2014 Class of the Commonwealth football team

It was a showcase season for skill-position players in Kentucky high school football, and that's reflected in the Herald-Leader's 23rd Class of the Commonwealth.

In recognizing 22 of the top seniors in the state, we're honoring nine quarterbacks, six running backs and three wide receivers, and acknowledging that offensive wizardry has taken over the high school game, just as it has in college and the NFL.

At the head of the class are record-setting Caldwell County quarterback Elijah Sindelar, who's headed to Purdue, and Madison Southern running back Damien Harris, who's rated No. 1 nationally at his position. He'll announce his college choice on Jan. 9. He's expected to pick Alabama or Kentucky.

UK has commitments from two Class of the Commonwealth players: Warren East linebacker Eli Brown and Henderson County lineman Mason Wolfe.

Sindelar, who led his team to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore, was one of the five quarterbacks who played in the state finals.

Clay McKee guided Scott County to an undefeated title as a junior, and Beau Hoge led Highlands to its 23rd championship this year.

Skyler Griffith of Williamsburg, Nick Locher of Owensboro and Drew Moore of Dixie Heights helped their teams to state runner-up finishes this season.

Running backs Donald Brooks of Trinity and Austin Hatfield of Belfry, and DeSales defensive end Bryant Pirtle were each part of two state championship teams.

This story was originally published December 20, 2014 at 4:29 PM with the headline "2014 Class of the Commonwealth football team."