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

Ill break down each facet of the team from what I know starting with the offense.

 

This installment of Tates Creek should be the best it has had in quite some time. Tates Creek brings back all but 8 players off of last years team. Will have 18+ Seniors, 9 starters on Offense and 8 starters back on Defense. Most of this group will have played together for 6-7 years and will have the strongest leadership group this year, then it has had in a long time.

 

The offense will be once again featuring a spread attack with muliple options being headlined by Sr. (5'11 180 lb.) WR/Slot/RB RJ Taylor #19 (50+catches over 700 yards last year 6 TDs). They will move Taylor around taking advantage of mismatches, either on the outside at receiver, the slot against the LB/Safety and even the backfield. Also, in the backfield will be (6 ft. 185) Sr. Casey Grimes #21 (311 yards rushing, 2 TDs), a dangerous RB with very good top end speed. Both are receiving a lot of D1 attention. Also, at WR, Sr. (6'2) TaVon Dunn (#8) brings back over (40+catches over 500 yards receiving 7 TDs). Starting at QB will be Sr. Jake Ryan #6 who shared time with Soph Graham Gordon who threw for over 2300 yards last year. Big Strong kid with good speed and a strong arm. Smart kid, been in the program for 7 years. Also, look for Jr. Martavious Carter (#26) in the backfield, change of pace back real quick and will be a homerun threat at all times. Also, look for FB/LB (Captain of the Defense) #44 Eamon Nasr (5'10 190 lbs.) to get the tough yards between the tackles.

 

That very skilled group will be behind it's most Senior laden group in years. The O Line will be anchored by Sr.#53 Deion Webb, (6'2 270 lbs.) who is a load in the interior and mobile. Also joining Deion on the O line will be Sr. #65 Jovan Blackburn (6'0 230 lbs.), Sr.#56 Tyler Sturgill (6'1 230 lbs.), Sr.#52 Tanner Gill (6'3 260 lbs.). In the Flex position/TE will be Sr. #10 Marshall Gant (6'2 210 lbs.) who contributed 20+ catches and over 250 yards last season.

 

Look for contributions from SR. WR/TE #18 Taiwan Hart (6'3 210 lbs.),Soph. #31 Jeron Shelby and Jr. Max Sweet as well.

 

All in all, the Tates Creek offense that has rolled up numbers the last couple of years will be it's best in some time. A Senior laden group with all types of speed and a Sr. line spells success. The have a legitamate 1st Team All State Caliber WR/playmaker in RJ Taylor and all types of talent around him. The 2 big questions that need to be answered for this offense will be, how easily they will get over not having Dennis Oxendine in the lineup for the first time, and will Sr. QB Jake Ryan continue building on a promising year last year where he shared the role.

^ Great info! :thumb:

Tates Creek Schedule

 

Aug. 15 Scrimmage against Boyle County 6:30 @ Tates Creek

 

08/23 Paul Laurence Dunbar @ Tates Creek

08/30 Louisville Moore @ Tates Creek

09/06 Tates Creek @ Perry County Central

09/13 Tates Creek @ Henry Clay

09/20 Tates Creek @ Rowan County

09/27 Bryan Station @ Tates Creek

10/4 Tates Creek @ Dixie Heights

10/11 MAdison Central @ Tates Creek

10/18 Tates Creek @ George Rogers Clark

10/25 Lafayette @ Tates Creek (Roy Walton Bowl)

Tates Creek achilles heel has been on the defensive side of the ball for the last few years. Part of the issue is that they have been very young, and didnt have enough depth to platoon their players, and they run a version of the 3-4 scheme that due to the lack of line depth has been an issue. This years group should have a very good defense, depth being the primary concern. They will return 9 starters on defense, and due to the youth of the last couple of years, have plenty of young men that have played a bunch that will be primary contributors.

 

The Defensive Line will have the familiar names from the O Line SR's (Webb, Blackburn, Sturgill, Gill) but have some potential stars in SR. #18 Taiwan Hart DE (Potential Huge Year) (6'3 210 lbs.) and an absloute freak physically. #78 JR. Jacob Czarnecki (6 ft. 190 lbs.) brings another high energy impact defender to the line. Lots of bodies that have been through the wars as youngsters for the last couple of years.

