By thegeneral

 

Stability isn’t usually one of the characteristics associated with a program whose coach has been in place for less than 18 months, but it’s hard to ignore the feeling of stability at Mercer County and what it might mean for a program that has had precious little of that in recent seasons.

 

Chris Pardue has been the Titans coach for only one season, but the success they had last year and the work he and his team have done in the months since has fueled optimism at Mercer.

 

The Titans are coming off a 6-5 season that was their first winning campaign since 2006, when they won the Class 2A championship only months after Mercer merged with Harrodsburg. And Pardue said that has created a confidence and a determination to improve among the 55 or so players in camp that he didn’t see a year ago.

 

To be sure, there are things that still need improving at Mercer. Chief among them is a defense that gave up 30 points or more six times last season and that Pardue said must be better this fall in order for the Titans to continue to progress.

 

There are returning starters scattered throughout all areas of the defense, from a small but fierce defensive line to a secondary stocked with speed and athleticism.

 

Seniors Chris Crawley-Goodman and Russell Sims and junior Layne Peavler return to the secondary, and they’ll be some of the top playmakers in Mercer’s offense as well.

 

Sophomores Braxton Bradshaw and Drew Davis should shine at the outside linebacker positions, seniors Curry Brown and Juanya Johnson return at defensive end and senior Tommy Craig is back at nose guard.

 

Davis returns to lead the Titans offense at quarterback after getting some experience at that position last year. He was one of three quarterbacks used after anticipated starter J.T. Long suffered a broken collar bone in the preseason — Long did not return to the team this season — and he opens the season as the starter.

 

Davis is part of a strong set of skill players that includes a number of returning receivers: Crawley-Goodman, Sims, Peavler and juniors Austin Sparrow, Chaz Hockensmith and Chase Moore. There is a question mark at running back, where several young players will get the opportunity to carry the ball.

 

On the offensive front, center Brown, tackle Craig and guard Josh Johnson will likely be joined by fellow seniors Zack Miller and Jordan Preston.

 

Pardue’s coaching staff is much the same as it was last year, adding to the feeling that both he, who followed a string of four coaches in four seasons, and they plan to be there for some time to come. One of the new assistants is Charlie Cox, who played center for some of the Boyle County teams for which Pardue was the offensive coordinator.

 

Mercer will open the season with three straight neutral-site or road games before its home opener Sept. 13 against Central Hardin. The Titans start with an Aug. 24 game against Allen County-Scottsville in Bowling Green, then visit Danville and West Jessamine. They also face a tough test at neighboring Anderson County on Sept. 20 before opening their District 4A-5 schedule Sept. 27 against defending champion Lexington Catholic, and they close their district slate with an Oct. 25 home game against Boyle.

 

 

Players to watch:

 

- Drew Davis (Jr. QB/DB). 932 passing yards on 36 completions and 5 passing TD’s.

 

- Austin Sparrow (Sr. QB/DB) 525 passing yards on 30 completions and 3 passing TD’s.

 

- Russell Sims (Sr. WR/DB). 478 receiving yards on 19 receptions and 3 TD’s. 56 total tackles, 56 were solo.

 

 

Schedule:

 

Aug 24, 13 Allen County-Scottsville (@ WKU) 5 PM (Rafferty’s Bowl)

Aug 30, 13 @ Danville 6 PM (Bob Allan Bowl)

Sep 6, 13 @ West Jessamine 7:30 PM

Sep 13, 13 Central Hardin 7:30 PM

Sep 20, 13 @ Anderson County 7:30 PM

Sep 27, 13 @ Lexington Catholic 7:30 PM

Oct 11, 13 Marion County 7:30 PM

Oct 18, 13 @ Taylor County 7:30 PM

Oct 25, 13 Boyle County 7:30 PM

Nov 1, 13 Paul Laurence Dunbar 7:30 PM

This is thegeneral's article.

That picture is old, isn't it? That's from the Mercer/Russell state final in 2006.

That picture is old, isn't it? That's from the Mercer/Russell state final in 2006.

 

Yes it is from the finals. I don't get to Mercer often.

Yes it is from the finals. I don't get to Mercer often.

 

As evidenced by the article, they don't get to you too often either! :lol2:

As evidenced by the article, they don't get to you too often either! :lol2:

 

Mercer had a huge advantage that year and they delivered.

Mercer had a huge advantage that year and they delivered.

 

True. And what's often forgotten is that even without the merger, that Mercer County team would have been a legitimate top 10 club in AA.

The Titans were all in church yesterday morning; pretty cool:

 

True. And what's often forgotten is that even without the merger, that Mercer County team would have been a legitimate top 10 club in AA.

 

I also believe that Mercer would have won state in 3A that year also. They were that good that season.

I also believe that Mercer would have won state in 3A that year also. They were that good that season.

 

Do you remember who won 3a that year???

Teams such as Cov. Cath, Lex. Cath, Central, Bowling Green, they may have been knocked out very early.... You Mercer fans are always a bit ahead of yourselves.

Do you remember who won 3a that year???

 

Off the top of my head it was Highlands, CovCath or LexCath. I want to say CovCath.

Teams such as Cov. Cath, Lex. Cath, Central, Bowling Green, they may have been knocked out very early.... You Mercer fans are always a bit ahead of yourselves.

 

I'm a Bowling Green/Boyle County guy first. I have a lot of love for Mercer County though.

Teams such as Cov. Cath, Lex. Cath, Central, Bowling Green, they may have been knocked out very early.... You Mercer fans are always a bit ahead of yourselves.

 

It was an excellent Cov Cath team that beat Bowling Green for the title.

 

I don't share Purple's assessment of that first Titan squad, but Mercer was a very good team that season.