[shelbyvalley02]

Class 2A, District 8

1. Prestonsburg (7-6): Fresh off an impressive postseason run, Prestonsburg returns nearly all of its starters and is poised to contend for a state title.

2. Betsy Layne (9-2): After losing its veteran quarterback and top rusher to graduation, Betsy Layne will look to reload.

3. Shelby Valley (5-6): The Wildcats' 2013 season included a district victory over former champion Leslie County.

4. Leslie County (3-8): More experienced, Leslie County will look to show improvement early in the upcoming campaign after exiting the 2013 season on a six-game losing skid.


Preseason Favorite: Prestonsburg

After turning around its season and finishing runner-up in the region, Prestonsburg regained the label of one of the state's top Class 2A teams. The Blackcats will enter 2014 season as one of the top contenders for the Class 2A state championship.

A host of key offensive players, including running back Dalton Frasure (1,240 rushing yards, 537 receiving yards), quarterback Jarredd Jarrell (2,102 passing yards, 879 rushing yards) and receivers Chatlin Jarrell (648 receiving yards), Jackson Reed, and Evan Jarrell are back for the 2014 campaign.

An experienced offensive line features junior Jordan Ray and senior Miles Goodman, among others.

On the defensive side, the squad's top three tacklers - Sean White, Chase Ousley and Brennan Goble - all return. White, Ousley and Goble each had 100-plus tackles apiece in 2013.


Reloading: Betsy Layne

Betsy Layne lost quarterback Dylan Hamilton (2,852 yards, 34 touchdowns), top rusher Houston Hall (622 yards, nine touchdowns) and linebacker Blake Spencer as 10 seniors moved on via graduation.

Senior Peyton Case is expected to make the move to quarterback after leading Betsy Layne in receiving with 1,012 yards and 13 touchdowns.

In addition to Case, Dustin Rogers (WR/DB, Sr.), Lako Daniels (HB/LB/DE, Sr.), Blake Rose (OL/DL, Sr.) Jonathan Brock (HB/LB/DE, Sr.), Nathan Collum (RB/DB, So.) return for the Bobcats.


2014 Preseason Player of The Year

Dalton Frasure, Prestonsburg, Jr., RB/TE, 6-3, 230.

Prestonsburg junior running back/tight end Dalton Frasure has emerged as one of the state's top high school football players. As a sophomore, Frasure rushed 209 times for a team-high 1,240 yards and 22 touchdowns. The versatile Frasure also hauled in 48 receptions for 537 yards and four touchdowns. Frasure led Prestonsburg in rushing for a second straight year.


Players to Watch

Blake Asher, Leslie County, Jr., TE/DL, 6-3, 285; Peyton Case, Betsy Layne, Sr., QB/LB, 6-3, 180; Owen Caudill, Shelby Valley, Sr., RB/LB, 6-0, 200; Chatlin Jarrell, Prestonsburg, Jr., WR/DB, 5-8, 150; Jarredd Jarrell, Prestonsburg, Sr., QB/DB, 6-0, 180; Donovan Layne, Shelby Valley, Jr., QB/DB, 6-2, 190; Seth Marcum, Prestonsburg, Jr., RB/LB, 5-9, 200; Chase Ousley, Prestonsburg, Sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 210; Jordan Ray, Prestonsburg, Jr., OL/LB, 6-0, 250; Dustin Rogers, Betsy Layne, Sr., WR/DB, 6-2, 175; Kevin Whitaker, Leslie County, Jr., QB/DB, 6-1, 190; Sean White, Prestonsburg, Sr., OL/LB, 6-0, 230.

Owen Caudill is not playing for Shelby Valley this year.