What does Wayne County need to do to improve in 2014? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Wayne County reached unprecedented heights last year and Thompson has really taken that program to the next level by "doing it the right way" and consistently building for an extended period of time.

 

The Senior Class that the Cards lost was huge and talented. Obviously Guffey is the biggest blow as he was a phenomenal HS player. Losing guys like Brown, Corder, Clem, Perkins, Ruiz, and Woolridge will certainly force the Cards to take a step back... but at the same time I don't see them just falling off. Their Junior class was strong with guys like Branham, Gardner, Garner, and Parmley. They also bring up a very strong Freshman Class who were Middle School State Runner-Ups (ironically to Belfry).

 

The step back will be noticeable, but the Wayne County program has reached the level where the depth of their classes will continue to make them a factor in the 3A landscape.

For another year in 3A anyway, however, I see them being a very relevant factor in 4A, too. :thumb:

It will be very interesting to see how they replace all of those starters. They can't replace Guffey and he is what made their team last year.JMO I can't wait until they come to Log Mountain this year.

It will be very interesting to see how they replace all of those starters. They can't replace Guffey and he is what made their team last year.JMO I can't wait until they come to Log Mountain this year.

 

He is what made their offense...but Wayne County's strength last year was a defense that functioned like clockwork and disrupted opposing teams. Their last 4 games were against some pretty talented teams: Belfry, Tilghman, Central, and Corbin. The Cards allowed an average of 5 point per game during that stretch.

 

Right now with all the losses you have to put Wayne as a very good 3 seed in their district... but if they can rally around the pieces they do return in defense they could be a stout team come November.

He is what made their offense...but Wayne County's strength last year was a defense that functioned like clockwork and disrupted opposing teams. Their last 4 games were against some pretty talented teams: Belfry' date=' Tilghman, Central, and Corbin. The Cards allowed an average of 5 point per game during that stretch. Right now with all the losses you have to put Wayne as a very good 3 seed in their district... but if they can rally around the pieces they do return in defense they could be a stout team come November.[/quote']

 

I think the problem will be that they don't have very many starters returning. I think 2 to defense and 2 on offense.

Another site said 22 seniors. That's a lot of grown kids even if they didn't see much game experience.

Another site said 22 seniors. That's a lot of grown kids even if they didn't see much game experience.

 

Very few played because they had that many last year.

According to their starters for the Title Game:

 

4 Offensive Starters Return:

Philpot

Garner

Branham

Gardner

 

3 Defensive Starters Return:

Parmley

Rednour

Pierce

 

With the exception of Gardner and Garner seeing limited snaps on defense this is essentially the only Cardinals who played in the Championship Game.

According to their starters for the Title Game:

 

4 Offensive Starters Return:

Philpot

Garner

Branham

Gardner

 

3 Defensive Starters Return:

Parmley

Rednour

Pierce

 

With the exception of Gardner and Garner seeing limited snaps on defense this is essentially the only Cardinals who played in the Championship Game.

 

That is not a lot. They will be just like us last year. I think that they will take their lumps 95% of the offense is lost and will be hard to replace. I think they will be 3rd in our district next year.

That is not a lot. They will be just like us last year. I think that they will take their lumps 95% of the offense is lost and will be hard to replace. I think they will be 3rd in our district next year.

 

I tend to agree with you after seeing just how few players actually played... those are some nice pieces and as I said they will have a solid Freshman Class... but that is a massive loss on defense to replace all your LB's and DB's as well as essentially your entire Oline and QB.

I tend to agree with you after seeing just how few players actually played... those are some nice pieces and as I said they will have a solid Freshman Class... but that is a massive loss on defense to replace all your LB's and DB's as well as essentially your entire Oline and QB.

 

I think we are on the same page.

Both Bell and Wayne have to deal with odds on region favorite Corbin, but it is interesting to see where Wayne will be at the end of the year. If they are back in the hunt after reloading then they are an up and coming contender.

Edited April 8, 201412 yr by Ram
Rule 13

Both bell and wayne have to deal with odds on region favorite Corbin' date=' but it is interesting to see where wayne will be at the end of the year. If they are back in the hunt after reloading then they are an up and coming contender.[/quote']

 

Bell has a lot more coming back than Corbin does. I don't see them as the favorite.

Corbin has game changers coming back.

Edited April 8, 201412 yr by Ram
Rule 10