Former LCHS player, coach takes over successful program
Louisa, Ky. — Louisa Middle football will have a new man in charge when the season kicks off in August as former Dawg Blake Preece will take over for Tate Smith who was at the helm for five years and compiled a record of 39-9 and made two trips to post season play.
Smith could not be reached for comment.
“After an interview by a committee and receiving their recommendation, Blake Preece was hired as the Middle Grades Football Coach, Lawrence Supt. Dr. Rob Fletcher said this morning. “Mr. Preece has an extensive background in coaching football as well as a love for the kids of Lawrence County. I look forward to having Mr. Preece as a part of our coaching ranks.”
Coach Preece, 41, has seventeen years of coaching experience including three as head coach at North Oldham middle school when he led them to the Bluegrass Conference championship twice. Also, Preece was head coach at Hayes middle in Lexington for two years before landing a spot with Lexington Catholic high school and helping with the offense and QB’s as they won a state championship.
At Lawrence Co. he coached under Chuke Williams, Billy Goldsmith, Luke Salmons and Joey Cecil helping on both sides of the ball.
Preece helped start the Lawrence Co. Legends youth football camp and is hoping to bring it back to our community.
Coach Preece is a Louisa guy who played at Lawrence Co. from 1989-92 and started on one of the best teams in school history in that lost in the final four to Mayfield, after making the 8 hour trip across the state, 21-18. Has a Masters degree from Morehead State.
He and wife Anne have two kids. Abby is a 6th grader at Louisa Middle and Jake is in 3rd grade at Louisa East.
Louisa Middle Head Football Coach Blake Preece
COACH’S COMMENT
“… I’m going to be flexible and play to the strengths of my players.” I’m going to sit down with LC head coach Alan Short and make the transition from middle school into high school as easy as possible for the kids.” I will be making trips to Blaine and Fallsburg to talk with those kids and gauge the interest.”
“I’m ecstatic to officially accept the Head Middle School Football job in Lawrence Co. Our program is at the core of who many of us are today!” I’m looking forward to working with Coach Short to continue building a family atmosphere with the overall program.”
“We’ll sit down this week and start hammering out the foundation to give our kids the smoothest transition we can into the High School program. Once we do that I’ll be out to visit Louisa Middle, Blaine and Fallsburg to talk to the kids. I am excited to get after it with our kids. Even more excited to build life long relationships building character and equipping our kids with tools to be successful after High School. God is good!.”