What does Kentucky Country Day need to do to improve in 2016? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

The good news for the Bearcats this year, they return a ton. And the Sophomore class, which made up the majority of a vulnerable early, improving late defense is one year older and more developed.

 

The bad news, this team is thin at almost every position, especially interior offensive and defensive line. The incoming Freshman and rising Sophomore classes don't have a ton to contribute, especially big, strong dudes to give line play some depth.

 

The strength of the team is at QB, in third-year-starter, Senior Jared Frank, an all conference and all district performer. He'll share duties with Jackson Diaz, who anchored the team's defense last year at outside linebacker.

 

When Frank splits out as receiver, there are few teams in the state who have this kind of size and athleticism in their passing game. Frank is 6' 3" , quick and athletic. Rising Junior TE Josh Lifson is 6' 4'" 215 with great hands-- who can play split end as well. 6'0" Gianni Minor adds depth and speed to the duo of Frank and Lifson. If Diaz can get decent protection when he comes in at QB, he has some serious targets. Pass protection will be critical this year, because the horses are there to haul it in.

 

Anchoring the O and D lines will be rising Juniors Robert Thomas 6'0" 205 and Brandon Leonard 6' 0" 290. Both are strong kids who will benefit from another year of development and experience as returning multi-year starters.

 

The running game will be the toughest part of the offense to replenish this year. KCD lost a lot of speed and experience in two graduating senior RBs. The mainstay this year figures to be returning starter Ashton Robinson, a low to the ground, tough north and south runner who figures to get a majority of the carries.

 

KCD scored in bunches last year. And if pass protection is there, they should be equally dangerous on offense in 2016. Defensively, this team needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and play smarter when the opponent signal callers start to scramble. Too many tackles for losses ended up long passes to wide open receivers last year when DBs didn't stay home.

 

The schedule is ambitious--tough, tough, tough road games loom against Lexington Christian and Adair County. KCD is home for the annual heartbreaker with Holy Cross. Might this be the year that the Bearcats get a little revenge? Staying injury free, maximizing the talent of the receiving corps, and just growing up a little on defense will be the keys to the season.

 

If all that happens(lots of ifs here) the upside looks pretty good...an 8-2 regular season with a district championship is plausible. And as far as this team would like to go in the playoffs, Beechwood, despite graduating a ton, looms large as always.

Lets not forget the addition of Former Waggoner Head coach Jason Stallard to the coaching staff.

So are they the district favorite?

So are they the district favorite?

 

Forgive my ignorance, but who is their district?

Forgive my ignorance, but who is their district?

 

Lou. Holy Cross

KCD

Frankfort

Eminence

KCD has a good shot at winning the district. I think it's between them and Frankfort.