[Strikeout King]

3A District 5

1. Bourbon County (13-1): The Colonels have only lost twice in two seasons and expect to be a 3A title contender again in 2014.

2. Garrard County (7-5): Jerry Perry compiled a 65-18 record as the Golden Lions head coach from 1990-96 and returns for his second stint.

3. Estill County (5-6): This maybe the Engineers best shot to make some noise since advancing to the regional final in 2008.

4. Bath County (3-7): The Wildcats return several starters on both sides of the ball, including dangerous QB/WR combo DeKeiton Young and Taborn Kissick.

5. Powell County (7-4): The Pirates have big holes to fill after saying goodbye to the winningest senior class in school history, but should be solid up front.

6. Western Hills (1-9): The Wolverines should improve with a 20 plus upperclassmen, numbers they've not had during the struggles of the past two seasons.

Preseason Favorite: Bourbon County

The Colonels have gone 26-2 in John Hodge's first two seasons as head coach. Each of those seasons ended with loses to Belfry in the state semi-finals. Bourbon County has the talent to three-peat as region champs and be in position to push through to Bowling Green.

The Colonels offensive line should be a strength, and they will lean on running backs Brent Holman and Marquaze Hill while they develop a quarterback to replace Dalton Pope. Pope accounted for more than 3,900 yards and 62 touchdowns passing and rushing over the past two seasons. Bourbon County also lost last year's top two pass catchers, Jaxson Hilander and Charles Johnson. But Holman and Hill expect to provide plenty of production after combining for nearly 2,600 yards rushing and 49 total touchdowns last season.

Proven performers return on the D-Line, but the second level of the defense will lack experience. Gone is the school's all-time leading tackler, linebacker Dakota Mitchell. The aforementioned Hilander and Johnson also left big shoes to fill in the secondary.


Sleeper: Estill County

The Engineers have an exceptional athlete in senior QB Trevor Jones, who threw for 1,351 yards and 13 TDs while rushing for 1,180 yards and 14 TDs last season. Head Coach Mike Jones said he has more skill kids than he's ever had in his previous 13 seasons at Estill County. Among 13 seniors is kicker Levi Tipton, who received an invite to Auburn's camp in the offseason.


2014 Preseason Player of the Year

Brent Holman, Bourbon County, Sr., RB, 5-9, 192.

Homan rushed for 1,970 yards and 34 touchdowns to go with 256 yards and five touchdowns receiving last season. The Colonels handed it to Holman 11 times a game on average. That could increase this season and see the senior eclipse the 2,000 yard mark.

Players to Watch:
Nate Brooks, Powell County, Jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 240; Clayton Cox, Bourbon County, Jr., OL/DL, 6-3, 265; Colton Gibson, Bourbon County, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 265; Marquase Hill, Bourbon County, Jr., RB, 5-8, 180; Trevor Jones, Estill County, Sr., QB, 5-10, 170; Taborn Kissick, Bath County, Sr., WR, 6-0, 175; Nick Lockett, Western Hills, Sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 175; J.T. Lyon, Garrard County, Sr., LB/TE, 6-0, 200; Nick McCollum, Garrard County, Jr., DB/WR, 6-3, 165; Chance Snowden, Powell County, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 160; Levi Tipton, Estill County, Sr., K, 5-11, 165; DeKeiton Young, Bath County, Sr., QB, 5-10, 170.