Outlook- After a 3-5 campaign in the 2020 season which was beset by pandemic problems, the Tigers
came back in 2021 with a senior dominated team with experience but stumbled out of the gate due to
significant Covid issues for a second season before recovering and winning 4-straight before falling in the
first round of the playoffs to Graves County. With all of those seniors gone (many skill players), Coach
Brent Hottell will have to look for replacements if the Tigers are to continue to show improvement and
continue the upward trajectory the program has shown the past 4 seasons.
Offense- The offense saw improvement from 2020 putting up 184-points in eleven games compared to
139 last season in eight, but with plenty of changes on the offense improvement will depend on how
quickly everyone adjusts to new roles. Kiyren Watkins led the team in passing with 899-yards and six-TDs
through the air. James Spitzer was the backup and with both gone Hottell will look for a new
quarterback. Senior Parker Davis will move from his role as a receiver last season and take over behind
the center at QB. Davis will lead what could be a potent running game with Senior Michael Johnson
(869-yards/10-TDs in 8 games played) returning for his senior season. A talented crop of returning backs
in Liam Clark, Quenten Rhinehart, Michael Yakubovich and Ethan Newton will help in both the passing
and running game. The top receivers (Spitzer, Evin Miller and Johnathan Walker) are all gone so there
will be changes there as well. The Tigers do return starting wideout Jacob Henning who came on late last
season and welcome newcomer Wyatt Burnett (Junior, 6’3 205 lbs) from the baseball team at tight end.
The Offensive Line will lose Cole Nash, Kolton Mills, Zech Martin and Jackson Austin are gone so Keaton
Sosh will be the only returning starter. Senior James Greer, Senior Conner Douglas, Sophomore Brian
Hayes and Sophomore Hunter Davis could be possibilities.
Defense- The defense did bend a bit (377 compared to 296 in 2020), but most of that was the first five
losses and the additional 3 games played. There were times they hung tough and there will changes on
this side as well with graduations. The Defensive Line will lose Jackson Austin and Zech Martin with only
Matthew Morris and Michael Yakubovich returning. Eli Wall, Wyatt Burnett, Quenten Rhinehart,
Christian Church, Brian Hayes and Grant Compton could step in. Liam Clark and Parker Davis return at
the outside linebacker position with Korey Alexander and Michael Johnson providing depth. Ethan
Newton, Cayden Raby, Connor Douglass and James Greer will look for time at the middle linebacker spot.
The secondary lost Spitzer, Jackson, Watkins and Perks. Scott Smith, Ladarian Parker, Jacob Henning and
Matthew Montgomery could get some time.
Summation- Trying to rebuild a program which has been down for such a long time is always a challenge
and Hottell understands that as he enters his 12th year as the head coach at Breckinridge County. At one
time a high water mark would be a two to three win season, but as the team continues to improve
expectations will grow. The program has gone 17-22 in the last four seasons including a 6-4 campaign in 2019. Four wins looked very good after a rough three-win 2020, but this could be a transition season
and as quickly as the team can grow will determine how fast the win total can grow as well. If things gel
and some of the talented newcomers embrace their role Breckinridge has the chance to continue their
surge over the past 4 seasons, which could make for an exciting fall in Harned
