The look on the faces of the Hopkinsville High School football players who attended the media day activities in July at the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Sportsplex said everything about the 2024 season – determination.
The Tigers finished 1-9 in 2023 and missed the Class 4-A playoffs. That has provided extra motivation for the players, who have spent the offseason determined not to have the same fate in 2024 as they did last season.
“We are going harder at practice, we don’t want to go 1-9 again,” Hoptown senior Treston Kay said. “We know we did bad last year but we have better leadership this year and we have gotten more physical.”
Kay, a 5-foot-8, 163-pound running back/wide receiver is one of the top returning players this year for Hoptown. He will be joined by senior quarterback Aiden King (5-11, 170) and junior James Bradley Jr. (5-11, 177) in the Tigers’ backfield.
The Tigers also will count on the play of 5-11, 215-pound fullback Artavius Moses.
“I feel really good about the meat in our running back room,” first-year coach Dustin Lopez said. ““I think I have some really good playmakers back there. Kay is as good a weapon there is around and nobody is talking about him. He can run it, he can catch it. My running backs are solid.”
King will be one of the big question marks for the Tigers. Former Hoptown coach Craig Clayton joined the staff and is the offensive coordinator, bringing with him a new offense. Lopez said he has confidence that King will be able to pick up the offense quickly.
“He’s thrown the ball pretty well during the summer and he runs the ball well,” Lopez said. “As we go, he’s going to get better and better and we will get better and better because he is.”
The biggest concern for the Tigers’ offense is at wide receiver. Freshman Jalen Ray (6-3, 170), the son of former University of Kentucky basketball player Lydia Watkins transferred from Clarksville Academy. Senior DeAvery Ramey (5-9, 155) is back after sitting out the last two seasons. Freshman Jayon Bass (6-2, 150), junior Keyshaun Teal (5-8. 145) and senior Jonathan Hart (6-foot, 170) make up the receiving corps.
“Receiving is our big question mark, not because of lack of talent,” Lopez said. “They just haven’t played a lot of varsity snaps.”
Senior Kaden Cope (5-10, 165), sophomore Tremayne Clay (6-foot, 175), and senior Amani Johnson (5-11, 168) make up the tight end position.
Five starters return from the offensive line, including senior tackle Jeremiah Jones (6-2, 220), senior tackle Quavie Catlett (5-10, 295), junior guards Foster Jackson (5-10, 210) and Kavon Johnson (5-9, 220) and senior center Mekhillen Jeffers (5-10, 205).
“We can go about nine deep at the O-line,” Lopez said. “It’s a new scheme and it’s about getting experience. We may struggle early, but we should be pretty good as we go along.”
Senior Alden Marshall (5-9, 255), senior Markuies Williams (5-8, 180), freshman Kadontre Ware (5-9, 280), and senior Kayden Tandy (6-1, 285) also will see time at offensive line.
Defensively, the Tigers can go nine to 10 deep on the line with many of the offensive linemen going both ways. However, junior defensive end (Jordan Duerson (6-foot, 190) should also see plenty of playing time.
“The last time I had this much depth at defensive line was when I was at Hillsboro and we went to the state championship in 2014,” Lopez said.
The secondary will be inexperienced with Ray and Bass at cornerback. Freshman Kyrien Cannon (5-6, 135), Ramey and junior Lamareon Jeffers (6-1, 160) also will see time at cornerback.
Bradley, Kay, Bass and King will split time at safety, with Lopez saying he would prefer not to have to use King as much on defense.
Amoni Johnson is back at linebacker. He will be joined at middle linebacker by Moses and outside by sophomore Tremayne Clay (6-0, 175). Look for Foster Jackson, freshman Griffen Meacham (5-10, 165), and freshman Jaylen Overton (5-8, 155) to earn playing time.
“The linebackers are solid,” said Lopez, who also is the defensive coordinator. “They’re a physical bunch.”
King or Deavery Ramey will handle the punting chores and Bradley will be kicking off. As of this week, Lopez said he was still looking for a kicker for extra points.
“I really like this team,” Lopez said. “We have great kids, who work hard. I have 70 on the roster and there hasn’t been a day when we didn’t have under 60 here for practice. They’re coachable and they want to be good.”
The Tigers will be playing their final season in the Class 4-A, District 1 along with Paducah Tilghman, Logan County, Allen County-Scottsville, Warren East, and Calloway County. Lopez said, other than Paducah, the rest of the district is even on paper.
“Paducah is the king and I think Warren East has the most important player (quarterback Dane Parsley),” Lopez said. “But teams 2-5 are all interchangeable. It’s a competitive district. A solid team is going to be home during the playoffs. We just hope it’s not us.”
