[the voice]

I think J.K. Ratliff from Johnson Central will have a great year. He has put up some pretty good stats, considering the system he plays in is rather run oriented. I look for a more balanced attack from JC this year and think Ratliff will have some nice numbers.

JK Ratliff attended the Elit 11 QB tryouts this past weekend in Atlanta, Ga. at Ga. Tech Univ. and really impressed the staff and college coaches in attendance. He learned some great drills that will help him become a better QB and by the way, this was an invitation event so to be considerd was a big deal. He also attended the Nike Football camp on Sat. in Athens, Ga on the campus of the UGA Bulldogs amongst several Div 1-A players from all over the country, close to 350 players at the event. He threw the ball with velocity and accuracy and displayed some improved footwork that opened up some eyes who had not been aware of him earlier. JK is hearing from several schools, due to the fact he has the ideal height at 6'5 and 200 pounds, he is in a similar role that current UK QB Andre Woodson went through when he was in high school. He played for a school that ran the ball 85% of the time so his stats were not that impressive, but he went to both of these camps and impressed alot of schools to get him noticed and rated high. JK plans to attend several QB camps this summer with hopes of continuing to impress some big time college coaches. He is a 4.0 student, so academics is not a problem. Current schools that have contacted JK is: UK, UL, Marshall, Army, EKU and several Div 2 schools and NAIA schools. Scout.com and editor of the Kentucky Sports Report calls JK one of the best unknown QB's around, not only in Ky., but all over and states that JK has the strongest arm in the state of Ky.

[BoondockSaint]

1)Zack Lewis- Clay Co.
2)Ross Deaton - Somerset (I think he has one more year)
3)Clint Cashen- Corbin
4)Ricky Bowling - South Laurel (Pretty sure he transferred back from Alabama)
5)Tyler Olinger- Hazard
6)J.K. Ratliff - Johnson Central
7)Tyler Jones - Russell (Alignment puts them playing EKY teams, so I consider Russell kids in this equation)
8)Andrew Elkins - Belfry
9)Jimmy Joe Morgan- Leslie Co.
10)Tim Honaker- Pikeville

[DEVILOLOGIST]

Jones for his brute strength from Russell
Cashen for his ability. I have only got to see these two kids play and yea that is not alot but these boys are very impressive. Cashen I feel ,is for reel. He can play ball..
I do not know the others that are lsited, sorry for my limited response.

[Poseidon]

There are alot of good Qb's in the mountains, but I think most if not all of them are either good runners, or good passers, none of them have the whole package. I think that Fugate from Breathitt County is as good as any listed.

[jackbenimble]

Tyler Olinger can run and pass , and so can clint cashen , i do agree with jimmy joe morgan (only pass) and tim honaker ( only run ) and i dont know who fugate is from breathitt , and cole from somerset graduated so.. idk what does everyone else think?

[jackbenimble]

The Olingers have some athletic Genetics. With 2 years left I wouldn't be suprise to see him playing football in the SEC someday. Is he still playing Basketball??

Lets hope so....we've had some good qb's come out of eastern kentucky , but its been a while since any have made it to that level of play ,.. best of luck!

[HazzBeen]

Tyler Olinger can run and pass , and so can clint cashen , i do agree with jimmy joe morgan (only pass) and tim honaker ( only run ) and i dont know who fugate is from breathitt , and cole from somerset graduated so.. idk what does everyone else think?

Cole was the wide out, and no he did not graduate. Deaton the QB did. IMO the kid from Clay is the best hands down. If you haven't got the chance to watch him play you should, he is a dandy! Charlie Banks from LCC will be playing his first full year at Qb and I think a lot of people will be suprised with how good he is.

[cardsplayer15]

Damen Hensleyis the best high school QB i have ever seen and i saw him in spring training and he was throwing the ball the whiole field length

[cig107]

Best QB In The Mountains? You Know What To Do.

For Me. Ryan Preston. Power, Speed & A Great Arm.

How is Ryan Preston the best quarterback...its not like he ever gets to throw in a game.

[cuppett777]

the elkins kid is real nice only will get better,and if preston has alot of speed,why is he not the other back,or is he going to be backup to elkins?

[Aristotle]

Lewis from Clay Co. no doubt

[LovetheBucs]

Elkins from Belfry showed potential last year, but he wasn't overly impressive IMO. If he physically matures - gets stronger/tougher, and then makes the regular skill based improvement that usually occurs at Belfry from Soph-Junior year, I think he could have a breakout season.

As of now though, not all that great.

[Pink Flamingo]

Damen Hensleyis the best high school QB i have ever seen and i saw him in spring training and he was throwing the ball the whiole field length

HAHA funniest thing ive read ..possibly ever!

[t-cat50]

i think zach lewis will have a great season

[SLHSCard]

if clay's schedule is as weak as it normally is, lewis should have a good season.

[ANNIE SAVOY]

As much as I would like to say JK Ratliff (JCHS) I have to go with Hazard's Olinger. Ratliff has great heart and he is a wonderful kid. Had his injury last season not sidelined him for as many games as it did he would be in a better position coming into the 2007 season. However, Ratliff is my sentimental favorite. Olinger is the one to beat this year in the Mountains.

[jackbenimble]

agreed

[jackbenimble]

As much as I would like to say JK Ratliff (JCHS) I have to go with Hazard's Olinger. Ratliff has great heart and he is a wonderful kid. Had his injury last season not sidelined him for as many games as it did he would be in a better position coming into the 2007 season. However, Ratliff is my sentimental favorite. Olinger is the one to beat this year in the Mountains.

agreed