The 13th Region is proving once again that it can produce some of the most dynamic high school football talent in the state of Kentucky. From bruising running backs and lights-out quarterbacks to lockdown defenders and clutch special teams players, this year’s crop of stars are putting the region on the map with eye-popping numbers. Here’s a breakdown of where the region’s best rank among the state’s elite.
Class 5A – South Laurel & North Laurel Leading the Charge
Ground Game
South Laurel’s Wes Dowell is turning heads with 622 rushing yards, placing him 7th in Class 5A. His bruising style has made him a nightmare for defenses. North Laurel’s Jude McWhorter isn’t far behind, ranking 11th with 546 yards, showing the Jaguars have a workhorse of their own.
Touchdown Machine
Dowell has been unstoppable in the red zone, sitting 2nd in 5A with 16 touchdowns, cementing his role as one of the most dangerous scorers in Kentucky.
Air Attack
Mason Griffin has been sensational for South Laurel, leading all of Class 5A in passing with 1,851 yards. He also ranks 2nd with 20 touchdown passes, proving he’s one of the top signal callers in the state. His top targets have made waves too: Carter Kelley is tied for 3rd in receptions (37) and ranks 8th in receiving yards (492). Garrison Brown is 7th in receptions (34), 6th in receiving yards (543), and tied for 1st in receiving TDs (8), making him a lethal downfield option. Even running back Wes Dowell has been huge through the air, ranking 9th in receptions (33).
Special Teams Excellence
Cullen Daleymple has been money in the kicking game, tied for 4th in field goals (1) but more importantly 1st in PATs (41).
Defense Wins Games
Malachi Smith ranks 4th in total tackles (79), while Tim Thompson sits right behind at 5th (74). Liam Newton is tied for 2nd in sacks (7), wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. Ethan Leach leads all of 5A with 4 fumble recoveries, while Smith ranks 2nd (3). South Laurel has even more names in the mix with Ray, Roark, Thompson, Walters and North Laurel’s Bryson Nantz each tied for 4th (1 recovery). In the secondary, Brown, Walters, Roark, and North Laurel’s Evans Zarate all sit tied for 8th with 2 interceptions.
Add it all up, and South Laurel has become one of the most statistically dominant teams in Kentucky.
Class 4A – Corbin’s Balanced Attack
Mason Salmons of Corbin ranks tied for 9th in passing touchdowns (9). While Corbin’s power has always been built on balance, Salmons’ steady play in the pocket gives the Redhounds one more weapon as they chase postseason glory.
Class 3A – Bell County and Knox Central Powerhouses
Running Wild
Kaleb Miller has been electric for Bell County, ranking 3rd in 3A with 1,206 rushing yards and 1st with 20 rushing touchdowns. He also leads the entire class in points scored (138), proving he’s not just Bell County’s engine, but one of the state’s most unstoppable backs. Brayden Sizemore of Knox Central adds to the region’s backfield dominance, sitting 10th with 625 yards.
Kicking Game
Kobe Woolum has provided a boost for Knox Central, tying for 7th in field goals (1).
Defensive Monsters
Donavon Smith is everywhere for Knox Central, leading the entire class with a staggering 111 tackles. Bell County’s James Neal ranks tied for 10th in sacks (4). Hunter Everage is tied for 7th in fumble recoveries (1). In the secondary, Blake Burnett is tied for 1st in 3A with 6 interceptions, while Knox Central’s Evan Taylor has 3 picks, tied for 6th.
The 3A numbers prove that Bell County and Knox Central not only dominate offensively but also set the tone defensively.
Class 1A – Small Schools, Big Stars
Ground Game Kings
Pineville’s Landon Robbins is rewriting record books with 1,468 rushing yards (1st in 1A) and a class-leading 14 rushing touchdowns. He also leads the state tied for 1st in points scored (112). Lynn Camp’s DJ Wren is hot on his heels, ranking 2nd with 1,203 yards and 3rd with 12 touchdowns. Robbins and Wren are proving that 1A football in the 13th Region features two of the premier backs in Kentucky.
Through the Air
Williamsburg’s Reece Hatcher has been a gunslinger, throwing for 1,115 yards (4th in 1A) but ranking 1st in the entire class with an average of 279 yards per game. He’s also tied for 5th in touchdown passes (13). Middlesboro’s Deakon Partin sits 9th in passing yards (978) and ranks 2nd with 16 TD passes, giving the Yellow Jackets a legit aerial threat.
Playmakers
Middlesboro’s Joseph Killion (387 yards) and Williamsburg’s Peyton Hamilton (378 yards) both crack the top 10 in receiving yards. Hamilton has been Hatcher’s go-to, while Killion continues to burn secondaries.
Scoring Machines
Beyond Robbins, Pineville’s Trevor West is tied for 6th with 66 points, while Lynn Camp’s Braydon Humfleet ranks 9th with 62 points. Wren also ranks tied for 4th with 86. That’s four 13th Region players in the top 10 of 1A scoring alone.
Bottom Line
From Bell County’s Kaleb Miller bulldozing defenders in 3A, to South Laurel’s Mason Griffin torching secondaries in 5A, to Pineville’s Landon Robbins rewriting 1A rushing history, the 13th Region is stacked with some of the most productive, dynamic athletes in the state of Kentucky.
Whether it’s quarterbacks lighting up the scoreboard, running backs powering through defenses, or defenders laying the hammer, the numbers don’t lie—the 13th Region isn’t just keeping up with the rest of Kentucky football. It’s leading the way.
