District Champs: LCA Tops Washington County for 4th Consecutive District Crown

Brady Hensley rushed for 255 yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries, while Cutter Boley connected with Parker Chaney for two more scores, as the Lexington Christian Academy Eagles ran away from Washington County 55-12 on Friday. The win gave the Eagles their fourth consecutive district championship.

After stalling on the game's opening drive, the Eagles defense forced a stop. Then the LCA offense got rolling, scoring touchdowns on its next four consecutive possessions to close out the first half. The Eagles would go on to scour on four consecutive drives in the second half as well, churning out 520 yards of total offense.

Hensley notched the first four scores, breaking off touchdown runs of 28, 28, 3 and 58 yards. A 55-yard touchdown by the senior running back in the third quarter would bring a running clock and close out the starters' night.

Boley threw for 119 yards, hooking up with Chaney for scores from 1 and 32 yards. Junior Leland Edwards would add a 16-yard scoring run in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Eagles proved stingy, allowing just nine first downs during the game. The run defense remained a wall, giving up just 17 yards to the Commanders, along with 154 yards through the air.

Sophomore Mac Darland led the way with four solos and six assists, along with a half tackle for loss. Hunter Adams had four solos and a tackle for loss, while BJ Evans recorded three solos, two assists and a pass breakup. Will Bivens, Braylon Moss, Nate Barnhardt and Gyler Doan (2) also broke up Commander passes.

Washington County managed just one meaningful drive against the starting defense, when quarterback JT Smith found the massive Beau Barker for a 12-yard score late in the 2nd quarter. Otherwise, the defense was lights out once again.

Now LCA comes out of district play in familiar territory. The Eagles are among the favorites to make a deep run in the 2A playoffs. A highly explosive offense features a pair of Division 1 commits in Boley and Hensley. And the defense is ranked fourth in all of 2A in stopping the run.

The Gauntlet

Most impressive, the Eagles put up massive numbers offensively against one of the toughest schedules in the state. In the opener, an absolute thrilling 56-52 win over Bowling Green, the Eagles exploded for more than 800 yards of total offense. Boley threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Hensley ran all over the Purples for 402 yards, with seven total touchdowns on the night.

In week two, the Eagles took on one of the state's top-rated teams in the Rebel Bowl at Boyle County. The Rebels topped LCA 47-38 in another wild shootout. Boley threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns, while Hensley rushed for 153 yards and a score. Saxton Howard and Parker Chaney had big nights, hauling in 218 and 153 yards, respectively, along with a touchdown apiece.

In week three, LCA put together a complete performance, topping Pikeville 31-13. The defense held the Panthers to 234 yards of offense and a single red zone score. Meanwhile, Boley threw for 160 yards, while Hensley rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns.

Then in week four, yet another classic battle. The Eagles smothered Christian Academy-Louisville 14-12 in a defensive slugfest. LCA limited CAL to just 27 rushing yards on the night. The Eagles defense smashed CAL in the mouth throughout the game, with an unorthodox front of Kenyatta Hardge, Chase Couch, Will Bivens and Cooper Gudalis living in the backfield and applying pressure. Linebackers Major Brown, Hunter Adams and Mac Darland punished ball carriers and put hits on quarterback Cole Hodge. The CAL QB would get his yards (289), mostly on a pair of incredible runs by wide receiver Justin Ruffin. Otherwise, the secondary played inspired football and LCA out-punched CAL for the win.

Finally, week five renewed the annual "Battle of the Blue," otherwise known as the Holy War. In front of a packed house, including UK coaches Mark Stoops and Liam Coen, the Eagles offense exploded for more than 500 yards and 49 points. Boley threw for 224, while Hensley rushed for 248. Then in a game where neither team could slow down the other, the Eagles defense rose up for an epic goal line stand that proved to be the difference, as LCA won 49-42.

Second Season - District Play

LCA opened district play with shutout victories over Shawnee (56-0), Fort Knox (49-0) and WEB DuBois (51-0). With limited snaps, the offensive stats took a hit over the previous three games. But the Eagles came out and dominated in each contest, as expected.

The offensive line controlled each game, as it has all season. In four games, Hensley rumbled for 419 yards and 15 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Boley threw for more than 500 yards and 10 touchdowns, with no interceptions, through district play. Collectively, the starters have played only a little over two full games of clock time over those four contests.

Defensively, the Eagles gave up next to nothing to open district play, including limiting Fort Knox to a mere 11 rushing yards and 59 yards of total offense. The stat line over the first five weeks arguably painted an unfair picture of the Black Shirts. Bowling Green, Boyle County, CAL and Lexington Catholic comprise some of the most explosive offenses in all of Kentucky.

But this unit can play. And with each game in Paul Rains' new system, the Black Shirt defense keeps getting better. Over the last four games, the Eagles have allowed just 12 points, with the starters giving up a single score to Washington County.

