Kroger KSR Game of the Week: Elizabethtown at Taylor County

The Kroger KSR Game of the Week crew is heading to Campbellsville on Friday.  This week’s matchup features Taylor County vs. Elizabethtown. Friday will make the third consecutive week that our touring show has followed a Kentucky commit. We highlighted quarterback Cutter Boley in the season opener and missed out on Simon Kenton’s Aba Selm due to a game cancellation from lightning.  

Three-star offensive lineman Hayes Johnson announced his pledge to the Cats on Kentucky Sports Radio in January. The 6’4, 295-pounder has played all five positions along the offensive line and sports an outgoing personality. He’s quickly turning into a fan favorite based on his calls to KSR radio. The host Cardinals are also led by the Smith brothers: Kaden (EKU commit) and Peyton. Both are exciting and impactful playmakers who are fun to watch.  

Taylor County  

The 2-0 Cardinals jumped from 3A to 4A in 2023. Taylor County dropped the opener 38-22 to Mercer County before topping Bardstown 34-3 last week.  

Coach Scott Parkey’s team returns several key starters and contributors including Kentucky offensive line commit Hayes Johnson. 6’1, 210-pound senior Kaden Smith ran for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. The EKU commit rarely leaves the field of play. Junior Peyton Smith is also a talented playmaker who rushed for 1824-yards a year ago. The talented Smith brothers are fun to watch and are the focus of the Cardinal’s offensive plan.  

Elizabethtown 

Elizabethtown has a 0-2 record after falling to Fairdale 14-12 in the opener and Meade County (41-14) a week ago. The Panthers fell to the eventual state champions Christian Academy of Louisville before finishing 2022 with an 8-4 record. E’town is led by all-purpose athlete Trey Durbin. The running back/linebacker rushed for 1,140 yards and 13 scores a year ago. He also caught 13 receptions for 314 yards and 6 TDs in the pass game.  

What Does All This Mean?  

Lightening canceled last week’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week between Simon Kenton and Woodford County. I was excited to see Simon Kenton offensive lineman Aba Selm, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Our first trip of the 2023 season took us to WKU where we had a front-row view of UK quarterback commit Cutter Boley. This week focuses on 3-star UK offensive line pledge Hayes Johnson.  

I’m excited to make the trip to Campbellsville. Friday will mark KSR’s first trip to Taylor County. First trips are always fun. I’ll be hanging out at the Kroger prior to kickoff. Come on out and say hello.  

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Kroger is a staple in your hometown community just like high school football. There’s nothing quite like Friday nights in the Bluegrass. We are honored to share this journey with Kroger and you for the fourth consecutive season. Check out a recap of our first Game of the Week, LCA vs. Bowling Green, below.