PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WMDJ) – Paintsville High School is searching for a new head football coach as Trevor Hoskins has announced he is stepping down after 4 seasons.

 

Hoskins was (22-26) during his tenure.

 

In a statement released online, Hoskins thanked the Paintsville community for the opportunity to coach calling the experience, ‘gratifying’.

 

“This was a tough decision,” Hoskins said. “I have made the decision to explore other opportunities.”

 

Hoskins, native of Middlesboro, played quarterback at Middlesboro High School and graduated in 2007. He enjoyed a hall of fame career at the University of Pikeville as a player, where he set passing records as quarterback of the Bears.

 

After spending time on the Bears staff as quarterbacks coach, Hoskins took the head coaching position at Paintsville in 2021.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – In case you haven’t noticed, football is back in the Star City.

 

The Prestonsburg Blackcats revived the spirit of a proud football town this season, winning their first nine games under first-year head coach and former Blackcat standout Wes Hager.

 

After winning their first two playoff games, the Blackcats found themselves two steps away from a state championship appearance for the first time in a decade.

 

Standing in their way in the regional finals though was a familiar postseason foe, the Somerset Briar Jumpers.

 

The game was a rematch, exactly 11-years to the day, when Somerset held off the Blackcats to reach the state semifinals at Josh Francis Field.

 

It was a cold, blustery night which played a major factory, yet Somerset never trailed, ending the Blackcats season with a 23-6 victory.

 

Prestonsburg had their chances.

 

Trailing 16-6 to start the third quarter, the Blackcats took the first possession of the quarter down inside the Someset 9-yard line. On fourth-and-seven, senior Dalton Elliott, who battled a groin injury throughout the game, was inserted at quarterback and looked to pass to junior Kain Patton who was in motion going to his left with a head full of steam. However, Somerset senior linebacker Zach Koger picked off the pass stopping the Blackcats with 6:35 left in the third.

 

The Blackcats were able to hold Somerset deep in their own territory, forcing a punt from their own endzone with Prestonsburg taking over at the Briar Jumpers’ 30-yard line.

 

Prestonsburg’s offense would stall again inside the redzone for a second consecutive time as Bryce Holbrook’s pass fell incomplete inside the 5-yard line, giving the ball back on downs to Somerset with 2:20 left in the third.

 

All told, Prestonsburg had the ball in the redzone on three different occasions in the game and came up empty each time.

 

Somerset would nickel and dime the Blackcat defense, letting the clock roll while picking up small yardage gains on the legs of junior running back Kris Hughes, capped off by a 6-yard run by Hughes for what proved to be the game's final score, chewing up nearly 9 minutes off the clock and extended their lead 23-6.

 

The Briar Jumpers flexed their defensive muscles early, picking up a safety with 4:06 to play in the first quarter as Holbrook drifted back into his own endzone under pressure and was sacked on a 3rd-and-12 passing play.

 

Somerset would take the short Prestonsburg kick to pay dirt for their first touchdown of the night with 2:07 left in the first quarter. Hughes ran in the score from eight yards away to make the score 9-0 Briar Jumpers.

 

Prestonsburg would get what would turn out to be their only score on a 20-yard run by Patton with 2:16 to play in the second quarter, tightening the score to 9-6 after a failed 2-point conversion.

 

Somerset would march straight down field on the next drive as senior quarterback Josh Bruner connected with Isaiah Lewis on a 38-yard touchdown pass, giving the Briar Jumpers 16-6 halftime lead.

 

Patton stepped up in place of Elliott rushing for 151 yards on 24 attempts and scored the only touchdown for Prestonsburg. Overall, Prestonsburg was held to 184 total yards of offense and only 77-yards in the first half.

 

Somerset turned the ball over three times, yet still was able to win time of possession and make timely stops of the Blackcats inside the redzone to help seal the victory.

 

The Briar Jumpers ran 50 plays for 284 total yards. Bruner was 7-for-12 passing for 115 yards and 1 touchdown along with 1 interception. Hughes led the ground attack 138 yards on 29 carries and a pair of touchdowns.

 

The Briar Jumpers earn a rematch with undefeated Owensboro Catholic, after falling to the Aces 44-13 last season in the state semifinals.

 

Prestonsburg's season comes to a close at (11-2) after falling to the Briar Jumpers for the eighth consecutive time in as many matchups.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – It was one for the ages.
 
The University of Pikeville will advance in the playoffs for the first time ever with a 42-35 win over Baker (Kan.) University on Saturday afternoon.
 
UPike improved to 6-5 on the season and have now won six of its last seven games.
 
