Portsmouth, Ohio —
As his team embarks on cementing a perfect June and a pristine 5-0 mark halfway through the regular season, Kentucky Warriors owner Ricky Witt is “seeing now what I dreamed of in 2009 when I started laying out the groundwork.”
The Warriors have hit their stride in their third season, and the amateur football polls are direct indicators of that success.
In the latest power ratings on americanfootballnews.net, the Warriors (4-0) came in at No. 3. They’ve hovered among the top five over the past week, even climbing to No. 1 on one occasion.
The ratings are based on winning percentage, margin of victory and strength of schedule.
“It means a lot to our guys as far as being an accomplishment,” said Warriors head coach Dan Polcyn. “They all play for fun, but they want to achieve something too.”
The Warriors have put up a bundle of points, but defense has been the key, according to Witt.
Former area high school standouts Steve Lee (Ashland), Robby Logan (Raceland) and Zach Prichard (Fairview) have been integral parts of a defensive unit allowing 15.5 points per game.
They defeated the Clermont Grizzlies, 33-12, this past Saturday on the road. Lee amassed eight tackles, while Logan had five.
“(Logan) and (Lee) have made a killer contribution on defense,” Polcyn said of the combo that together tallied five sacks on Saturday.
Polcyn called Lee, an interior defensive lineman, “quick and aggressive.”
“He’s a little older, a more mature guy. That makes him a leader as well as being a talented ball player,” Polcyn said.
Logan, primarily an offensive lineman last season, has fulfilled a defensive role for the Warriors similar to that of former NFL player Karl Mecklenburg, who played all over the field.
The Warriors have scored 30-plus points in three contests. JoJo Parker (Portsmouth) has again been a key piece to the rushing attack. David Mallory and Andrew Osburn each rushed for more than 100 yards on Saturday.
“We don’t have enough footballs to go around for some of the skill guys we have,” Polcyn said.
“With the guys we have now, we just look like a big college football team out there,” said Witt.
The Warriors are the only undefeated team remaining in the 12-club Northern Frontier Football League, in which they compete in the Dayton Division.
They head to Cincinnati to take on the Ohio Ducks this coming Saturday.
Three home games, played at Spartan Stadium, remain on the schedule: July 7 vs. Lancaster, Aug. 4 vs. Grizzlies and Aug. 11 vs. Ducks.
“We have a better following than we’ve ever had,” Witt commented on the home crowds.
With several team members having served their country, the entire season is dedicated to the military. The team has donned camouflage uniforms in every game.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.
com or (606) 326-2664.
Local Sports
Undefeated Warriors gaining recognition
Local products significant pieces to semi-pro success
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Locals struggle to make impact
Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug.
It is a saying that proved to be all too true for Rowan County on Friday night at the KHSAA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships at the University of Louisville’s Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park. -
Rough Ending
Fairview senior Kennedy Womack wasn’t her consistent self in Saturday morning’s state tennis semifinals at the University of Kentucky’s Hilary Boone Tennis Complex.
As a result, the top seed fell to Lexington Sayre sophomore Madeline Rolph 6-1, 6-0.
Womack was obviously disappointed with her finish, especially after losing in last year’s state finals, but she was happy for her good friend Rolph. -
FLYING HIGH
If Fairview could have fielded a combined track and field team at Saturday’s Class A State Track and Field Championships, the Eagles and Lady Eagles would have had a record day. Instead, the Fairview girls had to “settle” for fifth, while the boys’ claimed 10th.
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Womack eliminated in semifinals
Top-seeded Kennedy Womack was eliminated in the semifinals of the State Tournament on Saturday at the University of Kentucky tennis courts.
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Big-inning Dawgs
It looked for a while that a questionable call may have determined the outcome of the game, but in the end, it was just an afterthought.
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Boyd County finds senior spark
Losers of four straight, Boyd County was searching for something positive Friday night before beginning postseason play Monday night.
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Doubles teams head to semis at state tourney
With rain staying away, the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament got into full swing on Friday afternoon.
Semifinals and finals will be held today at the University of Kentucky Boone/Downing Tennis Complex for boys and girls singles competitions. -
McKnight hurdling to Georgetown
Fairview’s Paige McKnight is known for jumping hurdles. She cleared a pretty big one on Thursday.
In front of friends and family at Fairview Elementary School, McKnight signed a letter of intent to run track for Georgetown College. -
Several area schools will be represented at State Track and Field championships
Local track and field athletes are ready to try to carry region competition success onto the state stage.
Several area schools will be represented at this weekend’s State Track and Field championships at the University of Louisville. The Class 2A meet is set for today at 3:15 p.m. and Class A competition is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. -
EAST KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY: Reflections on 'The Shot'
Paintsville High School legend J.R. VanHoose is also an eastern Kentucky basketball sports historian. This is one in an ongoing series of stories.
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