Love has faith as Tomcats start anew

If all goes to plan, Ashland could welcome Kurtlen Brown back onto the field as early as Friday, Sept. 9, against Russell.Brown totaled 1,069 and 12 scores on the ground as a junior for Ashland, but he didn’t spend the summer as a Tomcat. He enrolled for his senior year earlier this month, but must participate in the minimum number of practices, including practices with pads, before suiting up.

“He’s here. He’s going through the acclimation period with us,” said Tomcats coach Tony Love.

For now, though, there are no returning 1,000-yard rushers. There are essentially no returning offensive linemen. And the likely starting quarterback attempted 21 total passes last fall.

Love, though, either disguised his concern exceptionally well or is genuinely not worried about his team.

“I think we’re pretty balanced in what we can do,” Love said. “I like the effort of the kids, the depth that we have.”

Love knows Raceland will present a challenge on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Putnam Stadium. He also projects that what one saw last Friday during the Rams’ 28-13 win over West Carter is not exactly what Ashland will get.

“Just kinda looking at personnel, it’s clear that, based on last year and the West Carter game, they were trying to spell their starters some,” Love said. “Against us, I’d say you’ll see several two-way starters, in particular, the guys up front. You look at that game ... and that’s just kinda one page of what they do in terms of offense and defense, but personnel-wise, it’ll look completely different, I’m sure, this Friday.

“I’m not going to predict what (Rams coach Michael Salmons) is going to do, but that’s how we’re preparing,” Love said. “We’re going to prepare for the best they have on both sides of the ball.”

Love has faith as Tomcats start anew | Sports | dailyindependent.com