The teams were deadlocked at 35 as the final period started. The Bears used 2:43 of the clock, covering 79 yards on only six plays. It ended on a 15-yard carry by freshman Amon Williams, and senior Austan Shuffler's extra-point made the score 42-35.
 
The Wildcats had three drives to tie the game but were unable to find the end zone.
 
The first was stalled when quarterback Sam Heggemann was stopped on a fourth-and-one carry by Najmir Bellegarde and Defensive Player of the Game Chuck Moore.
 
Both finished the game with 16 tackles. Caleb Anderson led the Bears with 18 tackles.
 
UPike came into the game with only 13 interceptions on the season, but the final two drives ended with picks. The first was caught by Marshawn Boyden while the second was hauled in by Joe Alvarez.
 
Offensive Player of the Game Lee Kirkland finished with 310 passing yards on 24-of-35 and three touchdowns. It's his 15th career 300-plus-yard game, while the second touchdown pass gave him 100 for his career.
 
Additionally, he carried for 42 yards and a score.
 
He got plenty of help. Williams finished with 152 yards on 24 carries and two scores, giving him five 100-plus yard games. Brandon Newton caught six passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while Williams hauled in seven for 66 yards and Diego Soto five for 60.
 
Baker took the ball to start the game and wasted no time finding the end zone. The drive ended with a six-yard carry by Sam Heggemann with 8:01 left in the period, and Seth Simpson nailed the kick for a 7-0 lead.
 
Pikeville was quick to respond, going 80 yards on only six plays. The key was a pass completed from Kirkland to Brandon Newton, covering 11 yards. It was knocked free but picked up by Jalen Royal-Eiland, who carried it 37 yards before being brought down at the Baker 30.
 
Williams covered the final 16 yards with 5:12 left, and Austan Shuffler nailed the extra point to even the score.
 
It only took Baker 2:01 to counter, as Heggemann found Adrion Seals on a 51-yard pass to make it 14-7.
 
Kirkland answered early in the second period, scoring on a one-yard keeper with 14:22 left. Shuffler brought it even with the extra-point.
 
The defense made a stand, and again the offense was on the move. It ended when Kirkland hit Newton for a 38-yard score to make it 20-14 with 9:04 left in the half.
 
The Wildcats answered this time, with Heggemann throwing another touchdown, again to Seals, from 57 yards out. Simpson put Baker in front 21-20 with 2:32 lft.
 
But that was enough time for the potent Bear offense. It covered 75 yards on a dozen plays, ending with a six-yard pass from Kirkland to Soto with six seconds left. UPike went for two, and again it was Kirkland to Soto to give the Bears a 28-21 halftime lead.
 
UPike started the second half with the ball, but a rare interception gave the Wildcats the ball at the Bear nine. It took only two plays to score, as Cole Fisher carried from the two.
 
On their next possession, Baker took the lead as Heggemann threw his third touchdown of the game, this time a nine-yard pass to Maveryk Becker to take a 35-28 lead.
 
But before the period ended, Kirkland found Newton on a 10-yard score, and Shuffler's kick with 25 seconds left tied the game for the fourth time, this time at 35.
 
The Bears will advance to the round of 16 and travel to face Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, November 30th. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the 23rd time in program history, the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels are headed to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

 

The Colonels earned an at-large bid and will face the No. 11 seed, Villanova Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. in Villanova, Pa. as announced on the FCS Selection Show on Sunday.

 

EKU earned its spot with an 8-4 overall record, 8-2 in FCS play, and a 6-2 record in the United Athletic Conference including two wins over then-ranked opponents in Tarleton State and Central Arkansas.

 

The Colonels finished the regular season on a five-game win streak including most recently defeating North Alabama, 21-15.

 

The selection gives EKU sole possession of the second most FCS/I-AA Playoff selections, with 23. It is the first time EKU has been to the postseason since 2022, and head coach Walt Wells becomes the first coach since Dean Hood to take EKU to multiple playoff appearances.

 

Villanova enters the postseason as the No. 11 seed with a 9-3 regular season record having gone 6-2 in Coastal Athletic Association play.

 

The Wildcats are coming off an important, 38-28 win last Saturday over rival Delaware which secured their spot as a first-round host in the playoffs.

 

Saturday’s meeting will be the first between the Wildcats and Colonels for the historic FCS programs.

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall tonight announced the acquisition of RHP Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for 2B Jonathan India and OF Joey Wiemer.

 

Singer, 28, set career highs for the Royals in 2024 with 32 starts, 179.2 innings, and 170 strikeouts. Since his 2020 Major League debut, his 124 starts and 685.1 innings rank among American League leaders.

