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

I will say right here and now that Luke Bir will be a force this year.

He has looked great at the camps I was at this offseason and seen him. Strong as an ox for his size and the kid can fly.

 

As far as RB, CCH should be set with Bir for 2013

Luke is a machine, sure hope he's blessed with health for this year!

The Wagner kid will have some big shoes to fill but Coach Wirth does a nice job of getting his QBs ready. We saw it with Erpenbeck a few years ago.

Obviously there is also the Von Handorf kid waiting in the wings as well. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

Luke Bir might end up being the team workhorse.

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

 

What to improve:

#1- Beat Highlands- and when it matters- no other way to say it.

In order to do that, they must get solid line play. That's where it starts. The O-line returns 3 starters (both Tackles and Center) and the new boys coming in at Guard and the depth behind them looks good. I believe O- line will be a strength.

This will be a more run oriented team now with Blake Bir graduating. Adam Wagner has had a very good Spring. He throws a nice ball, but his feet will be called into action more so than his arm.

In the backfield you have Luke Bir who is as tough as a pine knot. 200+lbs and fast. Not blazing, but very shifty- arm tackles will not work. In the CCH version of the slot is Sam Dressman who is as explosive a player as there is in N Ky. He will shift back and forth between WR and RB depending on the formation.

They return experience at WR lead by Evan Braun, Matt Schmahl and Sam Hatter. They don't have the breakaway threat that Egbers filled, but all are very good possession type receivers and know how to block downfield which will be more important than ever this year.

 

Defensively, again much depends on the line. Not a ton of experience in the trenches. Boys that got some good playing time last year but not a bell cow player. Some of this will be worked out in the months to come, as a couple of their hopeful players at this position were playing baseball or injured.

The LB corp is led by Sam Burchell who is just one of the great young men in N Ky right now. Obvious skills aside, he is a terrific leader on and off the field. They return experience in Nelms as well. With Sam's presence alone, that makes the LB's a strength.

In Fischer, Way and Oberhausen, the Secondary returns several starters or game time experienced players- again, I think this will be a strength.

 

Sam Dressman will likely handle punting and place kicking- though Spring ball doesn't concentrate their efforts on those duties so that could change.

 

They could have a few Soph's step up at key moments as well. Kids like Ben Dressman @ QB, Ben Darlington @ RB, Lucas Timmerman @ LB, Brody Thorson and Jacob Stiens @ DL, Mike Schulte @ OL, Decker Schwartz and Cam Pitzer in the Secondary and Ryan McGinness at WR.

 

Overall, I think CCH will be strong. They have a tough schedule playing (4) 6A teams including Henderson Co among others. Mighty Mo comes to town Sept 7th so I'm eager to see how they stack up against the best of the GCL.

Could be that they take a few on the chin but get better for it. You don't learn much by pounding Pendleton Co every year.

 

Got to beat the Birds though and they will be very good this year, I know.

Thanks for informative response Bluedad. I agree, they have to beat Highlands when it matters. Job #1.

What to improve:

#1- Beat Highlands- and when it matters- no other way to say it.

In order to do that, they must get solid line play. That's where it starts. The O-line returns 3 starters (both Tackles and Center) and the new boys coming in at Guard and the depth behind them looks good. I believe O- line will be a strength.

This will be a more run oriented team now with Blake Bir graduating. Adam Wagner has had a very good Spring. He throws a nice ball, but his feet will be called into action more so than his arm.

In the backfield you have Luke Bir who is as tough as a pine knot. 200+lbs and fast. Not blazing, but very shifty- arm tackles will not work. In the CCH version of the slot is Sam Dressman who is as explosive a player as there is in N Ky. He will shift back and forth between WR and RB depending on the formation.

They return experience at WR lead by Evan Braun, Matt Schmahl and Sam Hatter. They don't have the breakaway threat that Egbers filled, but all are very good possession type receivers and know how to block downfield which will be more important than ever this year.

 

Defensively, again much depends on the line. Not a ton of experience in the trenches. Boys that got some good playing time last year but not a bell cow player. Some of this will be worked out in the months to come, as a couple of their hopeful players at this position were playing baseball or injured.

The LB corp is led by Sam Burchell who is just one of the great young men in N Ky right now. Obvious skills aside, he is a terrific leader on and off the field. They return experience in Nelms as well. With Sam's presence alone, that makes the LB's a strength.

In Fischer, Way and Oberhausen, the Secondary returns several starters or game time experienced players- again, I think this will be a strength.

 

Sam Dressman will likely handle punting and place kicking- though Spring ball doesn't concentrate their efforts on those duties so that could change.

 

They could have a few Soph's step up at key moments as well. Kids like Ben Dressman @ QB, Ben Darlington @ RB, Lucas Timmerman @ LB, Brody Thorson and Jacob Stiens @ DL, Mike Schulte @ OL, Decker Schwartz and Cam Pitzer in the Secondary and Ryan McGinness at WR.

 

Overall, I think CCH will be strong. They have a tough schedule playing (4) 6A teams including Henderson Co among others. Mighty Mo comes to town Sept 7th so I'm eager to see how they stack up against the best of the GCL.

Could be that they take a few on the chin but get better for it. You don't learn much by pounding Pendleton Co every year.

 

Got to beat the Birds though and they will be very good this year, I know.

 

Yes. It's time to stop playing second fiddle. Seven years is an eternity in a rivalry.

The defense looks a little spotty right now. Mostly injuries(at linebacker) but they look to come together at the beginning of the season. Also, I heard that alex shelton-Frosh has been practicing with varsity. Anyone else hear this?

The defense looks a little spotty right now. Mostly injuries(at linebacker) but they look to come together at the beginning of the season. Also, I heard that alex shelton-Frosh has been practicing with varsity. Anyone else hear this?

 

Agreed

Coaching staff invited a few guys to come up and practice during the summer- when they aren't already practicing or working out with the Freshman. Alex is taking them up on that. More a chance to get experienced with the system etc. Alex is a terrific kid and leader. Obviously like most Freshmen, he needs to develop physically, but I love his mentality. Terrific long snapper- could move into that position very quickly.

Agreed

Coaching staff invited a few guys to come up and practice during the summer- when they aren't already practicing or working out with the Freshman. Alex is taking them up on that. More a chance to get experienced with the system etc. Alex is a terrific kid and leader. Obviously like most Freshmen, he needs to develop physically, but I love his mentality. Terrific long snapper- could move into that position very quickly.

 

I should mention that each year a handful of Freshmen are asked to dress out for varsity- but rarely play except in the exceptional blowout.

I should mention that each year a handful of Freshmen are asked to dress out for varsity- but rarely play except in the exceptional blowout.

 

Was shelton the only one brought up, or were others invited to, if so who?

Has Cole Von Handorf been out?

Has Cole Von Handorf been out?

 

I don't know exactly who was asked. I'm sure Cole was asked but I believe he's playing AAU ball this summer in between regular Freshman workouts.

 

Again though- its not unusual for the staff to call a handful of boys up who they believe will contribute sooner than later. Not this year, but maybe next. They did this last year with @ 4-5 boys and the year before that. Just to get them dipped in the fire a little bit so to speak.

 

Coaches are very careful not to expose them to scenarios that threaten injury by going up against upperclassmen (like Sam Burchell God Forbid!)

Could we be seeing any freshman in starting roles next year?

Could we be seeing any freshman in starting roles next year?

 

Are you saying frosh starting varsity in 2013?