Betsy Layne High School football coach Jonathon Parsons will be leading the Bluegrass State. With West Virginia winning the series for the last 6 years, Parsons said he had his “work cut out for him.” “I’ve got some pressure on me but we’ve got as good of chance as anyone else,” he said.
Parsons is looking forward to the challenge and says his team will consist of between 20-25 players; including QB Chris Stumbo from Allen Central High School and Austin McKinney and Josh Craynon from Prestonsburg High School.
These players were chosen after Parsons said he sent an email to all area coaches asking for nominations. The coach combed through each reply, chose who he wanted on the squad and then informed the high school coaches of his choices.
“I’ve never had so much talent on a team before,” Parsons said. “I am looking forward to the game.”
The rules of the game states that a minimum of 10 passes must be thrown during its duration. This suits Parsons just fine.
“As an offensive coach, I like to throw,” he explained. “You will see more passes than usual. I know Coach Stanley (West Virginia’s coach) runs a defense that that is easier to run against but we will still pass the ball.”
Parsons said he was approached previously to lead the Kentucky squad by Yogi Kinder, Hatfield-McCoy Bowl game director, but was unable to take part due to a death. This year, when Kinder asked if he was available, Parsons gladly took the position.
The Kentucky squad will wear blue and white while their West Virginia opposition will don the blue and gold. Each team member from both squads will wear the helmet of the high schools they are representing.
The Ky. team began practice yesterday at Betsy Layne High from 7-9 p.m. They will practice at the same place and time every day until
Friday. At that time, the coaching staff will conduct a walk-through with the game looming before them Saturday.
The Massey Energy Senior Bowl will kickoff at 8 p.m. at the Tiger Stadium in Matewan.
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