 

Singer held right-handed batters to a .208 batting average last season, ninth-best in the American League. He completed 5.0 innings in 30 of 32 starts and pitched to a 3.71 ERA.

 

Singer was selected by Kansas City in the first round (18th overall) of the 2018 first-year player draft out of the University of Florida. In 2018, he was named SEC Pitcher of the Year and earned the Dick Howser Trophy as college baseball's top player.

 

India, 27, batted .253 with 63 HR and 42 stolen bases in 4 seasons with the Reds. The 2021 National League Rookie of the Year appeared in 133 games at second base in 2024, and batted leadoff 105 times.

 

Wiemer, 25, appeared in 2 games for the Reds after he and RHP Jakob Junis were acquired from Milwaukee on July 30 in a trade that sent RHP Frankie Montas to the Brewers. 

CINCINNATI - Nick Martinez has accepted the Reds’ $21.05MM qualifying offer and signed a one-year deal to remain in Cincinnati.

 

The 34-year-old righty appeared in 42 games last season, making 16 starts, posting a (10-7) record with a 3.10 ERA. Martinez won five of his final 11 starts of the season.

 

Martinez will battle for a regular spot in the starting rotation along with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Graham Ashcraft.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Prestonsburg High School has been playing football for a long time.

 

In fact, the Blackcats have been playing for nearly a century. The program has played more than 1,000 games. Earlier this season, they celebrated their 600th win as a program. They have played in multiple state championship games. However, in their 29-0 win over Betsy Layne in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs, they accomplished something quite rare.

 

Including Friday night, Prestonsburg has played 84 playoff games. In those 84 games, only seven have been shutouts. That is just more than eight percent of all postseason games in Prestonsburg history, and one of those instances occurred just last week.

 

To take that even further, the Blackcats’ shutout win over the Bobcats was just their fourth such victory in the second round or later, and the first since 2007. And all four victories have something in common: the defense stopped a highly ranked offensive player on the other side.

 

Let’s go back to 1993. The Russell Red Devils were rolling at 11-2 when Prestonsburg came to town for the Class 2A Region IV championship. Running back Robert Brown had rushed for more than 1,400 yards on the season.

 

What did the Blackcats do?

 

They held Russell to 74 total yards of offense and just 54 yards rushing in a 21-0 region final victory on their way to an appearance in the Class 2A state championship game.

 

In 2001, Leslie County featured one of the state’s top passing offenses behind quarterback Chris Barger. Barger ranked fifth in Class 2A that season with nearly 1,900 yards passing and 20 touchdowns and led an Eagles offense that scored 34.4 points per game, including at least 32 points in the five games leading up to their second-round playoff game at Blackcat Stadium.

 

What did the Blackcats do?

 

They handed Leslie County its first shutout loss of the season and just second shutout loss in its last 36 games, winning 33-0 and advancing to just their second region final since 2001.

 

Shelby Valley featured one of the more dynamic offenses in all of Class 2A in 2007. Quarterback Tyler Johnson, running back Jonah Justice, and wide receivers Chris Adkins and Lucas Simpkins all ranked among the top 20 stat leaders at their respective position. Johnson had thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns entering the Wildcats’ second round playoff game against district rival Prestonsburg, while Adkins and Simpkins each had nearly 500 receiving yards.

 

What did the Blackcats do?

 

They held Shelby Valley’s offense, which was averaging more than 26 points per game, to zero in a 38-0 rout. As a matter of fact, it was the second time Prestonsburg shut out the Wildcats that season, also winning 14-0 just three weeks prior.

 

And then there is Friday night against Betsy Layne. Bobcat running back Andrew McCutcheon entered the game with 2,157 yards and averaging 215.7 yards per game, both leading Class 2A and ranking second in all classes. Offensively, Betsy Layne was averaging 35.4 points per game, and just seven weeks earlier had scored 32 points against the Blackcats in a 39-32 loss, a game in which McCutcheon rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns.

What did the Blackcats do?

 

They held a Bobcat offense that was averaging more than 350 yards per game to less than 100 total yards of offense, all while pitching a 29-0 shutout to advance to their first region final since 2014.

 

The saying goes, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” Sounds like the Blackcats' defense, led by head coach Wes Hager and defensive coordinator John Mark Stephens, is prepared for the fight.

 

Prestonsburg will host Somerset at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Blackcat Stadium/Josh Francis Field. 

