[Strikeout King]

Ashland district.

Class 4A, District 8

1. Johnson Central (11-1): The Golden Eagles are 11-1 against district opponents over the last three years. Johnson Central has never lost to the Tomcats in Paintsville, the site of this season's meeting, under the direction of head coach Jim Matney (he took over in 2004. That's partly why they have the edge.

2. Ashland (8-4): The Tomcats have been rather dominant inside the district too, with only two losses to district opponents since 2011. Both were against Johnson Central. Ashland looks to possess more experience and explosiveness on the offensive side than Johnson Central, but defense will determine their fate this season.

3. Rowan County (3-8): Coach Ray Graham returns to where he guided the Vikings to a good deal of success in the 1980's. The Vikings played closely with some quality competition last season.

4. Boyd County (1-10): The Lions managed just one win against a strenuous schedule under first-year coach John Gilliam.

5. Greenup County (2-8): The Musketeers won their first game since 2010 last year. Then they won another. Five of their losses were decided by nine points or fewer.


Preseason Favorite: Johnson Central

Matney may possess at least a pair of Division 1 prospects in 6-foot-7, 300 pound lineman Tristen Salyer and 6-4 kicker Tyler Pack, already a state record holder. Matney's teams are typically large up front, feisty in the middle and opportunistic on the sides. Even with the departure of running back Daymion Belcher, Johnson Central will likely find a way to pile up yards in the ground game behind Salyer and company. The Golden Eagles will play with extra incentive carried over from last season, which ended with a disappointing blowout loss to Covington Catholic in the playoffs.


Still a Power Player: Ashland

With the addition of speedster Jake Long, a transfer from Ironton, the Tomcats' backfield will be douse with athleticism. Long played sparingly for the Tomcats over the last few weeks of 2013 but he figures to play a more prominent role this season. Fleet-of-foot quarterback Hunter Prince and talented running back Quinton Baker return as starters, ultimately forming an offense answers for a vacated secondary. However, relentless linebacker/defensive end Drew O'Bryan has enough ability to lead a taught defense for the Tomcats


2014 Preseason Player of the Year

Quinton Baker, Ashland, Jr., RB, 5-10, 180

Both elusive and electrifying, Baker has already received an offer from Kentucky. The 5-10, 180-pounder junior will look to make his career numbers even more remarkable. As a freshman, Baker rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns despite battling injuries over the last three weeks of the season. He went for 1,600-plus yards and 17 scores in his sophomore season.


Players to Watch

Dalton Adkins, Johnson Central, Sr., WR/DB; Zac Bruner, Boyd County, Sr., DE/TE/P/K; Ryan Byrd, Greenup County, Jr., RB/LB; Seth Caudill, Boyd County, Sr., OL/LB; Blake Chapman, Rowan County, Jr., TE/DE; Tanner Edmonds, Boyd County, Jr., Slot; Shawn Gilliam, Ashland, Sr., DB/WR; Devin Helvey, Rowan County, Jr., QB, Drew Johnston, Greenup County, Sr., OL/DL; Matt Lawson, Greenup County, Sr., RB/LB; Jake Long, Ashland, Jr., RB/WR; Jonathan Mayo, Rowan County, Sr., OL/DL; Drew O'Bryan, Ashland, Jr., LB/DE; Tyler Pack, Johnson Central, Jr., K; David Pennington, Rowan County, Sr., OL/DL; Tank Peterman, Boyd County, OL/DL; Hunter Prince, Ashland, Sr., QB; Tristen Salyer, Johnson Central, Sr., OL/DL; Truman Salyer, Johnson Central, Sr., OL/DL; Rusty Wells, Greenup County, Sr., WR/DB; Bryce Workman, Johnson Central, Jr., QB/DB.