Watched them practice today #s are down a little but expectations are higher. Everyone I talked to said they are expecting a great season.

Ashlands not that good.

Hoping everyone on the schedule thinks the same thing.

Good year yes....district title no. Having 2 fast and quick backs last year and coming up short shows you just how important line play is. Not busting on Ashlands line buts just not where it should be to compete with those other schools.

This reminds me of D.Harris last year. His teammates literally waited for Superman to save the day and just watched him as he carried the team. I expect a big year for Baker hut I don't think the overall team record will change. Mediocre players and 1 star.

There are a lot of things that need to improve over last years team, to win the district and make a playoff run. However the Highlands game last year does show that they have the potential to be a dangerous team. Some of the Highlands fans would probably agree, that was a close game until Ashland ran out of gas. Most teams run out of gas when they play Highlands, however there isn't a team in 4a anymore with the overall depth that Highlands consistently has.

 

Coach Love has always been big on strength and conditioning and from what I'm hearing the kids are buying into his philosophy and have been hitting the weights during the off season. If the online has bulked up some and whomever the qb may be can make some accurate short passes to get Baker and the receiving corp out in the open field I could see it being a special year. They will have plenty of team speed and a solid defense.

 

Johnson Central will be a huge hurdle no doubt. Matney has been a thorn in Ashlands side everywhere he has coached. But if they can find a way to beat the fighting Mattneys, they will be playing in Bowling Green this year, IMO. Hopefully coach Love spent as much time sorting out some coaching issues as his kids spent in the weight room this off season. All in all if Ashland can get those three things sorted out, it should be a great year.

Agreed Ashland needs to get Baker and company the ball in space. He is a threat especially on screens and short outs to go the distance. He will run by and through a lot of tackles this year.

Agreed Ashland needs to get Baker and company the ball in space. He is a threat especially on screens and short outs to go the distance. He will run by and through a lot of tackles this year.

 

No doubt. A screen pass to Baker would be like a deep ball thrown to a lot of receivers by a good really good qb. Anytime he has an open field in front of him he's a threat to score, that would be a nightmare for most 4a defences. For that to happen oline and qb play needs to improve a bit. I was told by someone very close to the program that they have looked great in practices. This came from someone who is blatantly honest and at about this time last year said they looked like a word filter violation.

Ashland can have good year but can't compete with JC in the pits. Line play is the difference, and I don't see Tony Love being at Ashland long term as HC Imo. Already have fired basketball and baseball guys.

 

You bring up a good point. The baseball coach won the region with two D1 arms and he was let go. The football team won 6 games last year with three D1 players. This comparison may be apples and oranges, but the fact is Ashland was mediocre on offense and defense and could have been dynamic.

 

Offensively, I am curious which is greater the number of three and outs or the number of 10+ play drives? The last two years Ashland scores only when Baker breaks a long one. The inability to drive the football, use clock, and keep the other team's O off the field hurts them. I would like to see them figure out how to move the chains consistently.

 

Defensively, I often wondered last year why you take your best pursuit guy and play him in a scheme where his primary responsibilities are to take on blockers.

 

But hey what do I know? I hope the kids stay healthy and play hard.

I didn't watch a full tomcat game last year but to me it seemed like they were a Baker big play or bust. Like they lacked an ability to make long drives. If they could add that along with his big play ability it would be scary. With his(Bakers) added strength and weight this year I assume he will be able to take those types of carries for them.

I have heard from several sources that Ashland's offensive line is going to be a big surprise for opponents. Sounds like they have a lot of confidence in the guys in the trenches.

I have heard from several sources that Ashland's offensive line is going to be a big surprise for opponents. Sounds like they have a lot of confidence in the guys in the trenches.

Heard the same. Talked to one of the coaches yesterday, he said that if healthy their line will be as good as they have had in awhile.

I have heard from several sources that Ashland's offensive line is going to be a big surprise for opponents. Sounds like they have a lot of confidence in the guys in the trenches.

 

I have heard the same. There is a lot of excitement in Ashland about this team. The same group of people that were telling me that last year could be a rough one this time last year are telling me that this team has the potential to be the best Ashland has had in a while. Apparently Dowdy and Roark are battling it out for the qb position and both are looking good. I always temper my expectations until I get to see the team play, but I've gotta say this group of kids seem determined to do big things.