 

Prestonsburg shutouts in postseason history

• 1983 First Round vs. M.C. Napier (20-0)
• 1993 Region Final vs. Russell (21-0)
• 2001 Second Round vs. Leslie County (33-0)
• 2004 First Round vs. Leslie County (36-0)
• 2007 Second Round vs. Shelby Valley (38-0)
• 2010 First Round vs. Knott County Central (66-0)
• 2024 Second Round vs. Betsy Layne (29-0)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington native and consensus top-20 recruit Jasper Johnson has officially inked an agreement to play for Kentucky men’s basketball as a part of the NCAA fall signing period.

 

The 6-foot-4 combo guard began his high school career at Woodford County High School in Versailles, Kentucky, where he helped lead the Yellowjackets to the semifinals of the KHSAA Sweet 16 in 2023, while also playing quarterback on the football team.

 

After spending his junior year at Link Academy in Missouri, Johnson headed to Atlanta where he is currently a part of the Overtime Elite program that produced Rob Dillingham, a top 10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft and current member Minnesota Timberwolves. In the early stages of the OTE 2024-25 season, Johnson is averaging 20.7 points, 6.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game.

 

Johnson is set to become a third-generation Wildcat when he arrives at the University next fall. Jasper’s father, Dennis, and his uncle, Derrick, both played football at Kentucky while his grandfather, Alvis, worked eight years in athletics administration at UK. Jasper’s father played in the NFL for both the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers and is now the current football coach and athletic director at Woodford County.

 

“Jasper Johnson is the most dangerous scorer in all of high school basketball,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said. “He has a panache and a flair that is going to be loved by all of BBN. He has a fearless mindset on the court and is also a massive gravity player, where the whole defense has to shift out to him at 27 feet. His family has a great legacy here at Kentucky and he may just write the most profound chapter of them all.”

 

Johnson played for Team Thad on the EYBL AAU circuit and was a standout at Peach Jam this past summer, averaging 19.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals across five games. The lefty also won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina this past June, shooting a team-best 42.3 percent (11-26) from 3-point range.

 

Johnson chose Kentucky over a list of other finalists that included Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville and North Carolina.

 

“Coach Pope made a big commitment to spend a lot of time with me and speak to me,” Johnson said at the time of his commitment. “I feel like the trust was there between me and the coaching staff and being from Lexington, I feel like this was an easy decision. I’m K-Y ‘til I die.”

 

Jasper Johnson

Position: Guard

Measurables: 6-4, 175 pounds

School: Overtime Elite

Hometown: Lexington, Ky.  

 

Rivals ranking: No. 18 overall | Four-star prospect | No. 3 at PG

247Sports ranking: No. 13 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 3 at SG

ESPN ranking: No. 13 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 4 at PG

On 3 ranking: No. 29 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 8 at SG

EASTERN, Ky. (WMDJ) - Shawn Hager has resigned as head football coach of Floyd Central.

 

The decision was made, and later confirmed by WMDJ, following the Jaguars’ 48-16 loss to Shelby Valley in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs on Friday, November 8.

 

Hager led the Jaguars since their inception in 2017, and during his eight-year tenure with the program, compiled a 27-58 record, including seasons of 8-4 (2017) and 6-6 (2023).

 

Hager reflected on his time starting Floyd Central’s football program, saying he’ll miss the friendships he’s made and wishes nothing but success for the program in the future.

 

“During my time at Floyd Central I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve enjoyed my job. I’ve met some great people and created some lifelong relationships with parents, coaches, former players and community members. I want to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity the past eight years and I want to wish Floyd Central football all the success in the future.”

 

In 2017 and 2023, Hager guided Floyd Central a runner-up finish in district play, and subsequently earned a home playoff win in each instance, beating Henry County 43-35 in 2017 and East Ridge 60-50 in 2023. His two postseason victories account for two-thirds of all playoff wins in the history of high school football on Beaver Creek.

 

The Jaguars became the first Floyd County team since 1986 (Betsy Layne) to beat Prestonsburg when they knocked off the Blackcats 49-6 at Blackcat Stadium, the first of three consecutive victories over their in-county rival.

 

Under Hager, the Jaguars captured two Honey Bowl championships, beating traditional power Breathitt County in 2017 (28-6) and 2018 (28-22). They also defeated Class A power Hazard 24-21 in 2021 to win the Bill Dixon Bowl championship.

 

Floyd Central will immediately begin the search for candidates to take over the program.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – One of college basketball’s marquee events, the Champions Classic, which has pitted the best against the best since 2011, was renewed and will continue through the 2028 season. Kentucky will continue to be a part of it.