Young Eagles Fly

Several underclassmen got extended minutes during district games. Sam Pearson carried the ball two times for 48 yards and a touchdown against Fort Knox. Leland Edwards rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown in about six quarters of play. Defensively, Will Hester, Logan Mays, Jamey Patterson and Aiden Lyons made several stops in multiple games.

Helmet Stickers

Brady Hensley - Name another running back in the state of Kentucky who has done more against quality competition. After nine games, Hensley leads all of 2A in rushing and scoring. Coming into the Washington County game, he was ranked third in rushing and second in scoring in all classes, as well. District play actually reduced the amount of opportunities, namely the number of carries. But this is the best running back in the state of Kentucky; an absolute Mr. Football candidate.

Cutter Boley - Last season, Boley put up video game numbers to great fanfare. This year, with the addition of Hensley and a much-improved offensive line, Boley is doing more leading. But as the air turns colder and the playoffs heat up, the Eagles will likely need more fireworks out of Boley to make a run to Kroger Field. Boley has thrown for 1,714 yards and 16 touchdowns, with just four interceptions on the season. Another bonafide Mr. Football candidate for the Eagles.

Offensive Line - They've simply dominated the entire season. Anchored by senior center and Lehigh commit Garrison McKinney, the unit opens big holes for LCA runners. Guards Brooks Kerwin and Jake Darby, along with tackles Trefor Thomas and Hayes Preston, have also kept Boley clean in the pocket. Reserves Holden Klaiber and Chase Fuller have stepped up when called upon as well.

Receivers - Chaney (552 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Howard (489 yards, 3 touchdowns) lead the way. Hensley is also a threat out of the backfield with nearly 200 yards and four receiving touchdowns. Nate Barnhardt had big receptions against Lexington Catholic, while sophomore Tyler King is sure-handed. Tight end Will Rich and Anderson Mitchell could factor big in games as well.

Balance - Hat tip to Coach Oakley Watkins, the Eagles have what might just be the most explosive and balanced offense in the state. LCA accumulated an incredible 3,153 yards of total offense through the first seven games - that's 450 per game! The balanced attack gained 1,522 through the air, while rushing for 1,631 yards. Arguably no other team in the state - in any class - equals the Eagles' offensive firepower.

Black Shirt Defense - After the incredible gauntlet of high-octane offenses LCA faced in the first five games, district play brings a welcome exhale for the defense. And playing mere mortals shows just how good this Black Shirt Defense can be. Back-to-back-to-back shutouts in district games highlight this group already ranked fourth in stopping the run in all of 2A.

Kenyatta Hardge - This defense wouldn't be what it is without the stellar play of Hardge. He's an absolute force on the line of scrimmage. The explosive defensive tackle is disruptive in the run game, and a threat when QBs drop back. The senior has blocked kicks, forced fumbles and recorded tackles for loss, and routinely comes up with timely penetration when the Eagles need a stop.

Defensive Line - Hardge leads the way, but the Eagles have gotten big-time play out of seniors Will Bivens, Cooper Gudalis and Chase Couch as well. Bivens and Gudalis both moved from linebacker in the new 3-3 stack system. Bivens is fourth in total tackles, while Gudalis has excelled causing problems in the middle. Meanwhile, Couch provides more size up front, playing both tackle and nose. These four defensive linemen eat up a lot of double teams, keeping the linebackers clean to make plays.

Linebackers - LCA might just have the best all-around linebacking corps in the state of Kentucky. Led by senior Major Brown, the middle linebacker is re-writing the LCA tackles record book. Junior Hunter Adams and sophomore Mac Darland are thriving in the new Blackshirt Defense, each filling play side exceptionally well. These three can really run and stop the run, putting opposing offenses behind schedule on down and distance. The trio combine for more than 150 total tackles, 31 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season.

Gyler Doan - Recently inserted into the starting lineup at cornerback, Doan recorded a solo tackle, an assist, two pass breakups and an interception against Washington County.

Secondary - This unit took their lumps early against a string of incredible offenses. But the secondary is starting to gel. Jayden Taylor, BJ Evans, Chaney and Jackson Dillow each have two interceptions on the season, while Doan and Braylon Moss each have one. Chaney, Evans and Taylor all have more than 20 total tackles as well. The continued development and depth of the secondary are key for a deep playoff run.

Kicking Game - Isaac Collins is a force as a punter. Against Washington County, he made one appearance, a booming 51-yarder that pinned the Commanders inside their own 10. Earlier this year against CAL, Collins averaged 44 yards per punt, including a 61-yard bomb. Will Howell has been steady at placekicker, hitting 37 of 42 PATs. He also made his single field goal attempt.

Third Season - Playoffs

LCA now begins turning its attention to the playoffs, with a lone trip to Raceland remaining on the schedule. One of the best teams in 1A, the Rams provide a great test heading into the post-season.

Then the march to Kroger Field begins ... Stay tuned.