LCA Eagles Rout Raceland 48-21, Playoff Bracket is Set

The atmosphere was electric, the setting a familiar one for the 2023 LCA Eagles. The final regular season game took LCA to Raceland to take on its fifth #1 ranked team of the season. And it took little time for the Eagles to flex their muscles.

LCA scored the game's first 26 points with a heavy dose of Brady Hensley, burying the Rams from the start. They simply had no answer for the Eagles running game. Hensley went off once again, gaining 265 yards on 13 carries, with five touchdowns.

"He is who everybody says he is," Coach Doug Charles told The Daily Independent. "He's certainly a blessing. He went down and rushed for 400 yards in his debut at Bowling Green and another 87 yards receiving. That's almost 500 yards of total offense in his first out against No. 1 Bowling Green in Class 5A. He's solidified himself in my view as a legitimate Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Football guy because he's done it against the biggest and on the biggest stages."

Brady Hensley has put together a Mr. Football-worthy season in 2023 for the Eagles.

Hensley broke off scoring runs of 31, 35, 40, 56 and 53 yards. Cutter Boley also found Nate Barnhardt for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Then late in the 4th quarter, BJ Evans scored from 3 yards out, capping another explosive night of offense for the Eagles.

Boley finished 17-24 for 126 yards and a score, with one interception. Boley, who has done a tremendous job taking care of the football this season, hadn't thrown an interception since week two against Boyle County. His efficient production continued, with a few key throws to move the chains early.

The Eagles totaled 454 yards of total offense on the night, including 328 on the ground, against last year's runner-up team in class 1A. Evans ran for 57 yards on seven carries, while Parker Chaney, Barnhardt, Saxton Howard and Anderson Mitchell all hauled in multiple receptions.

LCA Blackshirt Defense Smothers Raceland Early

Defensively, the Black Shirts were hunting on Friday. Kenyatta Hardge set the tone in the first half, virtually unblockable for the Rams. The senior disrupted plays, swatted passes and finished with 7 solos, 3 assists and 3.5 tackles for loss of 13 yards. Hunter Adams led the way in tackles with 8 solos, 5 assists and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The LCA Black Shirt defense was hunting Friday night against Raceland.

Middle linebacker Major Brown continued his assault on the LCA tackles record book with 6 solos, 7 assists and 1 tackle for loss. Will Bivens finished with 6 total tackles and a half sack. Sophomore Mac Darland filled up the stat sheet with 4 solos, 5 assists, 2 sacks, a half tackle for loss and his first interception of the season.

The Eagles allowed only 143 yards rushing and 194 yards passing. And though the Rams drove the ball into Eagles territory a few times early, LCA turned Raceland away on its first six consecutive possessions. After Darland's interception, the Eagles forced three punts and turned the Rams over on downs before finally allowing a score late in the 3rd quarter.

Center Garrison McKinney dominated the defense against Raceland.

Road to Kroger Field

Now with the regular season compete, the playoff bracket is finally set. The Eagles open up in the first round at home this Thursday against Clinton County (4-6). The winner will face-off against the Monroe County (5-5)/Shawnee (3-7) winner the following week.

When it comes to class 2A, every prediction points to a four-horse race: Beechwood (9-1), Mayfield (8-1), Owensboro Catholic (10-0) and the Eagles. The RPI sets up a return trip to Mayfield for the Regional finals. A win there would likely produce a home game against three-time defending state champion Beechwood in Eagle Valley. Survive those two games, and a trip to Kroger Field brings yet another familiar foe - undefeated Owensboro Catholic.

Helmet Stickers

Brady Hensley - It's time to fire up the hype machine, officially. The best running back in the state plays for LCA. Hensley brings a rare blend of speed and power, and he always finishes runs lowering the shoulder. But if he does get a crease, say goodbye. When you look at the quality of competition he's rumbled for all those yards and scores against, Hensley is having a season for the ages. A trip to Kroger field - and a win - might just equal a Mr. Football selection for Brady Hensley.

Chase Fuller and Holden Klaiber - Starting offensive linemen Brooks Kerwin and Hayes Preston got banged up last week. So into the starting lineup, in what was expected to be a really physical game, came Fuller and Klaiber. Not only that, they played on the same side of the ball. The running game didn't skip a beat, and the Eagles ran behind both Fuller and Klaiber often.

Chase Fuller and Holden Klaiber each started and performed well against Raceland.

Garrison McKinney - Garrison dominated the line of scrimmage Friday, like he always does. But on this night, he brought some extra nasty to his game. He not only blocked defenders, he demoralized them. He completely overwhelmed Rams defensive linemen, setting the tone early.

Kenyatta Hardge - If Hensley is putting together the "Best" season for the Eagles, then his fellow Madison Central transfer is arguably turning in the most dominating one. Offenses simply have no answer for Hardge. Raceland attempted run away to cut him all night. It didn't work. Kenyatta absolutely dominated up front against the Rams.

Kenyatta Hardge is turning in arguably the most dominant season in all of Kentucky high school football.

Hunter Adams - Now with a full season playing in the new 3-3 stack scheme, Adams is thriving. When you run away from Kenyatta, you get Adams. Playing with both physicality and speed, Hunter dominated blockers and blew up the run game for the Rams. And when he hits ballcarriers, he punishes them. Over the last several games, his play is arguably second only to Hardge.

Will Bivens - You probably can't sing the praises for Adams without acknowledging the work turned in by Will Bivens. Will eats up double-teams that keep Adams clean, or he defeats blocks to stop runners himself. On offense, Will is key in the run game blocking from the tight end position. And he delivers consistent, physical play from the D-tackle position - Bivens can play next year on Saturdays. With 5 solos, 1 assist and a half sack Friday, Bivens showed again he can flat out play.

Senior Will Bivens has played exception football after switching from linebacker to the defensive line.

Blackshirt Defense - Really, we could single out a bunch of guys here for stellar play. Darland made several big plays, and we've been spoiled with Brown's consistent, hard-nosed play at middle linebacker. Chase Couch made several plays in the backfield Friday, while Jayden Tayler had 4 solos, 2 assists and 1 pass break up. The defense played a complete game Friday, a great sign heading into the playoffs.

Linebackers Mac Darland, Hunter Adams and Major Brown are nearing a combined 200 total tackles for the season.

Becky Jones - A mom with a camera, Becky has taken photos at every JV and Varsity game this season, helping make this blog possible. Hat tip to Trever White as well, who attends and photographs most home games.

The road to Kroger Field begins this week on a special Thursday night edition in Eagle Valley, as LCA hosts Clinton County.