Where Kentucky Football Recruits will Open High School Football Season

It’s Football Time in the Bluegrass. In less than 24 hours high school football season will kick off across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In the middle of the dog days of summer, football fans are starving to catch some action on the gridiron. You can’t watch the Cats for another two weeks, but you can see some future Kentucky football players in action this weekend in almost every corner of the Commonwealth.

Two Future Cats in Northern Kentucky

A couple of future Wildcats will be opening their seasons in front of friendly crowds. OL Aba Selm and Simon Kenton will play host to Dixie Heights at 7 pm. At the same time just down the road in Covington, Willie Rodriguez‘s Cov. Cath team will take on Ryle. In his first scrimmage of the season, Rodriguez showed off some eye-opening athleticism.

I've been telling people Covington (KY) Catholic TE/LB @w_rodriguez10 is one of the best players I've seen for a couple of years. Can play on both sides of the ball. #Kentucky #BigBlue is getting a future standout. @vincemarrow continues to get the job done. Watch this big play… pic.twitter.com/QcikaRDlnB

— Dave Berk (@Dave_Berk) August 12, 2023

The Smith Twins

Corbin High School will open the season by playing in the nightcap of the Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic. Defensive 1A State Champion Pikeville will take on Pulaski County at 5:30 pm EST, followed by Corbin vs. Hughes (Cincinnati) at 8 pm EST at the University of the Cumberlands’ beautiful facility in Williamsburg.

Jerod and Jacob Smith are new to the Redhounds football team. The four-star talents transferred home after spending a couple of years attending a Connecticut prep school. Still waiting to receive clearance on their eligibility from the KHSAA, the Kentucky football recruits may not be able to participate in the action on the opening Friday night of football.

Cutter Boley

The Kroger KSR Game of the Week is starting with a bang. We’ll be at Houchens Stadium in Bowling Green on Saturday for an opening weekend tradition, the Rafferty’s Bowl. Boyle County will kick things off against Gibson Southern (IN) at 5 pm EST, followed by Lexington Christian vs. Bowling Green at 8 pm EST.

Boley is the Mr. Football favorite, but he’s going to have to earn it in the beginning of the season. LCA opens the year with four opponents that played in last year’s state finals: Bowling Green, Boyle County, Pikeville and CAL. The Purples are the only team that did not bring home a state championship trophy last fall. Kentucky fans from Bowling Green to Danville and Louisville can catch Cutter in-person. Take a look at their entire schedule.

Hayes Johnson

Like his quarterback, Hayes Johnson is opening his season in a Saturday bowl game. Taylor County is traveling to Harrodsburg to take on Mercer County in the Little Caesars Ft. Harrod Bowl. They’ll serve as the 8 pm nightcap, following what should be an exciting, emotional matchup between Woodford County and Bullitt East at 5 pm.