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

Should be an interesting year in Lancaster. On offense, the first thing Garrard County will have to do is replace four-year starter Billy Abney. The replacement will likely be sophomore Slade Crutchfield, who started in the defensive backfield last season and played a little bit of mop-up time at quarterback. Crutchfield, the younger brother of former Garrard star Spencer Crutchfield, seems to have all the tools to be successful, but will need to take control of the huddle and likely will have to play through some growing pains. In the backfield the Lions return senior Noah Williams (1,204 yards) and sophomore Jaylan McPherson (420 yards), both of whom started last season. The wide receivers corps should be anchored by Jacob Smith, the 6'6" Centre College recruit who caught three touchdowns last season in a very run-oriented offense. Sophomores Mike Redmon and Nick McCollum should also provide speed and skill on the outside, while J.T. Lyon did a nice job catching the ball out of the backfield last season. The offensive line will be young, but does return starters Bradley Rector (senior) and Davian Logan (sophomore).

 

On defense I look for J.T. Lyon to step into the linebacker void left by Union College signee Garrett Caudill. Rector should also continue to provide a solid pass rush from his end position where he was a constant backfield disruption last season. Others expected to help in the front seven are Antonio Harvey, Haigin Penman, Justin Sparks, to name just a few. In the secondary, I expect to see McPherson and Smith returning as starters, as well as sophomore Clay Shuey to get a long look. From initial reports, however, don't expect Crutchfield to play defense unless injuries affect others.

 

The schedule has a couple of non-district heavyweights in Glasgow and Wayne County early in the season, along with a tough district matchup against an outstanding Bourbon County team. Other non-district games include Casey County at home, and Lincoln County and West Jessamine on the road. The district slate, to go with Bourbon County, has the Lions taking a trip to Estill County, while playing host to Bath County, Powell County, and Western Hills.

 

My two biggest questions for Garrard this season are:

-1) Can they develop into a big-play offense? Two years ago there were multiple players who could score at any time. Last year was a much more methodical, grind it out offense. The problem the offense faced last season was if they failed to convert, they were limited in the number of possessions they would get. With a year under their belts, I believe some of the young talent might be ready to take that next step.

-2) Can the defense continue to be dominant? Last year's club allowed on 17 points per game (and if you take away to second round debacle at Bourbon County it was only 14 per) which really kept the oft-struggling offense in the game. Losing some key linemen and linebackers will make those kinds of defensive numbers a challenge this season. If they can play close to that 2012 level, then it should be a very solid season in Lancaster.

 

2013 Schedule

Aug. 23 - Casey County (Home)

Aug. 30 - Glasgow (@Danville Bowl)

Sept. 6 - Wayne County (Home)

Sept. 13 - Lincoln County (Away)

Sept. 20 - OPEN

Sept. 27 - Bath County (Home)*

Oct. 4 - Powell County (Home)*

Oct. 11 - Bourbon County (Away)*

Oct. 18 - Western Hills (Home)*

Oct. 25 - Estill County (Away)*

Nov. 1 - West Jessamine (Away)

The Good News for Garrard:

 

With the loss of considerable skill/talent at Bourbon... the District, and for that matter the Region, is completely wide open. On paper Mason County and Bourbon County appear to still be the favorites, but I don't see a dominant team like Bourbon County was last year that everyone will have to play a perfect game to have a chance to defeat. Furthermore.. there appears to only be one team in the opposing region of the Semi- State who fits that description.

 

The Bad News for Garrard:

 

I only saw two players on last year's team who truly had the ability to take over a game at any moment... Caudill and Abney. Unfortunately, both those guys are gone. From a pure skill and athleticism standpoint Garrard has a ways to go and some major question marks.

 

 

What I do know is you can expect Garrard to have solid fundamentals, a defense that will give them a chance to be in the game, and a Head Coach who knows how to get the most out of what he has to work with.

 

That Wayne County game will say a lot about where Garrard is and where they need to be. The Cardinals will be on the short list of 3A contenders who have any type of hope of knocking off Central. They have a ton of skill returning. If Garrard defensively can contain Wayne County, they have the tools to not only compete in their District, but the Region, and Semi-State as well.

Great information guys.

The Good News for Garrard:

 

With the loss of considerable skill/talent at Bourbon... the District, and for that matter the Region, is completely wide open. On paper Mason County and Bourbon County appear to still be the favorites, but I don't see a dominant team like Bourbon County was last year that everyone will have to play a perfect game to have a chance to defeat. Furthermore.. there appears to only be one team in the opposing region of the Semi- State who fits that description.

 

The Bad News for Garrard:

 

I only saw two players on last year's team who truly had the ability to take over a game at any moment... Caudill and Abney. Unfortunately, both those guys are gone. From a pure skill and athleticism standpoint Garrard has a ways to go and some major question marks.

 

 

What I do know is you can expect Garrard to have solid fundamentals, a defense that will give them a chance to be in the game, and a Head Coach who knows how to get the most out of what he has to work with.

 

That Wayne County game will say a lot about where Garrard is and where they need to be. The Cardinals will be on the short list of 3A contenders who have any type of hope of knocking off Central. They have a ton of skill returning. If Garrard defensively can contain Wayne County, they have the tools to not only compete in their District, but the Region, and Semi-State as well.

 

Garrard Co. will probably have some growing pains, with the loss of Abney and Caudill but they should be in the hunt for Region by years end. Isn't Hopkins the only starter Bourbon lost on Offense? Granted, that's a considerable amount of talent, but imo they just reload(grain of salt) at RB. I think Bourbon lost 4 starters on offense and defense combined.

SodFather you are exactly correct concerning Bourbon Co. Based on last years results they have to be the odds on favorite in this region. Hopefully by the time Garrard meets the Colonels GC will have some of their questions answered.

Edited June 24, 201313 yr by LoneRanger
error

What is Billy Abney's relationship to Charles Abney from the 80's?

For anyone coming to a game at Garrard County this season, you'll be able to sit on new bleachers. As of today, the entire home side stands have been taken out and will be replaced. The visitors bleachers are also being removed. Dyehouse Stadium will also be getting new goalposts, replacing the current ones that have been there my whole life and have perhaps been there since 1964. The bleachers at the baseball field are also being replaced. Garrard County's facility has always been an enjoyable place to watch a game and hopefully these improvements will make it much more comfortable.