In his third year at Morehead State, Keaton May is finally starting to see some playing time. The sophomore sat out his freshman year with a redshirt and played sparingly in 2008.

But this season, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker is back.

“It’s been awesome - finally being able to see some game experience and finally being able to get out there and help the team,” said May, a former standout at Warren Central High School. “It’s a big, big change. I’ve been here a couple years so I’ve learned a lot.

“I’ve developed just in my physical strength. And just learning by watching older guys play, watching film and finally getting some reps, it’s coming together. I wish I could go back and play (high school) again knowing what I know now.”

May has recorded eight tackles, eight assists, forced two fumbles and been in on a tackle for loss. His Eagles are 2-2.

“We have a great team,” May said. “We always have a really, really good defense and I’m a part of that as an outside linebacker here. We have several All-Americans on the team and we’re solid - just a little inconsistent at times. Once we get worked out, we’ll be all right.”

May gave an example of his inconsistent team when talking about last week’s heartbreaking loss to Butler in the league opener for both teams. Morehead led 21-0 at the half before losing 28-21 in overtime.

“That was a tough one,” May said after a long sigh. “We came out, hit hard, made some big plays and jumped up on ’em 21-0. In the second half we just didn’t make enough of the right plays that we had to make on defense to stop them and let them get back in the game. They ended up pulling one out on us.”

Morehead State is a member of the Pioneer Football League - a group of 10 teams stretching from San Diego to Jacksonville, Fla., that competes in Division I’s Football Championship Subdivision.

Traditionally, the PFL rarely sends a member into the FCS playoffs, but it was announced this week the league will make a bid to start earning an automatic berth in 2010.

“They’ve been talking about that for a couple of years now - it’s real awesome,” May said. “I think that there’s some really good teams in the Pioneer Football League - including us. I think we deserve a shot just like anyone else.”

Today, May and the Eagles welcome rival Dayton in another crucial league contest.

“We have to play tough defense for one,” May said. “It’s a big rival for us here in Morehead. As long as we can be consistent in all three phases of the game we should be fine.”

Former city, county football players in college

Bowling Green High School

Tevin Barksdale has five carries for 27 yards and a TD at RB for the 2-2 Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks.

Ryan Beard playing defensive back for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Jared Carpenter has 4.5 tackles at safety for the 2-2 Northwestern Wildcats.

Avery Hibbitt playing defensive back for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Stuart Hines playing offensive guard for the 2-1 Kentucky Wildcats.

D.L. Moore has two catches for 10 yards at WR for the 3-1 South Carolina Gamecocks.

Brendan Nestor at defensive end for the 0-4 West Georgia Wolves.

Russell Parker has 124 yards passing, 25 yards receiving and a TD for the 3-2 Campbellsville Tigers.

Trent Steelman has 148 yards rushing, 137 yards passing and 2 TDs at QB for the 2-2 Army Black Knights.

Casey Tiniu is 2-for-3 on FG’s and 5-for-5 on extra points for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Elijah Young playing defensive line for the 0-3 Alcorn State Braves.

Ryan Wallace playing tight end for the 2-1 Kentucky Wildcats.

Greenwood High School

Tavis Ciochetty playing linebacker for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Brent Davis has 9.5 tackles at defensive back for the 4-1 Georgetown Tigers.

Preston King playing offensive line for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Dylan Kimbro playing wide receiver for the 1-3 Murray State Racers.

Logan Pemberton playing offensive line for the 0-4 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers.

Caleb Stahl playing linebacker for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Luke Taylor playing defensive line for the 4-1 Georgetown Tigers.

Bradley Whittaker has 1.5 tackles at LB for the 3-0 St. Francis (Ind) Cougars.

Warren Central HIgh School

Blake Ayers playing wide receiver for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Wes Jeffries playing offensive line for the 0-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Vedad Hazikadunic playing defensive line for the 3-2 Campbellsville Tigers.

Jeremy Heming playing offensive line for the 4-0 University of the Cumberlands Patriots.

Keaton May has 12 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries playing linebacker for the 2-2 Morehead State Eagles.

Justin Meredith playing offensive line for the 2-1 Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Tabarus Mitchell playing running back for the 1-3 Murray State Racers.

Warren East High School

Shenard Holton wearing a redshirt for the 1-2 Louisville Cardinals.

Rick Livingston signed to play offensive line for the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders starting in 2010.

Demetric Ray playing wide receiver for the 3-2 Campbellsville Tigers.