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

As most of you know that knows anything about the Monroe County Falcons they are coming back this year only losing a few key players from the roster. All the linemen are juniors this year with the addition of second year starter "Mink" 6-6 365 as a sophomore. The line is big, and fast for the Falcons. The only problem with this is the Junior qb Arnett is only 5'10". He is on the path to break every school record at qb ever set in Monroe. He has a rifle attached to his shoulder and is better on the run than sitting in the pocket. Dangerous for aggressive teams! The great addition to the offense is 6-7 235lb senior Bennett at tight end. The back field is loaded with two returning starters that rotated out throughout the year with injuries and platooning last year. Both Phillips and Veach are capable of explosion through the secondary. And both are highly skilled with there hands in the spread offensive. The receiver core has returning starters on both ends with one winning his weight class and out lifting both classes above him in the Jonathan Witty lift-a-thon! The weight room has been these kids home for the last year.

Defensively for the Falcons brings in a fresh set of linemen that played there share of minutes on both sides of the ball last year. The bookends are returning 6-7 defensive end and senior center Pickerell. The linebacker core is an aggressive group that only lost one starter from last year. Monroe has a new secondary look this year for that was their biggest weakness from last year. The athleticism in this young group is outstanding and my prediction for this class is very high.

I've heard from several a lot closer to the program than me, that if Monroe was ever going to win one (and, Lord knows they have been beating down the door several times, several of those in the last 6 years) that it will be one of, if not both of the next two years.

 

They have one more year before falling to 2A, and next years 3A COULD (merely off speculation here, and we all know what that means) give them their best shot. In 2015, they'll be in a 2A west side of things minus the Tilghmans, Central's, Corbin, Bell County, Wayne, Caldwell County will be moving up to 3A....but, Mayfield will bump up.

 

IMO, John Pettet is one of the most underrated coaches in the state. We all want to talk about those who have won state titles, and while there are others out there (current and past) whose schools hadn't won titles before their arrival; there aren't many. Most of those programs were already long, ready made.

 

Anybody ever been to Tompkinsville? To quote "O Brother Where Art Thou"; it's a "geographical oddity...two weeks from everywhere." It's not quite that bad, but it's 80+ miles from any kind of area that remotely simulates one of "Metropolitan" status (and, that's being loose with the term).

 

Question tsyoung7, I know soccer has been kept out of the high school ranks at Monroe, but what about at the Youth levels?

Petett has done a great job. Not sure how Monroe has been able to keep him through all of the open jobs in Western KY.

 

They are dark horse in the 3A west this year, but I'm not sure they have the firepower to beat one of the bell/Corbin/wayne teams which I think will come out of that region.

 

Early on they play Wayne at home, so we will see the true mettle of both teams.

 

2015 is a different story. They should win 2A even with Mayfield sitting there.

My gut says Monroe is one more year away... but this is going to be a very, very dangerous team that I think is off the radar a it in 3A.

 

Really like the way the Monroe coaching staff has demonstrated their ability to make a run and peak in the playoffs and this year they will have a ton of experience. I think the West is the most open it has been in the past 5 or 6 years in 3A this year w/ Tilghman undergoing transition, Wayne County graduating a ton, and Central looking to rebuild.

 

Corbin and Bell return similar numbers as Monroe and were a bit more competitive in the 3A scope last year.. but by and large I still view Monroe as my dark horse in 2014 in 3A... and think they will be a very clear cut contender in the 2015 2A.

 

My biggest concern with Monroe this season is playmakers. I have zero doubt they will be a fundamentally sound team who works with precision...but the question will be who can step up and make a big time play when they need it against several very athletic and talented defenses. The QB in 2012 was that kind of playmaker... if Monroe wants to survive and advance in the West they will need that player to emerge and lead.

I agree with someone needs to move up as a playmaker. These boys have hit the weight room and are ready to follow the path laid by the Alumni to make a loud bang in the football world! It should be a very interesting season for the Might Falcons of Monroe!