Prime Football began with a simple but powerful idea: every child deserves a team that positively supports their development — physically, emotionally, and athletically — in a safe and age-appropriate environment.
Our journey began in 2021, when our son, Lukas, earned a spot on the Kentucky Regulators 10U travel football team as a 9-year-old. By the time he was heading into his third season, he was barely 11and would have been competing against boys as old as 13. The physical and developmental gap created concerns about safety and long-term growth. We knew he needed a program that was better aligned with his age, experience, and potential — so we made the decision to create one ourselves.
Mike Smith connected with two fellow coaches, Jonathan Metcalf and Troy Montgomery. The coaches, along with their wives, set out to build a new kind of football program — one rooted in development, teamwork, and community.
In our first season, 13 players came to tryouts. Over the next two weeks, the coaches recruited relentlessly and we grew to 18 players from four neighboring counties. We jumped into tournament play across Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia — and in just four whirlwind weeks, we ended our season with an even record and something even more meaningful: a brand-new football family. The friendships built among our players and parents were strong, genuine, and unexpected — and they let us know we were on the right path.
After the holidays, we came back energized and ready. We officially established KY Prime Football as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and expanded from one mixed-age team to two age-based teams for our 2024 season. Thanks to incredible community support and tireless fundraising by our founding families, we covered player fees for all returning athletes. That fall, we competed in five tournaments and once again finished with an even record — and an even bigger family.
We are now entering our third season, and Prime is stronger than ever. We’ve added a formal Board of Directors to guide our mission and are proud to expand to four teams. We have a roster filled with players from all over the state - from Paducah to Independence.
And this fall, we’re taking another exciting step by hosting our very first tournament — bringing great competition and even more community spirit to our home turf.
At Prime, we believe football is more than just a game. It’s an opportunity to grow, to lead, to learn resilience, and to build bonds that last far beyond the field. We’re here to give young athletes a place to compete, belong, and believe in themselves.
Welcome to Prime Football — where every player matters, and every season builds something greater.