Jim Mashek

(Editor’s Note: This series offers a quick look at high school football teams in South Central Kentucky. Coming soon: Russellville.)

AC-S WILL OPEN WITH FOUR CONSECUTIVE HOME GAMES

Allen County-Scottsville linebacker J.T. Pearson and three of his teammates were ready to collectively turn the page on the 2022 season under the glare of the stadium lights on Tuesday.

The Patriots were in full pads for the first time this summer, and spirits were high before dusk, when AC-S players and coaches descended the hill in the east zone, and onto the field where they’ll be scrapping this fall.

One year removed from an appearance in the KHSAA Class 4A quarterfinals, the Patriots struggled through a 3-8 season in 2022. They did put together an exceptional effort to knock off Class 6A Barren County High School, 18-14, on a cold October night, completing the regular season.

It was veteran AC-S coach Brad Hood’s 100th career victory at the school. Logan County eliminated Allen County-Scottsville in the first week of the 4A playoffs, stopping the Patriots 35-14 in Russellville.

“Last year was rough. I don’t think any of us want to go through that again,” Pearson said.

Senior cornerback Cameron Lay agreed.

“It was a little rough,” he said. “But today was the first day of pads, and you could hear the pads crackin’ out there. We all liked that.”

Hood, a fiery coach who clearly relates to his players, understands the Patriots need an edge this season. Allen County-Scottsville opens the season on August 18 against visiting Marion County. In fact, the Patriots will play their first four games of the regular season in Scottsville.

“The sting of last year is on our kids’ minds a little bit,” Hood said. “But they’ve come back hungry, and ready to play. A lot of these kids have been ‘Patriots’ since youth football. They’ve been together their whole life.

“Our tradition, our atmosphere, that’s a big deal to us. That first game will be here before you know it, but I like the effort, I like the attitude.”

Allen County-Scottsville football is built around physical play, and the Patriot seem to be gaining a sense of confidence, too.

“We’re working to improve everywhere, learn from our mistakes,” senior AC-S defensive end Aubrey Fernandez said. “I’m feeling a lot more ‘positive vibes’ out there. I think we’re on the same page.”

Braylon Adams, an AC-S junior transfer from Greenwood High School, has moved into the starting role at quarterback. Blayne Moore is a returning starter at wide receiver, but the Patriots will be looking at some new faces in the backfield. The AC-S offense is generally a blend of the wing-T and spread formations.

“I’m excited about the season. I trust our offensive line,” Adams said.

Hood embraces the high expectations at Allen County-Scottsville.

“We want to our kids to be physical, we want them to be tough, we want them to be coachable,” Hood said. “These kids are hard workers.”

Allen County-Scottsville will play in the revamped, six-team KHSAA Class 4A 1st District. The Patriots will have district games with Logan County (11-2 in 2022), Warren East (12-1 in 2022), Calloway County, Hopkinsville and tradition-rich Paducah Tighlman, a Class 4A quarterfinalist last season.

“We’ll probably leave for Paducah Tighlman on a Wednesday,” Hood said with a grin at last month’s Sporting Times Media Day at Bowling Green HIgh School. “When we go to Paducah, if we aren’t ready to play, it’ll be a long bus ride coming home.”

The Patriots savored the victory over Barren County last year, using wins over Russell County (29-6 in Russell Springs) and the Trojans to end a six-game losing streak.

“You can do great things with a big heart,” Brad Hood said that night. “I’m honored to be their football coach.”