 

The Linebacking Group will return its Best tackler from a year ago. Hard Nosed SR. MLB #44 Eamon Nasr who is coming off of a 70+ tackles season. He is the engine for the D and will be a force to deal with, always around the ball and deceptively fast for the interior. Starting LB's SR. #33 Ryan Betlach (5 '11 170 lbs.) not big in stature but big in heart and a very dependable player. Always seems to be around the football and Big LB #10 Sr. Marshall Gant brings a phyiscal presence to the LB and also will put a hand down and play some DE.

 

The secondary has been very solid for Tates Creek for years. Having Dennis Oxendine and RJ taylor at each corner has kept Creek at or near the top of Kentucky High school Passing Defenses over the last few years. Creek loses Oxendine, but slides in starter JR Martavius Carter #26, who was good enough to start last season and Creek was able to slide Oxendine to Safety. This year will be no different with its strong secondary. Starters, SR. #19 RJ Taylor and JR. Martavius Carter man the corners with a possibility of Taylor moving to Free Safety due to an abundance of skill at the DB postiion. SR. #34 Wanya Brown (5'10 170 lbs.) has played a ton and depending on how Coach wants to use the players has the opportunity to play them all. Also, JR. #2 Might Mite Max Sweet, is a small player in stature but a pit bull, and I cant imagine him not finding the field. And, SR #21 S/LB Casey Grimes is a big time playmaker that will play somewhere on the field, either at Safety or the last OLB position.

 

All in all, Tates Creek has the personnel to really field a nice defense. Will the fatigue of not platooning hurt them over the long haul? How will injuries play out this season? Tates Creek has built its team for this season in mind for 2 years now, and this should be the season that the test of youth and trial by fire for the last 2 seasons should pay off dividends.

The special teams will be a strength with the Punting / Kicking Duties being handled by 4 year starter and Also QB Jake Ryan. Ryan hit a 68 yard punt against St. X last year in the playoffs and has a very capable, big leg. Tates Creek hasnt used the Field Goal much option mainly due to its ability to score. With Ryan, it is an option from 35 yards in pretty consitently.

 

The return game will be strong with Martavius Carter and RJ Taylor always being a threat to return one to the house.

Season Synopsis

 

There is a lot of excitement around the program this upcoming season. Folks have anticipated this season for a couple of years now, due to the size and skill of this SR class. Tates Creek took its lumps the last couple of years as they developed the younger classes that made up the majority of the team, now the youth has become the SR/JR leadership. Id look for a special type of season out of Creek. Tates Creek also drew the Lexington District as its playoff draw in the playoffs, leaving a very good opportunity to advance in the playoffs if everything goes well.

It would had been a waste of all that senior talent if they drew the super district again. The number 1 seed scored 3 points in it's 1st round game last year, not fair to kids the way this is set up...

Footage of what Tates Creek is returning.....(2012 Season Highlight)

 

Tates Creek High School Boys Varsity Football - Highlight Videos, Schedule & Roster - Hudl......

Footage of what Tates Creek is returning.....(2012 Season Highlight)

 

Tates Creek High School Boys Varsity Football - Highlight Videos, Schedule & Roster - Hudl......

Another long season for Creek.....may win 3 games....

Another long season for Creek.....may win 3 games....

 

Creek will win 3 games in its district alone IMO. They are the favorite to win the district and have a very favorable Out of District schedule. Looking forward to this coming season.

I'll be curious what kind of impact Graham Gordon has on this team. Now that I've heard word he has returned to Creek...

I'll be curious what kind of impact Graham Gordon has on this team. Now that I've heard word he has returned to Creek...

 

Graham Gordon returning to Creek is a huge development. Graham was the starter last year and threw for over 2000 yards. This year those numbers will be blown away with an explosive group of receivers and an offense that now returns 9/10 starters back from an already potent offense. This should make for a very special season offensively for Creek.

Graham Gordon returning to Creek is a huge development. Graham was the starter last year and threw for over 2000 yards. This year those numbers will be blown away with an explosive group of receivers and an offense that now returns 9/10 starters back from an already potent offense. This should make for a very special season offensively for Creek.

 

From what I understand the kid really didn't have a choice but to return or not be eligible.

I'll be curious what kind of impact Graham Gordon has on this team. Now that I've heard word he has returned to Creek...

 

Let me try this again...