Due to relatives I have involved in the Williamsburg program, I follow the Yellowjackets. I hear that for them to be successful this year they are counting on Thomas Frazier at QB, Chase Hamlin at Receiver, and Aaron Root at FB and LB. I have heard a few other names from other Southeast Ky schools, like Cashen at Corbin, Earls at Middlesboro, Slusher at Bell, and Rosskopf at Lynn Camp. Who are some players that will have to come up big at the Laurel County schools, and Whitley, Mcreary, Knox Central, or any others I've failed to mention in this area?

I don't know about you folks but lets tee it up and kick it off...dying for the season to get here!

At South Laurel several kids have to come up big. The young O line must step up and protect the QB. O'Neil must have a big year at QB. Bingham, Cochis and Baker must have big years at the WR spot. Ledford must become the leader of the defense under a new coordinator. Hibbard must become the anchor of the O line. Quinn has to give the Cards a running game and be the go to back. McQueen must be the force everyone has expected him to either at TE or at FB. The defense must improve as I don't think they will score as many points as in 2005. The new coordinator has his work cut out for him.

 

At North Laurel the same applies. Asher will be the go to guy and needs to have a big year, especially on offense. Whomever the QB is must become the leader of the offense with yet their 2nd new system in 2 years and be confident. Brandenburg must be the anchor of the defense and continue to make big plays. Maggard and Stuber have to be impact players on both sides of the ball. Fugate must stay healthy step into the other LB spot and be an immediate impact player to take some of the heat off of Brandenburg. Denver Tyree has to become a solid cover corner he can become. The O line must do a better job in pass protection. And last but not least, the offensive playcalling must improve and not be so predictable.

 

 

If all of those kids come thru, these teams should be right in the playoff hunt and could be dangerous come playoff time. If not, they could have less than stellar seasons. I expect both to surprise many with their 2006 seasons.

Corbin needs to have some of their lineman step-up their game a notch and become the dominant type player that they are capable of being, such as juniors Sean Nolan and Taz Mocahbee. They also must replace Blackwood & Tate who combined for nearly 90 catches and 1400 yards receiving last year. Some candidates to fill those roles include junior Rob Madon and sophomores Lance Freeman and Kevin French among others. Large contributions are also expected out of several other sophomores and juniors including Campbell, Hayden, Taylor, Light, Sanders, etc. who did not play prominant roles last year.

Corbin needs to have some of their lineman step-up their game a notch and become the dominant type player that they are capable of being, such as juniors Sean Nolan and Taz Mocahbee. They also must replace Blackwood & Tate who combined for nearly 90 catches and 1400 yards receiving last year. Some candidates to fill those roles include junior Rob Madon and sophomores Lance Freeman and Kevin French among others. Large contributions are also expected out of several other sophomores and juniors including Campbell, Hayden, Taylor, Light, Sanders, etc. who did not play prominant roles last year.

 

Is Josh Martin still playing and what will be his role for the Hounds this year?

At Bell it is all about running the football on offense, and stopping the run on defense.

 

Having said that, Bell needs their entire O-line and Sophomore RB Spencer Greer to play big.

 

On defense, Slusher at LB has already been named, but they can't just depend on him, and have to find a couple more solid,dependable LB's that can step up and play big.

Is Josh Martin still playing and what will be his role for the Hounds this year?

 

Josh is still playing and if he can stay healthy(has been injured for three consecutive years)should be a big factor on the defensive side. I'm guessing that they may only play Josh on defense to try and keep him healthy seeing as though Corbin's depth will be the best that I can recall in many years.

 

I expect Josh to be a playmaker and one of the leaders on defense this year.

Josh is still playing and if he can stay healthy(has been injured for three consecutive years)should be a big factor on the defensive side. I'm guessing that they may only play Josh on defense to try and keep him healthy seeing as though Corbin's depth will be the best that I can recall in many years.

 

I expect Josh to be a playmaker and one of the leaders on defense this year.

 

 

I hope he stays healthy as well. He is a good kid from a good family!

Josh has worked very hard and put on some weight an muscle he will help corbin defense. Also his younger brother Jarred could see some valuable playing time Corbin will be a much improved team this year.

At Lynn Camp Sidney Wagner, Scott Bray, Cameron Simpson, Justin Gorsuch, Kyle Scalf, and the o and d lines need to step up and play well for LC to have a good season.

I didn't know that Bray went back to Lynn Camp. I thought he moved back to Corbin? Either way, it's a plus because he is a good ball player.

At Whitley, Seniors Cody Jeffries and Shaun Monhollan will have to play up to their potential for Whitley to be good. These two veterans are the meanest, strongest players on the Colonel Roster and they will be expected to lead the squad this season. Both should be playing college football next year.

 

Juniors Jordan McCumbers and Shawn Baird are expected to be very good. McCumbers will direct the Franklin Offense in his second season as a starter. He has a terrific arm and should excel in this offense. Baird has division 1 size (6-5, 250) and talent. If he applies himself, he could be the best to ever suit-up at Whitley.

 

It appears as though injuries are going to haunt the Colonels next season as two expected starters have been out of the passing drills all summer due to injury. Cody Jones broke his leg in an auto accident and is not expected to play this season. Cody is one of 2 or 3 fastest players on the roster and he will be sorely missed on both sides of the ball. Perhaps the only kid on the team faster than Jones is Mark Teague who has also been out all summer due to an ATV accident. Teague is expected back in August, but he will most likely miss all of summer practice. Replacing either of these kids is going to be tough.

I didn't know that Bray went back to Lynn Camp. I thought he moved back to Corbin? Either way, it's a plus because he is a good ball player.

 

The deal with Bray is a little unusual. This is my understanding of it, but LC99 may know if this is accurate or not.

 

He started out at Corbin, then transferred to Lynn Camp after his freshman year. He then played his sophomore and junior seasons at Lynn Camp before transferring back to Corbin in January. He did not get a release to play his senior season at Corbin, so he is transferring back to Lynn Camp.

 

Unless I am mistaken, he lives in the Corbin school district, which does not affect his eligibility at Lynn Camp.

I does not matter where you live as far as the district once you have established eligibilty. Even if he lives in the Corbin district, but established at Lynn Camp he would have to sit, unless he had a bona fide change of address(KHSAA BL 6). So for the kids sake it was better for him to return to the original school so he can participate his senior year.

 

The KHSAA needs to address certain situations like this one, so not to penalize the kid.

I does not matter where you live as far as the district once you have established eligibilty. Even if he lives in the Corbin district, but established at Lynn Camp he would have to sit, unless he had a legitimate change of address. So for the kids sake it was better for him to return to the original school so he can participate his senior year.

 

The KHSAA needs to address certain situations like this one, so not to penalize the kid.

 

He hasn't moved, yet has transferred back and forth from Corbin to Lynn Camp? That is part of what the KHSAA is trying to eliminate. The KHSAA cannot allow this type of moving from school to school to go on.

How is Whitley adjusting to Jim Black's new system? When he went to Whitley Ithought it would take a year or so for the kids to adjust to a drastically different style. That being said, if Whitley continues in the current district they are now in, Coach Black's system could be a great equalizer for the Colonels, it sure was at Williamsburg. Hate to hear that injuries are a problem as we are big fans of coach Black and wish him every success.