LEXINGTON — Ja’Hyde Brown’s outstanding junior season came to an end Saturday with a state championship and a top award from the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
Before Saturday’s 42-7 victory over Murray in the Class 3A state final, Brown was named the Class 3A Player of the Year by the KFCA.
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Brown had six catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns as the Centurions finished 15-0 and captured their fourth straight state title.
“If you’re a ball carrier and you don’t think any time you touch the ball it can go for six, then you shouldn’t have the ball in your hands,” Brown said after the game.
For the season, Brown had 98 catches for 1,556 yards and 24 touchdowns. All three totals ranked No. 1 in the state.
Brown won’t be a nominee for the KFCA’s Mr. Football award, as only seniors are eligible.
The KFCA’s other Player of the Year honors went to Ryle’s Jacob Savage (Class 6A), Madisonville-North Hopkins’ Markezz Hightower (5A), Boyle County’s Seneca Driver (4A), Somerset’s Kris Hughes (2A) and Campbellsville’s Kace Eastridge (A).
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The KFCA also started a Lineman of the Year award this year, honoring South Warren’s Malik Butler (Class 6A), Pulaski County’s Brady Hull (5A), Highlands’ Max Merz (4A), CAL’s Kellan Hall (3A), Belfry’s Bo Wolford (2A) and Kentucky Country Day’s Kris Mandy (A).
Coach of the Year honors went to South Warren’s Brandon Smith (6A), Greenwood’s William Howard (5A), Boyle County’s Justin Haddix (4A), CAL’s Hunter Cantwell (3A), Belfry’s Matt Varney (2A) and Campbellsville’s Dale Estes (A).
The KFCA will announce its statewide winners — including Mr. Football — later this month.
More high school football: Kentucky Country Day holds off Raceland, wins first state title
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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Christian Academy football star Ja’Hyde Brown among KFCA award winners