LAWRENCE CO. MIDDLE SCHOOL BULLDOGS CONTINUE TO SHINE WITH POST SEASON ACCOLADES

Middle School Bulldogs Receive Post Season Recognition

The Lawrence County Middle School Football team won its first ever state championship this month. With All-Star tryouts the day after the state championship and well into the basketball season, only a handful of Bulldogs made the trip back to Georgetown. However, numerous Bulldogs have been recognized for outstanding play on the field. Several players have also been selected and chosen to play for KYMSFA post season all KY teams.  

The 8th grade All Region team included Caven Williams, Carlo Chicko, Ty Brooks, and Ethan Preece.  The 7th grade All Region team included Mitchell Frazier, Grey Derifield, Hayden Thomas, and Muhammad Pack.  

Bulldogs running back/safety Caven Williams, wide receiver/linebacker Carlo Chicko, and tight end/defensive tackle Ty Brooks were chosen for KYMFSA 8^th grade All State team (FBU team Kentucky). They will join players from around the state to battle against top players from around the country.  Bulldog quarterback Mitchell Frazier was selected and invited to the All State FBU 7^th grade team.  In essence, this means that Lawrence County’s Middle School squad had 4 players selected 1^st team all-state!  Bulldog center/nose guard Cameron Vanhoose, Bulldog defensive tackle/offensive guard Colbie Prince, and Offensive tackle/Linebacker Cameron Castle were selected to play in the 8^th grade KY All-star game. Grey Derifield and Darrin Brewer were selected for the 7^th grade KY All-stars team. 

Coach quote;  Tom Frazier (HC)

“… I am very proud of my team and the individual accolades of these players.  It is a testament to the whole team and the work these players have put in for many months.  I could go on and on about my guys for anyone who wants to listen.”

Carlo Chicko: “The only player in LC history to be selected to 7^th and 8^th grade FBU All-KY teams. The only LC player to be selected for the FBU Futures Showcase at FBU Top Gun in Naples. This is the highest award for any middle school player in the country. He is a captain on our team. Carlo is well known throughout the state as the best wide receiver around.  What is not as well known is what a beast he is on defense.  He is unblockable and led our team in sacks.  He had multiple games this year with more than 1 sack. That is hard to do in middle school given a relatively small number of passing plays.  Carlo is every coach’s dream and still has room to improve”. 

Ty Brooks: “Ty has deceptive speed and quickness for his size. He is a captain of our team and a FBU Top Gun player. He worked his butt off in the off-season to get stronger.  He was often double teamed on offense and defense, but still made plays.  He has the best hands on the team.  He has always been a great tight end. What changed for Ty is his interest and devotion to becoming a great blocker and defensive player.  As the defensive line coach, I got to see how he progressed and became an All-State defensive tackle. He is a blessing to coach, and I love him”.

Caven Williams: “Caven was an offensive lineman 2 years ago. When he stepped on our field, we explained to him that he was a running back. I know he had doubts about that, but he became the best running back in Eastern Kentucky.  He is the most mild-mannered child off the field, but on the field, he is an animal.  He was able to dominate games and punish defenses. When I spoke to his FBU coach, he commented he had never seen a running back lead block by Caven. I had to agree.  Caven became a captain of our team and a leader on and off the field.  I couldn’t be prouder of the man and player he is becoming”. 

Cameron Vanhoose: “Big Cam has been with me for many years.  He has always had the size, intelligence, and strength to be a great football player.  However, I have never seen a kid change his trajectory in terms of attitude the way he has.  He worked his tail off in the weight room. He became an anchor of our offensive and defensive lines. No one could move him. He finds a way to stay positive when every one else is negative. He is a guy who others look up to. He became a leader and a teacher.  It all started when he decided to allow things others would use as an excuse to be bad, as motivation to become good. I am so proud of him”. 

Mitchell Frazier: “Bubba Bear is the quintessential coach’s kid. He is a football junkie and until this year, has had to be the man on offense and defense (along with his buddy Grey Derifield).  On this team, he didn’t play defense and had to become a great game manager.  Coach (Alan) Short and I both agree that we have never seen a kid his age do the things he does.  By the end of the year, he had complete freedom to audible, call different plays and cadences.  He was able to pre-snap read defenses.  We let him perform 1^st, 2^nd, and even 3^rd level RPO’s.  He is an FBU top gun player, has camped all over the country with Offense-Defense Camps, and has performed at several O-D All Star Championship games at NFL stadiums.  He has been given a lot of opportunities that other kids don’t get, and he knows that. It is what he has done with those opportunities that sets him apart”.