Hopkinsville High School Athletic Director Jacob Ezell launched the first episode of the Tigers Then. Tigers Now. Tigers Forever podcast with two standout athletes from the Class of 2026, Grace Cansler and James “Lil Jay” Bradley Jr. The debut episode set the tone for what Ezell promises will be a deep dive into the past, present, and future of Tiger athletics, highlighting the athletes who make Hopkinsville sports special.
From the start, Ezell’s energy was contagious, opening the show with his signature enthusiasm before getting straight to the athletes who represent the heart of the Tigers’ programs. Grace, fresh off three weeks at the Governor’s School of Entrepreneurs, shared her excitement about returning to the field for her fourth and final Bluegrass Games appearance. She spoke with pride about being part of a girls’ soccer team that Ezell predicts will be a top contender in the region this year. “I just want to leave something behind and create something that’s going to be history,” Grace said, emphasizing her goal to build a legacy for the last senior class in Hopkinsville High School history.
James, meanwhile, reflected on how far the Tigers football program has come under Head Coach Dustin Lopez. With a D1 football offer from Southern Miss and a reputation as one of the top athletes in Western Kentucky, James acknowledged the responsibility that comes with being a senior leader. “I just got to put everything out there and try to do my best,” he said. For him, being a senior isn’t just about winning games—it’s about being a role model for the younger athletes who will carry on the legacy.
The two athletes also shared personal favorite moments from their high school careers. James recalled his first interception and touchdown against rival Logan County, a game Ezell remembered vividly—even though he watched it on his wedding night. Grace, who has been part of the high school soccer program since the seventh grade, highlighted winning districts against UHA during her eighth-grade season as one of her most memorable experiences.
Both athletes spoke about the impact their coaches have had on them, citing the mentorship of Hoptown legends like Jeff Addison, Keith Marquest, and Coach Lopez. Grace praised her coaches for pushing her to be better, both mentally and physically, while James compared Lopez’s tough but caring coaching style to that of basketball coach Anthony Bab.
As the conversation turned to the final year of Hopkinsville High School athletics before the school consolidates, both athletes expressed a desire to leave behind a legacy of hard work and excellence. Grace hopes the senior class will be remembered as “hardworking and determined to build a program for the new school.” James echoed that sentiment, saying he wants people to look at this final class and see athletes who “left everything they had on the field.”
The episode wrapped up with Ezell reflecting on what it means to see athletes like Grace and James representing Hopkinsville High School in its final chapter. “It makes me very proud, not only as an employee at Hopkinsville High School but as an alum, to see athletes who care this much about wearing that Tiger uniform,” he said.
The Tigers Then. Tigers Now. Tigers Forever podcast is off to a strong start, and if Episode 1 is any indication, future episodes will continue to celebrate the athletes, coaches, and community members who have shaped Tiger sports history.
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