What does Lexington Catholic need to do to improve in 2013? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

The lines and defensive backs will be where most of the challenge is. Most starters were seniors on the line and on the defense. The starting lines should be solid but depth will be an issue.

 

Offensively, the skill positions should be good shape with QB Reece Ryan (Jr.), Receiver David Bouvier, RBs Marc Logan and Noah Mitchell (Srs.) and TE Sam Letton (Soph) returning.

 

Defensively, last years starters returning include LB Josh Mesmer (Sr.), CB Kayron Snowden (Sr.), DB Cody Mitchell (Jr) and lineman Marty Brown (Sr.).

 

The first two games of the season are against Bowling Green at BG and against St. X in the Bluegrass bowl. Those games will test the Knights early.

In watching Ryan against Highlands last year, they will be just fine at QB. Thought he was impressive against the stingy Birds D.

The QB is a nice player and throws a good ball. Given time he can pick an average Ky defense apart.

Some Individual Highlights of key Players for 2013.

 

Sam Letton - Soph. TE -

 

Marcellus Logan - Senior RB -

 

Dave Bouvier - Senior WR/Return -

 

Jaylen Jones - Soph. RB -

 

Josh Mesmer - Senior LB -

 

Noah Mitchell - Senior RB - NOAH MITCHELL - Highlight Videos, Schedule & Roster - Hudl

 

Reece Ryan - Junior QB -

The Knights should be very good this year and should be the favorites to win their region.

Defensive Breakdown

Lost- Defensive line: All-City performers Michael Vogelsang and Mike Lynch, Multiple year starter Will Childers, and part time starter Mark Klueh

Line Backers: All City Player Nick Foster and the 2 players who saw all the time at weak side lb Sawyer Shelton and Bob Jacoby

Hybrid Positions- Lost both starters in Anthony Kersey and Alex Nash who were both 3 year starters and All city players

Defensive Backs- Only lost starter was Safety Derek Hayden another All City player and multi-year starter. Casey Nash played a lot at CB

Total of 8 starters were lost to graduation with a lot of depth being gone too. The loses on defensive will be much harder to overcome then the ones on offense.

Returning starters include All City linebacker (and probably the best player on the D last season) in senior Josh Mesmer as well as both the cornerbacks in senior Kairon Snowden and junior Cody Mitchell who also made all city in Lexington last year as well as part time starter on the D-line in Marty Brown.

The D-line is where the most players will have to step this year. Every player besides Brown who was in the playing rotation is gone. Senior Khory Wheat is one I think will get a lot of playing time as well as the transfer from Knox Central who is now attending Catholic.

At linebacker I think the Knights will be very solid arguably the strongest point on the D with the return of Mesmer. Junior Chase Bowling will be stepping into a starting role after playing a lot last year and senior RB Noah Mitchell will see time at the Will position to create a very strong linebacking core.

The Hybrid positions will be hurt a lot but should be able to recover with junior Braxton Couch probably starting at one after gaining experience following Nash's injury that caused him to miss a couple games. Sam Letton may play at Kersey's position. The Knights may also change a little schematically which lessons the inexperience at these positions.

The Secondary should be strong again this year with the returning starters. Cody Mitchell will be sliding over to safety to replace Hayden and Senior Malik Guidry looks to be the starter opposite Snowden. This will create a really fast secondary albeit an undersized one. Jump balls could hurt them.

Overall I think the Knights D will take a step back this season but this not mean I think they will be bad by any means. The defense was the strong point of the team last season (Highlands game nonwithstanding) and a lack of experience and size will hurt. The D will be strong enough though to allow the Knights to win many games this year when coupled with the explosive offense they will be fielding this season. (An offense I will cover soon but not today, this was more typing than I expected lol) Defensive coordinator Nigel Smith does a great job with this group and Bill Letton is also very involved as well. Should be a fundamentally strong group who will play hard.