving and another touchdown.

Quinton Baker - Sr. - RB - Ashland Blazer - Quinton Baker had 16 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns.  Baker also returned one of his two interceptions for a score.

Noah Hughes - Sr. - RB - Scott County - Scott County running back Noah Hughes rushed 36 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinals' victory Friday night.

Peyton Burke - Sr. - QB - Lexington Tates Creek - Peyton Burke completed 21 of 28 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns Friday night.

Dillon Wheatley - Soph. - RB - Lexington Christian Academy - LCA's Dillon Wheatley was a workhorse Friday night, carrying the ball 40 times for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

Na'Sean Roseberry - Soph. - RB - Shelbyville (KY.) Collins - Na'Sean Roseberry was a force Friday night, rushing 20 times for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

J.J. Ogbowu - Sr. - WR - Lexington (KY.) Catholic - Ogbowu caught eight passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns to lead Catholic to a victory over arch-nemesis Boyle County.

Deondre Pleasant - Sr. - ATH - Taylor Mill (KY.) Scott High - Deondre Pleasant was all over the field Friday night. He had eight carries for 116 yards and four touchdowns.  He also had an interception and a fumble recovery in the win.



***************This is a running list. If you have more to add, hit me up on my Twitter account (@BriEldridge) or if you have my number, drop me a text.