Frederick Douglass Makes Statement in Top-20 Kentucky Showdown

By: Pete Adams/@_CoachPete_

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The first Friday night of Kentucky high school football delivered a heavyweight matchup at The Farm, and the Frederick Douglass Broncos left no doubt they were ready for the season.

Ft. Thomas Highlands opened the night with an early scoring drive, leaning on sophomore quarterback Bryce Armstrong, before settling for an 18-yard field goal with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter.

Douglass responded after a three-and-out on its opening possession. Quarterback Jayden Guzman found Dakari Talbert on a 30-yard screen to spark the Broncos’ offense. Guzman later connected with Kaden John, setting up Talbert’s first touchdown of the night.

The Broncos then took advantage of a Highlands turnover when Armstrong fumbled on a designed quarterback run. One play later, Guzman hit John for a 27-yard touchdown, giving Douglass a 13-3 advantage.

Highlands answered with a safety after Guzman was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone, but Douglass responded again. Guzman delivered a perfectly placed 38-yard touchdown pass to AJ Rhodes with 50 seconds remaining in the half.

Highlands refused to fold. Colton Kremer scored on a 26-yard run as time expired, cutting the deficit to 20-13 at halftime.

The Bluebirds came out of the locker room with another big play.

Armstrong connected with Chase Jacob on a 65-yard strike down the sideline, tying the game at 20. That was when the Broncos took control.

Douglass’ offensive line began to impose its will, opening lanes for Talbert and Carter Ross. Talbert broke loose for touchdown runs of 4 and 71 yards, while Ross added a 63-yard touchdown run of his own.

On the other side of the ball, the Broncos’ defense, led by Cionne Conn, Demond Green, Lamonte Brown, and Thurman Wade, forced additional turnovers and shut down the Bluebirds after their early third-quarter surge.

Talbert finished with 156 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Armstrong accounted for 267 total yards, one touchdown, and two turnovers.

For Highlands, Armstrong showed why he’s one of the young quarterbacks to watch in Kentucky. But when the game reached its defining moments, Douglass’ physicality on both sides of the ball proved to be the difference.

The Broncos opened the season against one of Kentucky’s premier programs and delivered a message loud enough for the rest of the state to hear:

Frederick Douglass is ready to buck.