Kroger KSR Game of the Week Preview: Bishop Brossart at Paris

KSR is bringing this week’s Kroger KSR Game of the Week to Paris on Friday night for the first time ever. The Greyhounds are 5-0 for the first time since 2015, and spirits are high among the Paris faithful.

Bishop Brossart (2-3), Paris’ opponent, has actually owned this series since 2019, as the Mustangs have won six consecutive matchups against Paris, two of which have come in the postseason (’19 & ’21). Bishop Brossart is 7-3 against Paris since they began playing in 2015. Ending the streak would be another hurdle overcome by this emerging Greyhound squad.

As Freddie Maggard mentioned earlier this week, the Greyhounds haven’t won a state championship since they won three in a nine-year span over 40 years years ago (1973, 1981, 1982). With Class 1A being wide open this season for the first time in a long while, belief is starting to spread throughout the community. The hiring of head coach Tyquan Rice back in 2021 has completely changed the feeling around the program.

In 1981 Paris defeated Bellevue 19-7 to capture the Class A state title (the school's 2nd of 3 titles) . The head coach of the Greyhounds was Randy Reese. pic.twitter.com/sc73m15cdI

— Ky FB History (@history_trace) September 2, 2022

Breaking down Paris

The Greyhounds are starting a freshman at quarterback, Julius Gregory, who has played quite well through his first five games as a starter. Gregory has thrown for 725 yards and nine touchdowns with just three interceptions. Senior receiver Jabari Ransom and junior receiver Elijah Webb have been Gregory’s go-to guys, as they’ve combined for 560 yards and seven touchdowns. Along with being Paris’ second-leading receiver, Ransom is their second-leading rusher as well (282 rush yards, five touchdowns). Senior running back Jayden Holman leads the Greyhounds in rushing with 476 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior DE Preston Cowan has been a defensive machine this season, totaling 45 tackles (14 TFL) and four sacks through just five games. As a sophomore, Cowan led Class 1A in tackles last season. Senior DT Zian Webb has been a nightmare in the backfield, as he’s totaled six sacks. Elijah Webb, who tied for the most interceptions in Class 1A last season, already has two interceptions so far. The aforementioned Jakari Ransom leads the team with three. The Greyhounds are fueled by a deep returning class, meaning these guys have played together for a while. They snuck past Rockcastle County last week 39-37 in their first real test of the season.

Breaking down Bishop Brossart

Junior quarterback Keegan Gulley leads the charge for the Mustangs, but he has been less than stellar this season. Gulley has thrown for just 194 yards and two touchdowns while being picked off six times. He has completed just 39% of his passes. 72% of their offense comes on the ground, as junior Cameron Mandel has rushed for 475 yards and five touchdowns. Along with leading the team in offense, Mandel leads Bishop in tackles (34).

The Bishop Brossart defense has allowed an average of 265 yards per game through their first five games, a bad sign against a team such as Paris, which is averaging a whopping 356 yards per game. Expect offensive fireworks in Bourbon County on Friday night.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST at Paris High School.