[LeeCoUKFan]

How Kentucky football recruits fared over the weekend

Justin Rowland and Derek Terry
CatsIllustrated.com Staff

Cats Illustrated is embarking on a season-long project to track the weekend performances from Kentucky's commitments and top recruits. Prep ball opened this weekend and several future Wildcats were in action.

Lakota West and Mikel Horton scrimmaged for a couple of quarters but their season doesn't kick off until Saturday when they take on Winton Woods. The game will be of special interest to Wildcat fans as it will feature defensive back commit Mike Edwards and top 2015 target George Brown.

That game, which will be Winton Woods' opener as well, will be held at 7 p.m. at Lakota West.

Kentucky's other running back commit turned in a stunning performance. Stanley Williams churned out 161 yards on only three carries with two touchdowns. That was a 29-21 victory for George Walton Academy, but that was only a scrimmage as well. Their season kicks off on Friday at Macon (Ga.) First Presbyterian Day.

Drew Barker turned in another huge scrimmage performance in very limited action. In Conner's first scrimmage the future UK signal caller rushed for more than 200 yards as the defense played off the ball to prevent an aerial assault.

On Friday Barker completed four of just six passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns. He only led the team for three drives against Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Bernard, a squad that was terribly over-matched.

Contrary to what some Internet sites have reported Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson has not yet taken on Miami (Fla.) Norland. That game will take place next week and will serve as our first opportunity to track Jared Tucker.

Down in Florida, defensive end Denzel Ware made his presence felt in a huge way as Crestview defeated Pace (Fla.) 17-14. Ware racked up six total tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in his first game at his new school after transferring over from Alabama last year.

Ware's head coach has raved about him ever since he joined the team over the summer, praising his work ethic and his athleticism. Earlier this year he was downgraded from four-stars to three on Rivals.com, and he appears to be motivated to improve his stock.

Derrick Kelly and the Havana (Fla.) East Gadsden offense weren't able to get anything going against Bainbridge (Ga.) and they were blanked 3-0 in a road game.

Receiver Garrett Johnson doesn't get started until Friday when Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange takes on Boone (Fla.) under the lights at home. Longwood (Fla.) Lyman and linebacker Nico Firios also kick off next week against Oviedo (Fla.).

Linebacker and safety Kobie Walker had a chance to perform on ESPN on Friday night but his Good Counsel squad lost a hard fought 20-14 contest against Baltimore (Md.) Gilman. Walker and the defense performed well enough to win but the Good Counsel offense struggled for much of the game.

Springfield (Ohio) receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass will lead his squad against perennial power Trotwood-Madison in a road game on Friday at 7 p.m. That will be the season opener for both schools.

Youngstown Christian, coached by Vince Marrow's brother, opens their season Friday at Lowellville (Ohio). Tymere Dubose played his first season of organized football last year so it will be interesting to see how a little seasoning and more preparation has advanced his game.

Liberty Township (Ohio) Lakota East and Jarrett LaRubbio kick off on Friday against Western Hills (Ohio). Nick Richardson will lead Westerville Central (Ohio) out for the first time against St. Francis de Sales that night as well.

Lima Central Catholic will be in action against Bath (Ohio) this week but four-star UK safety commit Darius West has been expecting to miss the first game or two as he recovers from his injury.

Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne opens against Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln next week and that will be the first time UK commit Dorian Hendrix and 2015 Wildcat target Tyree Kinnel are in action.

Ryan Flannigan and Shyquawn Pullium showed well for Blinn Community College but they fell to Georgia Military Academy 34-21 in their season opener on Saturday. Stats were not immediately available for Pullium but Flannigan registered 10 tackles and a sack while breaking up a pass from his safety position.

ASA College and four-star defensive tackle Cory Johnson don't kick off their season until Sept. 8 in a game at Widener University.

UK's top remaining recruiting target, Matt Elam, registered five tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage, and a sack. That was Friday night in John Hardin's opener against Seneca, a 35-6 win for Elam's squad. The defense turned in a dominant performance and Elam swallowed up blockers for most of the night.

Top 2015 quarterback target Elijah Sindelar completed 18 of 29 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-22 win over Christian County. The Caldwell County junior also rushed for 47 yards on six carries.

Junior Stephenville (Texas) quarterback Jarrett Stidham was behind center for the second time in game action but that was only a scrimmage.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1540591