 

The Kentucky men’s basketball program, in conjunction with Duke, Kansas, Michigan State and ESPN, will continue the doubleheader series through the 2028 season. The event began in 2011 in esteemed Madison Square Garden in which Kentucky earned a 75-65 win over Kansas, while Duke prevailed over Michigan State. The teams have rotated opponents along with varying cities allowing fans all across the country to watch one of the nation’s best basketball events.

 

“We are extremely excited about the continuation of this premier event in college basketball,” UK head coach Mark Pope said. “For nearly 15 years, the Champions Classic has showcased the nation’s best programs, seen unforgettable moments, featured terrific games and been the stage where players have become stars.”

 

The doubleheader event will be played in New York in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 18, 2025. Sites will be announced at a later time for the Nov. 10, 2026, Nov. 9, 2027, and Nov. 7, 2028 dates.

 

This year’s edition of the event tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET this evening with Kansas taking on Michigan State. The Wildcats and Duke will tip off 30 minutes following the conclusion of the opening contest.

 

Next season, Kentucky will face Michigan State in the event.

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – The Prestonsburg Blackcats won their first postseason game in seven seasons with a decisive 39-8 victory over East Ridge at Blackcat Stadium/Josh Francis Field on Friday.

 

Senior running back Dalton Elliott scored three touchdowns while sophomore quarterback Bryce Holbrook threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Blackcats (10-1) proved to be too much for the visiting Warriors.

 

Prestonsburg took advantage of two East Ridge (2-9) fumbles, converting those turnovers into points, as the Blackcats won their first playoff game since 2017.

 

The win sets up the rematch fans have been anticipating as Prestonsburg will host county rival Betsy Layne in the second round of the KHSAA state football playoffs this coming Friday. The Bobcats were able to defeat Knott Co. Central 40-18 in their opening round contest.

 

Prestonsburg wasted no time in finding the endzone when Holbrook connected with junior wide receiver Kain Patton on a 14-yard touchdown pass, followed by the extra point kick by Colin Hatfield, to give the Blackcats a 7-0 lead on the game’s opening drive.

 

The Warriors first drive had a promising start as sophomore Cole Ratliff took the first snap from scrimmage from their single wing formation for a 32-yard run into Prestonsburg territory. However, East Ridge would fumble the football at the Prestonsburg 37-yard line, turning the ball over to the Blackcats.

 

Prestonsburg would put together a five play, 63-yard drive capped off with a touchdown run by Elliott, extending the Blackcats lead to 13-0 with 5:13 remaining in the first quarter.

 

Down by a pair of scores, East Ridge elected to gamble on 4th-and-12 at their own 38-yard line and were able to gain a first down, giving the Blackcats excellent field position to setup their third unanswered touchdown as Holbrook would scramble 25-yards to put Prestonsburg ahead 19-0 at the start of the second quarter.

 

On the next drive, East Ridge would pick up a huge 12-yard run by junior Gabriel May, yet Prestonsburg sophomore Clay Runyon stripped the ball from May’s hands, causing a turnover at the10:21 mark in the second quarter.

 

Prestonsburg’s Alex Harris would take the first snap 33-yards nearly untouched for the Blackcats’ fourth touchdown of the night. Hatfield ran a successful two-point conversion. Prestonsburg ahead 27-0.

 

East Ridge again came up empty on their next drive, turning the ball over on downs to the Blackcats. It would only take one play for Elliott to jet for a 26-yard touchdown run to extend the Prestonsburg lead 33-0 with 7:56 left before the half.

 

Prestonsburg would convert one more score before the end of the second quarter as Holbrook connected with Elliott on a 7-yard pass. Prestonsburg led 39-0 at the half.

 

East Ridge put together their only touchdown drive of the game under a running clock situation with around three minutes left in the game when Ratliff scored, making the final tally 39-8 after Ratliff also converted the two-point conversion.

 

Harris led the Blackcats with 116 yards rushing on only three attempts and one touchdown. Elliott racked up 89 yards on five carries and two scores. Holbrook had three carries for 31 yards and a single touchdown.

 

Ratliff was a workhorse for East Ridge carrying the ball 24 times for 121 yards and 1 touchdown.

 

(Photo credit: Dennis Walker)

The KY Football Coaches Association has named Prestonsburg head coach Wes Hager and running back Dalton Elliott Class 2A, District 7 Coach of the Year and Player of the Year. 

Hager is in his first season at the helm of the Blackcats (9-1), who captured their first this season since 2013 and will open the playoffs at home this Friday hosting East Ridge. 

Elliott, a senior standout for the Blackcats, has rushed for 1,285 yards on 114 attempts and scored 14 touchdowns.