I know they have been talking merger for atleast 20 years. So we have created a monster. I can't wait till it's unleashed august 19th.

 

Maybe "created a monster" is a little strong. Remember, the Harrodsburg team last year finished 3-8 and Mercer had one of its best seasons ever at 10-2. Mercer should be a good team, but I'm not prepared to concede the Class AA title just yet, although many (especially in Mercer County!) think its a foregone conclusion.

Maybe "created a monster" is a little strong. Remember, the Harrodsburg team last year finished 3-8 and Mercer had one of its best seasons ever at 10-2. Mercer should be a good team, but I'm not prepared to concede the Class AA title just yet, although many (especially in Mercer County!) think its a foregone conclusion.

 

You have to realize what each team actually had returning and what the weaknesses for each were.

 

Harrodsburg - had loads of speed but no line to open holes, pass protect or contain an offense. Their coaching staff didn't get the most out of this team which had potential.

Mercer - had solid backs, a very large/strong offensive line but didn't have a great deal of speed. Their coaching staff got the most out of their kids and did it without any real 'speed merchants'.

 

They are now combining very fast players with very strong players under the watchful eye of Coach Jaggers and his staff. The combination of these teams 'fills gaps' (to quote Rocky Balboa) and I think they could be better than last year's Mercer team which was 10-2 and finally got over the hump by winning a playoff game. Getting all the best players in the county will just give this team the possibility of becoming a monster in whatever class they end up being in when the new alignments are finalized.

I know Russell will have at least one super-talented gigantic lineman next year with Seth Harvey. He was 6-5, 310 as a freshman OT for St. X. last year. Much to my surprise, I haven't heard anyone from Russell talking about him yet. Are you trying to keep him under the radar? How is he doing so far in practice?

 

Seth is a great kid and player, I also watched him as an 8th grader at Russell. To be honest, I dont think he will start this year as there are other kids that are showing a better job, I dont think he lifted this winter and compared to what I have seen with other linemen this year, he is no where near the strength, speed or power of others on the team. I am glad he is just a sophomore, he wil have to hit the weights inthe winter, and continue to work with the basketball team to get his foot speed improved.

DONT GET ME WRONG- He is a great athlete, a great kid and a great addition to the mix, but right now he needs to improve to get playing time.

I am looking forward to Russell line play this year. Devils graduated some small but powerful football players. And that's the highest compliment for those kids .. football players ... Timberlake - fullback/Guard , Smith , Perry , Shaffer and Mell. All these kids played both ways .... The Lines this year will do it with size and numbers .... I'll be looking for next "football players "... Certainly fits Wills and I am counting on Ethan to step up. Although the Wing T helps with blocking angles and general confusion for linebackers , games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Go Devils

Seth is a great kid and player, I also watched him as an 8th grader at Russell. To be honest, I dont think he will start this year as there are other kids that are showing a better job, I dont think he lifted this winter and compared to what I have seen with other linemen this year, he is no where near the strength, speed or power of others on the team. I am glad he is just a sophomore, he wil have to hit the weights inthe winter, and continue to work with the basketball team to get his foot speed improved.

DONT GET ME WRONG- He is a great athlete, a great kid and a great addition to the mix, but right now he needs to improve to get playing time.

What was the reason for him not lifting in the Winter? I have heard a lot about his talent, but work ethic comes first.

You have to realize what each team actually had returning and what the weaknesses for each were.

 

Harrodsburg - had loads of speed but no line to open holes, pass protect or contain an offense. Their coaching staff didn't get the most out of this team which had potential.

Mercer - had solid backs, a very large/strong offensive line but didn't have a great deal of speed. Their coaching staff got the most out of their kids and did it without any real 'speed merchants'.

 

They are now combining very fast players with very strong players under the watchful eye of Coach Jaggers and his staff. The combination of these teams 'fills gaps' (to quote Rocky Balboa) and I think they could be better than last year's Mercer team which was 10-2 and finally got over the hump by winning a playoff game. Getting all the best players in the county will just give this team the possibility of becoming a monster in whatever class they end up being in when the new alignments are finalized.

