Anyword on how Bardstown will look in 06? Are they losing a lot of people and do they have any new comers???

The Tigers lose 15 seniors, including QB/DB Brian Calhoun, FB/NT Terrell Conner, FB/LB Melvin Scott, OT/DE Elliot Mattingly, OG/LB Quay Williams, E/OLB Patrick Dick, TB/OLB/KR Kwasi Obeng, C/DE Chris Drury, and TB Jamehyl Butler. This was a tremendous senior class and their losses will be grievous, particularly on the offensive line and in the linebacking corps.

 

However, the returning talent at Bardstown is substantial, and with early maturity by some younger players, the Tigers could again be contenders.

 

WR Wenquel Graves will likely move to QB. Graves is a tremendous all-around athlete, maybe even more so than Calhoun was, and has a very good arm to boot. The offense will adjust to support him.

 

The backfield will re-load, I believe. The Tigers have what may be the most underrated player in the district in RB/OLB Paul Downs, who is a hard runner and is an explosive receiver out of the backfield. They return TB Kelvin Scott, who has excellent speed and played quite a bit as a sophomore. Rising senior Ted Mattingly is a 6 footer, who will be utilized as a faullback. They also have perhaps the best freshmen athlete in the district in 6'2" Rashaun Phillips, a promising, hard runner.

 

The line will be a problem. Returning is 6'2" 245 lb. offensive tackle A.J. Lewis, who will anchor it, and rising junior Jeremy Gesser at OG, who saw a lot of time down the stretch last year. The other 3 spots will be up for grabs.

 

On defense, the captain will be returning LB Vinny Calhoun and Downs at OLB. Graves will play DB, and Phillips, who saw a lot of time as a freshmen at LB, will also be there. The DL is a big question. Lewis can play DL but has never played both ways. Brandt Sheckles played some NT last year, but needs to improve.

 

If some of the younger Tigers mature early, I could easily see Bardstown challenging for the district crown again and maybe even playing Danville in the regional finals. Last year, this team was all about senior leadership and commitment. The coaching staff is very good. If they can resurrect that chemistry, they could repeat. If it takes longer, Bardstown may be battling Bethlehem and and Campbellsville for 2nd place behind Holy Cross.

Bardstown always has a little speed. Every year. Their tradition is really unbelievable. What a great program!