I don't know what team you were watching last year but their backs had a great deal of speed. with 2 2 of them at the 4.4 40 as measured at the Centre combine. Their backs had the same speed as Harrodsburg. Point meant is that they should be even better because they still have 2 of their 3 backs that started as well as 2 new ones with great speed.

I don't know what team you were watching last year but their backs had a great deal of speed. with 2 2 of them at the 4.4 40 as measured at the Centre combine. Their backs had the same speed as Harrodsburg. Point meant is that they should be even better because they still have 2 of their 3 backs that started as well as 2 new ones with great speed.[/quote

 

 

So your point is, Mercer will have four backs with 4.4 speed or faster. I heard Donald Walker ran in the low 4.3's at the Centre combine.

I was informed that the scrimmage between Somerset and Mercer (at Mercer) will happen on thursday at 7:00 pm. That rumor had been flying around. Now it's not a rumor no more. They are also having an open house for the new fieldhouse starting at 6:00 pm.

I don't know what team you were watching last year but their backs had a great deal of speed. with 2 2 of them at the 4.4 40 as measured at the Centre combine. Their backs had the same speed as Harrodsburg. Point meant is that they should be even better because they still have 2 of their 3 backs that started as well as 2 new ones with great speed.

 

I wasn't trying to slam any backs, I thought the Mercer backs were very solid. But my only full game watching Mercer was the North Laurel game. There was not 1 player for NL who ran better than a 4.6 and I didn't see anyone from Mercer just running off and leaving them behind. I did see very good/smart backs for Mercer and an O line that just wore NL down by the 4th quarter. I also saw very fast backs for Harrodsburg who had no time to even get moving against South Laurel who was in their backfield, often times just after the handoff.

 

Also, I wouldn't use the Centre combine as a great indicator of actual 40 times. There were tons of comments last year about the times being faster than they really should have been. I also read on here prior to last season that Harrodsburg had 2-3 backs timed at 4.3 as sophomores. The only thing I know for a fact is that Mercer will be VERY tough for years to come. They have some solid football players across the board in their program right now.

 

I have been a positive supporter of Mercer on nearly every thread on here since Coach Jaggers took over last year. I was just trying to point out that the combination of Mercer and Harrodsburg could make for a dynamite team this very season, not just for the future. Sorry if you took offense to my observations, I was not trying to discredit anyone.

What was the reason for him not lifting in the Winter?

Basketball.

I don't know what team you were watching last year but their backs had a great deal of speed. with 2 2 of them at the 4.4 40 as measured at the Centre combine. Their backs had the same speed as Harrodsburg. Point meant is that they should be even better because they still have 2 of their 3 backs that started as well as 2 new ones with great speed.[/quote

 

 

So your point is, Mercer will have four backs with 4.4 speed or faster. I heard Donald Walker ran in the low 4.3's at the Centre combine.

Walker is a great player. He was very impressive last season. Very quick, very fast, very powerful. With that said, no way does he run low 4.3s

Mercer Titan is correct, the game is at Mercer Thursday night. What type offense will Mercer run, I am anxious to see how the Jumpers perform. Just as in the last few seasons it is going to come down to the defense. Good luck on the season Jumpers!!!

Mercer Titan is correct, the game is at Mercer Thursday night. What type offense will Mercer run, I am anxious to see how the Jumpers perform. Just as in the last few seasons it is going to come down to the defense. Good luck on the season Jumpers!!!

 

The way I'm hearing things if it comes down to defense right now, we will have a lot to talk about late tomorrow night. I hope that certain people on here are being cautious about the Somerset D right now. I wish them the best and stay healthy.

For all of the Mercer Co. faithfull I just wanted to say that I was very impressed with the new indoor practice facility. I think it was WKYT that showcased it yesterday on the news. A very classy facility, whomever did the painting on the turf did a great job...

Mercer runs a little bit of everything on offense. They run 3 back, 2 back and 1 back formations!